I've been thinking of a dog for years now. What do Schnauzer masters have to say about this breed? OIC homefront would prefer a female....believe males can be over-'amorous' at times. What issues/problems should I be looking for? Thanks.
Bottom line is this. They are terriers and have the typical terrier traits. (IMHO, terriers are more catlike in temperament...more independent and less clingy than most other dogs and they have a VERY high energy level.) The training you give them will have a lot of influence on how they grow up (all mine have gone through obedience training. The Schanuzer was the easiest, the Daschund the hardest...but this was expected because of breed traits.)can they be trained to be quiet, are some natural quieter? the dog's (not breed's) individual personality.
There are always variations in breeds between individual dogs but Schanuzers are not one of the 'quieter' dogs.
can they keep themselves entertained without destroying things for any amount of time? i.e. a day trip or day-night-morning away?
ROFLMAF! They are terriers! They can certainly keep themselves entertained but remember that these dogs were bred to hunt small prey! I have come home to a houseful of shredded newspapers, chewed up shoes, and other disarray on more than one occasion It was all done in the name of fun, however! However, they travel well. Mine has been going camping since she was a puppy and is a well traveled young lady!
any idea if they 'upset' the neighbours when owners not home?
They bark. Whether this will 'upset' the neighbors depends a lot on your neighbors. Schanuzers are natural watchdogs.
are they good inside the house? I have heard they are very clean breeds.
must they be kept outside only?
Mine lives in the house. Her idea of going outside (other than going for a walk) is to lounge on one of the loungechairs by the pool (screened in pool enclosure). IF it's really hot she prefers to stay inside in the AC. Can anyone say "princess"? She is housebroken (something I cannot say of my Yorkie...but that is a breed thing!) She prefers to sleep in her own bed instead of mine (something I cannot say of my daschund--but that is a breed thing). She loves getting a regular bath and loves getting brushed. However, given the opportunity she will roll in the nastiest smelling stuff she can find -- like a dead decaying animal that we come across on a walk. This, however, is a general canine trait to cover up their smell to confuse prey and not necessarily a schnauzer only trait. She eats poop. To her it's like cavier, expecially if it is from the lltter pan. Once again, this is not a schanuzer trait but a natural instinct that many dogs have and one that is next to impossible to break! Mother dogs do this to clean up after their puppies to keep the nest clean so it is something that is 'hardwired' that dogs do.
How regular do they need grooming (haircuts)
Depends on whether you want to keep the coat short or longer, how good you want them to look (I am a Barber and I have had clients that came in weekly to remain well groomed and others that came in only when their hair was so out of shape that it looked like a fright wig. I imagine that their dogs might be much the same!) I like to keep mine clipped short in a schanuzer cut. Since I don't show her I don't have her stripped (the dead hair pulled out to make the coat more wirey. It is a true art that most groomers cannot do and it's expensive to have done because it is time consuming.) Mine really needs grooming about every 6 weeks to 2 months to keep her looking really good and to keep her nails trimmed. She seems to like it also because she struts around the house and tells everyone she meets about how good she looks after coming home from the groomer!
do they cope well as an only pet/only dog? would it be okay with a burmese cat, it's a 'doglike-cat'
Hard to say, Once again it depends on the individual dog. Remember that dogs are pack animals so they are always going to be happier if there is more than one, especially if the 'human pack' is not around much of the time.
As far as cats go, once again it depends on the individual dog. I adopted a kitten (bobtail) when my Schanuzer was about 3 years old. She decided that she was going to adopt him and become his mama and to this day the two of them share a special bond that he does not have with my other two dogs. He will put up with 'dog injustices' from her that he will not tolerate from the other two.
I've heard the Schnauzer is a much toned down quieter version of a West Highland terrier and better with kids. I know THEY (westies) are full of beans and right terriers.
Thanks for the feedback. There is a schnauzer picnic early May along with a schnauzer show. Will have to go solo as wife away. Let me know if there is any other points I need to know here, or at those meets I hope to attend.
Waterbear...great feedback. Greatly appreciated. I love quiet dogs like the lab/retriever, but I very much enjoy the 'antics and personality' of smaller breeds. A schnauzer could work.
Pureslab. Thanks, however the full (giant?) schnauzer is too big, as are retriever size dogs.
That's why I'm looking closely at the miniature and standard. I wonder is there's much between them. Aside from hearing back here, I'll find out more at that picinic (hope to make it).
Cheers again for all the great posts.
If you want a smallish, quieter dog with plenty of personality and that are easier to train go with a corgi. They are known for having a big, happy, silly dog personality in a much smaller package.
I would never recommend a person unfamiliar with schnauzers simply get one out of the blue. Get to know one and spend time with it before you decide whether the personality and temperament is right for you.