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Photo: Mary Bloom/The American Kennel Club, Inc.

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Smart, trainable, and consistently cheerful, the Miniature Schnauzer makes a wonderful pet, companion, and friend while also excelling in the show, obedience, and agility rings. Known for its distinguished, handsome appearance, the Miniature Schnauzer is characterized by its eyebrows, whiskers, and coloring unique to only the Schnauzer family. Colors can be salt and pepper (mixture of grey, black, and white hairs), solid black, and black and silver.

A Look Back
Of German origin, and recognizable in pictures as early as the 15th century, the Miniature Schnauzer was derived from the Standard Schnauzer. The Miniature is said to have come from mixing Affenpinschers and Poodles with small Standards. The smaller size was developed to be used as a pet-sized ratter and was exhibited as a distinct breed as early as 1899.

Right Breed for You?
This diminutive breed adapts easily to any living situation and loves children if the two are introduced while the dog is under a year of age. Despite their small stature, the Miniature Schnauzer can give an alarm just as well as a larger dog, which makes them excellent watchdogs. They are hypoallergenic and shed very little, making them ideal for allergy sufferers. They do, however, require grooming every few months.

• Terrier Group; AKC recognized in 1926.
• Ranging in size from 12 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder.
• Companion, ratter.

AKC Meet the Breeds is a registered trademark of the American Kennel Club, Inc.