Are there any benefits to having a Schnauzer at home? If so, are there also some disadvantages? Like any pet, having them at home will cause both pros and cons.
In general, Schnauzers are characterized by being lively, cheerful, playful and loyal, but, in case they do not get enough daily exercise, it can trigger stress and excessive energy, unable to control. Do you want to know more about the advantages and disadvantages of having a Schnauzer at home? Let’s take a closer look.
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Introduction
It is important to keep in mind that these animals are usually elegant, with a square profile and a dignified appearance. According to research, all this could come from their ancestors in Germany.
On the other hand, in general, these animals are of medium size, compact and share a rough coat. As for their physical characteristics, the chest is of moderate width and deep, reaching up to the elbows.
It should be noted that there are three variations of Schnauzer, such as: miniature, medium and large.
In addition, it is important to keep in mind that the Schnauzer requires a lot of care such as:
- Coat: It is necessary to highlight the brushing that should be carried out for a minimum of 2 times per week.
- Feeding: Unlike other breeds, Schnauzers can be a bit more sensitive to their stomach, especially because they tend to overeat if feeding routines and schedules are not established. Therefore, a balanced diet is essential to avoid excess weight in the animal and also constant stomach illnesses.
- Exercise: Regardless of whether you have a miniature or giant Schnauzer, physical exercise should not be neglected. In this part you can strengthen the bond with the owners or children.
- Training: It is recommended to establish schedules and routines so that the pet knows when it is time to eat, walk and rest. For the same reason, try to establish areas in the house where it is allowed to be and fixed places where it has food, water and bedding. That way, he will get used to being there.
- Health: As mentioned above, they are more prone to develop health problems such as overweight, pancreatitis, coat and skin problems, even difficulties to move their hips. It is therefore recommended to visit a veterinarian periodically, as well as to be up to date with their deworming and vaccinations.
What are the benefits of owning a Schnauzer?
The Schnauzer is the pet breed that attracts attention just by looking at it, since its huge beard is a dream.
Despite its cuddly appearance, there are qualities or cons of this breed. Therefore, in the following paragraphs we will talk about the advantages of having a Schnauzer at home:
Despite its cuddly appearance, there are qualities or cons of this breed. Therefore, in the following paragraphs we will talk about the advantages of having a Schnauzer at home:
- They don’t shed as a lot of hair: Generally, Schnauzers don’t shed as much hair and have little body odor. This will be the case as long as the pet owner combs it every day or every other day. It is important to note that combing is good for their health, promotes blood circulation and makes the hair grow better.
- They are intelligent and cheerful: It is popular that, due to their high IQ, they are easy to tame, and provide a quick and agile response. This will happen as long as they are trained correctly and at an early age, as this will guide them to be a tame dog.
- They do not eat as much: For their part, Schnauzers do not need to spend too much time on food.
- Expressions of affection: The Schnauzer’s expression is something that can be noticed first. While some are “harder tempered”, projecting boldness, seriousness and vigor, others are gentler and calmer.
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Added to this quick list are a couple of other advantages that Schnauzers can have:
Schnauzers are nimble
Something characteristic of their being is that they are agile. They win countless advanced obedience awards due to their great learning ability.
Because they are so agile, they tend to get bored quickly and need activities that constantly exercise their minds.
Many believe this makes them very intuitive furry friends, but without an authoritative owner, they tend to be dominant.
So use your natural sense of leadership consistently, because if they think you have a stronger mind than they do, keeping them disciplined will become a challenge.
They are loyal to their owner
They are so fond of human companionship that they can become shadows of their owners.
For this reason, Schnauzers are considered extremely loyal to their people.
They also get along well with other animals and children. In the case of the mini Schnauzer, since they are small and robust, they enjoy active play.
They are energetic
From the beginning of their breed, they are farm dogs, so they are very energetic. They should be helped to exhaust their energy by going for a run or walk with them. Also, playing a game of fetch once or twice a day, along with walks, will be more than enough.
Also, make sure you have time to play with them or let them out for exercise, because an energetic dog with no place to play will quickly become destructive.
Fortunately, their compact size means they can also get plenty of exercise at home.
They are compact in size
It is true that there are breeds of different sizes, but let’s say that the original breed can live inside apartments or smaller houses, and they do not need much space to develop.
Thus, Schnauzers add to the fun by being very affectionate dogs. They are calmer when they are at your side or, in the most likely case, on your lap.
They are also cheaper to feed than larger dogs and much easier to carry and cuddle. They are much easier to transport, even on public transport such as buses.
They are social by nature
Dogs are pack animals. In the case of domestic dogs, their family is their pack.
Therefore, a Schnauzer should not be left alone for so long, in fact, no more than four hours at a time. However, some breeds of dogs adapt perfectly well (with proper training) to being left alone for longer periods of time.
They are excellent watchdogs
As their ancestors were bred as farm dogs, they have the instinct to protect. They are very good at taking care of children.
However, they should not be left unsupervised. Their loyalty and their willingness to protect you make them relatively “watchful”.
With their personality, Schnauzers are willing to take on dogs much larger than themselves. Therefore, you should be alert when your puppy is around other dogs.
What are the disadvantages of having a Schnauzer?
Now that we have talked about the pros, it is time to mention the cons. Many of them can be solved with good socialization and training at an early age.
- Can be provocative: Schnauzer’s brains are relatively simple, sometimes proactively provoking other dogs, making the others angry. Therefore, it is best to hold the dog’s leash when taking the Schnauzer out of the house to avoid fights. In addition, some have strong instincts to chase and capture cats or other fleeing creatures.
- They are jealous: Some Schnauzers can become very jealous when you touch other dogs. By themselves, they are not afraid of any other dog bigger than them, for that reason, it is easier for them to start a fight.
- He needs constant exercise: You must take your dog out for exercise, otherwise he can become very active and destructive with the things in the house. So, if you don’t want him to become irritable, take him out for at least an hour to drain all his energy playing with him.
Let’s remember that Schnauzer dogs are one of the options that people look for the most nowadays. However, it is not always the right choice.
When selecting pets, be sure to evaluate the breeds. Doing so, will allow you to get what you are really looking for and at the same time, take care of everyone’s safety.
So why are Schnauzer dogs not a good choice?
Native to Germany, Schnauzer dogs come in several different types. The options are miniature, standard and giant dogs. On the other hand, the most common colors are black and white. These dogs are a bit sturdy and shaggy. Although they seem to be the most reliable option, experts say the following:
a. Schnauzer dogs require a lot of care.
Although it sounds strange, the most valuable thing nowadays is time. Therefore, it should be used as much as possible. However, owning Schnauzer dogs is not a good option if you do not have enough time.
They need to be taken care of and given a lot of attention.
They are delicate in health, which makes them need more care than usual. For those people who have a very busy life, this breed is not the best alternative.
b. They are prone to be overweight
Overweight does not only occur in people, but also in animals. Especially those that are domestic. As they tend to have a sedentary life, they are prone to be overweight.
This is the case of Schnauzer dogs. Therefore, they are required to have a very careful and balanced diet.
In that way, they will remain in good health. Undoubtedly, it requires certain care, which can affect the pocket.
c. They have a strong character
Despite their size, these pets have a somewhat strong character. A pet with this type of temperament can pose risks.
Not only is the care of the little ones in the house endangered, but also the care of outsiders.
When it comes to animals with a temperament that is not at all pleasant, this makes owners unable to tolerate them.
d. They do not like to live with others.
This type of dog is not very friendly with other dogs. In short, they do not like very much the idea of sharing their time with other canines. Even when they spend some time without eating, they become more difficult to tolerate.
If a dog tries to take some of their food, they will not allow it. Especially, those that are large, tend to be more grumpy.
e. They do not tolerate living in small spaces
Many people are not fond of big houses; therefore, they look for smaller spaces. Some of them live in apartments because they feel it is a more cozy space. In that case, if you want to have a pet, Schnauzers are not an option.
They do not like living in small dwellings. Because of this, it is not a good idea to have them in an apartment, as they like to run and play.
f. Very frequent barking
Although barking is a major part of dogs, when it is very frequent, it is annoying. The fact that pets bark very regularly and noisily can affect peace and tranquility.
Moreover, in some areas it is not allowed to have pets that affect public order. If you want to have a puppy, Schnauzer dogs are not a good idea.
Summary
To conclude, like all dog breeds, the Schnauzer can have an infinite number of advantages as well as disadvantages.
Everything will depend on the treatment and upbringing given to the pet, since, as a consequence, the Schnauzer will only replicate what it has learned.
Therefore, we recommend that, in case you wish to have a Schnauzer at home, you take into account all that its care may imply. After all, a happy pet makes for a happy family.
