MSCNC - Buying a Miniature Schnauzer

Miniature Schnauzer Club of Northern California

Schnauzer photo

Buying a Miniature Schnauzer

The MSCNC strongly urges all buyers of puppies or adult dogs of any breed to become knowledgeable before buying. Attend some dog shows, talk to a number of breeders, and visit the premises of a few before buying, so that you will know what your choices are and the prices and terms available. Be sure to ask if the breeder has experienced any serious health problems in any of their puppies in the past few years.

Be aware that young puppies (like human babies) are very susceptible to diseases before their immunity is fully developed. For that reason, it is important not to expose them to other animals until they have received their full series of vaccinations. Your veterinarian can give you further advice in that regard.

Points To Consider

A dog is a commitment for its entire life. It requires a well-balanced diet, regular vaccinations, brushing & toenail clipping, ear cleaning, regular dental care, adequate exercise, shelter from the elements, and lots of love and attention. Miniature Schnauzers must be combed and brushed frequently and also need periodic clippering or hand-stripping.
Young children must be supervised around this breed (and all other small breeds). If a child hurts or frightens the dog, it may retaliate in the only way it can—by biting—with potentially serious injury to the child.
This breed tends to be quite healthy, but medical treatment can be expensive, just as for humans. Diseases like parvovirus can require hospitalization and intensive care. Hereditary disorders, broken bones, & swallowed objects can require major surgery. If you will balk at spending several hundred dollars in the event of a medical emergency, reconsider getting a dog.
Dogs must be supervised. Leaving a dog outside all day unattended, whether fenced or chained, will likely result in barking, complaints by neighbors, and possibly fines & civil penalties. Also, someone may deliberately injure or poison the dog.

Puppy, Adolescent, or Adult—and Which Sex?

Each age range has its advantages & disadvantages.
Puppies are the cutest & the most appealing, but are the most expensive and the most work. They also tend to be the most destructive: they dig and chew. Just like babies, they must be watched to be sure that they don't ingest things that will harm them and that they don't destroy valuables. They also need inoculations every two or three weeks until they are about four months old. Don't buy a pup that has been separated from its mother before eight weeks of age. Early separation can deprive a pup of the very critical period of emotional development.
Adolescents (5 to 12 months old) tend to look awkward but they have completed their shots & worming and they are mature enough to begin training. It's also easier to evaluate what the adult personality may be like at this time.
With adults, what you see is what you get. Adult Miniature Schnauzers generally bond well with new owners who give them love & care. Even those who are aloof or timid at first usually bond well within two–three weeks. Adults from shelters or rescue programs often respond well to just a little love and care. Be cautious, though, about adopting an animal that shows aggressive tendencies unless you have had dogs before and are confident in your ability to handle a difficult dog. At times, breeders will have excellent quality adults which they no longer wish to use in their breeding programs. The animals usually have good temperaments and are often well-trained and fully housebroken.
Whether to buy a male or female is a matter of personal preference. Personality differs much more from animal to animal than it does by sex.

Buy Your Miniature Schnauzer From a Reputable, Responsible Breeder

The best place to find a quality dog is from a responsible breeder. These breeders seek to breed sound, healthy, well-adjusted dogs free from genetic problems. These breeders devote much time learning about the breed, and study pedigree, temperament, health, genes, color and size before deciding which animals are likely to produce the best offspring. Responsible breeders try to conform as closely as possible to the official Breed Standard adopted by the American Miniature Schnauzer Club and the American Kennel Club.

A good breeder is lucky to have one or two puppies per litter which will be competitive at shows. The rest of the litter will be available as nice pets. All of the puppies in the litter receive the same love, care, feeding and medical attention—unlike commercially raised puppies (which often have been kept in deplorable conditions and/or shipped from hundreds of miles away).

Responsible breeders are concerned about the welfare of the dogs they breed and will be available if you need advice or help in the years to come. Don't be surprised if the breeder questions you closely about who will care for the dog, whether it will be left alone all day, whether your yard is fenced, etc., and even tells you what food to buy. Responsible breeders want to be sure you will care for the dog as well as they do.

If you'd like an older dog, ask around. Breeders are limited in the number of animals they can keep and occasionally need to find a home for an adult dog they have shown or bred. Expect breeders to be just as choosy about finding good homes for such dogs as they are for puppies.

Puppy Referral and Rescue

MSCNC will be happy to provide you with names and phone numbers of reputable, responsible breeders in Northern California who have puppies available. For more detailed information, see our Puppy Referral page.

Another option is to adopt a Miniature Schnauzer who has been rescued from an animal shelter or from a person who is no longer able to keep the dog. The rescue service should make sure that the animals are in reasonably good health, have them neutered, and groom them before placing them. The rescue service should help you choose a dog that fits your family and should advise you on training and adjustment. A donation to help offset rescue expenses is generally requested. These dogs are just as deserving of good homes as are young pups, so you can expect the same kind of interview about your ability to care for the dog. For more detailed information, see our Rescue page. Also see our Gallery of Rescue Dogs for some of the rescues currently available for adoption.

MSCNC recommends that those located in other areas of the U.S. or Canada contact their national Miniature Schnauzer Club or the closest regional Miniature Schnauzer Club to find a reputable, responsible Miniature Schnauzer breeder in their area. The following links may be of assistance:

AMSC Public Awareness Committee (e-mail)

Regional U.S. Miniature Schnauzer Clubs

Miniature Schnauzer Club of Canada

Prices and Terms

There are no fixed prices for dogs. Each breeder sets his/her own prices and terms. Shop around to make sure you get the dog you want at a fair price.

It is not uncommon for a breeder to withhold the AKC registration papers until you present evidence of having had the animal neutered. Alternatively, you may be given a "limited registration" which certifies that the animal is registered with the American Kennel Club but which will not allow you to register offspring of the animal you buy. Both procedures are designed to avoid having pet quality animals bred, thus adding to the animal over-population problem. Occasionally, a breeder may ask you to sign a contract by which you agree to breed the animal and return some or all of the puppies to the seller. Think carefully and get advice before signing any such contract.