Standard Schnauzer puppies

What to expect at eight weeks

At eight weeks a Standard Schnauzer puppy is sleeping around 18 to 20 hours a day, is not house trained, and cannot hold on for more than an hour or two at a stretch. A medium breed puppy at eight weeks is a manageable armful that will not stay that way. Most of the growth happens between now and six months, so buy for the adult dog where you can. Expect moderate energy, in short bursts separated by long naps. Grooming needs are moderate, so build the brushing habit now while the coat is still short and easy. The socialisation window is open and closing: everything it meets calmly now, from vacuum cleaners to men in hats, is easier for the rest of its life.

Health worth knowing about

Conditions this breed is reported to be predisposed to. Predisposed does not mean inevitable, it means ask about it.

• Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), detectable by DNA test
• Hip dysplasia, screened under the BVA/KC Hip Dysplasia Scheme
• Cataracts, detected by veterinary eye examination
• Progressive retinal atrophy and retinal dysplasia, detected at breeding or puppy eye examinations
• Pulmonic stenosis, detected by cardiac evaluation including auscultation and echocardiogram
• Hypothyroidism, detected by a blood test of thyroid hormone levels

From Standard Schnauzer breed information at https://www.royalkennelclub.com/search/breeds-a-to-z/breeds/utility/schnauzer/. Discuss any of these with your own vet.

Your Standard Schnauzer puppy's first six months

• Vaccination schedule, dated for your country.
• Worming and parasite schedule.
• Feeding calculator. Set expected adult size to Medium for a Standard Schnauzer.
• Adult size predictor, to check growth against the 15.9 to 20.4 kg adult range.
• Puppy names and the first week checklist.

Other medium breeds

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