Miniature Schnauzer vs Standard Schnauzer
The two published breed profiles side by side: size, energy, grooming, lifespan, temperament ratings and health.
| Miniature Schnauzer | Standard Schnauzer | |
|---|---|---|
| Size class | Small | Medium |
| Adult weight | 5 to 9.1 kg | 13.6 to 22.7 kg |
| In pounds | 11 to 20 lb | 30 to 50 lb |
| Adult height | 30 to 36 cm | 44 to 50 cm |
| Energy | Moderate | Moderate |
| Grooming | High | Moderate |
| Coat | Medium double and wiry | Medium double and wiry |
| Shedding | Moderate | Low |
| Lifespan | 12 to 15 years | 13 to 16 years |
| Good with children | Reliably good | Reliably good |
| Good with other dogs | Fine with supervision | Fine with supervision |
| Country of origin | Germany | Germany |
The main differences
- The Standard Schnauzer is the bigger dog: 13.6 to 22.7 kg against 5 to 9.1 kg for the Miniature Schnauzer.
- Both have moderate energy in their published profiles.
- The Miniature Schnauzer takes more grooming (high) than the Standard Schnauzer (moderate).
- The Standard Schnauzer usually lives longer: 13 to 16 years against 12 to 15 years.
Temperament
Miniature Schnauzer: Alert, reliable and intelligent, primarily a companion dog.
Standard Schnauzer: Alert, reliable and intelligent, primarily a companion dog. A strong, vigorous dog capable of great endurance.
Health worth asking about
Conditions each breed is reported to be predisposed to. Predisposed does not mean inevitable: it means ask the breeder for the parents' test results.
Miniature Schnauzer
- Hereditary eye disease screened under the BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Scheme, including litter screening
- Mycobacterium avium complex susceptibility (MAC), detectable by DNA test on both parents
Standard Schnauzer
- 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
Common questions
Which is bigger, the Miniature Schnauzer or the Standard Schnauzer?
The Standard Schnauzer. Adults weigh 13.6 to 22.7 kg, against 5 to 9.1 kg for the Miniature Schnauzer, going by the published breed profiles.
Which lives longer, the Miniature Schnauzer or the Standard Schnauzer?
The published life expectancy is 12 to 15 years for the Miniature Schnauzer and 13 to 16 years for the Standard Schnauzer. These are typical ranges across the breed, not a promise about one dog.
Is the Miniature Schnauzer or the Standard Schnauzer better with children?
They score the same: reliably good with children. Any dog needs supervising around young children, whatever their breed rating.
Related comparisons
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Not veterinary advice. Breed information is general. Your own dog, and your own vet, always win.
Sources
Every figure on this page comes from the two breed guides, which cite:
- akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
- fci.be for country of origin
- akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
- fci.be for country of origin