How big does a Miniature Schnauzer get?

How tall is a Miniature Schnauzer?

Between 12 and 14 inches at the shoulder, and for the show ring that range is firm. A Schnauzer shorter than 12 inches or taller than 14 can't be shown. The breed is meant to be a sturdy, nearly square little dog with plenty of bone and nothing toy-like about it.

Weight is looser. There's no set show weight, and a dog within the height range usually weighs 11 to 20 pounds, depending on its size and bone. Schnauzers of the same height can differ by several pounds, which is why the parents are the better guide to a puppy's size.

Is there a toy or micro Schnauzer?

No. The dogs sold as toy Schnauzers or micro minis are Miniature Schnauzers bred below the usual height, and not a breed of their own. The Miniature is already the smallest Schnauzer there is, with the Standard and the Giant above it.

If you're hoping for a Schnauzer on the smaller side, look at the parents, which tell you more than any label can. Every one of our puppy pages names both of them, and our mamas' weights are in the table at the top of this page.

How big will our puppies get?

Close to their parents, which is why we lead with the parents. Our Schnauzer mamas weigh 12 to 24 lbs, and each puppy's page gives an expected adult weight that we work out from its own mama and papa. Across our current Schnauzer puppies those estimates run 10 to 18 lbs.

It is an estimate, because a puppy can finish a little above or below what its parents suggest. If size matters to you, say so on your application and we'll keep it in mind when we talk through the litter with you. Our available Schnauzer puppies each carry their own estimate on the breed page.

When do Miniature Schnauzers stop growing?

Most of the growing is done by the first birthday. A small-breed puppy has usually reached its full size by 6 to 12 months old, and the fastest growth is over by around 6 to 8 months.

So the puppy who seems to get longer every week does settle down, and by about a year you'll be looking at the dog you're going to have. Ask your vet when to move from puppy food to adult food.

Is a Miniature Schnauzer a good size for an apartment?

On size alone, yes. The breed is small enough to adapt to apartment life, with a medium energy level that suits the city or the country. What your neighbors will notice is the voice. Schnauzers are big barkers, and in our experience a Schnauzer has an opinion about every delivery truck on the street.

They need daily exercise too, on a leash or in a fenced area, because their strong urge to chase can send them after a squirrel before you've finished saying their name.

How long do Miniature Schnauzers live?

Usually 12 to 15 years. For a sense of scale, a large study put the typical lifespan of dogs overall at 12.5 years, so most of the Schnauzer's range sits above the average dog.

Weight is the part you control most. Overweight dogs tend to live shorter lives, and some Schnauzers put on weight easily, so treats count. Cataracts, high blood fats, pancreatitis, liver shunts and bladder stones are among the problems the breed can be prone to, and your vet can tell you what to watch for.

A Schnauzer used for breeding should have an eye exam and a heart exam. We are working toward health testing all of our mamas and papas, and the certificates we have are posted on each parent's page. The ones we have for our Schnauzer parents so far cover eye, heart and kneecap exams. Our Schnauzer color guide covers how we plan pairings.