Miniature French Schnauzer Dog Breed Info: Pictures, Traits & Facts

There’s a dog breed out there for everyone. Some people need a good watchdog or protector, while others just want a pup to lounge around. But what if you’re looking for a goofy furball ready to make you smile at a moment’s notice? If that’s the case, you might find your forever friend with a Miniature French Schnauzer.

Miniature French Schnauzers are truly something special. As a cross between a French Bulldog and a Miniature Schnauzer, they’re loving family dogs ready to join any party and liven up the situation.

However, they’re not just for families and make excellent companion dogs for single owners. They’re also exceptionally low-maintenance and are suitable for elderly people who may be unable to put in the extra effort that other breeds require.

And if you’re looking for a lap dog, don’t cross the Miniature French Schnauzer off your list. There’s nothing more that they love after a long day of play than snuggling up with you on the couch.

Miniature French Schnauzer Puppies

It’s important to understand that the Miniature French Schnauzer is a big, mighty dog on the inside. Despite their tiny size, they have exceptionally big personalities. This is a pretty common trait when it comes to small dogs, and the Miniature French Schnauzer is no exception. If you’re used to big, gentle giants, the Miniature French Schnauzer’s electric personality may throw you for a loop.

Although they’re known for being goofy and jovial like their French Bulldog parentage, they may still carry some eccentric personality traits from their Miniature Schnauzer side. This means they may have nervous energy or be shy with strangers at first. However, it can be prevented with early socialization and playing with other people and dogs while they’re still puppies.

Also, if you keep rodents such as hamsters or gerbils, you may want to reconsider getting a Miniature French Schnauzer. Their Schnauzer ancestors were initially bred in Germany to be lethally effective rodent-killing machines. They retain the prey drive, and while they might be unable to take down the family cat, other small creatures are at definite risk.

3 Little-Known Facts About the French Miniature Schnauzer

1. French Miniature Schnauzers Can Have Different Ear Types.

Most French Miniature Schnauzers have natural floppy ears like their Miniature Schnauzer parents. This alone is a strange situation, as the AKC breed standard for Miniature Schnauzers is cropped ears.

However, the French Miniature Schnauzer may have erect ears without cropping. It’s due to their French Bulldog side having rounded bat ears. Although it’s not the most prevalent ear for this hybrid, bat ears are not uncommon to see on French Miniature Schnauzers.

2. They Have an Exceptional Sense of Hearing.

Some pups have excellent vision, such as the sighthounds, while some have noses that can detect objects miles away, like Bloodhounds. The French Miniature Schnauzer possesses an incredible sense of hearing. It comes from their Schnauzer side, whose ears were originally trained to detect even the tiniest of mouse squeaks that register at frequencies above the capacity of the human ear.

3. French Miniature Schnauzers Are Big-time Diggers.

Because of their high prey drive toward rodents, it should come as no surprise that this breed just loves to dig. They’re instinctually looking for little burrows and holes where rats and mice call home. So, if you let them play in your yard or keep them outside for extended periods, don’t expect a hole-free yard. It’s just part of the Schnauzer lifestyle.

Related read: 15 Simple Ways to Keep Your Dog From Digging Under a Fence

Temperament & Intelligence of the French Miniature Schnauzer 🧠

The Miniature French Schnauzer has a well-established reputation for being the class clown. They’re usually the life of the party and have no problem being the center of attention. They are also clever and come up with neat little schemes just to win your heart. Much of this behavior comes from their French Bulldog side and is usually the dominant personality inherited.

However, they may still exhibit some of the anxiousness and territorial nature of the Schnauzer. Thankfully, these undesirable traits are easily avoided through early training and socialization.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🏡

The Miniature French Schnauzer makes an excellent family pet, especially for those with children. They love having playmates around and getting attention whenever they crave it. But make no mistake, they’re also perfectly content being a companion lap dog. They’ll thrive in just about any environment you put them in.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets? 🐶 😽

Regarding other pets, it’s a mixed bag with the Miniature French Schnauzer. On one hand, they’re great with other pups, provided that they’ve been socialized early. You may find that your Schnauzer will lead your other pups in plans designed to make mischief or grab your attention.

On the other hand, they don’t fare well with other small creatures, which include cats, rodents, birds, or lizards. They have such a high prey drive, particularly for smaller animals. Larger cats may not be a problem, especially if the dog is raised with them.

Things to Know When Owning a French Miniature Schnauzer:

If you’re ready to take on the giant personality that is the French Miniature Schnauzer, there are a few things that you’ll need to know to raise a happy, healthy pup.

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

Since the Miniature French Schnauzer isn’t a large or medium-sized breed, you don’t need to feed them too much. In fact, the food will be one of the cheapest parts of owning this dog, but it’s also one of the most important factors to consider.

You want to ensure your pup gets all the nutrition they need to function throughout the day. That is why we recommend high-protein food such as Blue Buffalo Life Protection Small Bites. This ensures that they get the proper nutrition in a bite-sized morsel that they can easily chew

You don’t need to feed them more than a cup of food daily. You can space it out into two half-cup feedings if you’d like. Unlike some garbage truck breeds, such as Labrador Retrievers, Miniature French Schnauzers have some self-control when eating and will stop when they’ve had their fill.

• You might also like: Best Dog Foods for French Bulldogs (and French Bulldog Mixed Breeds)

Exercise 🐕

Miniature French Schnauzers aren’t necessarily the most active dogs around but require daily activity. About 45 minutes a day should satisfy their need for exercise. Apartment dwellers or elderly owners don’t need to worry about going out to walk them multiple times every day. It’s common for them to wear themselves out with one good case of the zoomies.

Training 🦮

Obedience training is a necessity for Miniature Schnauzers in order to bring out their jovial, playful nature. However, you may find that your pup doesn’t take to training quite as quickly as others. That’s because they can be pretty stubborn creatures. It’s a Schnauzer trait they’ve inherited, but once they’ve mastered basic commands, they can try advanced training, such as programs for agility sports.

Grooming ✂️

Grooming considerations depend on which coat your  Miniature French Schnauzer inherits. If they have a single coat from the French Bulldog, grooming is a much easier process. They’ll need a weekly brushing to ensure they have a nice, shiny coat.

However, if they inherit the Schnauzer’s double wiry coat, grooming is much more high maintenance. Daily brushing may be required, along with more frequent clipping and trimming.

• Bonus read: Best Hand Vacuum for Pet Hair — Reviews & Top Picks

Health and Conditions ❤️

The French Miniature Schnauzer is a fun little pup, but they come with their own health issues. They’ve acquired several potential health concerns through different generations of designer breeding. The most severe issues can be fatal, such as pulmonic stenosis.

Male vs Female

The French Miniature Schnauzer is a petite pup, but the males stand slightly taller than the females and weigh slightly more. Generally speaking, the personality traits of your dog will be based much more on which parent they take after, as opposed to which sex they are.

Final Thoughts

The French Miniature Schnauzer is a beautiful little family dog that’ll do everything they can to steal your heart. But they’ll require a little bit of effort and training in the beginning to overcome some less desirable traits. However, once properly trained, you’ll find the French Miniature Schnauzer to be an affectionate, goofy addition to your home.

• See also: White Miniature Schnauzer

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Featured Image Credit: Isabella Diaz, Shutterstock