Schnauzers come in a couple different sizes. Standards are larger and stand about 18" tall and weight around 40 pounds Schnauzers are very affectionate and loyal dogs to their family and can work well with small children Chyrle Bonk, a veterinarian working with petkeen.com, explains: "Schnauzers are prone to pancreatitis, so they should be fed a diet strictly of dog food without any high fat human foods. They can also get cataracts and urinary stones with higher frequency." They are in the group of working dogs, bred as multifunctional dogs to catch rats and other rodents Generally, Schnauzers are excellent family pets and are a great choice for owners with different lifestyles. Whether you have young children or live in a household with other adults, Schnauzers will fit into place fairly easily with the right training.

While Schnauzers and Miniature Schnauzer are mostly companion dogs, Giant Schnauzers need more space and exercise, which means they will be happiest in a larger house with access to a large garden," Bill says. "They also require more than two hours of exercise, which makes them a good choice for active owners that enjoy outdoor exercise." Chyrle adds: "They can be vocal dogs, especially when they're protecting their family." Schnauzers are easily trained but they need lots of mental stimulation in the form of games or puzzles to keep them from becoming destructive." While all dogs will bark, Schnauzers are notorious for barking a lot and can make excellent watch dogs. Some of the reasons why they might bark include feeling frightened, being hungry, or feeling depressed or bored. Their coat is hard and wiry, longer on the legs, muzzle, and eyebrows," adds Dr Carolina. "Their coat needs combing once or twice weekly. There are many pet owners who elect to have their dogs professionally groomed or clipped into an easier-to-maintain trim. This may be repeated every three to six months. Shedding is below average." Because of their loyalty, Schnauzers make good watch dogs and are often wary of strangers and other animalsWhile Schnauzers do shed hair, it tends to be minimal. If you notice that your Schnauzer is shedding a lot of hair, it may indicate an underlying health problem so always head to your local vet for expert advice. While this varies due to lifestyle, some of the health concerns associated with Schnauzers according to the PDSA include: According to Dr Carolina Paz, veterinary surgeon for Joii Pet Care, other behaviour concerns include: The coat of this terrier must be stripped at least twice a year, and regularly groomed to remove dead hairs

Bill tells CL: "Schnauzers are considered easier to train and good-natured, and can make a great companion for owners living in the city or the countryside, and first time owners too." Generally well-mannered and fun-loving, Schnauzers make great additions to most families. As well as this, they are loyal companions who are curious, alert, playful and love when the attention is on them. To keep them happy, ensure they are given engaging activities throughout the day — they'll get bored with nothing to do.