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Miniature King Schnauzer |
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He is not recognized by the F.C.I. |
Origin |
Great Britain <> Germany -> U.S.A. | |
Translation |
Francis Vandersteen | |
This breed is also known as |
Cavalier Schnauzer |
A brief presentation of the Miniature King Schnauzer |
| The Miniature King Schnauzer, one of the newest hybrids on the market, has many attributes that make it a high-quality pet. Playful yet patient with children and affectionate with adult members of the household, they have something to offer everyone. Some are determined and may require a little more training than others. The Miniature King Schnauzer looks more like the miniature Schnauzer relative than the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel thanks to its frizzy coat and longer muzzle, but the Cavalier genes are evident in their flatter ears and rounder eyes. Although they come in a wide range of colors, many are black and brown or gray and brown. |
History of the Miniature King Schnauzer |
| The Miniature King Schnauzer, or Cavalier Schnauzer, is a specific crossbreed of the gentle Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the sociable Miniature Schnauzer. As with many new hybrid creations, it's difficult to know exactly when and where this dog was born. The best guess is that the Miniature King Schnauzer has been around for ten to twenty years, and many sources believe it was first created in America. |
A little of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel |
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| The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has a long history dating back to the 16th century. This attractive Spaniel was a favorite of royalty and nobility, and it was their most famous patron, King Charles II, who gave the breed its name. In the 18th century, the breed's popularity as a pet waned in favor of flatter breeds such as the Pug, but it was inevitable that they would make a comeback at some point. This happened in the mid-19th century under the patronage of the Duke of Marlborough, who was responsible for breeding Cavaliers with the coat color known as Blenheim. | ||
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| Standard of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | ||
A little of the Miniature Schnauzer |
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| The Schnauzer is a German dog breed that comes in three size varieties: Giant, Standard and Miniature. It's really only the Miniature that's used when breeding the Miniature King Schnauzer, because its size is similar to that of the Cavalier King Charles, which makes breeding and whelping easier. Schnauzers were originally used as farm dogs and came from Bavaria, in southeastern Germany. They pulled loads, hunted vermin and guarded the farm's livestock. It wasn't until the end of the 19th century that the miniature Schnauzer was developed. Farmers wanted a more compact dog, easier to keep. To breed a smaller dog, the larger Schnauzers were crossed with the Affenpinscher and the Poodle, two local breeds. The Miniature Schnauzer's work ethic has never left it, and it continues to contribute to today's society as a therapy dog and sniffer. The majority, however, are kept purely as pets. | ||
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| Standard of the Miniature Schnauzer |
Appearance of the Miniature King Schnauzer |
| Miniature King Schnauzers are undeniably cute, inheriting many of the best traits of each parent breed. They are small dogs measuring 30 to 36 cm and weighing between 5.5 and 9 kg. They have small, compact bodies and medium-sized heads. Although their ears are generally not as sharply folded and pointed forward as their Schnauzer relatives, they are not as pendulous on the head, as seen in the Cavalier. Their round, dark-brown eyes give them a pensive, sometimes worried expression. Their muzzle shouldn't be too short, and a relatively large, black nose sits right at the tip. Their limbs are of medium size and they should have a slender tail, not too long. With a stiff coat of medium length, the Miniature King Schnauzer's coat is more like that of its Schnauzer sire than that of the Cavalier. They will also frequently have the characteristic eyebrows, moustache and beard of any Schnauzer-type dog. Their coat is of medium length and fairly thick. Colors can include white, black, gray, brown and red, with many dogs being multicolored. |
Temperament of the Miniature King Schnauzer |
| An ideal breed for the young family, Miniature King Schnauzers are tolerant and patient with children, but also incredibly affectionate and gentle. They love being around people and are wonderfully loyal and attentive companions. Their gentle nature means they live to please their master and are keen not to put a paw on the side at home. Although Miniature King Schnauzers generally love all people, they won't necessarily welcome a stranger into their home voluntarily and can make very good watchdogs. Their shrill barks let their owners know of a new arrival, although they are rarely threatening. For most of them, once they've understood that the guest is welcome, they'll be content after a few minutes. Most are happy with the company of other pets, although it's always wise to introduce them at an early age to avoid jealousy or rivalry. Socializing them intensively when they're young and introducing them to a range of situations will lead to a well-balanced Miniature King Schnauzer who isn't afraid of new places or people. |
Needs and activities of the Miniature King Schnauzer |
| Despite their small size, Miniature King Schnauzers have high energy requirements. They need daily exercise, and although they can get plenty of exercise indoors, a daily walk for up to two or a visit to the dog park is necessary to keep this hybrid in good physical and mental condition. Outdoor walks will also help keep the Miniature King Schnauzer's mind stimulated and satisfied, helping to prevent destructive behavior. The Miniature King Schnauzer can adapt to any climate, but temperate environments are ideal and the backyard ideal for exercise. As such, these dogs can adapt to apartment living but are much better in homes with yards and extra space to play. |
Maintenance of the Miniature King Schnauzer |
| The Miniature King Schnauzer is easy to groom and should be brushed two or three times a week to avoid stains and tangles. Although the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is not considered a hypoallergenic breed, the Miniature King Schnauzer has hypoallergenic qualities and doesn't shed much. Regular grooming will help eliminate dead or loose hairs and keep the coat clean. Miniature King Schnauzers have sensitive skin and should only be bathed when necessary. Otherwise, water and shampoos could strip the skin of its natural oils and cause irritation. The long hairs on the ears and around the face also require special attention. This hybrid is not known for drooling and has no doggy odor. |
English (United Kingdom) 
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