Bulldog Schnauzer -- English Bulldog X Miniature Schnauzer

		Bulldog Schnauzer
		He is not recognized by the F.C.I.


Origin			Great Britain <> Germany -> U.S.A.
Translation			Francis Vandersteen

A brief presentation of the Bulldog Schnauzer

The Bulldog Schnauzer is generally a small to medium-sized dog with a playful but gentle demeanor. It is a cross between the Bulldog and the Miniature Schnauzer that is recognized by the American Canine Hybrid Club, however, it is not a particularly popular or common hybrid at present and can be difficult to find. The two parent breeds are quite different from each other in structure, temperament and coat, so there can be quite significant differences between Bulldog Schnauzers from one dog to the next. The hybrid is said to be less likely to develop brachycephalic difficulties than the Bulldog, and is generally calmer and gentler than the Miniature Schnauzer.

History of the Bulldog Schnauzer

The Bulldog Schnauzer is a cross between the Bulldog, a dog originally bred to control and bait bulls, and the Miniature Schnauzer, a highly competent ratter.

	A little of the English Bulldog
	The Bulldog is a fairly ancient breed, and its origins are something of a mystery. Some experts believe they are a descendant of a Mastiff and a Pug, while others think the Mastiff line descended from the Bulldog. Whatever the case, we know that these dogs were used to control, guard and bait bulls. To this end, Bulldogs of the 1800s were bred to be much more aggressive and tenacious than today, with an extremely high pain tolerance. This also made them excellent candidates for fighting other dogs and, because of this trait, they were instrumental in the development of the American Pit Bull Terrier and the American Staffordshire Terrier. When these violent "sports" became illegal in 1885, the breed was nurtured by Bulldog enthusiasts who chose to breed for a more pleasurable nature, and today's English Bulldog is generally a docile animal capable of adapting to many situations.

	Standard of the English Bulldog
	A little of the Miniature Schnauzer
	The Miniature Schnauzer as we know it today is a slightly more recent breed, although the Schnauzer from which it is derived dates back to the Middle Ages in one form or another, it was only after being crossed with the German Poodle and the gray Wolfspitz, better known as the Keeshond, that it obtained its distinctive stiff coat and coloration. Some time after this change, the Miniature Schnauzer was developed not only by crossing the smaller Schnauzer together, but also by crossing them with other small Terrier-type dogs, possible contributors to the breed may include Wire Fox Terriers, Pomeranian dogs and the Affenpinscher. It wasn't until 1888 that the first Miniature Schnauzer was registered in a German studbook. North American breeders began working and breeding Miniature Schnauzers as early as 1924, and they were accepted as a distinct breed by the AKC in 1926. The Miniature Schnauzer's long, broad muzzle can help alleviate brachycephalic problems, and the softer nature of the Bulldog can help reduce the Miniature Schnauzer's high prey drive.

	Standard of the Miniature Schnauzer

Appearance of the Bulldog Schnauzer

This hybrid is a combination of two dogs with different structures, temperaments and coats, so there could be a lot of variation between dogs, even within the same litter. The Bulldog is a little taller than the Miniature Schnauzer, and although the Miniature Schnauzer has a short, deep body, it's not as thick or low as the Bulldog. Both parent breeds have relatively flat heads, but the Bulldog's head is broad where the Schnauzer's is long, and although both have small, dark eyes, the Dwarf Schnauzer's eyes are much rounder than the Bulldog's, and the Bulldog's ears are a little higher on the head, while the Schnauzer's ears fold flatter on the head. The differences between the muzzles and coats of these two breeds are, however, the most striking. The Bulldog has been bred to have a shortened muzzle with a lower jaw, while the Schnauzer has a fairly long, substantial muzzle with a thick, luxurious beard at the tip. The Schnauzer's coat is a hard, medium-length coat with a thick undercoat, while the Bulldog has a single layer, a short coat that lies flat against its body. The Bulldog Schnauzer can inherit either of these traits, or anything in between.

Temperament of the Bulldog Schnauzer

Like most hybrids, the Bulldog Schnauzer will derive its general temperament from its parents. English Bulldogs can tend to be somewhat sedentary, but this is not the case with the Miniature Schnauzer. The Miniature Schnauzer is an intelligent, active terrier dog, often with a slightly mischievous streak, so ensuring these animals are properly exercised and mentally stimulated will help prevent destructive behavior. While all interactions between dogs and small children must be properly supervised to protect both child and dog, this hybrid should be fairly tolerant and accepting of children, although they may have a natural tendency to chase fast-moving things. The Bulldog Schnauzer should also be relatively easy to train, although it may do better with shorter but more frequent obedience training sessions, as it can become distracted and bored during prolonged training sessions. Although this dog is friendly, playful and outgoing with its own family, it can be more reserved with strangers.

Needs and activities of the Bulldog Schnauzer

Although the Miniature Schnauzer is a fairly active breed, the Bulldog tends to be a little more sedentary, and the crossbreed should find 40 to 60 minutes of exercise a day satisfying to burn off excess energy. Dogs with the Bulldog's shortened muzzle may have difficulty in extremely cold or extremely hot conditions, and should be watched carefully during heat fluctuations. Regular exercise is necessary for this crossbreed, whether your canine companion begs or not, as these dogs are prone to obesity, which can put additional stress on the cardiovascular system.

Maintenance of the Bulldog Schnauzer

The care and grooming of this particular crossbreed can vary a little from dog to dog due to differences in coats that can be inherited. These dogs will generally need a bath every month or two unless they get into something messy or smelly, and whatever type of coat they inherit, it will be essential to brush their coats several times a week. Bulldog Schnauzers leaning towards Bulldog heritage will have the short, single-layer coat, and will only need to be brushed once using a smooth brush or rubber bristle brush, while those with the longer double-layer Schnauzer coat will generally require a comb or pin brush as well as a smoother brush and are much more prone to tangling and matting. Miniature Schnauzers often need their coats trimmed to keep their feet and beard neat and tidy and to keep the hair out of their eyes, and in some cases this may also be necessary for the Bulldog Schnauzer. If your dog has developed the same wrinkled skin as the Bulldog, it's important to ensure that dirt and moisture aren't trapped in the folds, as contaminants can cause skin irritation and infection.

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Bulldog Schnauzer -- English Bulldog X Miniature Schnauzer