Appearance of the Miniature French Schnauzer
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The Miniature French Schnauzer is a small to medium-sized dog with compact muscles, straight legs, dark brown eyes and a square outline. Beyond that, however, there can be a wide range of characteristics, as the French Bulldog and Miniature French Schnauzer are often quite different in structure, appearance and temperament. The Miniature French Schnauzer may take on some or all of the traits of the French Bulldog, a sturdy little dog with a large, square head, round eyes, a short, broad muzzle and large, upright ears known as bat ears, or the Miniature Schnauzer, a sturdy Terrier-type dog with a more rectangular head shape, a strong, blunt muzzle of medium length, oval eyes and small, V-shaped ears that fold back close to the skull. While many of these hybrids will inherit the wiry, double-coated coat of the Miniature Schnauzer, inheriting the shiny, single-coated coat of the French Bulldog is just as possible. |
Temperament of the Miniature French Schnauzer
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The temperament of this hybrid can also vary considerably from dog to dog, often even within the same litter. The traits that the French Bulldog can pass on to the Miniature French Schnauzer are generally fairly consistent. This breed is generally a comical animal that tends to be friendly with almost everyone, although rodents can be unsafe and quarrels can occur between males. However, the inherited personality traits of the Miniature Schnauzer can be more erratic, as there can be great variation in the temperaments of individual Miniature Schnauzers. Within this breed, you can find individuals who are clownish, serious, nervous, sweet, rambunctious or even suspicious, and it can be difficult to determine what an adult dog's personality will look like from puppyhood. The way any Miniature French Schnauzer will react to new experiences, people and other animals can be as varied as its personality. The best way to ensure a stable, good-tempered dog is to provide plenty of opportunities for positive socialization, especially when your dog is young. |
Needs and activities of the Miniature French Schnauzer
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The Miniature French Schnauzer is a Terrier breed and, as such, they are generally rather active and energetic dogs, however, this is counterbalanced by the more peaceful and calm behavior of the French Bulldog. Between 45 minutes and an hour of vigorous exercise spread throughout the day, each day will generally meet the exercise requirements for this crossbreed. The Miniature French Schnauzer is a highly trainable animal and most of these dogs will also do very well in obedience training, perhaps enjoying and even excelling in advanced obedience and rally or agility sports for dogs. In many cases, this hybrid will work quite well in a larger house or apartment, although some may be a little too noisy for an apartment. |
Maintenance of the Miniature French Schnauzer
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The grooming regime for this dog can vary considerably, depending on the coat the Miniature French Schnauzer has inherited. Those who have inherited the short, single-ply coat of the French Bulldog will only really need brushing once a week or so to remove dead hairs and ensure it retains its glossy sheen. Those with the wirey, double-layered coat of the Miniature Schnauzer will need daily brushing to prevent matting in the dense, soft fur that makes up the first layer of their coat. They may also require regular clipping or trimming, perhaps as often as every five to eight weeks. Hybrids' teeth and nails should also be cared for, brushing several times a week and checking nail length every two weeks, taking care not to let them become too long. |