Appearance of the Schnauffen
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The Schnauffen will probably look very much like its parent breed, the Affenpinscher. It is small, well balanced, square but solidly built. Its compact body is still quite strong. He'll probably stand no taller than 36 centimeters, and weigh up to 7 kilos at maturity. Its color is most often black, but there are variations: black and silver, black and tan, salt and pepper, white or multicolored. Its coat is often dense and rough, with a hard outer coat and a short, soft undercoat. They have the characteristic dwarf Schnauzer beard and may have hair that seems to obstruct their eyes. |
Temperament of the Schnauffen
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The Schnauffen is a highly intelligent dog. They are energetic and alert. They never meet strangers and make friends easily. They get on well with other animals, especially if they've grown up with them. He also makes friends easily with humans. He loves spending time with his human family, and would rather be with you than anywhere else. He's very eager to please his master and, for this reason, he's very easy to train. Simple repetition and routine will help your Schnauffen understand what you want from him. He's very affectionate. He's also feisty and fun-loving. Although he can be somewhat independent, he'll want to sit on your lap and may prefer to sleep in bed with you. |
Needs and activities of the Schnauffen
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The Schnauffen doesn't need much exercise to be happy. However, it will follow you from room to room, and enjoys running freely around the house. He may be happy in an apartment because of its size, but if your apartment is small, you can give him at least one or two short periods of exercise, such as a brisk walk around the neighborhood, every day. He needs forty-five minutes to an hour of activity a day. This will keep him healthy and prevent boredom and mischief. He'll enjoy outings to the dog park and get on well with the other dogs there. He'll also be a winner if you have a small fenced-in garden where you can let him play. Make sure you provide him with toys that encourage mental stimulation as well as physical play. |
Maintenance of the Schnauffen
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The Schnauffen will probably need a moderate amount of maintenance. It should be brushed daily to remove excess hair and dirt from its coat. Only bathe him if necessary. His natural oils will keep his coat shiny and healthy-looking. Brush his teeth two or three times a week to prevent tartar build-up; brush them daily to avoid cavities and bad breath. Trim his nails every two weeks. Dogs often get rid of their nails on their own. However, if you hear his nails clicking on the tiles, you know it's time to trim them. The Schnauffen should never be trimmed. You may need to trim the hair around his eyes from time to time. Keep in mind that the Schnauffen may suffer from entropion, so be sure to check his eyelashes for signs of internal growth. |