Miniature Schnauzer VS. Miniature Dachshund

Wanted to say Welcome to the forum! Sorry that I can't be more help on the questions asked but I'm sure you will get some very good responses. I would like to say it's good to see that you are trying to research the breeds the intrest you before just going out an buying a puppy[]Will this be your first dog?

Dachshunds and Schnauzers are totally different from eachother. I've had Dachshunds a long time and they're a very stubborn (but very intelligent), very determined breed of dog. As you probably know, Dachsies are prone to back problems but out of all the Dachsies I know (many) only 2 ever developed any issues with their backs. Dachshunds are very hard to train, especially when it comes to house breaking. I know only 4 Dachsies who are fully house broken. You never know when you might find something. I've never personally gotten a dog from a breeder so I'm not sure how the registration thing works, but there are people here who can hopefully tell you. Dachshunds come in *three* coat types; smooth, long & wire. It all depends on what you want and how much grooming you can put forth. I have a smooth but if I ever get another, it will be a long or a wire because I *love* to groom. Wires are very terrier like in personality, but other than that, they are relatively the same. Dachshunds come in many colours (bi colours, solids, pies, dapples etc.). Here is a age full of Dachsie colour examples in all coat types: [linkhttp://www.keystonekennelusa.com/Min_Dach_Color.html]http://www.keystonekennelusa.com/Min_Dach_Color.html[/link]. I wish I could tell you more about the breed but I have to go so hopefully someone else will show up.

Yay for dachshunds!

OK, obviously I am a dachshund owner.  I got mine fromt he SPCA but I had also researched mini schnauzers briefly as an option too.  I think both are cute and the right size... not toooooo tiny but still small.  Zoe weighs in at about 10 lbs.  Some minis are a bit smaller and others can be up to 13 or so lbs., often refered to as tweenies.  I don't think that is a technical term though.  As for piebold, I know very little but I remember hearing somewhere that either them or dapples are more prone to illness.  For more info on dachshunds, check out the forums on dachsie.org.  MANY knowledgeable dachshund owners.  I visit there but here is where I get most of my info .

As for dachshund behavior etc., I got Zoe at almost 2 yrs. old so I missed out on some prime training time.  But here are dachshund basics.  They are stubborn so you need to be persistent.  However, they can be trained with the help of positive reinforcement, treats, and I loved the clicker.  Barking is there number 1 downfall.  They are big dogs in little dog bodies and seem to feel they are watchdogs.  Zoe will bark at sounds, but you can teach "quiet" and that would be helpful.  However, as a woman, I don't mind her barking when she hears a strange noise and I am home alone.  She is also a built in doorbell if we don't hear someone at the door.  Zoe is housebroken!  When we got her they said she was 80% but I took her out every few hours to start and she figured out on her own that she should go to the door if she needed out.  Now, she lets us know and although she did have some peeing in her crate issues, those also ended a while ago (end of this month I will have had her 1 yr). Some dachshunds dig as all dogs do, but Zoe doesn't.  I believe you can train against that.  Zoe is fast... running or walking.  She walks faster than me (about a 12 minute mile) and loves to go hiking.  She has more stamina than me too!  She loves to sniff around.  She does get cold easily because she does not have much hair on her belly... which is normal for short haired dachshunds.  You must be careful not to overfeed dachshunds because too much weight on them is bad for their back.  Because they are small, it is cheap to feed them.  Zoe gets 1/2 cup of Innova a day .

Most importantly, Dachshunds have so much personality.  They are such lovers... wanting to cuddle with you but the cute noises and faces they make... just make you smile and laugh.  My bf hated small dogs and now he can't get enough of Zoe.  He gives into anything because she is so cute . 

As for long vs. short hair... it's mainly a matter of what you want to deal with.  Zoe doesn't really shed, doesn't need grooming, dries quickly, etc.  Long hairs need grooming and regular brushing.  I am not sure if they shed a lot but I'd think so more than a smooth.  I know little about wirehaired but I think they look a bit like a schnauzer. 

Anyway, if you have specific questions feel free to ask me or go on the dachsie forum.  Whichever you choose, make sure you research it a lot and go to a good breeder or rescue org.  Sometimes they have puppies too.  I know there is Dachshund Rescue of North America and Coast to Coast Dachshund rescue. 

Sorry for the long post.  Someone will be along soon I am sure with links to how to find a good breeder, or do a search on this board for "good breeder."  I have some links but not on this computer.

I prefer Mini Schnauzers, they actually come in a toy size also, not recognized as a separate breed or variety, but smaller- as small as 4 pounds. Schnauzers also come in a lot of color varieties, some I've never seen in person: salt/pepper, solid black, solid white, solid liver, black/silver, parti colors (liver/white, black/white, etc.) Most of those colors aren't accepted by the AKC, but that doesn't bother me personally.

Schnauzers are very smart, loyal, and good watchdogs. I've seen two different types of personalities in the ones I've met- either scrappy like most terriers or VERY calm and sweet. I prefer the second type.

With Schauzers you have to consider professional grooming at least every 4-6 weeks and brushing in between. But, they are non-shedding and considered "hypoallergenic". Dachshunds shed, but don't need professional grooming, so it's kind of a trade off.

If you're interested, here are two kennels that breed show quality white mini schnauzers (different registry than AKC)

[linkhttp://ricesminiatureschnauzers.com/]http://ricesminiatureschnauzers.com/[/link]

[linkhttp://www.wildwoodschnauzers.net/history.html]http://www.wildwoodschnauzers.net/history.html[/link]

And here are a few breeders of the other colors, just for examples of what they look like.

[linkhttp://www.alpats.com/index.aspx]http://www.alpats.com/index.aspx[/link]

Here are a few breeders of toy schnauzers in various colors.

[linkhttp://www.toyschnauzers.net/]http://www.toyschnauzers.net/[/link]

[linkhttp://www.toyschnauzer.com/]http://www.toyschnauzer.com/[/link]
 
Good luck in your choice!!

Hi Smilee...

I wanted to thank you for your post! It was very informative and helpful! I will definately do more research before I get a puppy! =)

Pickleweed

Hi Lunvntzus....

Thanks for all those links!! I think schnauzers are very cute too! I've got a tough choice between schnaunzers and dachsunds!!

Thanks again!

Pickleweed

Some minis are a bit smaller and others can be up to 13 or so lbs., often refered to as tweenies.

Hmm...never heard that term in the schnauzer circles I've been a part of. Also, the breed standard for miniature schnauzers doesn't go by weight, but by height. 12 to 14 inches is the breed standard. My miniature schnauzer weighs 17 lbs. and is a bit tall (not within breed standard, but a miniature schnauzer nonetheless). [sm=2cents.gif]

I prefer Mini Schnauzers, they actually come in a toy size also, not recognized as a separate breed or variety, but smaller- as small as 4 pounds.

I would avoid anything referred to as a "toy" schnauzer. The smaller and smaller they are bred, the more health problems you are likely to encounter. That goes for any breed that is being bred down intentionally to itsy bitysy sizes all in the name of the almighty dollar. In general, a reputable breeder whose intentions are to better the breed will not breed such tiny dogs. [sm=angry.gif]

The tweenie term was in reference to dachshunds.  It was not a term I ever heard until I saw it used regularly on the dachshund board I frequent.

Oh sorry. I see the word mini and from habit assume it means mini schnauzer. []

Yup, there can be potential problems with breeding "toy" Schnauzers, but not necessarily. I honestly see nothing wrong with gradually breeding down the size. Of course if the dog is smaller because of a liver shunt then that's a BIG problem, and also inbreeding is not the way to go. But breeds like Pomeranians used to be much bigger, it took a lot of selective breeding to make them that small. It's just accepted because that's the way we know them now...

I'd pick a dachshund, but i've always liked that breed[]

in regards to the "toy" schnauzers, I thought it a bit odd, though, that they were esentially chastizing breeders for breeding up from the 8-12 lb size, but then they themselves are breeding "teacup" schnauzers down to about 2 and 3 lbs[&:]

Of the two, I'd go for a schnauzer. And I'd avoid any odd colors and definitely not a "toy" version, the reason being that there are health issues associated with both things. And that's true of dachshunds, too--the piebald dachshunds are relatively new and I've known a couple with pretty severe health problems already---and one is incredibly stupid, LOL. One of my students owns one and they swear he is brain-damaged.

Stay with the tried and true colors, buy from a good breeder, not a pet store, not a puppymill or backyard breeder, and the chances of getting a healthy dog are much better.

The reason I'd get a schnauzer is because I think that, all things considered, they have more of their natural instincts intact (read: easier to house train, and train in general).

Now, if you were considering a standard dachshund, I'd get that dog in a heartbeat! I miss the "big" dachshunds everyone had when I was growing up! Good dogs! The miniaturization of these big dogs on short legs has lost a lot, in my opinion. All the mini-dachsies I know are extremely into barking. Standard dachshunds didn't have that yappy propensity.

I see lots of problems with "breeding down the size!"

Hi Pickleweed.  I have a 9 year old and a 5 year old Mini Schnauzer, so obviously I'm partial to them.  Schnauzers are great dogs, very smart, loyal and loving.  They have wonderful personalities, and are very much people-dogs.  In general, they are territorial and they can be pretty vocal, although not all are.  They require frequent brushing to stay mat-free and need to be groomed every 6 weeks.   As is the case with any breed, if you are going to purchase a pup rather than adopt from a shelter or rescue, then finding a good breeder is imperative.  The best place to start a search for a breeder is at the parent breed club site.  Here is the link for the AMSC breeder referral list.  [linkhttp://amsc.us/breeders.html]http://amsc.us/breeders.html[/link]  Should you decide to get a Schnauzer, you will want to find a breeder who is a member of their local and the national breed club.  Study up on all of the congenital diseases that afflicts the breed and find a breeder who makes use of all of the available health testing to screen out potential problems, has the paperwork to back it up, and offers a health guarantee against congenital defects.   I agree that you should absolutely stay away from the breeders of the undersized Mini Schnauzers.  It is the parent breed club (not the AKC) that determines the standard for the breed and breed standards exist for a reason.  They are what makes each breed unique and predictable.  Reputable breeders respect and adhere to the breed standards, as well as do a whole lot of other things to ensure they are producing healthy, temperamentally sound ups. The so-called "toy" schnauzers are very likely to have major health and temperament problems.  And they most certainly aren't the sturdy,  hardy, robust dogs that a Schnauzer is suppose to be.  The majority of the "toy" breeders are the same ones who are breeding for all the funky colors, marketing their creations as rare or unusual and charging outrageous prices ... as much or more than a reputable show breeder would charge for a pet-quality (or in some cases even a show-quality) pup from a long line of healthy and proven champions.  Good luck in your search for a breed and a new family member!