There is nothing that matches the unconditional love of a lovable dog. Your dog could be your best friend, your guardian and your baby. Nevertheless, you need to make sure that you understand everything about your dog to be able to take proper care of it.
Schnauzers are among the most popular dogs’ breeds that people love to have at home. They are easy to take care of and totally pleasurable. But on top of being extremely kind and sweet, Schnauzers are also very cute and fun to be around.
However, there are a lot of questions concerning the Schnauzer’s life expectancy and the kind of health issues they tend to deal with. These questions matter to people who want to add a new member to their families.
About Schnauzers
Schnauzers are German dogs that originated sometime between the 15th and 16th centuries. They are very famous for their snouts and mustaches that give them a very distinctive look. They are usually very amusing to have around because of their sweet temper and nice attitude.
Different Breeds
Schnauzers come in 3 different breeds. The standard Schnauzer was originally bred as a guard dog. It was mainly used as a rat catcher and a yard dog. This is why a lot of people loved keeping the Schnauzer at home.
However, breeders started to cross breed the standard Schnauzer with other breeds in order to promote the most desirable traits. As a result, the giant and the miniature breeds appeared and they became very popular.
Main Features
Schnauzers are very alert in general. They are very active members of the family and are always trying to attract attention and have fun. This makes them extra pleasurable to have around but at the same time, they can be a little bit annoying especially when they start to bark uncontrollably due to excitement.
Schnauzers have so much energy and will keep an eye on strangers and intruders. This is why they have a great reputation as superior guard dogs. However, their continuous barking can become troublesome.
This is why it is one of the most important concerns that dog owners should pay attention to. Through proper and early training, Schnauzers can become quite manageable.
Schnauzers are rather intelligent dogs. They have a mind of their own and will always do what they feel like. This is why excessive training and exercising are always recommended. When the energy is not properly channeled they can become frustrated and bored.
These are playful and fun animals. They are well behaving and love to be engaged in a lot of fun activities. They are less aggressive towards other breeds and in general love being around children.
The most distinctive feature of the schnauzers is their beard and mustache. They also have feathery brows that make them look adorable. They can be white, black, brown or salt and pepper.
They are great to have around the house because they shed less often than other breeds. They are also hypoallergenic and can be easily kept in the house. They have a strong and sturdy build since they were originally bred as rat catchers.
The Schnauzer’s life expectancy
The Schnauzer’s life expectancy usually ranges between 12 to 14 years. This is true regardless of the size of the dogs. However, the smaller breeds tend to have a longer and healthier life, with some of them living as many as 18 years.
As a matter of fact, the Schnauzers are known to be very healthy companions. They tend to have a long life of fun and games especially in a household with children. They have a few health problems which make them some of the best and most favored pets to have at home.
Health problems
When they are young, Schnauzers, especially the Miniature ones, tend to be really fragile. It is inadvisable to leave such a small puppy with excited toddlers as they might harm their small friend without even intending to.
A small puppy should be well taken care of. You need to make sure that the puppy teeth are pulled out otherwise they will most probably develop a problematic jawline.
Like all dogs, Schnauzers are prone to some health problems. Fortunately, most of their problems are not serious or life-threatening. Obesity is one of the most prominent problems but can be regularly controlled by adequate exercising.
Another common problem is hypoglycemia which is quite common especially in little puppies. This is why their eating and meals should be carefully supervised. A small puppy will have to eat 3 times a day but can do well with 2 meals per day once it is more than 6 months old.
Almost 50% of Schnauzers are subject to Schnauzer bumps. Most of these bumps are found on the backs of Schnauzers, especially the Miniature ones. They pretty much look like whiteheads and blackheads that humans suffer from when their hair follicles get clogged.
However, these bumps are not serious unless they get infected. Some bumps are waxy and feel like grains of sand. Your vet should always be aware of how they form and develop to be able to prescribe the right medication.
Conclusion
When it comes to lovely and fun pets, there is no dog that beats the Schnauzer. Schnauzers have a very good reputation as great friends, trustworthy companions and lovely family members. They are the perfect guardians and partners if you are living on your own.
Whether you are interested in a giant or a miniature one, you would be able to have a lifetime of fun companionship with a nice interesting friend.
Schnauzers feel that they are big dogs. Even when they are miniature they would jump in to defend you and cover your back. However, your nice friends need to have an attentive and alert owner.
Understanding the truth about the Schnauzer’s life expectancy and the issues it might encounter will help you take better care of your best friend. You should always keep an eye on your Schnauzer to make sure that it is having a fun, happy and healthy life.
