Miniature Schnauzer vs Bluetick Beagle - Breed Comparison

Miniature Schnauzers were first bred in Germany in the 19th century being bred from Affenpinschers and Standard Schnauzers.

This dog was always used to control rats on farms, but these days he is more a companion. It is believed that the start of the modern Miniature Schnauzer in the United States was around 1924 when dogs were imported from Germany.

It was in 1933 that the Miniature Schnauzer was recognized by the AKC as a separate breed from the Standard Schnauzer.

Among the hound group of dogs, there are some ancient breeds. The history of the Beagle and the Bluetick Beagle more specifically is fairly uncertain as breeds as we know them today didn't really develop until the 19th century. It was in the mid-1800s the Reverend Phillip Honeywood established Beagles in Essex, England and American breeders started importing Beagles from England to improve the looks of their own dogs. The breed was developed from a number of breeds and possibly the Bluetick Coonhound had some input into the markings of the Bluetick Beagle.

Today the American Kennel Club recognizes many colors and color combinations in Beagles. with white, tan and black being the more common color. Beagles can also sport ‘markings’ such as blue and red freckles or ticks. If there are black ticks, it can be referred to as blue-ticked.

The Miniature Schnauzer is a small dog breed that stands between 30 to 36cm in height and weighs between 5 and 10kg.

He has a sturdy body with a dense, wiry coat which most people prefer to have stripped. Because stripping is quite tedious, many of these dog owners prefer to have the coat clipped which actually gives the coat a greyish look to it.

The coat is usually a mix of black and silver. Some people refer to the Miniature Schnauzer as having a salt-and-pepper coat – hairs that are a mix of black and white. The dog has a double coat with the outer coat being wiry and the undercoat being a lot softer.

This is a dog that will need to be groomed frequently to prevent matting. A noticeable feature with these dogs is the rectangular shaped head with alert slanted eyes and bushy eyebrows, mustache and beard. In fact the word ‘Schnauzer’ means beard or muzzle.

The ears have been traditionally cropped but these days they are left and then they tend to be half-erect, half-floppy.

Temperament:

This is a tough little dog, fearless, cheeky, arrogant, alert and also friendly. A draw-card with him is that he is considered as a low-shedder and being hypoallergenic.

They’re very intelligent dogs too and will learn quickly when you give him training and socialization. This is important for a dog like this as he can quickly show you that he is strong willed and independent. Training and socialization makes him much nicer as he becomes more balanced and obedient.

He is full of life and extroverted and you can count on him to join you wherever you are and whatever you’re doing. Whether watching TV, swimming or hiking, he’ll be there and turn every occasion into a festive event. He is a loving, loyal dog, making a splendid pet.

He's protective of his human family and tends to be suspicious of strangers, and this is what makes him such a great watchdog.

Lean, Compact and Muscular

The Bluetick Beagle is a small sized hunting dog. As part of the Hound group of dogs, he has an excellent sense of smell. He has always been used as a hunting dog, and it is why this particular dog is a popular choice for law enforcement agencies – it’s that keen sense of smell.

He is lean and compact with muscular legs, a broad head, fairly long floppy ears and a broad chest. His coat is short-haired and smooth and its the short blue coloration in his coat sets the Bluetick Beagle apart from the regular Beagle.

Temperament

The Blue Tick Beagle can have a bit of a stubborn streak, but be that as it may, he still responds well to training and socialization. Alert, he has an amicable nature, and this is what makes this breed such a great family pet He’ll get on well with children in the house as well as with other pets.

The Blue Tick Beagle isn’t an aggressive dog breed. He is lively and playful and full of energy and will require you taking him on walks, runs in the park and lots of games at home.

He loves the companionship of his human family and can’t just be left in the back yard on his own for long periods of time. He can suffer with separation anxiety and also become bored and then he starts with long, mournful howls.

Miniature Schnauzers are such adaptable little dogs, quite happy to make a home with you in the city or in the countryside.

They’re sociable dogs, so just being with his human family wherever they are will suit him well. If he lives in the city however, he will need to have a walk everyday or taken to the park for a run.

He is also a dog that scarcely sheds, so he suits people battling with allergies. With an average life expectancy of 12 to 14 years, if you nurture your Mini Schnauzer and give him the best food and exercise there is, as well as loving him, you’re going to have a loyal and devoted pet.

Your Blue Tick beagle is an active, cheerful dog and he makes a good companion for adult or child. He is fairly adaptable and can happily fit into a home in the city- or country. A Blue Tick Beagle doesn’t want to be left alone day after day, so think about your work commitments before you buy buy your Blue Tick and leave him alone.

Being a hound, although he is gentle and amicable, he can also be stubborn which means he will require some patient training. Because he is a scenthound, he is inclined to catch an aroma and want to go after it, so you’ll need a well fenced garden to keep him in.

Other than that when he is with you, he makes a dedicated and loving companion.

Your Miniature Schnauzer is pretty healthy and he isn’t likely to cost you much in terms of vet fees. There are however some common dog problems that you want to be aware of such as cataracts of the eye and hypothyroidism.

Cataract:

This a a problem in the lens of the eye. The lens should be clear, and when a dog has a cataract, it obscures the vision. The size of the cataract can lead to blindness.

Diabetes in a dog can bring on cataracts as can genetics or damage to the eye from exposure to ultraviolet light. Fortunately, dogs with cataracts can still see. Dogs with old cataracts can have surgery to remove them.

When a dog owner suspects a cataract in their pet’s eye it is best to treat it immediately with anti-inflammatory dog cataract eye drops. Cataracts never go away however without surgery.

Hypothyroidism:

The thyroid gland in the neck produces a hormone called thyroxine. It controls metabolism, but with hypothyroidism, enough of the hormone isn’t made. Its a common disease which affects all dog breeds.

Signs of hypothyroidism include hair loss, weight gain, intolerance to cold and a troublesome skin. To have the disease diagnosed, the vet will do a series of blood tests.

Beagles are healthy dog breeds, and with good care, can enjoy an average lifespan of between 12-15 years. Like many other dogs, the Blue Tick beagle is more prone to a number of medical conditions, and more so as it ages. It is essentially a hardy breed that won’t require any particular special care, but common dog problems such as hip dysplasia and skin allergies will need to be watched.

Ear Infections

There are always some health concerns with every dog breed that every dog owner needs to be aware of. Dog with floppy ears such as what the Blue Tick Beagle has will always be prone to ear infections. The ears will need to be kept clean but you can’t just go prodding around in a dog’s ear as you could damage the ears. A visit to the veterinarian will clear up any ear problems.

Cherry Eye

This particular condition - prolapse of the gland of the nictitating membrane – is important to clear up quickly as it could lead to more serious problems. The longer the third eyelid gland is problematic, the more irritated and inflamed it becomes.

Let’s look at several ways you need to care for your Miniature Schnauzer -

Make sure you have his puppy injections on time. This means knowing which veterinarian you’ll use. Later on if you don’t want to go in for breeding, you will need to have your pet spayed or neutered.

Make sure you have a nice warm, dry spot for your dog to sleep. It can be a cardboard box, or you can buy a dog basket or sleeping platform. Make sure your pet loves it and knows he can retreat to it anytime he wants.

If he goes outside for a few hours, make sure that he has a place to lie in the shade and away from the elements.

Good food promotes good health and longevity. You can feed your pet one of the top quality commercially manufactured foods and give your pet some variety by adding in some boiled chicken, vegetables and brown rice. Some raw meat occasionally can also be excellent for your pet.

Diet

A good, nutritious diet will help your Blue Tick Beagle steer clear of ill health. He is an energetic breed so will require either home prepared food or commercially manufactured dog food with the right mix of vitamins and minerals to keep his energy levels up.

As mentioned, your BlueTick can be prone to hip dysplasia and skin allergies so a supplement which includes omega 3 is an excellent choice for your dog’s overall health. Make sure to include some raw meat into your dog’s diet and always ensure a constant supply of fresh water.

Grooming

Your Bluetick Beagle isn’t a huge shedder with his short-haired coat, but he will need to be brushed at least twice a week to keep his coat in tip-top condition and to remove all those loose hairs. Bathing a dog is never encouraged as it removes the dogs natural oils, but of course there are always exceptions when a dog will require a bath.