Miniature Schnauzer vs Cesky Terrier - 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.

Known as the Bohemian Terrier and looking similar to a Scottish Terrier dog, the Cesky Terrier is a dog breed that has been created by Frantisek Horak, in the Czech Republic.

Horak wanted to breed a type of hunting dog, and in 1949, using both the Scottish Terrier ad the Sealyham Terrier, he bred the two, creating a new breed that would hopefully be a stronger hunting dog.

The Cesky Terrier was shown for the first time in 1959 and was recognized by the Federation Cynologique Internationale in 1963 and in 1993 by the United Kennel Club. It’s a rare dog this, and is the national dog of the Czech Republic.

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.

The Cesky Terrer is a longish dog, much like the Scottie and he also has short legs. He is roughly 29ck in height at the withers, is about 43cm in length and weighs anything from 5 to 10kg.

The coat of this dog is long, silky and quite wavy and can be in a number of different shades of gray or a light brown color. Puppies are born black. The soft coat can be kept groomed by clippers or you can take him to have his coat professionally trimmed.

This dog breed has natural drop ears, unlike the Scottie which has erect ears. The tail length is 18-20 cm and low set.

Temperament:

A loyal, quiet and loving family dog, the Cesky Terrier will get on well with children in the home and he is also friendly with other dogs. Just like with any other dog, it will be important to socialize the dog breed at an early age as then he becomes obedient, smart and relaxed. He is a breed which is also easy to train. He also makes a good watchdog.

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.

The Cesky Terrier isn’t a small-dog yapper and he will adapt to life in the city or the country. He is a small dog, but he is feisty and sporty and will willingly join you with your jogging or when you go on a walk.

He is intelligent and playful and when you add in characteristics such as being courageous, loving, loyal and feisty, you can see that the Cesky Terrier is guaranteed to make a super family pet.

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.

The Cesky Terrier is generally a healthy dog, but this breed sometimes suffers from common dog ailments that other breeds also have to contend with.

Eye disorders, ear infections, pancreatitis, hip dysplasia and weight gain are just some health issues you might need to be aware of.

Remember that if you want to promote a healthier dog, feeding him a quality diet and taking him immediately to the vet when you suspect a problem can keep him free from common dog illnesses.

Pancreatitis for instances develops when the pancreas becomes inflamed, and this can be brought on by allowing your pet to become obese. There are other reasons for pancreatitis too such as infection. You will see diarrhea, fever and vomiting with your pet as well as discomfort from abdominal pain. It’s a disease which affects smaller dogs more often than larger breeds.

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.

Exercise:

Cesky Terriers may well be a little bit less active and quieter than other terriers, but they will still need a good dose of exercise. He loves to dig, and if he is bored and doesn’t have a plenty of exercise and games, he will want to dig more and cause the owner a lot of frustration. Take him for daily walks and give him some ball games in the garden.

Grooming:

Cesky Terriers will need brushing down at least twice a week and their coats will need to be trimmed into shape every 8 to 10 weeks or so. You’ll also need to check excess hair inside the ears.

As with any dog breed, you will need to check on his nails so that they don’t grow too long and also brush his teeth 2 or 3 times a week to avoid dental disease.