Miniature Schnauzer vs German Wirehaired Pointer - Breed Comparison

Miniature Schnauzer vs German Wirehaired Pointer - Breed ComparisonBoth Miniature Schnauzer and German Wirehaired Pointer are originated from Germany. Miniature Schnauzer may grow 32 cm / 12 inches shorter than German Wirehaired Pointer. Miniature Schnauzer may weigh 22 kg / 48 pounds lesser than German Wirehaired Pointer. Both Miniature Schnauzer and German Wirehaired Pointer has almost same life span. Both Miniature Schnauzer and German Wirehaired Pointer has almost same litter size. Both Miniature Schnauzer and German Wirehaired Pointer requires Moderate maintenance.

History

miniature schnauzer - historyMiniature 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.

german wirehaired pointer - historyMedium to large sized, the German Wirehaired Pointer is a griffon type dog breed hailing from Germany and developed for hunting purposes in the 19th century.

Known as the Drahthaar in Germany, the dog is a mix of griffon, Deutscher Stichelhaar, German Shorthaired Pointer, Deutscher Kurzhaar as well as the Pudelpointer.

He was imported into the United States in the 1920s, and it was in 1953 that the German Drahthaar Club of America was formed.

Basic Information

Group:
Terrier dog
Sporting dog
Origin:
Germany
Germany
Height Male:
30 - 36 cm
11 - 15 inches
60 - 68 cm
23 - 27 inches
Height Female:
30 - 36 cm
11 - 15 inches
57 - 68 cm
22 - 27 inches
Weight Male:
5 - 10 kg
11 - 23 pounds
27 - 32 kg
59 - 71 pounds
Weight Female:
5 - 10 kg
11 - 23 pounds
25 - 32 kg
55 - 71 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 15 Years
10 - 13 Years
Litter Size:
3 - 8
6 - 10
Size:
Small dog
Large dog
Other Names:
Zwergschnauzer (Dwarf Schnauzer)
Deutsch Drahthaar, Drahthaar
Colors Available:
salt-and-pepper coat – mix of black and white. , Black and silver
black flecked , Liver and white
Coat:
Double, wiry medium-length coat
Straight, wiry, harsh
Shedding:
Minimal
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Detached, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
Yes
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Description

miniature schnauzer puppy - descriptionThe 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.

german wirehaired pointer puppy - descriptionWell muscled, this is a medium to large sized dog standing at between 57 and 68cm in height and weighing between 27 and 32kg.

He has a weather resistant wiry coat which is of medium length and which is wiry and harsh. Coat color is liver and white as well as black flecked.The undercoat provides insulation against the cold.

He has quite a bit of facial hair in terms of eyebrows, beard and whiskers.He has webbed feet, typical of German Pointers. His tail is docked to about two-fifths of its natural length, but these days it is often left long.

Temperament:

Lively, playful, affectionate and intelligent, the German Wirehaired Pointer is easy to teach. He becomes wonderfully obedient with training and socialization and responds well to instructions to sit, come and stay.

He is an active dog and likes to be involved in the activities that his human family are involved in. He becomes bored and frustrated when he doesn’t get the exercise and attention he craves.

He isn’t suited to life in the city where the premises are small as he needs plenty of vigorous exercise every day. They do well in the country where they have plenty of place to run and where their hunting skills come into action.

Characteristics

miniature schnauzer dog - characteristicsMiniature 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.

german wirehaired pointer dog - characteristicsGerman Wirehaired Pointers make awesome pets as they’re lively, playful, social and loving. They particularly suit living in a home where the people are active, outdoor types.

They make superb jogging- or cycling companions and will thrive on sharing these activities with a family member. He is a dog who has a need to be loved and included in all that his family gets up to. He wants lots of pats and stroking to show him that you care.

Give him the love and care he craves and you’re guaranteed to have the most wonderful loving pet.

Health Problems

miniature schnauzer puppies - health problemsYour 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.

german wirehaired pointer puppies - health problemsGerman Wirehairs are generally healthy, and when you look after them well they can reach 12, 13 or 14 years of age. Also, if both German Wirehaired Pointer parents have certificates proving they were tested and cleared of hip dysplasia, hereditary eye diseases and blood-clotting disease, then your pet will have less risk of developing these conditions.

Your pet isn’t likely to get sick, but like all breeds of dogs, they're prone to certain diseases and conditions. Hip Dysplasia is something that can be noticed when your pet is still a puppy.

Hip Dysplasia:

This is a heritable condition where the thigh bone doesn't fit properly into the hip joint. Your dog can battle with pain so that he no longer wants to play, he battles to get up after lying down and he may even begin to show signs of lameness. Arthritis can develop too.

Cataracts:

You’ll notice cloudiness on the eye lens that can grow over time. Not all cataracts impair vision, although there are some instances where vision loss is experienced. Cataracts can sometimes be surgically removed with good results.

Caring The Pet

miniature schnauzer dogs - caringLet’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.

german wirehaired pointer dogs - caringYour German Wirehaired Pointer isn’t a heavy shedder so brushing his coat twice a week will be ideal for him to rid the coat of loose hairs.

Diet:

Your German Wirehaired Pointer is an active dog and this has to be taken into account when looking at diet. He will require a diet with quality protein. You’ve also got to look at things such as whether your dog is neutered or spayed as they require less calories. On the other hand there are dogs that will require more calories because of their activity levels.

Make sure your German Wirehaired Pointer eats a top quality dog food. Add in some homemade food such as cooked brown rice, chicken and vegetables from time to time as well as some raw meat. You have to constantly remember that your dog’s health depends on the nutrition you provide.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. German Wirehaired Pointer vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  2. German Wirehaired Pointer vs Chesapeake Bay Retriever - Breed Comparison
  3. German Wirehaired Pointer vs Bull Arab - Breed Comparison
  4. German Wirehaired Pointer vs Eurohound - Breed Comparison
  5. Gordon Setter vs German Wirehaired Pointer - Breed Comparison
  6. Magyar Agar vs German Wirehaired Pointer - Breed Comparison
  7. Grand Anglo-Francais Blanc et Noir vs German Wirehaired Pointer - Breed Comparison
  8. Grand Anglo-Francais Blanc et Orange vs German Wirehaired Pointer - Breed Comparison
  9. Grand Anglo-Francais Tricolore vs German Wirehaired Pointer - Breed Comparison
  10. Tweed Water Spaniel vs German Wirehaired Pointer - Breed Comparison
  11. Samoyed vs German Wirehaired Pointer - Breed Comparison
  12. Labradoodle vs German Wirehaired Pointer - Breed Comparison
  13. Mixed vs German Wirehaired Pointer - Breed Comparison
  14. Great Pyrenees vs German Wirehaired Pointer - Breed Comparison
  15. Old English Sheepdog vs German Wirehaired Pointer - Breed Comparison
  16. Presa Canario vs German Wirehaired Pointer - Breed Comparison
  17. Labrador Husky vs German Wirehaired Pointer - Breed Comparison
  18. Perro de Presa Canario vs German Wirehaired Pointer - Breed Comparison
  19. Irish Setter vs German Wirehaired Pointer - Breed Comparison
  20. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs German Wirehaired Pointer - Breed Comparison
  21. Giant Schnauzer vs German Wirehaired Pointer - Breed Comparison
  22. Greyhound vs German Wirehaired Pointer - Breed Comparison
  23. Goldador vs German Wirehaired Pointer - Breed Comparison
  24. German Wirehaired Pointer vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  25. German Wirehaired Pointer vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  26. Miniature Schnauzer vs Boston Terrier - Breed Comparison
  27. Miniature Schnauzer vs Jack Russell Terrier - Breed Comparison
  28. Miniature Schnauzer vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  29. Miniature Schnauzer vs Cairn Terrier - Breed Comparison
  30. Miniature Schnauzer vs Border Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Miniature Schnauzer vs Australian Terrier - Breed Comparison
  32. Miniature Schnauzer vs American Hairless Terrier - Breed Comparison
  33. Miniature Schnauzer vs Bull Terrier Miniature - Breed Comparison
  34. Miniature Schnauzer vs English White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  35. Miniature Schnauzer vs Feist - Breed Comparison
  36. Miniature Schnauzer vs Manchester Terrier - Breed Comparison
  37. Miniature Schnauzer vs Dandie Dinmont Terrier - Breed Comparison
  38. Miniature Schnauzer vs Miniature Fox Terrier - Breed Comparison
  39. Miniature Schnauzer vs Cesky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  40. Miniature Schnauzer vs Glen of Imaal Terrier - Breed Comparison
  41. Miniature Schnauzer vs Chilean Fox Terrier - Breed Comparison
  42. Miniature Schnauzer vs Black and Tan Terrier - Breed Comparison
  43. Miniature Schnauzer vs Cairland Terrier - Breed Comparison
  44. Miniature Schnauzer vs Fell Terrier - Breed Comparison
  45. Miniature Schnauzer vs Lucas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Miniature Schnauzer vs Kaikadi - Breed Comparison
  47. Rat Terrier vs Miniature Schnauzer - Breed Comparison
  48. Scottish Terrier vs Miniature Schnauzer - Breed Comparison
  49. Patterdale Terrier vs Miniature Schnauzer - Breed Comparison
  50. Norwich Terrier vs Miniature Schnauzer - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds