White miniature schnauzer: what does it look like and how to care for it?
Adorable nimble dogs of the Miniature Schnauzer breed are also service dogs. They bark loudly, perfectly guard the house, chase mice and rats and are simply irreplaceable in a private home.
Description of the breed
Germany is considered the birthplace of miniature schnauzers. These cute dogs were bred as helpers for farmers, their task was to exterminate rodents and protect housing and livestock. Despite its modest size, this breed does not lack courage. It is thanks to this quality that she performed and is performing her tasks perfectly.
In addition to remarkable courage, miniature schnauzers are inherent in: a sharp mind and ingenuity, compact size, easy care and unpretentiousness in everyday life.
Today the Zwerg is the smallest service dog in the world. And this is only in size, but not in importance.
Requirements for the representative of the breed
The height of the dogs reaches 35 cm, weigh on average 6-7 kg, maximum - 8. In addition to white, they can have 3 more types of color: black with a silver or black undercoat and "pepper and salt". The dog is in excellent health, has a shiny coat and is odorless. The top coat is hard and the undercoat is thick.
The miniature schnauzer is not subject to seasonal molting, so the owner is not threatened with endless collection of wool from all horizontal surfaces in the house.
White zwergs used to be considered a breed marriage, and now this opinion is periodically expressed. This is completely untrue. The white color of the breed was recognized in 1992. Today, white miniature schnauzers take part in exhibitions along with other colors of the breed, both at domestic and international competitions. Dogs of this color are not albinos. They are dark-eyed and the coat is dark-pigmented.
It is believed that the white zwerg is a clarified pepper and salt color.
Character
White miniatures are bold, active and cheerful. Children are friendly, however, the smallest may be perceived as a threat to their comfort. Dogs are easy to train and train, and they accept other animals in the house well. Representatives of the breed are typical terriers. They bark loudly and loudly, and often for some unknown reason.
Dogs are quick-tempered and persistent. Although there are also individuals with an agreeable and balanced character.
To get a gentle and stable animal, you should start raising and training a puppy from an early age.
It is better if this is done first by a professional who will draw up a detailed plan of the dog's activities and training.
Near strangers, the Miniature Schnauzer is alert and restrained. If he is socialized enough, he will behave calmly. Finding something unusual, causing anxiety, the zwerg always barks loudly. Therefore, it is impossible to sneak into the house where this dog lives quietly and noiselessly. Such a dog is an excellent watchman. However, it can hardly be useful as a powerful guard due to its compact size.
Care and maintenance
Representatives of the breed are distinguished by good, robust health. Of course, all necessary measures for vaccination and parasite control should be carried out in accordance with the schedule. Health features are such that dogs are prone to joint diseases, diabetes, urolithiasis, and eye diseases.
The white color of the coat does not mean that the dog will get dirty quickly. Contamination occurs to the same extent in all representatives of the breed, it is just that they are better visible on white wool. You need to bathe the dog as it gets dirty, wash its paws after each walk.
Also, the paws should be examined for injuries, splinters, cuts very carefully after each dog goes outside.
The Miniature Schnauzer is a breed that needs trimming. The minimum amount is twice a year, but more often. If you do not neglect this procedure, you can form a kind of "vest" of wool in 2 months. It will protect your pet from getting wet, cold weather, slush and dust. It is very important to monitor the color of the whiskers and “slippers” on the paws. If they are reddened, you need to change the feed and make sure that the coat dries properly, is not damp.
Puppies in a litter are usually born in the number of four, but there are more.
Females of the breed are very strong, capable of bearing and independently feeding their babies. If the puppies are 4-5, they do not eat complementary foods, as the mother's milk is enough to feed them. At 6 weeks of age, puppies become interested in other foods. Docking the tail should be done at the age of 3-5 days, but only if there is a plan for docking the ears in the future. It is only needed if the parents have a high density of cartilage and the ears are likely to be erect.
Education and training
It is pleasant and easy to train zwergs. They are very fond of executing commands. Dogs are interested in agility, they are happy to play with frisbee. Representatives of the breed are very owner-oriented, so it is easy to prepare them for shows and shows.Dogs are very fond of performing, receiving a treat for a correctly completed task. In no case should you punish and scold a dog for not winning the competition.
On the contrary, you need to make her feel positive about what is happening. Then at the exhibition she will show temperament and optimism to the fullest.
The dog needs constant physical activity, regular and systematic... You can't leave her alone for a long time, she is bored, howls, can harm the apartment and things. If the zwerg is alone for a long time, the long-awaited exit from the house may be accompanied by irrepressible incessant barking.
For the peculiarities of the Miniature Schnauzer breed, see below.
