The dignified Miniature Schnauzer is a feisty little character, full of attitude and fun. An active breed, the Miniature Schnauzer enjoys the limelight and is a natural showman. Keeping your Miniature Schnauzer in excellent condition will be one of your top priorities as a dog owner. Whether you share your home with a puppy, a mature adult, or a senior, our list of top quality diets will help you select the right food to fuel your Miniature Schnauzer’s health and lifestyle.

AKC Classification: Terrier Group
Exercise Required: 60 minutes/day

Ideal Weight
Healthy Male: 11-18 lbs
Healthy Female: 10-15 lbs

Breed Summary

The Miniature Schnauzer may be small of size, but big of personality.

A true people dog, the Miniature Schnauzer bonds deeply with its human families and loves to be active, enjoying pretty much any activity you choose. The Miniature Schnauzer does not like to be ignored, so it can be a challenge to handle if you like to be a couch potato. They also like to get into mischief, so make sure to puppy-proof your home (and hide the human treats!).

If you’re out on a walk, keep in mind the Miniature Schnauzer moves with a confidence that can inspire irritation in other dog breeds. Though the Miniature Schnauzer will not start a fight, it will not back down if challenged. The breed naturally protects its family and is wary of strangers, and the sharp bark makes it an excellent watchdog. However, this barking can easily cross the line into nuisance behavior if not kept in check.

As a highly intelligent breed, the Miniature Schnauzer picks up new skills with ease. That said, the breed can be prone to extreme stubbornness, so training can be a little challenging at times. Stay patient!

Physical Traits
Sturdy, athletic, strong, energetic, double coated

Personality Traits
Intense, feisty, stubborn, happy, loyal

View your pet's nutritional assessment

Health Considerations for Miniature Schnauzers

The Miniature Schnauzer requires a high quality, well-balanced diet to keep healthy and well. In order to select the right food for this breed, it is a good idea to first consider what conditions the Miniature Schnauzer may be predisposed to since the correct diet can help slow the development these issues, or at least minimize discomfort.

A breed that typically enjoys good health and excellent longevity, the Miniature Schnauzer are especially prone to eye issues and urinary stones.

Urinary Stones

The Miniature Schnauzer is one of the handful of breeds susceptible to urinary stones. When urination becomes difficult or painful, owners may note their dogs straining during bathroom breaks. The urine may appear cloudy and contain an unpleasant odor.

Urinary stones can be difficult to prevent, but keeping your Miniature Schnauzer at a healthy weight and keeping hydrated will do wonders to protect your pup from stone development.

Dental

A Miniature Schnauzer's teeth and gums are always under plaque attack, which forms naturally from food particles and other bacteria. Dogs aren’t too concerned about having pretty white teeth, but dental care is critical for oral health. Bacteria in the mouth can even affect internal organs, like the heart, liver and kidneys, so there are certain things below we like to see in food or supplements to combat these threats to Miniature Schnauzers. Learn more about how to take care of your dogs's teeth.

Puffy/crunch kibbles (bigger)
Sodium hexametaphosphate
Treats based on solubility, not hardness

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Foods We Recommend: Miniature Schnauzer Puppies

How long do Miniature Schnauzers need puppy food?
Until they're around 12 months old

The Miniature Schnauzers needs to be fed a puppy food that emphasizes lean meat-based proteins from quality sources to fuel its critical developmental periods.

To ensure a correct and healthy growth, we recommend diets that contains rich nutrients and the proper ratio of calcium to phosphorous. Here are some of our nutrition team’s top picks:

Foods We Recommend: Miniature Schnauzer Adults

When do Miniature Schnauzers become adults?
Around 12 months old

As a high energy breed, the Miniature Schnauzer requires an exceptional quality diet to fuel its energy levels. And as with all breeds, we look for diets (and treats) that are lean meat-based protein. Our nutrition team hand-selected their favorites for Schnauzer adults:

Foods We Recommend: Miniature Schnauzer Seniors

When do Miniature Schnauzers become seniors?
Around 10-12 years old

Even in its senior years, the Miniature Schnauzer still remains quite active. However, once this breed begins to age, its activity levels will obviously slow down. To provide the nutritional support senior Miniature Schnauzers need, it is a good idea to select a food that is lower in calories, moderate in protein, and based on easily digestible ingredients.

Some of the best dog foods for Miniature Schnauzer seniors also include powerhouse supplements to support joint and heart health such as glucosamine, chondroitin, and taurine. Here are some of the Petabolix nutrition team's top picks:

Affiliate Disclosure
We do not accept money to recommend pet foods. However, we do receive referral fees from online retailers (such as Chewy or Amazon) on qualifying purchases. Our recommendations are neutral, and diet recommendations are made without considering whether we will receive a referral fee.

What are the Best Dog Foods for Miniature Schnauzers?