Parti Schnauzer

Quick Take

• Parti Schnauzers aren't actually a breed, which is a distinction that matters more than most owners realize before they buy.
• They barely shed, yet skipping one specific grooming step can leave your dog in serious pain. See grooming details →
• Their friendly, trainable personality hides a hardwired instinct that makes them a threat to some household pets. Explore their prey drive →
• A reputable breeder should hand you specific paperwork at pickup, and any refusal to do so is a red flag you need to know about. Check breeder screening advice →

Parti Schnauzers are not a specific type of Schnauzer; they are a very rare color pattern consisting of a predominant base color with white patches throughout.

The parti base colors include black, liver (chocolate), salt and pepper, and black and silver. The word “parti” can be placed in front of any other color because it literally means “with white patches.”

Their fur has two layers — a soft undercoat and a wiry topcoat — which means they don’t shed a lot, but still need frequent grooming; otherwise, their topcoat will start to tangle, which can be very painful if left unattended for too long. The breed originates from Germany but has since spread worldwide.

3 Pros and Cons of Owning a Parti Schnauzer

The Best Dog Food For Parti Schnauzers

Parti schnauzers are small and don’t need to eat a lot. One cup of kibble a day is all they need. However, this does vary according to their size and energy levels. So, it’s best to speak to your local veterinarian about how much food to give them.

If a raw diet is out of the question, it’s best to find a high-quality kibble. Kibble can be advantageous because it helps to remove plaque from their teeth. But nutrition is vital, so stick to dog food that is high in protein and low in carbs and fillers.

Size and Weight

Common Health Issues

These fluff balls are generally healthy dogs; if cared for properly, they can live up to 12 to 15 years. However, parti schnauzers are prone to some health conditions, which include:

• Myelopathy, which affects the limbs and can cause paralysis
• Joint disorder (elbow dysplasia)
• Eye diseases
• Heart disease
• Myotonia congenita, which affects the muscles
• Mycobacterium Avium Complex, which causes respiratory diseases
• Progressive retinal atrophy, which causes blindness

When buying a parti schnauzer from a breeder, they should provide test results that prove your pup has been screened for all these diseases. Breeders who refuse to provide you with the necessary certificates are not reputable, so always be wary.

Temperament

The Parti Schnauzer shares the same temperament as the Miniature Schnauzer. They are playful, loyal, obedient, friendly, and affectionate.

In addition, they are highly intelligent and are easy to train. Because they were originally bred to catch rodents and other pests on farms, they have a high prey drive. Parti schnauzers can be very vocal and make excellent watchdogs.

They get along well with other dogs but should be socialized from a young age. However, because they are prey-driven, they will attack other pets like hamsters, rats, mice, and rabbits.

How to Take Care of Parti Schnauzers

Luckily, parti schnauzers are generally healthy dogs and don’t shed a lot. However, they do need proper care to reach old age.

Maintenance And Grooming

Just because they don’t shed a lot doesn’t mean they don’t need to be groomed. To avoid tangles and matting, they must be brushed daily.

Additionally, they require a bath at least once a month due to their oily skin. Finally, they need to have their nails clipped every 6 to 8 weeks to keep them comfortable.

Training

Because parti schnauzers are so intelligent, they are easy to train and always want to please their owners. However, they sometimes get bored with repetitive training.

Instead, consider agility training, obedience training, and rally competitions. Additionally, positive reinforcement plays a significant role in their training.

Exercise

Parti schnauzers generally have a medium energy level and must exercise daily. This could include a brisk walk, backyard playtime, or a game of fetch with a ball or Frisbee.

Puppies

Parti Schnauzer puppies are truly adorable bundles of fur. They are easy to train and get along well with other dogs. However, they can be very vocal and must be trained from a young age.

Parti Schnauzers and Children

These furballs make excellent family pets. But just because they are good with older children does not make them suitable for all families. Some people won’t be able to tolerate their big personalities and tendency to chew on anything and everything.

As with any breed, young children should be supervised around dogs, and children should be taught to treat pets gently to avoid startling or upsetting them.

Always remember that these dogs were bred to eliminate pests, so it’s important to have a secure yard, as they could escape while chasing prey.

Dogs Similar to Parti Schnauzers

Several breeds are similar in size to the Parti Schnauzer, including:

• Beagi (Beagle and Corgi mix)
• China Jack (Chinese Crested and Jack Russell mix)
• Cav-A-Mo (King Charles Cavalier spaniel and American Eskimo mix)