Parti Schnauzer

Parti schnauzers are not a specific breed of dog; it’s a very rare color pattern consisting of a predominant base color with white patches in between.

The parti base colors vary from black, liver/pepper, liver/tan, 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 top coat, which means they don’t shed a lot, but still need frequent grooming, otherwise their top coat will start to tangle, which can be very painful if left too long. The breed originates from Germany but has since spread worldwide.

The Three Different Types of Schnauzers and Schnauzer Mixes

There are three main members of the Schnauzer family, they include:

Standard Schnauzer

Standard schnauzers were originally bred in Germany as farm dogs that kept the pests under control. They are exceptionally intelligent, which makes them phenomenal at catching rodents and other pests.

Standard schnauzers are medium-sized, with males weighing around 35 to 50 pounds and reaching heights of 18.5 to 20 inches. The females are smaller, weighing between 30 to 45 pounds and reaching 17 to 19 inches in height.

The purebreds only come in two colors, black and salt, and pepper. They are courageous, spirited, brilliant animals who always want to please their masters.

In addition, they are incredibly affectionate and will do well with families with older children. Their lifespan generally ranges from 13 to 16 years.

Giant Schnauzer

The giant schnauzer is a big boy and the largest of the breed and is a result of cross-breeding the Standard Schnauzer with larger breeds like the great dane. Like their smaller counterparts, they are working farm dogs for farmers and innkeepers who used them to drive cattle and as guard dogs.

The males’ height ranges between 25 to 28 inches, and they weigh around 60 to 85 pounds. Females reach heights of 23 to 26 inches tall and weigh about 55 to 75 pounds.

Their name can be misleading as they do not fall into the giant breed category, but they are classified as a large breed.

Purebred giant schnauzers only come in two colors, salt and pepper and black. Because of their size and high energy level, they are not the best breed for families with small children.

However, they are fiercely loyal and vigilant. Giant schnauzers are typically healthy dogs and can live for 12 to 15 years if cared for properly.

Miniature Schnauzer

The miniature schnauzers live up to their name as the smallest of the breed. They were cross-bred between the standard schnauzer and smaller breeds like the:

• Affenpinscher
• Miniature pinscher
• Poodle
• Pomeranian

Farmers wanted a smaller schnauzer to work as ratting dogs, and their plan worked. These pups only grow 12 to 14 inches in height and weigh around 11 to 20 pounds. In addition, the purebreds only come in three colors, blackish silver, black, and salt and pepper.

Miniature schnauzers make excellent family pets because they are great with older children, intelligent, affectionate, and obedient. If cared  for properly, they can live between 12 to 15 years.

Schnauzer Mixes

There are mulitiple schnauzer mixes, and they include:

• German schnauzer (German shepard and schnauzer mix)
• Border schnollie (Border collie and schnauzer mix)
• Eskimo schnauzer (American Eskimo dog and schnauzer mix)
• Schnauzer lab (Labrador retriver and schnauzer mix)
• Miniboz (Boston terrier and schnauzer mix)

Parti Schnauzer Fun Fact

Parti schnauzers are great pest controllers. They were bred to catch rodents, so if you have a rat problem, they might be the pet for you.

3 Pros and Cons of Owning a Parti Schnauzer

Pros

• Extremely intelligent and easy to train
• Adaptable and friendly
• Doesn’t shed much

Cons

• The breed is prone to liver issues
• They have oily skin and will need regular grooming
• Can become obese if not fed and exercised properly

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 removes plaque from their teeth. But, nutrition is vital, so stick to dog food that is high in protein and low in carbs, and fillers. There are many foods out there that meet these requirements, and they include:

• Taste of the wild pet food Appalachian Valley Small Breed Canine Recipe
• Nulo Freestyle Small Breed Dog Food
• Merrick Classic Small Breed Dog Food

Parti Schnauzer Size and Weight

Parti Schnauzer 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 Aviam 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.

Parti Schnauzer Temperament

Parti schnauzer shares the same temperament as a miniature schnauzer. They are playful, loyal, obedient, friendly, and affectionate.

In addition, they are highly intelligent and are easy to train. Because they were initially 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.

Parti Schnauzer 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.

In addition, they need a bath at least once a month because of their oily skin. Finally, they need to have their nails clipped every 6 to 8 weeks to keep them comfortable.

Parti Schnauzer 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.

So, instead, you can opt for agility training, obedience training, and rallies. In addition, positive reinforcement goes a long way when training them.

Parti Schnauzer Exercise

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

Parti Schnauzer Puppies

Parti schnauzer puppies are really 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 vast personalities and incredible taste for chewing on anything and everything.

However, be cautious; they are not a good choice if you have young children. They might snap if the kids pull on their tails or other areas of their bodies.

Always remember that these dogs were bred to eliminate pests, so it’s imperative to have a secured yard, as they could escape while chasing some sort of prey.

Dogs Similar to Parti Schnauzers

Several breeds are similar in size to the parti schnauzer, which include:

• Beagi (Beagle and corgi mix)
• China Jack (Chinese crested and Jack Russel mix)
• Cav-A-Mo (King Charles cavalier spaniel and American Eskimo mix)

Famous Miniature Schnauzers

Many celebrities have stepped out with their adorable miniature schnauzers, and some of them include:

• Sens. Bob and Elizabeth Dole
• Actress Mary Tyler Moore
• Martial artists Bruce Lee

Popular Names for Parti Schnauzers

Choosing a name for your pet is always exciting, but sometimes that inspiration does not arrive. To help make a choice, here are some of the most popular names for parti schnauzers:

• Charlie
• Max
• Bella
• Luna
• Winston
• Lucy
• Pepper
• Daisy
• Milo
• Zoe