Why Would Miniature Schnauzers Be Abandoned?

Miniature schnauzers contain many desirable qualities in a pet. They are intelligent, handsome, often good with children and only get to an average weight of 14 - 15 pounds. They also are very good hunters of rodents. Despite their small size, mini schnauzers usually do not become yappy little dogs. But why do individuals of this breed of small dog often wind up being abandoned by their owners? Ususally through no fault of the dog. Kansas Furever Shih Tzu & Mini Schnauzer Rescue notes that sometimes they get dogs because the owner died.

Lack of Money

In these tight economic times, people abandon pets simply because they cannot afford them. Dogs, no matter what breed, need quality food, medical care, flea preventative medications, collar, leash, places to exercise, toys, grooming equipment, dog beds and, depending on where you live, annual licenses. Mini schnauzers do not survive well outdoors and need to live with their people.

The most suprising cost to new owners is for grooming. Miniatue schnauzers rarely shed, but need regular trips to the groomers to have their coats stripped and trimmed. These grooming costs can add up. Many people buy a puppy withut realizing how much it costs to care for the coat.

Failing to Meet Breed Standards

One reason is that the dog somehow fails to meet the show standard for the breed: the accepted colors, height and body shape or they will be disqualified. According to the American Miniature Schnauzer Club, white dogs or "teacup" sized dogs are not allowed to be registered or shown. The dog will also need registration papers from the breeder.

Ask if the dog's parents have been tested for progressive retinal atrophy (PRA). The eyes, ears and rear end of the dog should be clean and free from discharge. A miniature schnauzer should have an even or scissors bite and a back that slopes slightly downwards to the tail.

Although mini schnauzers suffer docked tails and cropped ears in order to be shown in North America, this practice is being quashed in much of the rest of the world.

Poor Health

Miniature schnauzers are prone to pituitary dwarfims and eye problems, which may be costly to treat. But even if your prospective dog seems healthy, you need to see what kind of home the mini schnauzer was raised in. This is impossible to do in pet stores or through internet sites. These puppies are all from inhumane puppy mills. Because of the crowded and filthy conditions, puppies whelped in these mills often suffer from illness and behavioural problems. Many dogs from puppy mills are so used to sitting in their own waste that it may take longer than usual to housetrain them.

If acquiring from a breeder or a mini schnauzer rescue, check the establishment in person. This usually is someone's home, so be sure to call in advance to make an appointment. This place should not smell bad, not have dogs in crates stacked on top of each other and you should be allowed to greet the dog's relatives if they are on the grounds.

Did Not Bother to Check the Contract

The breeder or foster caretaker of a dog rescue group should ask you a lot of questions from your experience with mini schnauzers and why you want a mini schnauzer. In this way, they hope to keep you from having to give up the dog to an animal shelter because you could not get along with the dog. Both breeders and rescue shelters have contracts that you need to read before agreeing to buy or adopt a dog.

This contract should state that you are allowed to bring the dog back should you no longer be able to care for the dog. However, you won't get any money back, but you will be sure the dog has a home. There is normally a long wait of weeks or months in between meeting the breeder or shelter and actually bringing a dog or puppy home.

Most people buy a mini schnauzer from pet stores, from reading a classified ad or in parking lot deals. These purchases are made on impulse, not realizing what they are getting themselves into. Once the puppy passes the cute stage, he or she is then abandoned.

Additional References:

"The Veterinarian's Guide toYour Dog's Symptoms." Michael S. Garvey, DVM, et al. Villard; 1999.

"Miniature Schnauzer." Elaine Waldorf Gewirtz. John Wiley & Sons; 2006.

Kansas Furever Shih Tzu & Mini Schnauzer Rescue. "Organization Info." http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/KS133.html