Height:
13 – 18 inches
Weight:
15 – 35 pounds
Lifespan:
12-15 years
Colors:
Blue, black, gray, silver, or a combination
Suitable for:
Active families, those not seeking an obedient pooch, young families, multi-dog households, experienced dog owners
Temperament:
Active families, those not seeking an obedient pooch, young families, multi-dog households, experienced dog owners
The Miniature Kerry Schnauzer Dog is the hybrid pup of the Miniature Schnauzer and the Kerry Blue Terrier. Despite the Kerry being one of the largest terriers in the canine kingdom and the Miniature Schanzuer being the smallest of the Schnauzers, this guy’s appearance is very predictable. Just from looking are pictures of these guys, you’d be forgiven for thinking they are related somehow.
His personality is also very predictable because both of his parents are pocket rockets full of love, with a twist of stubborn charm. And thankfully, because he is becoming increasingly popular, you shouldn’t struggle to find a reputable breeder either.
If you are thinking about welcoming one of these little guys into your life, there are a few things that you must know beforehand. Because no matter how cute he is, he can be a devil, especially if he falls into the hands of the wrong family.
This guide is a must-read for all those looking to adopt him. From his personality to some fun facts, as well as his training needs and what he eats, we’ve covered it all. So, sit back, relax, and educate yourself on all things Mini Kerry Schnauzer.
Mini Kerry Schnauzer Puppies – Before You Buy…
Before you sail off into the sunset in search of this guy, there are a few things that you need to know first. This guy is not a typical small to medium-sized dog – he is feisty as heck. Imagine how feisty a Chihuahua is, ties that by 10, and you might just come close to his personality. This is fantastic for those who like this dog trait, but he’s not suited to those that like their dog to sit back and chill.
He is also full of intense terrier energy. He could keep going all day long. This means that his family needs to be active and mentally ready to provide him with all the exercise and attention he needs and wants. If you are looking for a companion to provide you with endless entertainment, look no further.
The Mini Kerry Schnauzer is a stubborn dog who, essentially, does what he wants when he wants. He isn’t always interested in joining you on training sessions. Which means he is not the most obedient of dogs. This means he is only suited to those who have experience with independent dogs. Otherwise, it can be overwhelming.
Despite the Miniature Kerry Schnauzer being feisty, deep down, he is a sensitive pooch who hates to be left alone. This means that he should only be placed with a family that can spend most of their time with him. Otherwise, he will get sassy and destructive, and that’s good for no one. The separation anxiety struggle is real with this pooch.
He also has an extremely high prey drive. His parents were bred to work on the farm, usually as ratters, other pest exterminators, and hunting small game and birds. This means that he is out to get anything small and furry, and you should always keep this guy on a leash.
What’s the Price of Mini Kerry Schnauzer Puppies?
The average price of a Mini Kerry Schnauzer from a reputable breeder can be anywhere from $500 to $1,000. Always be sure to work with a reputable breeder who can provide you with their parents’ health clearances. They will also be keen for you to meet the pups and their living conditions in person before any money is exchanged.
Puppy mills will insist that you pass them money before you see the pups. Their pups are usually bred from dogs who are either sick or haven’t passed any health checks. The puppies themselves have probably never received any medical care either. You might save a few hundred dollars at first, but you’ll spend that and much more on vet bills in the long run.
3 Little-Known Facts About Mini Kerry Schnauzer
1. Mini Kerry Schnauzers aren’t blue blue.
Not by smurf standards anyway. They are also known as Mini Kerry Blue Schnauzers, and this is because their Irish parent, the Kerry, is blue. However, blue is an off-black or deep gray, and it is a stunning doggy coat color for sure.
2. Mini Kerry Schnauzers make excellent farm dogs.
As both of his parents were bred to live and work on the farm, the Mini Kerry Scnahuzer is almost guaranteed to inherit this natural instinct too. He will be able to clear the barns of rats, hunt birds, as well as collect his master’s prized catches from the water.
3. Mini Kerry Schnauzers coat might change color.
His Kerry parent has the coat color-changing gene, which means he could also inherit this too. Kerry Blues are born black, and overtime, their coat fades to gray. When they reach 18 months, their coat will be the beautiful ‘blue’ that everyone adores.
Temperament & Intelligence of the Mini Kerry Schnauzer
You already know the aspects of his personality that might not be suited to everyone, but here we will go through his traits that most people adore. He is super affectionate with his family and loves to snuggle up with them for evening cuddles. He is sickly sweet, and with that gorgeous soft coat of his, cuddling up to him is a great way to pass your time.
He is lots of fun and always up for a game in the yard with his family. He needs to be the center of attention, but he will provide you with hours of laughter if you can allow him this. This is a fantastic trait for those moms and dads out there who need assistance with kiddy entertaining duty. You can observe them from the kitchen, completing your chores while he entertains them.
He is friendly with strangers, too, meaning that he will probably not attempt to ward off visitors. Everyone’s welcome at the Mini Kerry Schnauzer inn. But you can expect him to sound the woof alarm every time someone enters the yard. If you aren’t a fan of barky dogs, you might want to look another quieter breed.
The Mini Kerry Schanzuer is very intelligent, and he can pick up commands quickly. But don’t get too excited, because he will only pick up your orders if he has the patience to listen to you. If you’re boring him that day, he’ll turn the other way. He’s stubborn and sassy, and he is not the most obedient of dogs. Some people find this annoying, some find it charming, so it depends on your viewpoint.
Are These Dogs Good for Families?
Yes, the Miniature Kerry Schnauzer makes a fantastic dog for the right family. If you like the sound of his personality outlined above, and you can meet all of his needs in the below sections, you could be a match made in heaven.
The trouble comes when owners don’t research the dogs they are about to welcome into their homes. If you arent the right family for him, he will become sad and destructive, and you will become frustrated. Please do your research on both of his parents to make sure that you love this designer doggie.
Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets?
The Mini Kerry Schnauzer, if socialized well as a pup, is likely to get along well with other dogs. This means that if you are a multi-dog household, he will fit right in or accept others into his fold.
However, he is unlikely to get along with any other type of pet because of his high prey drive. He may or may not get along with cats, but ideally, you shouldn’t risk it. And when it comes to anything smaller than him, unfortunately, there isn’t much of a chance of them cohabiting.
Things to Know When Owning a Mini Kerry Schnauzer:
Here we will take a look at his day to day needs, and these are just as important as the above points.
Food & Diet Requirements
The Mini Kerry Schnauzer will eat approximately 2½ cups of food every day. His diet should be high-quality, and it should provide a well-balanced diet too. Look for meat proteins, carbohydrates, fiber, omega fats, vitamins, and minerals in the ingredient list.
The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) recommend that all puppies eat a minimum protein content of 22%, and adults a minimum content of 18%.
This sassy guy might also be fussy. If you find that he is not eating his meals, try adding a little bit of warm water or low-sodium chicken broth to his kibble. This will make it more enticing. Or, you could always try adding wet food to the mix.
Exercise
The Mini Kerry Schnauzer is an energetic little guy who will need between 45 and 60 minutes f exercise every day. His intelligent mind is full of pent up energy, and he needs an outlet. Otherwise, your furniture will be his outlet. Come rain or shine, this farm pooch needs his exercise.
Be sure to mix up his exercise routine to stop him from becoming bored. This will also keep him on his toes and keep him obedient, instead of deciding that he doesn’t need you by his side. We also advise to keep him on the leash at all times. Otherwise, you risk that he’ll catch a scent and leg it.
His Irish parent was bred to fetch his master’s hunt in the water, so you can be sure that he will love the water too. If you can, take him to the local lake every now and then, and he will appreciate it.
Training
The Mini Kerry Schnauzer is a stubborn guy, so for this reason, you need to be an experienced and patient dog owner. As soon as you get this guy home, you need to begin his training. Positive reinforcement training is the most efficient way to train a pup.
Start obedience training straight away too. He needs to know who is the boss, otherwise, he will assume that he is. And don’t give up just because he is having a bad day; persistence and consistency are vital in training stubborn dogs.
Because this guy hates to be left alone, it is a great idea to crate train him. Set up his new crate ready for when he arrives at his new home with you, and let him check it out in his own time. If you make his crate a pleasant experience and super comfy, it won’t take long for him to love it.
Grooming ✂️
As the Mini Kerry Schnauzer’s parents are both hypoallergenic dog breeds, it is more than likely that he will be too. This means that he will not shed much. This means he is easy to groom, right? No, sorry…
His silky curls are prone to matting, which means that you need to brush him daily. A slicker brush will help to detangle and prevent matting.
His coat is much more like human hair than dog fur, which means it grows quickly. Because of this, you will need to clip his coat regularly. This can be time-consuming and tricky to achieve his famous cut (especially that magnificent beard of his!). As such, many owners opt to take their pooch to a professional groomer.
His beard is long, and as such, it becomes dirty with food and wet with water. To prevent it from becoming smelly, rinse or wipe it after every mealtime. And brush it out every day too.
Health Conditions
The Mini Kerry Schnauzer is a relatively healthy dog breed who enjoys a lifespan of 12 to 15 years, just like both of his parents. All mixed breeds are susceptible to their parents’ health concerns, so it’s essential to understand them all.
- Cataracts
- Sebaceous adenitis
- Von Willebrand’s disease
- Bladder stones
- Hip dysplasia
- Cushing’s disease
- Patent ductus arteriosis
- Cerebellar abiotrophy
Male vs Female
There is very little difference between a male and a female Mini Kerry Schnauzer. The most significant difference is that males tend to be larger than females, but this isn’t always the case. Instead, their upbringing and training influence their personality the most, as well as their home environment.
Final Thoughts
The Mini Kerry Schnauzer is a blue bundle of fun that will impress all that he meets. He might not be the biggest dog, but he certainly has a huge personality to make up for his stature, as well as that stupendous beard of his!
He is a livewire who will keep you on your toes, and he will command your attention all day long. Thankfully, unlike many other mixed breeds, his personality and appearance are predictable, much because his parents are very similar. However, you need to make sure that you can provide him with all of his needs for him to be a happy bunny.
If you can, you are in for many years of fun, feistiness, and cuddles. What more could a dog owner ask for?!
Featured Image Credit: Left – Blue Kerry Terrier(golubka57, Shutterstock); Right – Miniature Schnauzer (otsphoto, Shutterstock)
