GROOMING NEEDS OF THE MINIATURE SCHNAUZER

This article was written for Petocracy.com - a Pet Owner's Community as part of a series to educate the public about the grooming needs of some of the more popular dog breeds.  The author serves as a Resident Expert at the Petocracy site.

About the Breed:  The Miniature Schnauzer has been the most popular terrier and among the top 15 of all breeds for decades.  Because of the breeding for companionship, the Miniature Schnauzer is somewhat less intense in temperament than many other terrier breeds. 

Coat Type: Typical terrier coats feature a hard, wiry outer coat and a soft undercoat.  The most common coloration is the salt and pepper coat.  Totally black coats are sometimes seen, and black and silver is currently popular in the show ring.   White and parti-colored pet Schnauzers show up from time to time, and these dogs are usually created by cross-breeding with Maltese or other toy breeds, and have a softer, finer coat.

This grooming makeover shows the correct breed profile style on the right.

Styling & Grooming Methods: For the show ring, the coat is always hand stripped, where the older hairs are raked or plucked out encouraging new harsh growth to appear.  This is the only way to maintain the dark, hard-coated jacket seen in the show ring.  Pets are almost always clipped, as hand stripping this breed is an arduous task.  The clipping of the jacket results in a soft coat that is more silver in color.  Show dogs are presented with long whiskers and full, cylindrical legs.  To achieve this look, the legs are often chalked or gelled (or both) to make the furnishings firmer for scissoring.  Pets are rarely groomed in this manner, although a little Texturizing spray on the legs can be used to make the hair stand out for trimming.  The appearance of a longish “skirt” on the pet schnauzer is a style that is gradually being replaced by the tighter, shorter underchest more similar to the show style.  Some pet owners prefer a less tailored look on their Schnauzers, and are happy with a “teddy bear” style that is less terrier-like.  Short beards and eyebrows that are blunted rather than long and pointed are also optional for pet styling. 

"Finnegan", a Scnauzer mix, has a teddy bear style trim.

            Carding is a term that refers to the removal of loose undercoat.  Any number of tools can be used to rake and remove fuzzy stuff that clogs the hair follicle and crowds out new primary hairs.  Although this is a procedure usually associated with hand stripping of terriers, terrier grooming specialists and some breeders believe that carding can help prevent Schnauzer Comedone Syndrome, or Schnauzer Bumps when incorporated into pet grooming. Take care not to apply too much pressure and accidentally scrape or abrade the skin. 

Grooming Challenges – While the Miniature Schnauzer is a fairly easy-care breed to maintain, this does not translate into “no home grooming,” unless you like the shaved down, “chicken legs” look.  Furnishings (legs, face, undercarriage) must be brushed and combed regularly, weekly or biweekly.  The Schnauzer coat is generally softer than other terriers and will pick up leaves, stickers and other debris.  Because there is an undercoat, the furnishings will tangle and mat if not tended. 

Any of the “non-shedding” breeds have a potential for matting. Only the hairless breeds are truly non-shedding.  All canine hair cycles through phases and eventually leaves the hair follicle.  If it doesn’t hit the floor, the shed hair can get caught up the thick coat. The more profuse and/or soft the furnishings, the greater chance that uncombed hair will become matted.  Generally speaking, the less shedding breeds require manual removal of loose hair.  The degree of shedding depends upon the hair growth cycle.  (See our forthcoming article on shedding/non-shedding breeds.)

Beards present their special challenge because of the presence of water, food, and saliva.  Schnauzer parents should be particularly careful in the choice of chews.  Beards and rawhide do not mix well, as the rawhide/saliva mixture can become like glue in the whiskers. 

Professional Services: Anyway you cut it, the Miniature Schnauzer needs trimming.  How often will depend on coat texture and density, success of home maintenance, and lifestyle.  Very generally, the average Mini Schnauzer coat can go six to eight weeks between trimming, if there is good brushing and combing at home.  There is considerable variation in coat type.  Some are sparse and wiry, requiring less care and trimming, others are profuse or cottony and require monthly visits to the groomer.  White Schnauzers almost always require the most grooming attention, not because of hair growth, per se, but because the coat mats very easily.  Trimming can be done at home if you are patient in developing scissoring skills and an eye for the clipping pattern, and you are willing to accept a less-than-wonderful result. 

Should you expect your professional groomer to demat a tangled coat?  It depends on the groomer, the dog, and the coat.  Some dogs have hair that breaks apart more easily than others.  Some dogs have zero tolerance for the tugging of detangling procedures. It’s important to start the puppy out as early as twelve weeks of age with brushing and combing procedures so that they accept this as part of life. Some groomers have developed detangling skills, others consider the process as torturous and won’t “go there.”  The most common problem between groomers and pet parents is the difference in perception of tangled coat.  Pet owners sometimes do not see the extent of the problem.  Please expect extra charges if your groomer agrees to comb out mats.

Grooming Toolbox: Tools are often a personal preference.  These are simply our recommendations.

Small or Medium Slicker Brush – The slicker removes debris and dead coat.

Small or Medium Ball-tipped pin brush – a small Bass brush, or the Knotty brush from BBird.biz will help to break apart tangles and brush out the beard.

Greyhound style comb – coarse to medium or medium to fine.  Combing is essential!

Shedding Blade or Fine Stripping Knife for carding out undercoat and encouraging new virgin growth.

Suggested Products: Most all-purpose pet shampoos work just fine for the Miniature Schnauzer. If the coat is oily, or there are comedones, a Benzoyl Peroxide shampoo can help.  Although show coats are rarely conditioned, the pet Mini can benefit from a little conditioner, either as an ingredient in the shampoo, or a leave-in spray conditioner.  If you are not averse to using a product developed for human hair on your pet, Sally Beauty Supply has a great leave-in called “Protein Cocktail” by Beyond-the-Zone.  We love this product in our salon, because it seems to work very well in the canine coat.  Use a leave-in conditioner after the bath and spritz in the coat always when brushing and combing.  You don’t need to use a lot! 

Barbara Bird, Certified Master Groomer, is owner/operator of Transformation Pet Center, Tucson, Arizona USA.  Contact us at (520)795-5743.  A typical Miniature Schnauzer groom runs about $50-55.  Appointments are often booked 2-3 weeks out.