You might be tempted to buy a Schnauzer by its cute little face, but wait! Do you know that these little pooches are considered the worst dogs? Well, each dog has its distinctive personality and traits that make a breed stand out from others. The same goes for the Schnauzers. You either love them or hate them.
Many Schnauzer owners think that they are the worst dogs ever, do you feel the same? But why Schnauzers are the worst dogs? What characteristics of this breed make their owners hate them? Let us delve into the world of Schnauzers and explore why they are considered the worst.
Why Schnauzers Are the Worst Dogs?
Schnauzers are cute little pooches with a lot of demanding traits. Due to this, they are believed to be the worst dog breeds. These dogs were initially bred to be farm dogs, having high energy levels to handle their work. You will find it difficult to match their energy levels. Here are some reasons why Schnauzers are the worst dogs.
Fitness Freak
This dog breed has a high exercise demand which can make you tired to meet their demands. Originally, Schnauzers were bred as farm dogs to herd livestock and protect the cattle, thus they have high energy to handle their jobs.
“Schnauzers need at least an hour of exercise a day, as well as mental stimulation to keep their active minds occupied. They enjoy walks, puzzle games, agility, and learning new tricks.“, confirms Barri J. Morrison at PetMD.
They need regular walks and endless play to keep themselves mentally stimulated. Lack of regular activities can result in destructive behaviour like destroying toys and furniture. So, if you are a couch potato and want to adopt a Schnauzer, step back!
Grooming Hassle
You might have heard that dogs need to be groomed every 4-6 weeks or for some breeds every 8-12 weeks, but that’s not the case with Schnauzers. This breed has a double coat, so its fur consists of both an undercoat and a top coat.
The outer layer of hair is long and grows very fast, which may result in developing painful mats and tangles. Thus, Schnauzers require regular grooming to look their best which includes regular brushing, clipping, and trimming of their fur.
Grooming a Schnauzer is not only a mess but expensive too. You can’t even think of grooming your pooch at home as it may be very time-consuming and challenging. Most pet owners take their Schnauzers to a professional groomer to avoid the mess at home.
Prone to Health Issues
Schnauzers are more prone to health issues like eye problems and skin allergies. These health issues are genetic and may occur at any stage of life. It’s important to be aware that some of these problems can be costly to treat and some may not have any cure like Myotonia Congenita.[1] Thus, it is important to take care of your Schnauzer and protect him from such fatal disease by providing proper diet and exercise.
Some health issues that Schnauzers are prone to:
- Pancreatitis
- Urinary stones
- Cataracts
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Hip dysplasia
- Hypothyroidism
- Myotonia Congenita
Aggressive Behaviour
As I mentioned before, Schnauzers need a lot of exercise to keep themselves stimulated. They have a huge amount of energy pent up within them that needs to be released. Thus, they occasionally show aggression in their behaviour.
Some Schnauzers destroy toys and furniture whereas some others turn into aggressive dogs. It is always advisable not to adopt a Schnauzer into a multi-pet home as they can harm other pets and may even bite them.
Annoying Bark
Schnauzers are considered a vocal breed and they won’t leave a single opportunity to communicate to you. Whether they want to eat, go out or just spend their leisure time, they will bark. Just ignoring the bark as in the case with other breeds makes no difference to these dogs but makes the dog bark more.
They just want to be listened to and get attention from the owners. If you want a calm and relaxed dog then Schnauzers aren’t for you. Especially if you live in an apartment.
Chases Small Animals
Schnauzers were bred as farm dogs and they have strong instincts to chase and even kill small animals like cats, birds, squirrels, rabbits etc. They were originally bred to catch rodents on the farm. That strong prey drive still exists in modern dogs. Thus, you can’t have cats in or around the home.
Reasons Why Schnauzers Are Amazing
You might be wondering if there is anything good about Schnauzers. Well, there is not much to say. Schnauzers are not amazing dogs. They are just modest dogs with some redeeming qualities.
Here are some good qualities of Schnauzers:
- Schnauzers are loyal and protective. They will defend you from intruders. They will also keep you company and cuddle with you on the couch.
- They are intelligent and curious. They can learn new tricks and skills if you have enough patience and persistence. Moreover, they will also keep you entertained with their antics and personality.
- Schnauzers are adaptable and versatile. They can live in different environments and climates. And can also participate in various activities and sports such as agility, obedience and tracking.
Schnauzers are cute and happy pets to keep but what concerns the most to their owners is their excessive activity level and grooming mess. These tasks are really challenging and thus, many owners find it difficult to raise a Schnauzer.
FAQs
Are Schnauzers badly behaved?
Schnauzers are both intelligent and spirited, thus they can be difficult to train. Once trained, they can be very well-behaved dogs. Still, they need regular exercise and stimulation. Without it, they may engage in unwanted behaviours such as digging and chewing.
What kind of person owns a schnauzer?
Generally, Schnauzers are excellent family pets and are a great choice for owners with different lifestyles. Whether you have young children or live in a household with other adults, Schnauzers will fit into place fairly easily with the right training.
Is a Schnauzer a protective dog?
Giant Schnauzers make great protection dogs because they are extremely loyal to their families and they were bred for herding and protecting flocks. They are large but compact and can be the perfect size for a family dog and a protection dog at the same time.
Wrapping Up
Schnauzers are not the worst dogs in the world, but they are not the best dogs either. They have their pros and cons which are not suitable for everyone.
Before you decide to get a schnauzer as a pet, you should consider their characteristics, needs, and challenges. If you are a fitness freak and love grooming a dog then Schnauzers are made for you. You will make a great pair with them!
References:
- Nagata, N. (2015, September 1). Long-term outcome of myotonia associated with hyperadrenocorticism in 2 dogs. PubMed Central (PMC). NIH.
