Miniature Schnauzer: Temperament, Energy, Shedding & Good With Kids?

Temperament and care ratings

The American Kennel Club rates every breed from 1 to 5 on the traits below. They describe how the breed tends to be, not a promise about one dog.

Affection with family5/5Independent to Lovey-Dovey

Good with young children5/5Not Recommended to Good With Children

Good with other dogs3/5Not Recommended to Good With Other Dogs

Openness to strangers3/5Reserved to Everyone Is My Best Friend

Playfulness4/5Only When You Want To Play to Non-Stop

Energy level3/5Couch Potato to High Energy

Trainability5/5Self-Willed to Eager to Please

Mental stimulation needs4/5Happy to Lounge to Needs a Job or Activity

Adaptability5/5Lives For Routine to Highly Adaptable

Watchdog / protective4/5What's Mine Is Yours to Vigilant

Barking5/5Only To Alert to Very Vocal

Shedding3/5No Shedding to Hair Everywhere

Coat grooming4/5Monthly to Daily

Drooling2/5Less Likely to Drool to Always Have a Towel

Coat: Wiry coat, medium.

A Miniature Schnauzer suits

A family with young children (rated 5 of 5 with kids)
A home that changes often, or apartment life (adaptability 5 of 5)
A first-time owner who wants an eager learner (trainability 5 of 5)
Anyone who wants a natural watchdog (protective nature 4 of 5)

Think twice if

You can't offer daily training or puzzle games (mental stimulation needs 4 of 5)
You don't want regular grooming: coat care is 4 of 5
You share walls with neighbors: barking is 5 of 5

What the ratings mean day to day

An energy score of 3 and mental stimulation needs of 4 mean a good daily walk and some play. With barking at 5 of 5 and a watchdog score of 4, expect a vocal dog that announces visitors. Grooming at 4 of 5 means brushing several times a week or regular professional grooming.

Popularity

The Miniature Schnauzer was the number 17 most popular breed in the US in 2025, by AKC registrations. In 2020 it ranked 19.

Breeds with a similar profile

Closest matches across all 14 trait ratings:

CollieKidsEnergyShedding

Old English SheepdogKidsEnergyShedding

Polish Lowland SheepdogKidsEnergyShedding

Compare: Miniature Schnauzer vs Collie · Miniature Schnauzer vs Old English Sheepdog · Miniature Schnauzer vs Polish Lowland Sheepdog

Frequently asked questions

Are Miniature Schnauzers good with kids?

The AKC rates the Miniature Schnauzer 5 out of 5 for being good with young children. That is the top score.

Do Miniature Schnauzers shed a lot?

Shedding is rated 3 out of 5 (moderate), and coat grooming 4 out of 5.

Are Miniature Schnauzers easy to train?

Trainability is rated 5 out of 5 and mental stimulation needs 4 out of 5.

How much energy does a Miniature Schnauzer have?

Energy is rated 3 out of 5 and playfulness 4 out of 5.

Ratings: American Kennel Club breed pages, compiled February 2022 (AKC Miniature Schnauzer page). 2025 ranking: AKC, published August 2026. How we check.

Miniature Schnauzer