Are Schnauzers Good Apartment Dogs? A Checklist of Answers

Living in an apartment community can offer some great experiences and be a fun way to meet new friends and families. If you are considering an apartment or considering a dog, you may be wondering if combining the two might work. Schnauzers are a great choice as a pet, but are they ideal for living in an apartment? The reality is that the answer depends, in part, on which breed of Schnauzer you choose. Here’s what you need to know.

Are Schnauzers good apartment dogs? In this case, size matters. All Schnauzer breeds can be good apartments dogs based on their overall temperament, but size and exercise needs vary. Miniature Schnauzers are the best fit for apartments, Standard Schnauzers are potentially a good fit, and Giant Schnauzers are the most challenging for apartment living.

Although each Schnauzer will vary in temperament based on their particular and unique lineage, they are generally great companions who can adapt to a variety of living situations.

However, living in an apartment with a dog does come with some unique challenges. Let’s cover some of the most common questions you will need to take into consideration if you are considering adding a Schnauzer to your apartment life.

Does Schnauzer Breeding Make Them Good for Apartment Living?

The first thing you should keep in mind is that all Schnauzers, regardless of size, were bred to work on German farms.

Genetically speaking, this predisposes them to enjoy work and a high level of activity. They all need regular exercise to maintain physical and psychological health.

In addition, all Schnauzer breeds are considered to be very intelligent and need mental stimulation and attention. A bored, confined Schnauzer can get into all kinds of trouble.

Finally, and the trait that makes them potentially adaptable to apartment living, is that they were all bred to thrive within human family relationships. They want to be with their human friends and will do what they can to please you.

With that essential background, let’s consider each Schnauzer breed and how well they could realistically adapt to living in an apartment setting.

Are Miniature Schnauzers Good Apartment Dogs?

Your Miniature Schnauzer is a small dog that is a suitable size for living in an apartment. If you’re looking for a small space companion, then he is ideal for adapting to your situation and providing years of love and affection. There are pros and cons for keeping any pet in an apartment setting, but a Miniature Schnauzer may be one of your better options, all things considered.

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Is the Miniature Schnauzer Temperament A Good Fit for Small Spaces?

Your Miniature Schnauzer will generally have a good temperament and is quite adaptable to most situations. He is friendly to adults and children in the family and has a playful disposition. When properly socialized and trained, he will guard family members and the home from perceived threats and is a happy, loving pet. Miniature Schnauzers are intelligent and can be stubborn, however, so early training and socialization are vital. In addition, a Miniature Schnauzer will bark at people, other animals, and potentially noises. The good news is that early training can minimize barking to some degree.

Is the Miniature Schnauzer Size A Good Fit for Small Spaces?

The average size of a Miniature Schnauzer is between 12 and 14 inches at the shoulder with an average weight of 14 to 17 pounds with males weighing more than females at full maturity. In addition, you may opt for an even smaller “teacup” size of Miniature Schnauzer, in which case, he will only grow to a size under 12 inches and generally 8 to 10 pounds. This is an ideal size for apartment living as long as there is enough room for your Miniature Schnauzer to walk around, play, and get daily exercise. Small spaces are not a problem if he has room to stretch out and move around.

Are Miniature Schnauzers Clean and Hypoallergenic?

Miniature Schnauzers are very clean, hypoallergenic dogs and don’t shed any more than a human being does. If you keep his coat long, there may be slightly more shedding simply because there is more hair, however, Schnauzers do not actually shed their coats. It does mean that he will need regular (preferably daily) brushing to keep his coat from becoming matted. His iconic beard will also need brushing and cleaning.

How Active is a Miniature Schnauzer and How much Exercise Does He Need?

Your Miniature Schnauzer has an energy level that is above average so he needs to exercise daily. His body is muscular and sinewy so he needs to keep his muscles worked and in good condition. A daily walk around the block that lasts for about 30-60 minutes is plenty of exercise, and he’ll be happy when he gets to play and fetch toys, or go for a hike.

Are Miniature Schnauzers Destructive?

When your Miniature Schnauzer is entertained and happy he isn’t particularly destructive. It is when he becomes bored that your problems truly begin. Because of his above-average intelligence and high energy levels, he needs to have something to do. If he gets bored, the chances of him becoming ill-tempered and destructive increases. Daily exercise and enriching activities to keep him mentally sharp will help. Consider interactive toys, treat puzzles, and snuffle mats to keep him physically and mentally busy.

Can Miniature Schnauzers Be Left Alone?

Isolation and kenneling is not good for your Miniature Schnauzer for hours on end. He is highly social and craves the companionship and affection of his human family. It’s not recommended to leave him alone in an apartment for more than a few hours because he is a barker and will sound an alert if he hears a noise. Your neighbors may not appreciate his lonely cries or responses to the sounds that are made by those living on either side of you. You could use a generous-sized play pen to keep your Miniature Schnauzer contained while giving him room to play. Be sure to leave a serving a food, plenty of water, and safe toys.

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Are Standard Schnauzers Good Apartment Dogs?

The next step up in size is a Standard Schnauzer. He is quite a bit larger than the Miniature Schnauzer, and he requires more space, more intense training, and he’s less suitable for apartment living than his smaller family member. While it is possible to make this work, it’s not strongly recommended.

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Is a Standard Schnauzer’s Temperament A Good Fit for Small Spaces?

Your Standard Schnauzer’s temperament is comparable to your Miniature Schnauzer, with the exception that he is a little more stubborn. He is just as playful and loving, and he will make an amazing companion if he is well-trained and socialized at an early age.

Is a Standard Schnauzer’s Size A Good Fit for Small Spaces?

There could be a problem with the size of your Standard Schnauzer unless the apartment is large with plenty of open spaces to move around. He is medium-sized with males weighing between 35 to 50 pounds and females 30-45 pounds. His height will be between 18 to 20 inches at the shoulder. This suggests that a small apartment may not be suitable but if yours is larger, it might just work.

Are Standard Schnauzers Clean and Hypoallergenic?

As medium-sized dogs, Standard Schnauzers are still very clean and hypoallergenic. Like Miniature Schnauzers, they don’t shed any more than a human being does. If you keep his coat long, there may be slightly more shedding simply because there is more hair, however, Schnauzers do not actually shed their coats. It does mean that he will need regular (preferably daily) brushing to keep his coat from becoming matted. His iconic beard will also need brushing and cleaning.

How Active is a Standard Schnauzer and How much Exercise Does He Need?

The Standard Schnauzer has an energy level that is fairly high. He is a spirited dog with an above-average level of energy and would thrive on at least an hour of daily exercise. If you can take him for a walk every day and give him space to run and play, then returning to an apartment setting will work out well for him. He has a physical and emotional need to burn energy and keep his muscles in shape. He is also a working dog by nature, so it’s important to make sure that there is enough space either outdoors or indoors for training and playing games that allow him to run.

Are Standard Schnauzers Destructive?

Your beloved Standard Schnauzer may be the sweetest companion ever, but he can be destructive under certain circumstances. He is an intelligent dog that needs to be challenged. If he gets bored, he is likely to become destructive and he may even become ill-tempered. Give him interactive toys or puzzles of his own to play with when you’re not spending time with him or taking him for walks.

Can Standard Schnauzers Be Left Alone?

Leaving your Standard Schnauzer alone for a few hours at a time should not be a problem. He has a good level of independence, as long as he has toys to play with, food and water, and possibly another household pet that he tolerates. He’s very social so extended periods of isolation will be detrimental for his emotional health and happiness. The primary challenge to leaving him alone will be his size. A generous-sized play pen is an option for containing him as long as he isn’t too confined.

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Are Giant Schnauzers Good Apartment Dogs?

There are exceptions to almost every rule, but there are a few reasons why your Giant Schnauzer may not be a good choice for apartment dwellers. His size is the first consideration. He is large, and cramped quarters will not work well for either you or him. If you have a quite large apartment, it might work out though. There will definitely be pros and cons.

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Is the Giant Schnauzer Temperament A Good Fit for Small Spaces?

The temperament of a Giant Schnauzer is generally the same as the Standard Schnauzer and, to some degree, the Miniature Schnauzer. He is affectionate, playful, and craves your company. He can even be entertaining and humorous, and many consider him to be a Gentle Giant. He is potentially able to lie at your feet for periods of time, but he definitely needs more space to get up and walk around to stretch his legs. If you establish a daily routine for getting outside into larger spaces, then he may do well and be happy living in a moderately spacious apartment. He is intelligent and highly adaptable with just a few basic needs.

Is the Giant Schnauzer Size A Good Fit for Small Spaces?

Your Giant Schnauzer will be small when he is a puppy but he will quickly grow to reach an adult weight of 60 to 100 pounds. Some male Giant Schnauzers even reach upwards of 110 pounds. His height at maturity will be somewhere between 25.5 inches and 27.5 inches. He is a quite an enormous dog and will need plenty of room to walk around during the day.

Are Giant Schnauzers Clean and Hypoallergenic?

Although very large, Giant Schnauzers are generally very clean and hypoallergenic. They will seem to shed more simply because of their size and coat length, but they really don’t shed any more than a human being does. Since your Giant Schnauzer doesn’t shed, he will need regular (preferably daily) brushing to keep his coat from becoming matted. His iconic beard will also need brushing and cleaning. Any cleanliness issues will simply be in direct proportion to his size. His beard might drip after drinking from his water bowl, or he might knock over his food bowl in a hunger-induced or playful moment.

How Active is a Giant Schnauzer and How much Exercise Does He Need?

The energy level of your Giant Schnauzer is definitely above average. He is high-spirited and intelligent, so he likes to be challenged. His breed gives him the character of a worker, so he wants a job, he wants to be active, and will be eager to play and do something enjoyable. He has well-developed muscles that require a good workout. He will need at a minimum a 30-60 minute brisk walk each day, and play or training sessions so he can run at least 3 times a week. Depending on your Giant Schnauzer’s particular temperament, he may even need up to 2 hours of exercise each day.

Are Giant Schnauzers Destructive?

In general, if your Giant Schnauzer is well-trained and socialized from the time he is a puppy, he will grow out of the destructive phase that most puppies go through. He can become destructive if he is not kept happy or fully exercised, however. When he is bored, his playful and fun nature can turn darker and he may tear up your entire home. Keep him entertained and challenged, and give him plenty of exercise and attention as well as interactive toys or treat puzzles. Even if his temperament isn’t naturally destructive, his size alone can be a problem. He may need heavy-duty chew toys to redirect his energy, and a significant amount of room. Vigorous exercise does help to manage his energy and dissipate destructive urges.

Can Giant Schnauzers Be Left Alone?

Your Giant Schnauzer has a reasonable degree of independence so leaving him alone for a few hours shouldn’t be a problem. Like his smaller counterparts, though, he is very socially oriented and long periods of isolation are not good for his mental and emotional health. He craves companionship, and there are even some breeders who will not sell to families who are gone all day. In addition, an apartment is not an ideal location in which to leave a Giant Schnauzer alone. Even though he is relatively independent, he still needs a lot of room. Due to his sheer size alone, leaving him in a small space, even if he is well-behaved, is probably not ideal for either of you.

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All Schnauzer breeds make for terrific companions. They are fun, loyal, intelligent, clean, and hypoallergenic dogs….all of which combines to make them ideal pets under most conditions.

Combining a Miniature, Standard, or Giant Schnauzer with your apartment life is possible. It will be much easier with a Miniature or Standard Schnauzer. However, with the right training and living conditions, even a Giant Schnauzer might work.

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