Are Schnauzers Mean? (6 Keys to Curb Territorial Aggression)

Schnauzers tend to be groomed in a way that keeps them looking sophisticated and somewhat intimidating. They are also very intelligent and can be a little feisty and stubborn, but are they mean? It’s a question I run across a lot, and I’ve even been asked about our Schnauzer’s temperament. While each Schnauzer will have some individual preferences and traits, they are generally a good-natured breed. They are, however, also somewhat territorial and can seem mean now and then. Here’s what you need to know.

Are Schnauzers mean? Schnauzers aren’t mean or overly aggressive dogs, but they can be territorial and protective. All Schnauzers were primarily bred to guard homes and their human families, as well as to hunt and heard. While Schnauzers are generally affectionate, this breeding history has also resulted in a somewhat territorial nature that can appear to be mean or aggressive.

While Schnauzers aren’t generally mean or aggressive dogs, their tendency to be territorial can show up in some annoying and even challenging ways.

Learning how to manage some of their in-bred tendencies will create a better relationship between you and give both you and your Schnauzer a chance to learn some new skills.

Are Schnauzers Bred to Be Mean?

Schnauzers are not bred to be mean or overly aggressive, but they have historically been guard dogs and hunters. As a result, they are naturally territorial and protective of their home environments and human families.

While all Schnauzer breeds are generally loving and friendly dogs, their guard dog breeding and instincts simultaneously (and ironically) make them suspicious of human strangers and other animals.

Of course, each individual Schnauzer will have his own temperament due, in part, to both his parentage and the early socialization to other people and animals you offer.

Here is a breakdown of the general breeding purpose and resulting temperament of each Schnauzer breed.

The Standard Schnauzer

The Standard Schnauzer is the original, medium-sized Schnauzer breed, and was mainly bred as a multi-functional dog to catch rodents, guard livestock, and to protect German farms and families. Later, they were used to convey messages during war and eventually grew into their role as police dogs. They are the healthiest of the Schnauzer breeds and have a strong, determined, and independent nature.

Standard Schnauzers are intelligent and can be stubborn, but are also very loyal and protective. Their intelligence helps them identify your weaknesses and exploit (display aggressive tendencies) them whenever possible. As such, you will need to train him early and consistently.

The Standard Schnauzer is known for intelligence, and an agile, athletic nature. As such, they’ve excelled at their role in hunting and retrieving on land and in water.

They are excellent watchdogs and territorial, quick to bark at any disturbance. As such, they may exhibit aggression to intruders by producing a deep bark that mimics that of a large dog. However, when socialized, they become affectionate and a much-loved member of the family.

The Giant Schnauzer

Giant Schnauzers have a massive body build, are courageous, and extremely loyal. It is this level of loyalty that makes them appear somewhat mean to intruders. Giant Schnauzers were also bred to guard farms and drive livestock, hence their territorial nature. Like their Standard Schnauzer cousins, they were also later used as military and police dogs.

Male Giant Schnauzers can weigh up to 110 pounds, and their sheer size and muscular, bearded frame can make them look intimidating. His body structure gives many people the impression that he is hot-tempered or extremely aggressive, which is not generally the case. Giant Schnauzers are often only aggressive and dominant towards dogs of the same sex and strangers. They exhibit their territorial nature by barking.

Others have a strong instinct to chase cats and other small animals. If not adequately trained, he can be feisty, inadvertently injuring other animals due to his sheer size. Even though Giant Schnauzers were primarily bred as watchdogs and are instinctively protective of their homes and family, they were not bred to be dangerous. Giants are playful, loving, and generally good with families.

The Miniature Schnauzer

The Miniature Schnauzer is the most recent breed and can also exhibit territorial tendencies despite their small body build. Being a crossbreed of the original Standard Schnauzer with the small, terrier-like Affenpinscher, the Miniature Schnauzers are genetically predisposed to be territorial and have an urge to protect their masters.

Miniatures are not terriers, but are classified in the terrier category simply because they were bred to do the same thing: hunt rats. In spite of their small size, the hunting and guard dog instincts are strong and will lend to barking and potentially even chasing small animals.

Since the Schnauzer breed was developed as a watchdog, the Miniature breed is predisposed to these tendencies. He is extremely alert, differentiating strangers from family. Depending on the kind you have, he may welcome strangers with enthusiasm without displaying territorial aggression or stand aloof.

The Miniature Schnauzer generally interacts with others well and are fun, spunky, and loving family members. They can do quite well with other family pets, but should probably not be left alone with very small rodent pets. They can also be a bit aggressive to strange dogs and people.

Early Socialization and Training Are Key

If properly trained, all Schnauzers can be active, loving, and intelligent companions. They can be respectful to their owners and warm, fun additions to families and children. The key is to train and socialize them early, preferably within their first six months.

The next sections further explain a Schnauzer’s territorial nature and how to redirect it into a well-trained, socialized companion.

What is Territorial Aggression in Schnauzers?

Territorial aggression occurs when something different about sound, sight, or action triggers an anxious, alerting, or defensive response. This behavior is often exhibited toward other dogs or people approaching the Schnauzer’s home or family.

Since Schnauzers are predisposed to guard their owners, they often exhibit territorial aggression to intruders. Most forms of aggression occur at their home, but they may also exhibit some territorial behavior at parks, picnic areas, and walking paths.

The most common form of territorial aggression involves barking and growling.

If your Schnauzer is not trained and socialized, then snapping, biting, chasing, and lunging are all possibilities.

In addition, restraining your Schnauzer from gaining access to what is bothering him may actually heighten hostility, develop redirected behavior, or cause him to exhibit displacement behaviors such as circling, spinning, or self-mutilation.

Your Schnauzer is likely to continue the aggressive behavior unless he is well-trained and socialized early enough to distinguish between safe situations and threatening situations.

While Schnauzer hostility and aggression is relatively rare, their in-bred territorial nature should be harnessed through training.

Six Keys to Controlling a Schnauzer’s Territorial Aggression

Whether you have a new Schnauzer puppy or need to re-train a more mature Schnauzer, these tips will give you a starting point.

Be sure to involve a professional trainer if you need support or if you know that you need better training skills to manage your Schnauzer.

Key #1: Early Socialization

Early socialization is critical to prevent territorial aggression. Young Schnauzers can be taught to sit and remain calm when a stranger comes to visit. You can reduce their fear and anxiety towards visitors by welcoming many visitors to your home when the puppy is still young.

All Schnauzers also benefit from very early outings to dog parks, neighborhood walks, puppy play dates, and other social gatherings.

Help your Schnauzer get a sense for what normal, safe social relationships are like in your day-to-day life. This will help him distinguish better between what he does and does not need to be territorial about.

Key #2: Obedience Training

Schnauzers are a very intelligent breed. Add that intelligence to some amount of stubbornness and a territorial nature, and you have a dog breed that needs a firm training hand. While training doesn’t need to be (and in my opinion, shouldn’t be) harsh, it does need to be structured and consistent.

If you don’t feel comfortable training your Schnauzer, working with a professional trainer can give you strong foundation of knowledge and skill.

Your Schnauzer definitely needs to know who is in charge. If it’s not you, then it will be your Schnauzer (guaranteed).

Here are a few obedience training tips to help you:

• Establish Your Leadership: Establish yourself as a leader to ensure he is obedient to your commands. Apart from watching over livestock and homes, Schnauzers would hunt in packs. As such, they were loyal to the pack leader, waiting for directions on how and where to hunt. You need to establish your position because he is looking to you for direction.
• Establish an outcome: Decide how you want to train your dog. Do you want to attend a dog training program at a nearby club or train him at home? Think about the outcome and how you want to achieve it. Beginning with professional puppy training can give you the basic skills you need for success.
• Keep up with his learning ability: We’ve already established that Schnauzers are intelligent. They are able to learn quickly and, more importantly, they are always learning. Your Schnauzer will watch you and learn from everything you do.

Key #3: Exercise His Brain

While obedience training goes a long way in controlling territorial aggression, mental stimulation is just as important. When his brain is exhausted he is less likely to engage in destructive behavior. Trick training is an excellent mind-engaging activity. You can also introduce dog sports like agility, scenting games, or flyball. Interactive games and treat puzzles can be good indoor options.

Key #4: Reward Good Behavior

A Schnauzer’s territorial nature can make him somewhat reactive. Training him to control his urges and shape his behavior will come through consistency and firmness, but also through rewards.

Start with the basics by asking him to look at you, then to sit and stay. Reward all successful attempts with a treat and praise.

Additional practice should help him know when to stay when there is a distraction outside and when to react. Be sure to keep the training interesting while rewarding him.

Key #5: Positive over Negative

Practical training involves rewarding and praising behavior you would want to see again. Modern dog training has come to emphasize positive reinforcements over punishments. Yelling, punishing, and other negative forms of shaping his behavior only serves to either increase aggression or develop a traumatized dog.

Key #6: Make Changes to Her Environment

If your Schnauzer has a particular spot where she waits on visitors to start barking at them, consider making some changes. Move the sofa, her favorite hangout spot, or block access to the room. If her favorite barking spot is outside, consider blocking her vision, bringing her inside, or simply restricting access to specific portions of the yard.

Most Schnauzer’s aggressive behavior is caused by instinct, not imminent danger. As such, you need to make it challenging to engage in aggressive behavior so that it doesn’t become an unproductive habit.

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Territorial aggression is an innate behavior among the Schnauzer breed. It has historically served a purpose and is not necessarily a bad trait. However, in our more domesticated living conditions it does need to be managed. All Schnauzer breeds are generally good-natured and loving friends. Their territorial nature is there to protect you. Early, consistent training and socialization can help to ensure it is an asset and not a problem.

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