Do Schnauzers Get Along with Other Dogs (and With Cats)?

Our Miniature Schnauzer loves being with our family, including extended family members and our kids’ friends. She is our only pet, so we didn’t initially worry too much about whether or not she would get along with other animals. However, we live in a neighborhood with many other pets out and about, so as our Livi grew and we knew we needed to socialize her, I began to wonder if Schnauzers are generally good with other dogs and cats.

Do Schnauzers get along with other dogs and with cats? Truthfully, it depends. It depends on the inborn nature of each Schnauzer breed and how well they are socialized. Schnauzers are generally relatively good with other animals, however, several factors play a role in their behavior and each Schnauzer breed exhibits some consistent differences.

Because each variety of Schnauzer (giant, standard, and miniature) was bred for slightly different reasons, their temperaments also vary a little, including how well they get along with other animals. In addition, factors such as how well you socialize and train your Schnauzer, as well as how much exercise they get, will all affect how well they interact with other dogs, cats, and other animals.

Let’s dive into the “nature” and “nurture” aspects of how well Schnauzers get along with other animals.

How Do the Different Schnauzer Breeds Get Along with Other Dogs and with Cats?

Schnauzers were not bred for aggression necessarily, but they were bred to be strong guard dogs, hunters, and leaders. As a result, they are intelligent, confident dogs with a territorial nature and an instinct to prey on certain smaller animals.

Now before you run away from owning a Schnauzer, let me say that the “nurture” aspects of raising a Schnauzer can make all the difference.

While there are some in-bred, natural differences in temperament among the three Schnauzer breeds, each of them can be trained and socialized in ways that make them a good member of your animal community.

Getting enough exercise can also be a factor in your Schnauzer’s behavior and temperament. Without consistent exercise, all Schnauzers can become irritable, more aggressive, and destructive.

Schnauzers can be trained and socialized in ways that make them good members of your animal community.
THE SCHNAUZER COLLECTIVE

Before we talk about how you can nurture and socialize your Schnauzer to share the world with other animals, let’s talk honestly about some of their natural, instinctual traits.

Here are some individual differences among the three Schnauzer breeds that you should be aware of:

Miniature Schnauzers

Miniature Schnauzers were originally bred to hunt rodents on German farms, so they will always and forever have a natural instinct to prey on small animals. This can include small cats, gerbils, birds, and other tiny pets your kids may beg for.

You will want to introduce your Miniature to these types of pets slowly and consistently, and it is better if they are already established pets before you bring your new Schnauzer home (there are more tips and details below). Even after you’ve introduced your Miniature Schnauzer to other small pets, it would be best not to leave them alone together.

Miniature Schnauzers are considered to be a terrier breed (although they have no genetic relationship with true British Isles terriers) and can be confused with Terriers who don’t generally get along with other dogs. However, Miniature Schnauzers actually do quite well with other canines. They may bark and react at first, but that will usually ease up after they have been in the company of other dogs over time.

Standard Schnauzers

Standard Schnauzers, like Miniatures, were bred to hunt small rodents and mammals. This is an instinct you will always need to keep in mind especially, again, if you have very small pets in your home.

However, Standard Schnauzers are generally good with other animals given the appropriate socialization (there are more tips and details below), but they may always be slightly territorial and aggressive towards dogs they don’t know.

Giant Schnauzers

Giant Schnauzers are loving and protective toward their caretakers, but are known for being somewhat aggressive toward other animals. It really is best if these loving giants are the only pet in your home.

You will need to train and socialize them very early and consistently to accept other dogs they may encounter (see tips and details below). Giant Schnauzers should generally not be left alone with other dogs and cats, and it will take diligent effort to socialize them well. Your Giant will love you and your family, but it will take time to accept the other animals in their world.

Tips for Socializing Your Schnauzer

While we can generalize many characteristics across an entire breed, keep in mind that your Schnauzer will develop her own temperament and personality in response to the environment you create.

Each Schnauzer will come with some of the in-bred tendencies mentioned above, but early training and socialization give you an opportunity to shape their behavior to your life, family, and needs.

You can start socializing your Schnauzer, regardless of the breed, as soon as you bring him home. At about eight weeks, puppies are generally old enough to be adopted and welcomed into a new situation. They are eager and developed enough to learn.

Start slowly and in short increments of time. Keep alert for any signs of puppy distress such as cowering and shaking.

Here are some basic steps for socializing your Schnauzer to other dogs and to cats.

Socializing Your Schnauzer to Other Dogs in Your Community

Begin taking your Schnauzer to parks, dog parks, and other outdoor locations that welcome dogs. It is best if your Schnauzer’s introduction to other dogs is on neutral ground and begins slowly, building over time.

Keep your Schnauzer on a leash, close to you, and reassure her with supportive talking.
Stay calm and relaxed.
Ensure that other dog owners are comfortable with your Schnauzer approaching their dog.
If there are no signs of aggression from either your Schnauzer or other dogs, allow them to approach each other.
Have them gradually interact with the other dog as well as the caretaker they are with.
Allow the dogs to move closer, continue talking to your Schnauzer, and keep an eye out for the comfort level of both dogs.
Be prepared for any aggression by either of the dogs. They will most likely attempt to establish which dog is dominant, and this may be done by growling, posturing or even fighting.
Keep a close eye on the dogs and have a way to separate and contain them immediately if there is any aggression.
Reward your Schnauzer for any good behavior.
Continue this process consistently and deliberately, building in socialization opportunities in an ongoing way.

Socializing Your Schnauzer to a Cat in Your Home

While there are some potential challenges with combining cats and dogs in the same house, there are several things you can do to help them to accept each other.

Keep in mind that grown cats and their claws and be dangerous to new puppies, while a grown Schnauzer can kill a new kitten.

Begin early and remain consistent with your efforts to introduce them to each other.

Introduce your Schnauzer and cat slowly.
Take advantage of responsible crate training initially which allows your Schnauzer and your cat to get to know each other safely.
Consider keeping your Schnauzer on a leash until he is accustomed to your cat.
Remove the cat litter box and food from areas that your Schnauzer has access to. Your Schnauzer will tend to eat both the food and the fecal material in the litter box. In addition, your cat may start using other areas of your house as a litter box.
Reward your Schnauzer and your cat when they behave appropriately together. They don’t have to be friends, but they do need to respect each other in your home.

As I mentioned above, Schnauzers may naturally want to “hunt” very small animals, including kittens, gerbils, hampsters, geckos, birds, and other traditionally popular family pets.

Introducing Your Schnauzer to Other Pets and Animals

If these pets are already in your home when you decide to add a puppy Schnauzer, the socialization process will probably be easier. Similar to Schnauzers being able to adjust to small children and a bustling home if that is their original environment, they can also more easily accept small animals if that is all they are accustomed to.

To socialize your Schnauzer to additional pets, you can follow the same steps above for socializing your Schnauzer to a cat, but also keep in mind that you should probably never leave any of your Schnauzer breeds alone with a very small pet.