Originally a German farm dog of the 15th century used to catch rats and guard property, the Miniature Schnauzer was bred down from the Standard Schnauzer in the late 1800s. The signature wiry beard and eyebrows aren't just for looks — they protected the dog while ratting. Today's Mini Schnauzer is confident, alert, hypoallergenic (almost no shedding), and easy to train. Healthy 12–15 year lifespan. Two real notes: they bark a lot and they're prone to pancreatitis, so a strict low-fat diet matters.
