Last Updated: May 01, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Miniature Schnauzer Versus English Toy Spaniel: Introduction
- Miniature Schnauzer versus English Toy Spaniel: Overview
- Miniature Schnauzer versus English Toy Spaniel: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Miniature Schnauzer and the English Toy Spaniel
- The Similarities Between the Miniature Schnauzer and the English Toy Spaniel
- Size Comparison of the Miniature Schnauzer versus English Toy Spaniel
- Lifespan of Miniature Schnauzer versus English Toy Spaniel
- Price of Miniature Schnauzer versus Price of English Toy Spaniel
- The Popularity of Miniature Schnauzer versus Popularity of English Toy Spaniel
- Health Problems of Miniature Schnauzer versus Health Problems of English Toy Spaniel
- Tolerates Being Alone: Miniature Schnauzer versus English Toy Spaniel
- Do Miniature Schnauzers shed more than English Toy Spaniels?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Miniature Schnauzer or the English Toy Spaniel?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Miniature Schnauzer or the English Toy Spaniel?
- Are Miniature Schnauzers good family dogs? What about English Toy Spaniels?
- Is the Miniature Schnauzer Easier to Train than the English Toy Spaniel?
- Which one drools more, the Miniature Schnauzer or the English Toy Spaniel
- How Kid-friendly are Miniature Schnauzers and English Toy Spaniels?
- Does the Miniature Schnauzer Have a Higher Prey Drive than the English Toy Spaniel?
- Do Miniature Schnauzers Bark and Howl? What about English Toy Spaniels?
- Can Miniature Schnauzers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can English Toy Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Miniature Schnauzer vs. English Toy Spaniel
- Can Miniature Schnauzers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can English Toy Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Miniature Schnauzer Versus Other Dog Breeds
- Conclusion: Miniature Schnauzer versus English Toy Spaniel. Which One is a Better Pet?
Miniature Schnauzer Versus English Toy Spaniel: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Miniature Schnauzer and the English Toy Spaniel? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Miniature Schnauzer and the English Toy Spaniel better suits you.
We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Miniature Schnauzer and the English Toy Spaniel.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Miniature Schnauzer and the English Toy Spaniel is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.
Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Miniature Schnauzer and for the English Toy Spaniel. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Miniature Schnauzer and the English Toy Spaniel.
Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Miniature Schnauzer or the English Toy Spaniel.

Miniature Schnauzer versus English Toy Spaniel: Overview
Both the Miniature Schnauzer and the English Toy Spaniel are similar in size. The Miniature Schnauzer and the English Toy Spaniel are both small-sized dogs.
Furthermore, the Miniature Schnauzer belongs to the Terrier Dogs group. Terrier Dogs were originally bred to go underground to hunt rodents and other small wild animals (vermin). Terriers come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, but all terriers are energetic, highly intelligent, and territorial. Terries also have the tendency to escape. They require a securely fenced yard.
On the other hand, the English Toy Spaniel belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.
Miniature Schnauzer versus English Toy Spaniel: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Miniature Schnauzer to the English Toy Spaniel based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.
When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets
Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.
However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.
Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Miniature Schnauzer and the English Toy Spaniel
| Factor | Miniature Schnauzer | English Toy Spaniel |
|---|---|---|
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Weight | 11 to 20 pounds | 8 to 14 pounds |
| Life Span | 12 to 14 years | 10 to 12 years |
| Height | 13 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder | 10 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Does NOT Shed | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| General Health | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Easygoing | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 5/5 | 1/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Train | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 13.0 years | 11.0 years |
| Average Price | $1950 | $2980 |
| Price Range | $1400 – $2500 | $2550 – $3500 |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | ||
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 17 | 135 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Miniature Schnauzer in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the English Toy Spaniel. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.
The Better-Pet score for the Miniature Schnauzer is 82 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the English Toy Spaniel is 74 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Miniature Schnauzer is a better pet than the English Toy Spaniel. So, you should get a Miniature Schnauzer!

The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Miniature Schnauzer and the English Toy Spaniel
Below is a list of where the Miniature Schnauzer and the English Toy Spaniel are most different:
The Similarities Between the Miniature Schnauzer and the English Toy Spaniel
The Miniature Schnauzer and the English Toy Spaniel are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Miniature Schnauzer and the English Toy Spaniel are most similar:
Size Comparison of the Miniature Schnauzer versus English Toy Spaniel
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Miniature Schnauzer and the English Toy Spaniel.
The Miniature Schnauzer weighs 11 to 20 pounds when fully grown. The Miniature Schnauzer is 13 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
On the other hand, the English Toy Spaniel weighs 8 to 14 pounds when fully grown. The English Toy Spaniel is 10 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

Lifespan of Miniature Schnauzer versus English Toy Spaniel
The lifespan of the Miniature Schnauzer is between 12 to 14 years. The average lifespan of the Miniature Schnauzer is 13.0 years.
The lifespan of the English Toy Spaniel is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of the English Toy Spaniel is 11.0 years.
The Miniature Schnauzer live longer than the English Toy Spaniel.

Price of Miniature Schnauzer versus Price of English Toy Spaniel
The average price of the Miniature Schnauzer puppy is $1950. The price of the Miniature Schnauzer typically ranges from $1400 – $2500. However, the price of a Miniature Schnauzer can be as low as $500 and as high as $8500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 913 Miniature Schnauzer puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The average price of the English Toy Spaniel puppy is $2980. The price of the English Toy Spaniel typically ranges from $2550 – $3500. However, the price of the English Toy Spaniel can be as low as $2000 and as high as $3500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 9 English Toy Spaniel puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The English Toy Spaniel is more expensive than the Miniature Schnauzer.
| Miniature Schnauzer | English Toy Spaniel | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1950 | $2980 |
| Price Range | $1400 to $2500 | $2550 to $3500 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Miniature Schnauzer and English Toy Spaniel. For different price points, the charts show how many Miniature Schnauzer puppies or how many English Toy Spaniel puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

A breakdown of the prices of Miniature Schnauzers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

A breakdown of the prices of English Toy Spaniels
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Miniature Schnauzer puppy or the English Toy Spaniel puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.
Nevertheless, when looking to buy a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.
You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.

The Popularity of Miniature Schnauzer versus Popularity of English Toy Spaniel
Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).
The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Miniature Schnauzer and the English Toy Spaniel over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Miniature Schnauzer is more popular with dog owners than the English Toy Spaniel. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Miniature Schnauzer is 17 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the English Toy Spaniel is 135 out of about 200 dog breeds.

Popularity of Miniature Schnauzer

Popularity of English Toy Spaniel
| Year | Miniature Schnauzer Popularity Rank | English Toy Spaniel Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 17 | 135 |
| 2014 | 16 | 138 |
| 2015 | 16 | 129 |
| 2016 | 17 | 130 |
| 2017 | 18 | 134 |
| 2018 | 19 | 135 |
| 2019 | 18 | 139 |
| 2020 | 19 | 138 |
| 2021 | 18 | 137 |
Health Problems of Miniature Schnauzer versus Health Problems of English Toy Spaniel
Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.
Both the Miniature Schnauzer and the English Toy Spaniel are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.
The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.
Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the English Toy Spaniel is prone to the same number of genetic health problems as the Miniature Schnauzer.
4 health tests are recommended for Miniature Schnauzer while 4 tests are recommended for the English Toy Spaniel.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Miniature Schnauzers and in English Toy Spaniels.
Miniature Schnauzer Health Problems
Miniature Schnauzers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Miniature Schnauzer puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Miniature Schnauzer puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Miniature Schnauzer breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Miniature Schnauzers for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Miniature Schnauzers here.
English Toy Spaniel Health Problems
English Toy Spaniels are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing English Toy Spaniel puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a English Toy Spaniel puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your English Toy Spaniel breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen English Toy Spaniels for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for English Toy Spaniels here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Miniature Schnauzers and English Toy Spaniels
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Miniature Schnauzer Breed is Legg-Calve-Perthes problems.
This is because the Miniature Schnauzer ranks 13 out of 40 dog breeds for Legg-Calve-Perthes problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 157 Miniature Schnauzers, 0 of them had Legg-Calve-Perthes problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Miniature Schnauzers, and how common these diseases are in Miniature Schnauzers relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the English Toy Spaniel Breed is Congenital Cardiac problems.
This is because the English Toy Spaniel ranks 2 out of 159 dog breeds for Congenital Cardiac problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 470 English Toy Spaniels, 21 of them had Congenital Cardiac problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in English Toy Spaniels, and how common these diseases are in English Toy Spaniels relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in Miniature Schnauzer and in English Toy Spaniel and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Miniature Schnauzer and the English Toy Spaniel:
| Disease | Miniature Schnauzer Rank | English Toy Spaniel Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Legg-Calve-Perthes problems | 13 out of 40 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Eyes problems | 96 out of 182 dog breeds | 4 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Patella problems | 125 out of 145 dog breeds | 4 out of 145 dog breeds |
| Hips problems | 187 out of 198 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Congenital Cardiac problems | Not Common | 2 out of 159 dog breeds |
*To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.
Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.
Tolerates Being Alone: Miniature Schnauzer versus English Toy Spaniel
Miniature Schnauzers can be left alone for some time without problems.
English Toy Spaniels do not like to be left alone.
Do Miniature Schnauzers shed more than English Toy Spaniels?
Miniature Schnauzers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
English Toy Spaniels shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Miniature Schnauzer or the English Toy Spaniel?
Miniature Schnauzers require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
English Toy Spaniels are very easy to groom.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Miniature Schnauzer or the English Toy Spaniel?
Miniature Schnauzers get along fairly well with other dogs.
English Toy Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.
Are Miniature Schnauzers good family dogs? What about English Toy Spaniels?
Miniature Schnauzers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
English Toy Spaniels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the Miniature Schnauzer Easier to Train than the English Toy Spaniel?
Miniature Schnauzers are very easy to train.
English Toy Spaniels are fairly easy to train.
Which one drools more, the Miniature Schnauzer or the English Toy Spaniel
Miniature Schnauzers do have a very low tendency to drool.
English Toy Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.
How Kid-friendly are Miniature Schnauzers and English Toy Spaniels?
Miniature Schnauzers get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.
English Toy Spaniels do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.
Does the Miniature Schnauzer Have a Higher Prey Drive than the English Toy Spaniel?
Miniature Schnauzers have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.
English Toy Spaniels have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.
Do Miniature Schnauzers Bark and Howl? What about English Toy Spaniels?
Miniature Schnauzers bark and howl, but not very much.
English Toy Spaniels bark and howl, but not very much.
Can Miniature Schnauzers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can English Toy Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?
Miniature Schnauzers can very well tolerate cold weather.
English Toy Spaniels cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Wanderlust Potential: Miniature Schnauzer vs. English Toy Spaniel
Miniature Schnauzers have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
English Toy Spaniels do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Can Miniature Schnauzers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can English Toy Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?
Miniature Schnauzers can tolerate hot weather.
English Toy Spaniels cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Is the Miniature Schnauzer Better for Apartment Owners than the English Toy Spaniel?
Miniature Schnauzers adapt very well to apartment living.
English Toy Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Miniature Schnauzer or the English Toy Spaniel?
Miniature Schnauzers are OK for new dog owners.
English Toy Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.
Miniature Schnauzer Versus Other Dog Breeds
You may also be interested in how the Miniature Schnauzer compares to other breeds aside from the English Toy Spaniel. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Miniature Schnauzer to other breeds:
Miniature Schnauzer versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi Miniature Schnauzer versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever Miniature Schnauzer versus American Hairless Terrier Miniature Schnauzer versus Sussex Spaniel Miniature Schnauzer versus Curly-Coated Retriever Miniature Schnauzer versus Whoodle Miniature Schnauzer versus Braque du Bourbonnais Miniature Schnauzer versus Berger Picard Miniature Schnauzer versus Bich Poo Miniature Schnauzer versus Catahoula Leopard Dog Miniature Schnauzer versus Greyhound Miniature Schnauzer versus Patterdale Terrier Miniature Schnauzer versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog Miniature Schnauzer versus Kuvasz Miniature Schnauzer versus Rhodesian Ridgeback Miniature Schnauzer versus Pomsky
Conclusion: Miniature Schnauzer versus English Toy Spaniel. Which One is a Better Pet?
In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Miniature Schnauzer and the English Toy Spaniel better suits you and your family.