Why you Should Get the Miniature Schnauzer Instead of the German Shepherd Dog.

Last Updated: May 01, 2022

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Miniature Schnauzer Versus German Shepherd Dog: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Miniature Schnauzer and the German Shepherd Dog? 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 German Shepherd Dog 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 German Shepherd Dog.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Miniature Schnauzer and the German Shepherd Dog 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 German Shepherd Dog. 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 German Shepherd Dog.

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 German Shepherd Dog.

Miniature Schnauzer versus German Shepherd Dog

Miniature Schnauzer versus German Shepherd Dog: Overview

A very important difference between the Miniature Schnauzer and the German Shepherd Dog is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Miniature Schnauzer is a small-sized dog while the German Shepherd Dog is a large-sized dog.

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 German Shepherd Dog belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.

Miniature Schnauzer versus German Shepherd Dog: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Miniature Schnauzer to the German Shepherd Dog 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 German Shepherd Dog

FactorMiniature SchnauzerGerman Shepherd Dog
Does NOT Drool5/55/5
Weight11 to 20 pounds75 to 95 pounds
Life Span12 to 14 years10 to 14 years
Height13 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder1 foot, 10 inches to 2 feet, 2 inches tall
Does NOT Shed4/51/5
Easy To Groom2/55/5
Does NOT chew on things4/51/5
Good For Novice Owners3/52/5
Kid-Friendly3/55/5
Dog Friendly3/52/5
Friendly Toward Strangers3/54/5
General Health3/54/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl3/52/5
Tendency NOT to Wander3/54/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor3/51/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living4/53/5
Easygoing2/51/5
Tolerates Cold Weather4/54/5
Tolerates Hot Weather4/53/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight2/54/5
Intelligence4/55/5
Low Prey Drive2/52/5
Potential For Playfulness4/55/5
Tolerates Being Alone5/52/5
Affectionate With Family5/55/5
Easy To Train5/55/5
NOT Rambunctious1/51/5
Minimal Exercise Needs1/51/5
Average Lifespan13.0 years12.0 years
Average Price$1950$1280
Price Range$1400 – $2500$800 – $1500
Temperament Score79.3 percent85.3 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination
  • Mycobacterium Avian Complex
  • Myotonia Congenita
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- recommend annually until age 6, every 2 years thereafter
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Temperament Test
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds172
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds)123
    *Data from AKC.org (The American Kennel Club),dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org, ATTS.org (The American Temperament Test Society)

    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 German Shepherd Dog. 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 German Shepherd Dog is 77 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Miniature Schnauzer is a better pet than the German Shepherd Dog. So, you should get a Miniature Schnauzer!

    Miniature Schnauzer versus German Shepherd Dog

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Miniature Schnauzer and the German Shepherd Dog

    Below is a list of where the Miniature Schnauzer and the German Shepherd Dog are most different:

  • Miniature Schnauzers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies. However, German Shepherd Dogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Miniature Schnauzers require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom. However, German Shepherd Dogs are very easy to groom.
  • Miniature Schnauzers are not prone to nip and chew at things. However, German Shepherd Dogs are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Miniature Schnauzers can be left alone for some time without problems. However, German Shepherd Dogs do not like to be left alone.
  • The Similarities Between the Miniature Schnauzer and the German Shepherd Dog

    The Miniature Schnauzer and the German Shepherd Dog are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Miniature Schnauzer and the German Shepherd Dog are most similar:

  • Both the Miniature Schnauzer and the German Shepherd Dog do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Miniature Schnauzer and the German Shepherd Dog adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Miniature Schnauzer and the German Shepherd Dog are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
  • Both the Miniature Schnauzer and the German Shepherd Dog can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Miniature Schnauzer and the German Shepherd Dog can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Miniature Schnauzer and the German Shepherd Dog are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Miniature Schnauzer and the German Shepherd Dog have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Miniature Schnauzer and the German Shepherd Dog are very playful.
  • Both the Miniature Schnauzer and the German Shepherd Dog are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Miniature Schnauzer and the German Shepherd Dog are very easy to train.
  • Both the Miniature Schnauzer and the German Shepherd Dog have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Miniature Schnauzer and the German Shepherd Dog require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Size Comparison of the Miniature Schnauzer versus German Shepherd Dog

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Miniature Schnauzer and the German Shepherd Dog.

    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 German Shepherd Dog weighs 75 to 95 pounds when fully grown. The German Shepherd Dog is 1 foot, 10 inches to 2 feet, 2 inches tall when fully grown.

    Size of Miniature Schnauzer versus Size of German Shepherd Dog

    Appearance (Colors) of the Miniature Schnauzer and the German Shepherd Dog

    Miniature Schnauzer Colors

    The Miniature Schnauzer comes in the following beautiful primary colors:

    • Bicolor
    • Gray / Blue / Silver
    • Brown / Chocolate
    • Black
    • White / Cream
    • Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
    • Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn

    The Miniature Schnauzer comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:

    • White / Cream
    • Black
    • Gray / Blue / Silver

    German Shepherd Dog Colors

    The German Shepherd Dog comes in the following beautiful primary colors:

    • Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
    • Black
    • Bicolor
    • Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
    • Sable
    • Brown / Chocolate
    • Gray / Blue / Silver
    • Apricot / Beige
    • White / Cream
    • Red / Chestnut / Orange
    • Golden

    The German Shepherd Dog comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:

    • Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
    • Black
    • Brown / Chocolate
    • Golden
    • Red / Chestnut / Orange
    • Gray / Blue / Silver
    • Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
    • Sable
    • White / Cream
    • Apricot / Beige
    • Bicolor

    Lifespan of Miniature Schnauzer versus German Shepherd Dog

    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 German Shepherd Dog is between 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of the German Shepherd Dog is 12.0 years.

    The Miniature Schnauzer live longer than the German Shepherd Dog.

    Miniature Schnauzer versus German Shepherd Dog

    Temperament of the Miniature Schnauzer Versus the German Shepherd Dog

    The German Shepherd Dog has a better temperament than the Miniature Schnauzer.

    This is because the temperament score for the German Shepherd Dog is 85.3 percent while the temperament score for the Miniature Schnauzer is 79.3 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).

    The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.

    Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.

    The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.

    With its temperament score of 79.3 percent, the Miniature Schnauzer has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 85.3 percent, the German Shepherd Dog has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Miniature Schnauzer and the German Shepherd Dog by measuring the temperaments of 116 Miniature Schnauzers and 3383 German Shepherd Dogs.

    Price of Miniature Schnauzer versus Price of German Shepherd Dog

    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 German Shepherd Dog puppy is $1280. The price of the German Shepherd Dog typically ranges from $800 – $1500. However, the price of the German Shepherd Dog can be as low as $195 and as high as $6500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 1776 German Shepherd Dog puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Miniature Schnauzer is more expensive than the German Shepherd Dog.

    Miniature Schnauzer German Shepherd Dog
    Average Price $1950 $1280
    Price Range $1400 to $2500 $800 to $1500

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Miniature Schnauzer and German Shepherd Dog. For different price points, the charts show how many Miniature Schnauzer puppies or how many German Shepherd Dog 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 Miniature Schnauzers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of German Shepherd Dogs

    A breakdown of the prices of German Shepherd Dogs

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Miniature Schnauzer puppy or the German Shepherd Dog 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.

    Miniature Schnauzer versus German Shepherd Dog

    Adopting the Miniature Schnauzer versus Adopting the German Shepherd Dog

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Miniature Schnauzers and many German Shepherd Dogs are currently available for adoption.

    These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.

    Below is an adorable Male Miniature Schnauzer named Mcgee that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Miniature Schnauzers like Mcgee on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Miniature Schnauzers, German Shepherd Dogs are also available for adoption. For example, Reubon D220554 is a Male German Shepherd Dog that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more German Shepherd Dogs like Reubon D220554 that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Miniature Schnauzer and the German Shepherd Dog can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Nicodemus is the name of another Miniature Schnauzer (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

    Also, Harmon is an adorable Male German Shepherd Dog on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

    Miniature Schnauzers and German Shepherd Dogs are always available for adoption. Images from petfinder.com

    You can find more Miniature Schnauzers and German Shepherd Dogs that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    The Intelligence of the Miniature Schnauzer versus the Intelligence of the German Shepherd Dog

    Miniature Schnauzer German Shepherd Dog
    Intelligence Rank 12 out of 130 dog breeds 3 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After 5 To 15 Repetitions Tend To Learn New Commands After Fewer Than 5 Repetitions

    Professor Stanley Coren, the famous psychology/neuropsychological professor and, dog lover/trainer measured and ranked the intelligence of about 130 different dog breeds.

    According to Prof. Stanley Coren, the total intelligence that a dog demonstrates is the addition of three types of intelligence. These intelligence types are:

  • Instinctive Intelligence: This is the natural intelligence a dog has because of what the dog was bred for. This type of intelligence comes from instinct. For example, dog breeds that were bred for guarding will have high `guarding` instinctive intelligence, while dog breeds that were bred for hunting will what high `hunting` instinctive intelligence. However, you cannot compare the intelligence of dog breeds based on instinctive intelligence because such a comparison will not make sense.
  • Adaptive Intelligence (learning and problem-solving ability): This indicates what a dog can learn to do for himself or herself. It includes learning and benefiting from experience with his environment, solving new problems, and so forth. Adaptive intelligence is specific to each dog, and not breed specific. Thus, two dogs can have remarkably different levels of adaptive intelligence even if they are of the same breed.
  • Working/Obedience Intelligence: This intelligence is the closest to what we might call school-learning ability and it is based upon what the dog can learn to do when instructed by humans. Importantly, different dog breeds have different learning abilities. Also, science has shown that some dog breeds can learn faster than some other breeds. This means certain dog breeds tend to have higher working/obedience intelligence than some other breeds. Dogs with high Working/Obedience Intelligence are smart and easy to train.

  • Prof. Coren showed that the Working/Obedience Intelligence of different dog breeds can be measured reliably. Thus, he was able to rank different dog breeds based on their Working/Obedience Intelligence.

    This is important because according to Prof. Coren, 51 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from its genes while 49 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from the dog`s environmental circumstances.

    To rank the intelligence of dog breeds, Prof. Coren employed the help of 208 dog obedience judges in North America to fill out a detailed survey on dog obedience. This number represented more than half of all of these judges in North America at the time. He also employed 63 veterinarians and 14 guard dog experts to collect data on the personality of different dog breeds.

    Prof. Coren found that the Miniature Schnauzer has an obedience intelligence rank of 12 out of 130 dog breeds. The Miniature Schnauzer belongs to the `Excellent Working Dogs` category. This means that Miniature Schnauzers tend to learn new commands after 5 to 15 repetitions.

    The German Shepherd Dog has an obedience intelligence rank of 3 out of 130 dog breeds. The German Shepherd Dog belongs to the `Brightest Dogs` category. This means that German Shepherd Dogs tend to learn new commands after fewer than 5 repetitions.

    The German Shepherd Dog is more intelligent than the Miniature Schnauzer.

    However, Prof. Coren noted that a dog should not be judged based on its intelligence alone, that other factors such as sociability, adorability, and compatibility with the owner are other very important factors that new dog owners need to consider when deciding on a new dog.

    The Popularity of Miniature Schnauzer versus Popularity of German Shepherd Dog

    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 German Shepherd Dog over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the German Shepherd Dog is more popular with dog owners than the Miniature Schnauzer. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the German Shepherd Dog is 2 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Miniature Schnauzer is 17 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Miniature Schnauzer

    Popularity of Miniature Schnauzer

    Popularity of German Shepherd Dog

    Popularity of German Shepherd Dog

    Year Miniature Schnauzer Popularity Rank German Shepherd Dog Popularity Rank
    2013 17 2
    2014 16 2
    2015 16 2
    2016 17 2
    2017 18 2
    2018 19 2
    2019 18 2
    2020 19 3
    2021 18 4

    Health Problems of Miniature Schnauzer versus Health Problems of German Shepherd Dog

    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 German Shepherd Dog 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 German Shepherd Dog is prone to more genetic health problems than the Miniature Schnauzer.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the German Shepherd Dog than for the Miniature Schnauzer.

    4 health tests are recommended for Miniature Schnauzer while 7 tests are recommended for the German Shepherd Dog.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Miniature Schnauzers and in German Shepherd Dogs.

    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:

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination
  • Mycobacterium Avian Complex
  • Myotonia Congenita

  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Miniature Schnauzers here.

    German Shepherd Dog Health Problems

    German Shepherd Dogs are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing German Shepherd Dog 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 German Shepherd Dog puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your German Shepherd Dog 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 German Shepherd Dogs for:

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- recommend annually until age 6, every 2 years thereafter
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Temperament Test

  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for German Shepherd Dogs here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Miniature Schnauzers and German Shepherd Dogs

    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:

  • Legg-Calve-Perthes problems: Rank 13 out of 40 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 96 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 125 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 187 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • 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 German Shepherd Dog Breed is Shoulder problems.

    This is because the German Shepherd Dog ranks 8 out of 22 dog breeds for Shoulder problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 149 German Shepherd Dogs, 5 of them had Shoulder problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in German Shepherd Dogs, and how common these diseases are in German Shepherd Dogs relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Shoulder problems: Rank 8 out of 22 Dog Breeds
  • Degenerative Myelopathy problems: Rank 11 out of 70 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 22 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 40 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Advanced Cardiac problems: Rank 41 out of 71 Dog Breeds
  • Dentition Database problems: Rank 42 out of 49 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 64 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 71 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 102 out of 145 Dog Breeds

  • The table below lists the common health problems in Miniature Schnauzer and in German Shepherd Dog and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Miniature Schnauzer and the German Shepherd Dog:

    Disease Miniature Schnauzer Rank German Shepherd Dog Rank
    Legg-Calve-Perthes problems 13 out of 40 dog breeds Not Common
    Eyes problems 96 out of 182 dog breeds 64 out of 182 dog breeds
    Patella problems 125 out of 145 dog breeds 102 out of 145 dog breeds
    Hips problems 187 out of 198 dog breeds 40 out of 198 dog breeds
    Shoulder problems Not Common 8 out of 22 dog breeds
    Degenerative Myelopathy problems Not Common 11 out of 70 dog breeds
    Elbow problems Not Common 22 out of 144 dog breeds
    Advanced Cardiac problems Not Common 41 out of 71 dog breeds
    Dentition Database problems Not Common 42 out of 49 dog breeds
    Thyroid problems Not Common 71 out of 115 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 German Shepherd Dog

    Miniature Schnauzers can be left alone for some time without problems.

    German Shepherd Dogs do not like to be left alone.

    Do Miniature Schnauzers shed more than German Shepherd Dogs?

    Miniature Schnauzers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    German Shepherd Dogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Miniature Schnauzer or the German Shepherd Dog?

    Miniature Schnauzers require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    German Shepherd Dogs are very easy to groom.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Miniature Schnauzer or the German Shepherd Dog?

    Miniature Schnauzers get along fairly well with other dogs.

    German Shepherd Dogs do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Miniature Schnauzers good family dogs? What about German Shepherd Dogs?

    Miniature Schnauzers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    German Shepherd Dogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Is the Miniature Schnauzer Easier to Train than the German Shepherd Dog?

    Miniature Schnauzers are very easy to train.

    German Shepherd Dogs are very easy to train.

    Which one drools more, the Miniature Schnauzer or the German Shepherd Dog

    Miniature Schnauzers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    German Shepherd Dogs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    How Kid-friendly are Miniature Schnauzers and German Shepherd Dogs?

    Miniature Schnauzers get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

    German Shepherd Dogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Does the Miniature Schnauzer Have a Higher Prey Drive than the German Shepherd Dog?

    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.

    German Shepherd Dogs 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 German Shepherd Dogs?

    Miniature Schnauzers bark and howl, but not very much.

    German Shepherd Dogs are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Can Miniature Schnauzers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can German Shepherd Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Miniature Schnauzers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    German Shepherd Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Miniature Schnauzer vs. German Shepherd Dog

    Miniature Schnauzers have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    German Shepherd Dogs 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 German Shepherd Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Miniature Schnauzers can tolerate hot weather.

    German Shepherd Dogs can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Is the Miniature Schnauzer Better for Apartment Owners than the German Shepherd Dog?

    Miniature Schnauzers adapt very well to apartment living.

    German Shepherd Dogs adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Miniature Schnauzer or the German Shepherd Dog?

    Miniature Schnauzers are OK for new dog owners.

    German Shepherd Dogs are not the best dogs 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 German Shepherd Dog. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Miniature Schnauzer to other breeds:

    Miniature Schnauzer versus Clumber Spaniel     Miniature Schnauzer versus Afghan Hound     Miniature Schnauzer versus Whippet     Miniature Schnauzer versus Briard     Miniature Schnauzer versus Lakeland Terrier     Miniature Schnauzer versus Greyhound     Miniature Schnauzer versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever     Miniature Schnauzer versus Saluki     Miniature Schnauzer versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne     Miniature Schnauzer versus Kuvasz     Miniature Schnauzer versus Morkie     Miniature Schnauzer versus Irish Water Spaniel     Miniature Schnauzer versus Afador     Miniature Schnauzer versus Cavapoo     Miniature Schnauzer versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog     Miniature Schnauzer versus Alaskan Malamute     Miniature Schnauzer versus American Bulldog     Miniature Schnauzer versus Norwegian Buhund     

    Conclusion: Miniature Schnauzer versus German Shepherd Dog. 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 German Shepherd Dog better suits you and your family.