Which is Better between the Miniature Schnauzer and the German Shorthaired Pointer?

Last Updated: May 01, 2022

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Miniature Schnauzer Versus German Shorthaired Pointer: Introduction

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

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

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 Shorthaired Pointer.

Miniature Schnauzer versus German Shorthaired Pointer

Miniature Schnauzer versus German Shorthaired Pointer: Overview

A very important difference between the Miniature Schnauzer and the German Shorthaired Pointer is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Miniature Schnauzer is a small-sized dog while the German Shorthaired Pointer is a medium-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 Shorthaired Pointer belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.

Miniature Schnauzer versus German Shorthaired Pointer: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Miniature Schnauzer to the German Shorthaired Pointer 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 Shorthaired Pointer

FactorMiniature SchnauzerGerman Shorthaired Pointer
Does NOT Drool5/54/5
Weight11 to 20 pounds45 to 70 pounds
Life Span12 to 14 years12 to 15 years
Height13 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder1 foot, 9 inches to 2 feet, 1 inch tall at the sho
Does NOT Shed4/54/5
Easy To Groom2/55/5
Does NOT chew on things4/52/5
Good For Novice Owners3/52/5
Kid-Friendly3/55/5
Dog Friendly3/54/5
Friendly Toward Strangers3/53/5
General Health3/53/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl3/53/5
Tendency NOT to Wander3/51/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor3/53/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living4/51/5
Easygoing2/52/5
Tolerates Cold Weather4/52/5
Tolerates Hot Weather4/54/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight2/53/5
Intelligence4/55/5
Low Prey Drive2/51/5
Potential For Playfulness4/55/5
Tolerates Being Alone5/51/5
Affectionate With Family5/55/5
Easy To Train5/55/5
NOT Rambunctious1/51/5
Minimal Exercise Needs1/51/5
Average Lifespan13.0 years13.5 years
Average Price$1950$1140
Price Range$1400 – $2500$800 – $1300
Temperament Score79.3 percent78.1 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination
  • Mycobacterium Avian Complex
  • Myotonia Congenita
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation – min age 24 months
  • Cone Degeneration
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination – annual exams until age 6 recommended
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • von Willebrand`s Disease
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds1710
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds)1217
    *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 Shorthaired Pointer. 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 Shorthaired Pointer is 75 out of 125.

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

    Miniature Schnauzer versus German Shorthaired Pointer

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Miniature Schnauzer and the German Shorthaired Pointer

    Below is a list of where the Miniature Schnauzer and the German Shorthaired Pointer are most different:

  • Miniature Schnauzers require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom. However, German Shorthaired Pointers are very easy to groom.
  • Miniature Schnauzers adapt well to apartment living. However, German Shorthaired Pointers do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Miniature Schnauzers can be left alone for some time without problems. However, German Shorthaired Pointers do not like to be left alone.
  • The Similarities Between the Miniature Schnauzer and the German Shorthaired Pointer

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

  • Both the Miniature Schnauzer and the German Shorthaired Pointer do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Miniature Schnauzer and the German Shorthaired Pointer do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Miniature Schnauzer and the German Shorthaired Pointer 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 Shorthaired Pointer can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Miniature Schnauzer and the German Shorthaired Pointer gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Miniature Schnauzer and the German Shorthaired Pointer are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Miniature Schnauzer and the German Shorthaired Pointer have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Miniature Schnauzer and the German Shorthaired Pointer are very playful.
  • Both the Miniature Schnauzer and the German Shorthaired Pointer are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Miniature Schnauzer and the German Shorthaired Pointer are very easy to train.
  • Both the Miniature Schnauzer and the German Shorthaired Pointer have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Miniature Schnauzer and the German Shorthaired Pointer require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Size Comparison of the Miniature Schnauzer versus German Shorthaired Pointer

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Miniature Schnauzer and the German Shorthaired Pointer.

    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 Shorthaired Pointer weighs 45 to 70 pounds when fully grown. The German Shorthaired Pointer is 1 foot, 9 inches to 2 feet, 1 inch tall at the sho when fully grown.

    Size of Miniature Schnauzer versus Size of German Shorthaired Pointer

    Appearance (Colors) of the Miniature Schnauzer and the German Shorthaired Pointer

    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 Shorthaired Pointer Colors

    The German Shorthaired Pointer comes in the following beautiful primary colors:

    • Brown / Chocolate
    • Black
    • White / Cream
    • Bicolor
    • Gray / Blue / Silver
    • Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
    • Red / Chestnut / Orange

    The German Shorthaired Pointer comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:

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

    Lifespan of Miniature Schnauzer versus German Shorthaired Pointer

    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 Shorthaired Pointer is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of the German Shorthaired Pointer is 13.5 years.

    The German Shorthaired Pointer live longer than the Miniature Schnauzer.

    Miniature Schnauzer versus German Shorthaired Pointer

    Temperament of the German Shorthaired Pointer Versus the Miniature Schnauzer

    The Miniature Schnauzer has a better temperament than the German Shorthaired Pointer.

    This is because the temperament score for the Miniature Schnauzer is 79.3 percent while the temperament score for the German Shorthaired Pointer is 78.1 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 78.1 percent, the German Shorthaired Pointer has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Miniature Schnauzer and the German Shorthaired Pointer by measuring the temperaments of 116 Miniature Schnauzers and 137 German Shorthaired Pointers.

    Price of Miniature Schnauzer versus Price of German Shorthaired Pointer

    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 Shorthaired Pointer puppy is $1140. The price of the German Shorthaired Pointer typically ranges from $800 – $1300. However, the price of the German Shorthaired Pointer can be as low as $350 and as high as $2695. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 453 German Shorthaired Pointer puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Miniature Schnauzer is more expensive than the German Shorthaired Pointer.

    Miniature Schnauzer German Shorthaired Pointer
    Average Price $1950 $1140
    Price Range $1400 to $2500 $800 to $1300

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Miniature Schnauzer and German Shorthaired Pointer. For different price points, the charts show how many Miniature Schnauzer puppies or how many German Shorthaired Pointer 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 Shorthaired Pointers

    A breakdown of the prices of German Shorthaired Pointers

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

    Adopting the Miniature Schnauzer versus Adopting the German Shorthaired Pointer

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Miniature Schnauzers and many German Shorthaired Pointers 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 Benny that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Miniature Schnauzers like Benny on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Miniature Schnauzers, German Shorthaired Pointers are also available for adoption. For example, Neil is a Male German Shorthaired Pointer that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more German Shorthaired Pointers like Neil that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Miniature Schnauzer and the German Shorthaired Pointer can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

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

    Also, Bo Duke is an adorable Male German Shorthaired Pointer on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

    Miniature Schnauzers and German Shorthaired Pointers are always available for adoption. Images from petfinder.com

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

    The Intelligence of the Miniature Schnauzer versus the Intelligence of the German Shorthaired Pointer

    Miniature Schnauzer German Shorthaired Pointer
    Intelligence Rank 12 out of 130 dog breeds 17 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After 5 To 15 Repetitions Tend To Learn New Commands After 5 To 15 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 Shorthaired Pointer has an obedience intelligence rank of 17 out of 130 dog breeds. The German Shorthaired Pointer belongs to the `Excellent Working Dogs` category. This means that German Shorthaired Pointers tend to learn new commands after 5 to 15 repetitions.

    The Miniature Schnauzer is more intelligent than the German Shorthaired Pointer.

    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 Shorthaired Pointer

    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 Shorthaired Pointer over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the German Shorthaired Pointer is more popular with dog owners than the Miniature Schnauzer. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the German Shorthaired Pointer is 10 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 Shorthaired Pointer

    Popularity of German Shorthaired Pointer

    Year Miniature Schnauzer Popularity Rank German Shorthaired Pointer Popularity Rank
    2013 17 13
    2014 16 12
    2015 16 11
    2016 17 11
    2017 18 10
    2018 19 9
    2019 18 9
    2020 19 9
    2021 18 9

    Health Problems of Miniature Schnauzer versus Health Problems of German Shorthaired Pointer

    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 Shorthaired Pointer 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 Shorthaired Pointer is prone to more genetic health problems than the Miniature Schnauzer.

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

    4 health tests are recommended for Miniature Schnauzer while 7 tests are recommended for the German Shorthaired Pointer.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Miniature Schnauzers and in German Shorthaired Pointers.

    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 Shorthaired Pointer Health Problems

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

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation – min age 24 months
  • Cone Degeneration
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination – annual exams until age 6 recommended
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • von Willebrand`s Disease

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

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Miniature Schnauzers and German Shorthaired Pointers

    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 Shorthaired Pointer Breed is Cone Degeneration problems.

    This is because the German Shorthaired Pointer ranks 1 out of 1 dog breeds for Cone Degeneration problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 1475 German Shorthaired Pointers, 1 of them had Cone Degeneration problems.

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

  • Cone Degeneration problems: Rank 1 out of 1 Dog Breeds
  • Shoulder problems: Rank 12 out of 22 Dog Breeds
  • Advanced Cardiac problems: Rank 42 out of 71 Dog Breeds
  • Degenerative Myelopathy problems: Rank 55 out of 70 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 68 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 69 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 118 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 121 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 174 out of 198 Dog Breeds

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

    Disease Miniature Schnauzer Rank German Shorthaired Pointer Rank
    Legg-Calve-Perthes problems 13 out of 40 dog breeds Not Common
    Eyes problems 96 out of 182 dog breeds 118 out of 182 dog breeds
    Patella problems 125 out of 145 dog breeds Not Common
    Hips problems 187 out of 198 dog breeds 174 out of 198 dog breeds
    Cone Degeneration problems Not Common 1 out of 1 dog breeds
    Shoulder problems Not Common 12 out of 22 dog breeds
    Advanced Cardiac problems Not Common 42 out of 71 dog breeds
    Degenerative Myelopathy problems Not Common 55 out of 70 dog breeds
    Thyroid problems Not Common 68 out of 115 dog breeds
    Congenital Cardiac problems Not Common 69 out of 159 dog breeds
    Elbow problems Not Common 121 out of 144 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 Shorthaired Pointer

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

    German Shorthaired Pointers do not like to be left alone.

    Do Miniature Schnauzers shed more than German Shorthaired Pointers?

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

    German Shorthaired Pointers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Miniature Schnauzer or the German Shorthaired Pointer?

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

    German Shorthaired Pointers are very easy to groom.

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

    Miniature Schnauzers get along fairly well with other dogs.

    German Shorthaired Pointers get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Miniature Schnauzers good family dogs? What about German Shorthaired Pointers?

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

    German Shorthaired Pointers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Is the Miniature Schnauzer Easier to Train than the German Shorthaired Pointer?

    Miniature Schnauzers are very easy to train.

    German Shorthaired Pointers are very easy to train.

    Which one drools more, the Miniature Schnauzer or the German Shorthaired Pointer

    Miniature Schnauzers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    German Shorthaired Pointers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    How Kid-friendly are Miniature Schnauzers and German Shorthaired Pointers?

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

    German Shorthaired Pointers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Does the Miniature Schnauzer Have a Higher Prey Drive than the German Shorthaired Pointer?

    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 Shorthaired Pointers 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 Shorthaired Pointers?

    Miniature Schnauzers bark and howl, but not very much.

    German Shorthaired Pointers bark and howl, but not very much.

    Can Miniature Schnauzers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can German Shorthaired Pointers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Miniature Schnauzers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    German Shorthaired Pointers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Wanderlust Potential: Miniature Schnauzer vs. German Shorthaired Pointer

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

    German Shorthaired Pointers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Miniature Schnauzers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can German Shorthaired Pointers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Miniature Schnauzers can tolerate hot weather.

    German Shorthaired Pointers can tolerate hot weather.

    Is the Miniature Schnauzer Better for Apartment Owners than the German Shorthaired Pointer?

    Miniature Schnauzers adapt very well to apartment living.

    German Shorthaired Pointers do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Miniature Schnauzers are OK for new dog owners.

    German Shorthaired Pointers 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 Shorthaired Pointer. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Miniature Schnauzer to other breeds:

    Miniature Schnauzer versus Shih Tzu     Miniature Schnauzer versus Boerboel     Miniature Schnauzer versus Pomchi     Miniature Schnauzer versus Swedish Vallhund     Miniature Schnauzer versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi     Miniature Schnauzer versus Lagotto Romagnolo     Miniature Schnauzer versus Yorkshire Terrier     Miniature Schnauzer versus German Longhaired Pointer     Miniature Schnauzer versus American Eskimo Dog     Miniature Schnauzer versus Jack Russell Terrier     Miniature Schnauzer versus Pug     Miniature Schnauzer versus Kai Ken     Miniature Schnauzer versus Japanese Chin     Miniature Schnauzer versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog     Miniature Schnauzer versus Alaskan Malamute     Miniature Schnauzer versus Chihuahua     Miniature Schnauzer versus Silky Terrier     Miniature Schnauzer versus Border Collie     

    Conclusion: Miniature Schnauzer versus German Shorthaired Pointer. 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 Shorthaired Pointer better suits you and your family.