Last Updated: May 01, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Miniature Schnauzer Versus Hovawart: Introduction
- Miniature Schnauzer versus Hovawart: Overview
- Miniature Schnauzer versus Hovawart: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Miniature Schnauzer and the Hovawart
- The Similarities Between the Miniature Schnauzer and the Hovawart
- Size Comparison of the Miniature Schnauzer versus Hovawart
- Lifespan of Miniature Schnauzer versus Hovawart
- Temperament of the Hovawart Versus the Miniature Schnauzer
- Tolerates Being Alone: Miniature Schnauzer versus Hovawart
- Do Miniature Schnauzers shed more than Hovawarts?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Miniature Schnauzer or the Hovawart?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Miniature Schnauzer or the Hovawart?
- Are Miniature Schnauzers good family dogs? What about Hovawarts?
- Is the Miniature Schnauzer Easier to Train than the Hovawart?
- Which one drools more, the Miniature Schnauzer or the Hovawart
- How Kid-friendly are Miniature Schnauzers and Hovawarts?
- Does the Miniature Schnauzer Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Hovawart?
- Do Miniature Schnauzers Bark and Howl? What about Hovawarts?
- Can Miniature Schnauzers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Hovawarts Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Miniature Schnauzer vs. Hovawart
- Can Miniature Schnauzers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Hovawarts Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Miniature Schnauzer Versus Other Dog Breeds
- Conclusion: Miniature Schnauzer versus Hovawart. Which One is a Better Pet?
Miniature Schnauzer Versus Hovawart: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Miniature Schnauzer and the Hovawart? 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 Hovawart 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 Hovawart.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Miniature Schnauzer and the Hovawart 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 Hovawart. 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 Hovawart.
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 Hovawart.

Miniature Schnauzer versus Hovawart: Overview
A very important difference between the Miniature Schnauzer and the Hovawart is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Miniature Schnauzer is a small-sized dog while the Hovawart 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 Hovawart belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.
Miniature Schnauzer versus Hovawart: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Miniature Schnauzer to the Hovawart 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 Hovawart
| Factor | Miniature Schnauzer | Hovawart |
|---|---|---|
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Weight | 11 to 20 pounds | 55 to 110 pounds |
| Life Span | 12 to 14 years | 10 to 14 years |
| Height | 13 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder | 23 to 29 inches |
| Does NOT Shed | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| General Health | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Easygoing | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Train | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 13.0 years | 12.0 years |
| Average Price | $1950 | No Data |
| Price Range | $1400 – $2500 | No Data |
| Temperament Score | 79.3 percent | 91.7 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
No Data |
*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 Hovawart. 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 Hovawart is 78 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Miniature Schnauzer is a better pet than the Hovawart. So, you should get a Miniature Schnauzer!

The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Miniature Schnauzer and the Hovawart
Below is a list of where the Miniature Schnauzer and the Hovawart are most different:
The Similarities Between the Miniature Schnauzer and the Hovawart
The Miniature Schnauzer and the Hovawart are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Miniature Schnauzer and the Hovawart are most similar:
Size Comparison of the Miniature Schnauzer versus Hovawart
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Miniature Schnauzer and the Hovawart.
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 Hovawart weighs 55 to 110 pounds when fully grown. The Hovawart is 23 to 29 inches when fully grown.

Lifespan of Miniature Schnauzer versus Hovawart
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 Hovawart is between 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of the Hovawart is 12.0 years.
The Miniature Schnauzer live longer than the Hovawart.

Temperament of the Hovawart Versus the Miniature Schnauzer
The Hovawart has a better temperament than the Miniature Schnauzer.
This is because the temperament score for the Hovawart is 91.7 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 91.7 percent, the Hovawart has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Miniature Schnauzer and the Hovawart by measuring the temperaments of 116 Miniature Schnauzers and 24 Hovawarts.

Tolerates Being Alone: Miniature Schnauzer versus Hovawart
Miniature Schnauzers can be left alone for some time without problems.
Hovawarts do not like to be left alone.
Do Miniature Schnauzers shed more than Hovawarts?
Miniature Schnauzers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Hovawarts shed moderately.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Miniature Schnauzer or the Hovawart?
Miniature Schnauzers require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Hovawarts are very easy to groom.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Miniature Schnauzer or the Hovawart?
Miniature Schnauzers get along fairly well with other dogs.
Hovawarts do not get along well with other dogs.
Are Miniature Schnauzers good family dogs? What about Hovawarts?
Miniature Schnauzers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Hovawarts are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the Miniature Schnauzer Easier to Train than the Hovawart?
Miniature Schnauzers are very easy to train.
Hovawarts are not easy to train.
Which one drools more, the Miniature Schnauzer or the Hovawart
Miniature Schnauzers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Hovawarts do have a very low tendency to drool.
How Kid-friendly are Miniature Schnauzers and Hovawarts?
Miniature Schnauzers get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.
Hovawarts get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the Miniature Schnauzer Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Hovawart?
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.
Hovawarts have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.
Do Miniature Schnauzers Bark and Howl? What about Hovawarts?
Miniature Schnauzers bark and howl, but not very much.
Hovawarts are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Can Miniature Schnauzers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Hovawarts Tolerate Cold Weather?
Miniature Schnauzers can very well tolerate cold weather.
Hovawarts can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Miniature Schnauzer vs. Hovawart
Miniature Schnauzers have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Hovawarts 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 Hovawarts Tolerate Hot Weather?
Miniature Schnauzers can tolerate hot weather.
Hovawarts can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Is the Miniature Schnauzer Better for Apartment Owners than the Hovawart?
Miniature Schnauzers adapt very well to apartment living.
Hovawarts do not adapt well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Miniature Schnauzer or the Hovawart?
Miniature Schnauzers are OK for new dog owners.
Hovawarts 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 Hovawart. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Miniature Schnauzer to other breeds:
Miniature Schnauzer versus Sloughi Miniature Schnauzer versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne Miniature Schnauzer versus Mountain Cur Miniature Schnauzer versus King Shepherd Miniature Schnauzer versus Keeshond Miniature Schnauzer versus Whoodle Miniature Schnauzer versus Beagle Miniature Schnauzer versus Aussiedoodle Miniature Schnauzer versus Australian Terrier Miniature Schnauzer versus Black and Tan Coonhound Miniature Schnauzer versus Chinook Miniature Schnauzer versus Maltipoo Miniature Schnauzer versus Irish Water Spaniel Miniature Schnauzer versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Miniature Schnauzer versus Sheepadoodle Miniature Schnauzer versus Bloodhound Miniature Schnauzer versus Shihpoo Miniature Schnauzer versus Labrador Retriever
Conclusion: Miniature Schnauzer versus Hovawart. 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 Hovawart better suits you and your family.