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Mauzer (Miniature Schnauzer & Maltese Mix): Info, Pictures, Characteristics & Facts

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By Nicole Cosgrove

Mauzer (Miniature Schnauzer & Maltese Mix)

Height: 8 – 14 inches
Weight: 7 – 20 pounds
Lifespan: 12-15 years
Colors: Silver, gray, black
Suitable for: Families with older children, seniors, singles,
Temperament: Loyal, loving, smart, stubborn, friendly, energetic, protective

The Mauzer is a hybrid of the Miniature Schnauzer and Maltese breeds. The Miniature Schnauzer is in the terrier group, and the Maltese fall into the toy group, which blends into the small and adorable Mauzer.

They are small but act as fierce protectors against trespassers or anyone they perceive as a threat. Still, they are a loyal and affectionate part of the family. The Mauzer is an intelligent and active dog that requires daily exercise and therefore needs both physical and mental stimulation so as not to get bored.

The Mauzer might have a variety of different looks depending on which parent they take after. Their coat may be long and smooth or wiry and short and will be in a variety of colors but primarily black, gray, and silver. Their noses are black, and the hair on their faces is usually a little longer. They will always be small at an average of around 15 pounds.

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Mauzer Puppies

Mauzer puppies
Image Credit: Eppic Adventures, Shutterstock
Energy
Trainability
Health
Lifespan
Sociability

The Mauzer is a very high-energy dog that needs walks and lots of play. While they are highly intelligent, they do possess a stubborn streak, which will make training more of a challenge. While they are friendly dogs and do get along with people and other animals, they also tend to nip and bark when jealous of others receiving more attention. Early socialization and training should be at the top of your list once you bring home a Mauzer. With regular training, they will learn to behave around other dogs and remain calm around people.

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3 Little-Known Facts About the Mauzer

1. The Mauzer can be a picky eater.

They might get bored if they are fed the same food for too long, so switching it up on occasion will help to prevent this from occurring.


2. The Mauzer usually bonds with one person.

These dogs tend to form a bond with a single person within the family. However, they are still affectionate and comfortable with the entire family.


3. Because of their size, the Mauzer doesn’t need a lot of space.

The Mauzer will do equally well in a house with a yard as well as an apartment. They do not want to be left alone for long periods of time.

Parent Breeds of the Mauzer
Image Credit: Jumpstory

Temperament & Intelligence of the Mauzer 🧠

The Mauzer are very smart and loyal dogs that are great pets for people of all ages. They are happy, playful, and loving dogs that will be a fun addition to your household.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🏡

The Mauzer makes an excellent family dog but would do best with older children because of their tendency to nip. If there are small children in the household, they should be taught the best way to handle the dog and how to pet and play with them gently. The Mauzer does equally well with families as well as with single people and seniors.

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets? 🐶 😽

While the Mauzer does get along with pets, they need proper training and socializing while puppies. Their tendency to nip will occur when they feel that your attention is diverted towards other pets, so this needs to be taken into consideration.

Mauzer dog tongue out
Image Credit: Mark and Anna Photography, Shutterstock

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Things to Know When Owning a Mauzer:

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

As previously mentioned, the Mauzer can be a somewhat finicky eater, so rotating the brands of food on occasion for your dog should help prevent this. You should feed your Mauzer a diet designed for small dogs.

About 1 cup of high-quality kibble per day either once a day or ½ a cup twice per day is usually the appropriate amount for this dog. As with any pet, keep an eye on the weight and consult your vet if you have any concerns about your dog’s health.

Exercise 🐕

These high-energy dogs will need either one long walk or several shorter walks each day. Time spent socializing in dog parks, as well as providing physical exercise and play, will keep them mentally stimulated and prevent boredom from setting in. Negative behaviors could result if you leave your dog alone for too long or if you don’t allow them to burn off their energy.

Training 🦮

While the Mauzer is very intelligent, their tendency to nip in addition to their stubborn streak does make training more of a challenge. The sooner you begin to train your puppy and to socialize them, the less you will see negative behavior.

Training should always be consistent and firm, but with lots of praise and rewards in order to have the best possible outcome for your puppy.

Grooming ✂️

Grooming will depend on the kind of coat your Mauzer inherits from its parents. At a minimum, the Mauzer should be brushed twice a week, but it will be up to your own discretion depending on if your dog’s coat is long or short.

The natural oils from your dog’s skin keep the coat healthy so only bathe your dog when absolutely necessary. Choose your dog shampoo specially formulated for dogs with sensitive skin, as the Mauzer is prone to dry skin.

The hair should be trimmed from the Mauzer’s face, and because the Mauzer has short, floppy ears, you should regularly clean the ears. Trimming your dog’s nails on a regular basis is a necessary part of the general grooming habits for your dog, as is brushing your dog’s teeth.

Health and Conditions ❤️

Minor Conditions:

The Miniature Schnauzer is prone to congenital eye defects, skin conditions, and allergies, and the Maltese might experience eyelash disorders, abnormal eyelid, hypothyroidism, and low blood sugar.

It is always possible but not likely that the Mauzer will inherit these health issues. The vet will examine your dog’s eyes, knees and thyroid to ensure that it is in good health.

Serious Conditions:

Looking at the parents of the Mauzer will give you a better understanding of the possible health issues of your dog as an adult. The Miniature Schnauzer might be susceptible to calcium deposits in the urinary tract, retinal degeneration, Von Willebrand’s disease and mycobacterium avium infection. The Maltese could be prone to kneecap dislocation, deafness, shaker syndrome, and water on the brain as well as dental issues.

As a hybrid dog, the Mauzer is much less likely than its parents to suffer from these conditions. Your vet may perform a variety of tests (DNA, urinalysis, and blood) to help rule out the possibility of your dog inheriting any of these conditions.

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Male vs. Female

Male and female dogs do tend to differ in size and weight. The male Mauzer can be 10–14 inches in height and weigh 10–20 pounds whereas the female Mauzer can be 8–12 inches in height and weigh 7–20 pounds.

The biological differences are the most obvious. You might want to use your male or female dog for breeding purposes, or you might prefer to have your dog spayed or neutered. Spaying is a more complex surgery for your female dog than neutering is for the male dog and is, therefore, more expensive and has a longer recovery time. After surgery, both male and female dogs tend to be less aggressive and are calmer.

There is also the thought that female dogs, in general, are more affectionate and are less aggressive than males. There are a number of debates on this subject.

Other than the physical and biological differences of male and female dogs, the primary determinant of your dog’s personality will come from training and how well they were socialized as puppies.

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Final Thoughts on the Mauzer

The Mauzer is an energetic, happy, loyal protector of the household, and their adorable and affectionate natures will win you over. They make excellent watchdogs, and if you are a single person, your Mauzer will bond with you providing you with a fantastic companion for life.

Finding one of these puppies might prove challenging, so seek out the breeders of the Maltese and the Miniature Schnauzer who might point you in the right direction. Contact rescue societies, speak to national and local dog clubs, and attend dog shows. Lastly, you can seek help online and in social media as spreading the word could find you the elusive Mauzer. The more you talk to people, the closer you will come to locating this small, smart and sweet dog.

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Featured image: Nicholas Floyd, Shutterstock

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