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Mini Schnauzer Chin (Miniature Schnauzer & Japanese Chin Mix): Pictures, Traits & Facts

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By Nicole Cosgrove

Mini Schnauzer Chin (Miniature Schnauzer & Japanese Chin Mix)

Height: 10–13 inches
Weight: 10–17 pounds
Lifespan: 11–14 years
Colors: Black, gray, brown, red, cream, white, pied, sable
Suitable for: Families with older children, apartment living, experienced dog owner
Temperament: Fun, stubborn, affectionate, suspicious of strangers, gets on well with other dogs

Here we are going to talk about all things Miniature Schnauzer Chin, and we are not talking about the Miniature Schnauzer’s facial features! Instead, we are here to talk about something much more exciting, the Miniature Schnauzer crossed with the Japanese Chin. Also known as the Mini Schnauzer Chin mixed pup.

This is a small and funky pooch with a unique and quirky appearance. Its parent’s personality couldn’t be much more different. The Mini Schnauzer is one of the doggiest dogs in the canine kingdom, and the Japanese Chin is more feline-like than canine.

This wonderful hybrid pup offers the best of both worlds, and is an excellent option for those who cannot choose between the two parents. Eager to find out more about this little fellow? Let’s jump straight into the designer doggie details.

Divider 1Mini Schnauzer Chin Puppies

Energy
Trainability
Health
Lifespan
Sociability

The Mini Schnauzer Chin is a little dog with a big dog personality. Many dog owners like this kind of canine, but some find the feistiness too much to handle. You can expect that no matter which parent it takes after more, it will be stubborn. For this reason, if you want a fully obedient dog, the Mini Schnauzer Chin is not the one for you.

Following on from this point, we would recommend that this guy is homed with experienced dog owners who know how to stand up to the sass. If you have never owned a dog before, at least an independent one, you are in for a wild and potentially problematic ride with this pooch.

These dogs are more energetic than people think, which is why Miniature Schnauzers often end up in rescue centers. Despite the cute fluffy teddy bear appearance, it is a little pocket rocket that needs a lot of exercise, playtime, and attention.

Without it, they can become destructive and problematic. They also hate to be left alone for any period of time, so they need to be home with a family that can spend most of their time with them. If you and your family work long hours or like to travel doggy-free, you should consider a less needy breed altogether.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Mini Schnauzer Chin

1. The Mini Schnauzer Chin has a high prey drive

The Miniature Schnauzer parent has a very high prey drive, so you can expect these dogs to inherit a little (or a lot!) of this too. This parent was used as a rat exterminator on farms, so anything small and furry should be wary of this guy.


2. The Mini Schnauzer Chin can be very cat-like

The Japanese Chin parent is sometimes described as more cat-like than dog-like. This is because it is very fastidious when it comes to cleaning its coat. They love to sit in your lap and snuffle. And they also like to climb onto shelves and watch the world go by from up above.


3. The Mini Schnauzer Chin is a sensitive soul

Despite their bravado, these dogs are sensitive little pooches who don’t like to be told off, and they will sulk if you do. They also hate to be left alone for too long. It’s an endearing trait if you like your dog to be dependent on you, just don’t tell their friends down at the local doggy park!

Parent Breeds of the Mini Schnauzer Chin
Photo Credit: (L) Jumpstory | (R) KaliAntye, Shutterstock

Temperament & Intelligence of the Mini Schnauzer Chin 🧠

The Mini Schnauzer Chin is a fun family pet to have around the home. There is never a dull moment with this dog about. They are always up for a game of chase the ball, fetch, or brain games you set them. And because they are very intelligent, they’ll pick up the rules in no time.

They are very sweet and loving with their family. And they’ll be nudging you towards the sofa in the evening, hinting for cuddles.

They can be a little aloof with strangers at first, but will warm up to them quickly after a short while. They’ll be performing their newly learned tricks for all the attention and belly rubs. When they aren’t sure about someone, they will vocalize their nervousness. This makes for a good alarm bell, but it can also be annoying for the neighbors if you let it go unchecked.

As we have already said, they are intelligent dogs. But, they are also very stubborn and independent. This means that no matter how clever they are, they won’t listen if they aren’t in the mood for your training sessions or commands.

Are Mini Schnauzer Chins Good for Families? 🏡

Yes, the Mini Schnauzer Chin is a fantastic family pet for many families, you just need to be sure that you are the right one for it. If you are the right family, it is a delightful doggy. If you aren’t, it’ll be a challenging family environment.

They are also said to be intolerant of over-excited children and their prodding and grabbing and can get a bit grumpy. For this reason, they should only be homed with a family with older children.

Do Mini Schnauzer Chins Get Along with Other Pets? 🐶 😽

As long as they are socialized well as a pup, they will get along with other dogs. They are likely to get along with cats too, not only because they aren’t much smaller than him, but also because he is part cat in his ways. For this reason, cats are more likely to accept them too.

When it comes to other types of pets, such as rabbits, mice, and guinea pigs, they are unlikely to coexist peacefully with them.

Divider 4Things to Know When Owning a Mini Schnauzer Chin:

Now we are going to take a closer look at the daily needs of Mini Schnauzer Chin. From what they eat to how much exercise they need, if it’s not listed below, you probably don’t need to know about it.

schnauzer chin
Left: Miniature Schnauzer Right: Japanese Chin Photo Credit: 1, 2.

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

The Mini Schnauzer Chin will eat approximately one cup of kibble every day. This might be slightly more or less depending on his age, size, and energy levels. You should always feed them the best quality food that you can afford. High-quality food will ensure that all of their dietary needs are taken care of.

As this is a small dog breed, if you feed them kibble, you need to look for one specifically designed for small breed dogs. They are optimized for the unique nutritional needs of small breed dogs, and the kibble pieces are small enough so that he can eat them comfortably.

Exercise 🐕

The Mini Schnauzer Chin needs approximately 30 to 45 minutes of exercise every day. If they take after their Chin parent more, they’ll need less than if they mostly take after their Schnauzer parent. Without this, they will become grumpy and problematic. They will also become destructive and take it out on your favorite armchair.

As they are very intelligent, you’ll need to mix up their activities to keep them interested. Otherwise, they’ll run off into the sunset in search of something more interesting. They’ll make a great jogging partner, mountain hiker, or frisbee catcher. Just be sure that you have a rucksack to carry them in if he gets too tired. Thankfully, they’re not too heavy.

Training 🦮

The Mini Schnauzer Chin needs focused and consistent training to ensure that they become as obedient as possible, at least for them anyway.

To keep them interested in your training sessions, you will need to keep the training short and sweet. Find out what motivates them, be that treats or a ball, and use it to your advantage. This is called positive reinforcement training, and it is by far the most effective training method for dogs.

Grooming ✂️

The Mini Schnauzer Chin is a very clean pooch thanks to their self-grooming Chin genes. If they get a little bit dirty, you’ll find that they’ll lick themselves clean. You will have to give them a bath once every 8 to 12 weeks.

Because they are likely to lick themselves clean, we would suggest a sensitive shampoo or one that is designed specifically for cats and dogs. These types of shampoos are safe because they are designed for cats who lick their fur daily.

They have a medium-length coat that is straight in texture and of medium density. You will need to brush them daily, to keep them looking healthy and keep matting at bay. Thankfully, because they partially take after their hypoallergenic Schnauzer parent, they will shed much less than other dog breeds.

Health and Conditions ❤️

The Mini Schnauzer Chin is a relatively healthy dog breed that will most likely suffer from the health concerns that affect both of their parents. If you are about to welcome this pooch into your life, be sure to read through the below health conditions and research their associated symptoms. This way, if something pops up, you know to take them to the vet for a check-up.

Minor Conditions
  • Entropian
  • Ectropion
  • Patella luxation
  • Gangliosidosis
Serious Conditions
  • Lens luxation
  • Cataracts
  • Portosystemic shunt
  • Sick sinus syndrome

Divider 5Male vs. Female

The male and female Mini Schnauzer Chins are very similar. The most significant difference is their height and weight, in that males tend to be larger than their female counterparts.

When it comes to their personality, they are similar. And their upbringing, training, and family environment affect their personality more so than their gender. So, invest lots of time into their training, and their sex shouldn’t matter.

Divider 3Final Thoughts: Mini Schnauzer Chin

The Mini Schnauzer Chin is a unique dog, both in its population, personality, and appearance. If this is what you are looking for, this dog will make a fantastic canine option for you. Just be sure that you can give them the time, attention, and company that they crave.

It is a friendly and fun little pooch who will keep you, and the whole family entertained for hours on end. It is the right side of sensitive, but sturdy enough to take a few hours of playtime and adventure. If you can tick all of these boxes, we are sure that you and the Mini Schnauzer Chin are sure to get on like a house on fire.

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