“Is the Standard Schnauzer hypoallergenic?” Indeed. These smart and spirited dogs are the perfect furry friend, but if you suffer from dog allergies — good news for you! This breed is also an allergy-friendly one.
Standard Schnauzer Quick Facts
Are Standard Schnauzers Hypoallergenic? Contents
We all know that dog allergies aren’t fun to deal with — wheezing, sneezing, itchy eyes, coughing, and many more. So, we get why allergy sufferers may not want a dog.
Lots of dogs are much more allergy friendly than others — just like the gorgeous regular Schnauzer. But, it’s important to remember that no breed is utterly allergy free.
What Causes Allergies?
While many think that the dog fur itself is the cause of allergies — that’s not strictly true. It’s down to a protein found in dead skin cells, commonly referred to as dander. You’ll also find these proteins in their urine and saliva.
By shedding lots of fur, dogs are also shedding, and spreading, a lot of dander — it’s akin to our dandruff, flaking away with every opportunity!
Hypoallergenic Dogs
These breeds don’t release enough dander to induce a reaction. Hence, you’re less likely to trigger your allergies.
As we’ve said, you can’t have a completely hypoallergenic dog. But with several canines falling into this category, finding the perfect pooch for you shouldn’t be difficult.
If you’re interested to learn more about these allergy-friendly breeds, take a look at our article — What is a Hypoallergenic Dog?
No matter what breed of Schnauzer you get, Miniature, Standard, or Giant, their double coat will be wire-haired and of medium length.
Grooming the Standard Schnauzer can affect the texture of their coat. Clipping will give the coat a softer feel as well as lighten the fur each time. And, it will also remove the water resistance from their outer coat.
The Standard comes in two colors — black, or pepper and salt. However, you may be lucky enough to find a gorgeous white Standard Schnauzer, but this isn’t an AKC-recognized color.
To sum it up, Standard Schnauzer shedding shouldn’t pose too much of a problem for pet parents.
They shed moderately and won’t shed from their undercoat very often. However, you may find random clumps of fur dotted around your home on the odd occasion. And, even when this happens, the dog dander will be trapped in the top coat rather than around your home.
So, Standard Schnauzers aren’t super-heavy shedders, which means that this pup can live with you hand in hand, even if you are an allergy sufferer.
So, as we’ve mentioned already, the Standard Schnauzer doesn’t shed too much and will randomly lose their fur infrequently throughout the year. But, there are plenty of reasons why your pet may be shedding a great deal more than normal.
Let’s take a look at why and offer you some tips on how to minimize this excessive shedding.
Keep on Top of Coat Care
As mentioned previously, the Standard Schnauzer has wiry hair that will need regular attention to ensure that no dirt is stored in their coat. Brush daily to ensure they’re kept clean and pampered — this also includes their adorable beard. Also, rubbing your dog down with a towel will help remove dirt and encourage the natural oils.
You can either groom your Schnauzer by clipping or hand stripping. If you opt for the latter, this will allow you to easily maintain their coat over long periods without the need for regular cutting. Be mindful if you clip the top coat — the lack of water resistance will consequently increase shedding.
Keeping on top of their regular grooming needs will help to reduce hair loss. But remember, these dogs require commitment from their owners to maintain their coats. Whether you choose to clip or strip, it will need to be done around every 5-8 weeks.
Don’t Over Bathe Your Standard Schnauzer
The process of cleaning your Standard Schnauzer won’t be too difficult for you. Brushing takes care of most of the coat maintenance, so you shouldn’t have to bathe them too often — every 4-6 weeks is ample.
In fact, giving your Schnauzer a bath too often could remove the natural oils from their coat, and dry out their skin. This in turn, can encourage a higher shedding rate.
Wash their coat in a gentle fashion in the direction of hair growth. Likewise, do the same when rinsing off the doggy shampoo. This will result in your dog smelling amazing and looking shiny and smooth!
Feed Your Schnauzer a High-Quality Diet
If your diet consisted of junk food alone, your skin would break out, and you wouldn’t look or feel your best. The same applies to canines. A bad diet can lead to bad skin condition, a dull coat, and induce shedding, so reviewing your Schnauzer’s meal plan could help.
A dog’s diet should be mainly meat-based, yet including fruits and vegetables are also encouraged. There are a few things that you may wish to avoid when feeding your Schnauzer. These include saturated fats, and you shouldn’t overdo carbohydrates.
Feeding your Schnauzer high-quality dog food will help keep their skin and coat in tip-top condition.
Ask Your Vet for an Allergy Test
Watery eyes and sneezing are signs of allergies in dogs, but so are skin irritation and persistent scratching — this results in above-average shedding.
Your dog can develop sensitivities to anything, for example, pollen, fleas, dust, or mold. They could even become allergic to their favorite chicken dinner. Feeding your Schnauzer the same meal every day could lead to intolerances.
So, if shedding is not the only symptom, it’s worth taking your pooch for a check-up with your vet. To find out more about the allergy signs and what to expect, read our guide on dog allergy testing.
Standard Schnauzer Hypoallergenic Similar Breeds
These dogs are smart and spirited, and strive to be fearless and committed to your family. The medium size Schnauzer is a truly fantastic family dog — they adore children. Plus, they’re rather playful and will vigilantly protect their ‘pack’ thanks to their loyalty.
Due to their hypoallergenic nature, they don’t leave any dander around your home, meaning they’re a good fit for any type of household.
But are there other breeds like the Schnauzer? We’ve picked three of our favorites:
The Bedlington Terrier definitely doesn’t look like the Standard Schnauzer, but that’s not a bad thing. This breed is also smaller, yet they share a similar life expectancy.
Although high on energy levels, the Bedlington isn’t quite so demanding on mental stimulation. So, once they’ve had their exercise for the day, they’ll be content to curl up and sleep.
Bedlingtons love to play fetch, but they do have a tendency to chase small animals. However, they do well at agility and obedience. And, these dogs want to be in the thick of family life, much the same as the Schnauzer.
This cheeky chap does resemble the Standard — they even have the same wiry beard. They will also grow to a comparable height, but may weigh slightly less.
Just like the Schnauzer, the Kerry Blue adores their family and is extremely affectionate. They’re brilliant with young children so make great family dogs. These pooches also make great watchdogs, just like the Schnauzer. Plus, they’re adaptable, so new situations shouldn’t throw them.
The Kerry Blue isn’t quite as easy to train as the Schnauzer, but they are extremely smart, so again excel at obedience and agility.
Even with silky and fluffy fur, there’s no doubt that these dogs look Schnauzer-like. And, you won’t notice any dander on the floor, and neither will your allergies!
Similarly to the Standard Schnauzer, this dog is kind-hearted and devoted to their family. As they share the similar stubborn traits of the Standard, training could be trickier for this tail-wagger. That said, don’t be too hard on them, they’re sensitive souls at heart.
The Wheaten will most definitely keep you on your toes, they’re an active breed that’s on par with the Schnauzer. But there’s no doubt that the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is adorable too, making the perfect addition to your family.
Conclusion
So, why is the Standard Schnauzer the perfect dog for you?
The Standard Schnauzer is playful and protective, they’re ready to be an active part of your pack. Your family will be entertained as well as safe in their presence. They’re also a fairly adaptable breed, so they’re open to change in routine — perfect if you have a busy lifestyle or a hectic home.
But, are Standard Schnauzers hypoallergenic? Most definitely. This dog is truly fabulous and even better for your allergies. No matter what type of household, the Standard Schnauzer will fit right in!
Are Standard Schnauzers Big Dogs?
Standard Schnauzers fall into the medium-size category. Their height measurements vary depending on gender:
- Female — 17.5 to 18.5 inches.
- Male — 18.5 to 19.5 inches.
Can Standard Schnauzers Be Destructive?
Standard Schnauzers are one of the best companions and truly fit the description of being man’s best friend. However, like many dogs, medium Schnauzers can be destructive occasionally, especially when distressed.
What’s the Difference Between a Standard Schnauzer vs Miniature Schnauzer?
The name alone suggests one difference between both of these dogs — one’s Miniature and one’s Standard Schnauzer size!
- Miniature Schnauzer is around 12-14 inches in height, whereas the Standard Schnauzer is between 17.5 and 19.5 inches.
- Standard Schnauzer weight is around 30 to 50 pounds, as opposed to the smaller 11-20 pounds of the Miniature.
Can Standard Schnauzers Be Left Alone?
Yes and no. The Standard Schnauzer can tolerate a few hours alone. But they aren’t a dog content with sitting in the yard with zero interaction all day. They would much prefer to be with their humans, joining in with family activities.
Do Standard Schnauzers Bark Often?
All dogs bark, some more than others. Yet the Standard Schnauzer is about average, so not overly vocal — only when necessary — such as protecting their space or family. They aren’t a breed that will consistently make noise, so they could be the perfect breed for you!
