The Schnauzer Terrier Mix Has Changed Our Life For the Better
A Schnauzer Terrier mix is a great pet for virtually anyone. All Schnauzer mixes are born with traits from all of the purebred Schnauzer parent breeds. However, the combination of traits is slightly unpredictable and vary, just like with human children. It’s important to start training your dog when she is still a puppy to avoid the high cost of having to take her to a professional trainer for training.
Some shelters have the funds to spay (remove the female dog’s reproductive organs) unwanted dogs. Other organizations conduct adopt-a-schnauzer programs for free or at minimal costs. Both of these programs provide many animals with a second chance at a good life.
Because of this, it’s common for a shelter to receive an adoption donation that will cover the cost of the program. However, some shelters choose not to participate in these programs because of the cost.
It’s common for dogs to be separated from their parents at a very early age, so the Schnauzer Terrier mix may have come from a household with more than one dog.
When she was weaned (weaned before two years of age), she had to stay with her mother and siblings. Her siblings probably weighed more than she did at that time, so she was constantly sharing a house with more than one animal. The separation could cause her to develop behavioral problems, such as aggression toward members of her litter. Or she may have been overweight as a puppy and had developed a weight problem over time.
If you’re considering adopting a Schnauzer mix, you’ll want to know the history of the animals you’re considering. Are they all healthy dogs with no known health issues? Are all of them house trained? Can the Schnauzer mix give you and your family the affectionate, gentle companionship you desire? Does she get along well with other animals and people?
As it turned out, our Schnauzer, named Graceful, is a healthy, happy girl who is a delightful companion. We purchased her from our foster care provider at three years old, but she’d already been adopted by another family. She was 8 months old when we brought her into our home, so we could not have a foster child apply for adoption. She’d spent her first three years at our rescue when she was rescued from a dog boarding kennel in Pennsylvania.
Graceful is the Schnauzer Terrier mix we got from our foster care provider.
She is now eight months old and weighs ten pounds. Since she was adopted by an experienced dog owner who also raised her in her household, she had already been housebroken and received all the vaccinations required by law, including rabies, distemper combo, hepatitis, and a few boosters for distemper.
The vet who worked with us on this wonderful girl has given us the information we need to begin to realize that this Schnauzer is a long-term pet for us. Graceful has an energetic, high-spirited character. One day, while she was playing in our fenced back yard, someone came up to her and said, “You know, I saved your dog.” Decesare says he never realized the love the dog owner had for his foster pup since she was so small before she was rescued.
She was so frightened when she saw him, but he knew she was only a small stray, so he got her in his car seat and brought her to our fenced back yard. When he picked her up, she immediately relaxed in his arms, snuggled up against his chest, and purred like a deer in the headlights.
Graceful is now twenty-two years old, weighs ten pounds, and has a beautiful white coat that is not oily at all. We have taken care of her for five years now, and we are constantly amazed by how well she performs with her foster family. We would never change her decision to become a foster family pet, even if we were unable to keep her ourselves. She is an incredible companion and one we feel proud to call a part of our family.
Meet Rose Camilla, an expert in the Terrier dog breed and an active writer and publisher. Camilla has been working with Terriers for over 12 years and her passion for them has only grown stronger with time. She has dedicated her life to understanding, training, and writing about Terriers.
