Maltese vs Mini Schnauzer

Question
My wife and I would like to get a new dog. We want something small that will live with us in the house. After much research, we've narrowed it down to a maltese and a miniature schnauzer. Wife wants the maltese, I want the schnauzer. The most important requirement of the dog for us is that the dog is not predisposed to any serious health problems. Our german shepherd died last year of renal cancer....he was only 6. Dogbreedinfo.com shows that generally the maltese is a healthier breed than the schnauzer. Do you agree with that? Have any experience or owned a maltese? Something about the schnauzer just looks more elegant, tougher and less fragile than the maltese. . Which of the 2 is more trainable? Any opinions on the mauzer?

Sincerely,

Barry Davis

Answer
Well, there is a solution to your problem<G>. Get one of each! LOL!

Schnauzers can be prone to some health problems, as you discovered. One should *always* buy from a reputable breeder who is conscientious about health issues in the breed, breeds carefully with that thought in mind, and does health-testing whenever that is possible. After that, it is the owner's responsibility to feed a good-quality diet, give the dog plenty of exercise, and to make sure that the dog is kept *slightly* on the thin side. Many health issues are triggered by improper diet and letting the dog get overweight (in many breeds!).

The only time I have been around maltese is to groom them, and they seem like an okay breed.... nothing that really appeals to me, however. Frankly, I am a dyed-in-the-wool schnauzer lover, and have been for 40 years. Trying to describe what is a schnauzer to someone who has never known any is pretty difficult, but they are such a unique breed, and very, very special. First of all, they are extremely intelligent; many owners tell me that their dogs know all the names for all their toys. Schnauzers are very conversant, and some can quite literally carry on conversations with their owners. Some can really "see into our souls". Let's face it... they are more than "just dogs" like so many others (including maltese).

Schnauzers are extremely trainable, and do particularly well with motivational-training methods, such as clicker training (here we click using our tongues on the roof of our mouth). Some people claim that schnauzers are stubborn; I do not find that to be true. Many schnauzers, however, ARE smarter than their owners, and some do have a lot of patience when it comes to getting their own way<G>. I always say that I spent forty years trying to stay two steps ahead of my dogs, and usually find myself one step behind them<G>.

The most important thing with a schnauzer is to set the ground rules as soon as it comes into the house, and to stick to them. Train the dog (they love having something to do), and be firm and consistent. Schnauzers are very good about taking over if the owner is a wuss.

The best thing to do would be to go and meet some of these dogs (maltese and schnauzers). Talk to various breeders in your area and visit with them and their dogs. Dog shows can also be a good place to meet different breeds.

http://www.akc.org/events/search/index.cfm
http://amsc.us/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1
http://www.americanmaltese.org/  

Mauzer? What is that? A cross between a maltese and a schnauzer? All these so-called hybrid dogs are nothing more than mutts being sold for outrageous prices. One can find a mutt at the local pound for a lot less money... and can save a life to boot!