Whether you are a schnauzer fan or not, I’m sure we can all agree that the breed is filled with nothing but absolute cuties. There has been a lot of opinions about the dog breed’s lifespan for some time. But, even though the numbers may vary, the fact remains that a dog’s lifespan, just like that of any other living creature, depends on many variables.
The variables in question include environment, food, genetics, and most importantly, the dog’s general health. That said, here are a handful of things you might want to know about schnauzers and how it’s connected to the breed’s lifespan:
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A brief history of schnauzer dog breeds
A schnauzer is a dog breed that originated from Germany sometime between the 14thand 16thcenturies. The dog was bred for its small size since most farmers at the time felt the need to have a dog that’s efficient enough to get rid of vermin due to its smaller size. The breed’s original name was wire-haired pinscher but they changed the name to schnauzer sometime in 1879.
Today, there are three schnauzer breeds available. These include the giant schnauzer, the standard schnauzer, and the miniature schnauzer, the latter being the most popular of the three. Let’s take a much deeper dive into the lifespans of each breed:
Do all schnauzer dogs have the same lifespan?
Just like the names suggest, all different breeds come in different sizes. For instance, the miniature schnauzer is approximately 30 cm tall, weighing in between 14 and 20lb. they are also known as Zwergschnauzers. The breed came into existence sometime in the 19thcentury as a result of crossbreeding a standard schnauzer with a miniature poodle or an Affenpinscher. A miniature schnauzer can live up to be 12-14 years, all depending on several variables.
A standard schnauzer, or the Mittelschnauzer, can grow to be approximately 46 cm tall and weigh in between 30 and 45 lb. the standard schnauzer is arguably the best guard dog in history as its effective in catching rats which can be quite elusive when it comes to most guard dog breeds.
They were also quite useful as messengers during World War II and were later adopted as police dogs. A standard schnauzer can live to be 13-16 years, all depending on how you treat them.
Finally, we have the giant schnauzer. True to its name, the giant schnauzer can grow to be 61 cm tall while weighing in somewhere between 55 and 80 pounds. The giant schnauzer first came into the limelight sometime in the 17thcentury in Swabia as a farm dog. The owners often used it to guard their livestock as well as lead them to the market.
The giant schnauzer, or the Riesenschnauzer, can live up to be 10-12 years, once again, depending on several variables.
What common health problems affect schnauzers?
Just like it’s been the case with several other dog breeds, schnauzers tend to have several ailments that seem to affect them all. The latter seems to be the case because of genetics as well as old age. The ailments in question include some allergies, pancreatitis, epilepsy, and diabetes among others.
As I mentioned earlier, you need to take good care of your dog if you want to protect them from any of these ailments. Also, make sure you’re visiting your vet once in a while because catching some of these ailments while in their early stages can end up saving your doggo a lot of discomfort in the future.
How to ensure schnauzers live longer
There are a handful of ways you can ensure your schnauzer lives to be over the age of twelve. Even though achieving that kind of feat is quite rare, a few schnauzers have grown to be over the age of fifteen. One thing you can do is making sure you’re exercising your dog. Just like humans, dogs need regular exercises to keep fit and by extension, healthy. A walk a day keeps the vet away. Always be keen to remember that.
Another way you can increase your schnauzer’s lifespan is through feeding them a healthy and balanced diet. For strong teeth and bones, your dogs will need some calcium. For proper muscle development, your dog will need protein. And since schnauzers are active, they’ll also need a proper source of carbohydrates.
You might want to play games with your schnauzer whenever you find the time. The reason for the latter is so that your furry friend can receive proper mental stimulation and enrichment. When your dog is properly stimulated, they’ll always be happy thus avoiding any stress-related ailments.
Finally, you might want to consider getting your dog regular supplements. While you can always Google and buy top-tier supplements at any given time, I’d strongly recommend that you get your vet involved. He or she knows your pet best and would use that kind of knowledge to get the right kind of supplements your doggo needs.