miniature schnauzer

American  

noun

1. one of a German breed of sturdily built terriers resembling a smaller version of the standard schnauzer, having a wiry, pepper-and-salt, black, or black-and-silver coat, a rectangular head, bushy whiskers, and a docked tail, and originally developed as a farm dog but now raised primarily as a pet.

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Etymology

Origin of miniature schnauzer

First recorded in 1925–30

Compare meaning

How does miniature-schnauzer compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• giant schnauzer vs. miniature schnauzer
• standard schnauzer vs. miniature schnauzer

Example Sentences

A Tibetan mastiff called Viking, a Pembroke Welsh corgi named Hazel, and miniature schnauzer Spencer were among the six other pooches trying not to look too glum after missing out on the top prize.

From BBC • Mar. 8, 2026

Ron Nathan, who lives around the corner, was out on Thursday morning walking his miniature schnauzer, Max.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 13, 2026

Monty Hobbs, the managing director of a digital marketing agency in Washington, can often be found at local restaurant patios with Mattox, his 5-year-old terrier and miniature schnauzer mix.

From Seattle Times • May 15, 2023

We are now married and parents of a darling miniature schnauzer, whom we named Harmony, in honor of the eHarmony website that brought us together.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 31, 2023

And in 2014, a man and his miniature schnauzer stumbled upon a whole school of frozen pollock along the surface of a bay in Norway.

From New York Times • Jan. 19, 2017