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

Four-year-old Caitlyn competed at Crufts at the weekend with her eight-year-old miniature schnauzer Zeeva and received a 'highly commended' award.

From BBC • Mar. 9, 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

Martin Scorsese seems to have found a new muse: Oscar, his daughter Francesca Scorsese’s aptly named miniature schnauzer.

From New York Times • Oct. 27, 2023

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

A woman let her miniature schnauzer out to relieve itself, and when it saw the mountain lion, the dog charged the big cat and they began fighting.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 6, 2019