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

In 2020, photographer Caitlin O’Hara snapped linguist Rachid Baligh of Scottsdale, Ariz., and Marrakesh, Morocco, with his family, his 2015 Ural cT motorcycle, and his miniature schnauzer, Lola, in the Arizona desert.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 28, 2025

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

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