Red Heeler vs Miniature Schnauzer - Breed Comparison

Red Heeler vs Miniature Schnauzer - Breed ComparisonMiniature Schnauzer is originated from Germany but Red Heeler is originated from Australia. Miniature Schnauzer may grow 15 cm / 5 inches shorter than Red Heeler. Miniature Schnauzer may weigh 6 kg / 13 pounds lesser than Red Heeler. Both Miniature Schnauzer and Red Heeler has same life span. Both Miniature Schnauzer and Red Heeler has same litter size. Miniature Schnauzer requires Moderate Maintenance. But Red Heeler requires Low Maintenance

Basic Information

Group:
Terrier dog
Herding dogs
undefined
Germany
Australia
Height Male:
30 - 36 cm
11 - 15 inches
43 - 51 cm
16 - 21 inches
Height Female:
30 - 36 cm
11 - 15 inches
43 - 51 cm
16 - 21 inches
Weight Male:
5 - 10 kg
11 - 23 pounds
14 - 16 kg
30 - 36 pounds
Weight Female:
5 - 10 kg
11 - 23 pounds
14 - 16 kg
30 - 36 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 15 Years
13 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
3 - 8
2 - 8
Size:
Small
Medium
Other Names:
Zwergschnauzer (Dwarf Schnauzer)
Australian Cattle Dog, ACD
Colors Available:
salt-and-pepper coat – mix of black and white. , Black and silver
Reddish, Blue-grey
Coat:
Double, wiry medium-length coat
Shortish and dense
Shedding:
Minimal
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Detached, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate Maintenance
Low Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
Yes
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

miniature schnauzerMiniature Schnauzers were first bred in Germany in the 19th century being bred from Affenpinschers and Standard Schnauzers.

This dog was always used to control rats on farms, but these days he is more a companion. It is believed that the start of the modern Miniature Schnauzer in the United States was around 1924 when dogs were imported from Germany.

It was in 1933 that the Miniature Schnauzer was recognized by the AKC as a separate breed from the Standard Schnauzer.

red heelerKnown also as the Australian Cattle Dog, the Red Heeler is also known as the Blue Heeler. This is a breed of herding dog originally developed in Australia.

These dogs are known for their stamina and resilience with driving cattle over long distances in hot weather and across rough terrain.

It was George Eliott who developed the Red Heeler – crossing native Dingoes with Collies and other herding dogs.

In America, the breed was fully recognised in September 1980.

Description

miniature schnauzer puppy - descriptionThe Miniature Schnauzer is a small dog breed that stands between 30 to 36cm in height and weighs between 5 and 10kg.

He has a sturdy body with a dense, wiry coat which most people prefer to have stripped. Because stripping is quite tedious, many of these dog owners prefer to have the coat clipped which actually gives the coat a greyish look to it.

The coat is usually a mix of black and silver. Some people refer to the Miniature Schnauzer as having a salt-and-pepper coat – hairs that are a mix of black and white. The dog has a double coat with the outer coat being wiry and the undercoat being a lot softer.

This is a dog that will need to be groomed frequently to prevent matting. A noticeable feature with these dogs is the rectangular shaped head with alert slanted eyes and bushy eyebrows, mustache and beard. In fact the word ‘Schnauzer’ means beard or muzzle.

The ears have been traditionally cropped but these days they are left and then they tend to be half-erect, half-floppy.

Temperament:

This is a tough little dog, fearless, cheeky, arrogant, alert and also friendly. A draw-card with him is that he is considered as a low-shedder and being hypoallergenic.

They’re very intelligent dogs too and will learn quickly when you give him training and socialization. This is important for a dog like this as he can quickly show you that he is strong willed and independent. Training and socialization makes him much nicer as he becomes more balanced and obedient.

He is full of life and extroverted and you can count on him to join you wherever you are and whatever you’re doing. Whether watching TV, swimming or hiking, he’ll be there and turn every occasion into a festive event. He is a loving, loyal dog, making a splendid pet.

He's protective of his human family and tends to be suspicious of strangers, and this is what makes him such a great watchdog.

red heeler puppy - descriptionThe Red Heeler is a medium-sized dog standing at between 43 to 51 cm in height and weighing in the region of 14 – 16 kg.

He is muscular, with a sturdy build. The coat of this robust dog is shortish and thick and quite often you’ll find a white star marking on he forehead. The coat is a blue-grey color or reddish. The tail of this dog is long and the ears are erect.

Temperament:

The Red Heeler has always been a working dog so he is energetic and lively, being independent and strong-willed.

He is super intelligent too and can be easily trained and socialized. He is a dog that simply loves the outdoors and if you don’t live on a farm, he is going to need lots of exercise.

He gets on well with kids and other pets, but children should be taught to respect him and be kind towards him, otherwise he might not tolerate them. He is a loyal, protective dog, wanting to ensure the safety of his human family.

Characteristics

miniature schnauzer dog - characteristicsMiniature Schnauzers are such adaptable little dogs, quite happy to make a home with you in the city or in the countryside.

They’re sociable dogs, so just being with his human family wherever they are will suit him well. If he lives in the city however, he will need to have a walk everyday or taken to the park for a run.

He is also a dog that scarcely sheds, so he suits people battling with allergies. With an average life expectancy of 12 to 14 years, if you nurture your Mini Schnauzer and give him the best food and exercise there is, as well as loving him, you’re going to have a loyal and devoted pet.

red heeler dog - characteristicsWhen you bring a Red Heeler into your home, you must know that you’re never going to have a dull moment. They’re not content to lie around with nothing to do. These popular dogs literally coax you to come out and to be active.

Red Heelers need lots of activities and lots of room, so they aren’t particularly suited to life in the city. Large properties and plenty to do is what they ask for.

Your Red Heeler is going to make a splendid pet, loyal and devoted, the perfect example of man’s best friend.

Health Problems

miniature schnauzer puppies - health problemsYour Miniature Schnauzer is pretty healthy and he isn’t likely to cost you much in terms of vet fees. There are however some common dog problems that you want to be aware of such as cataracts of the eye and hypothyroidism.

Cataract:

This a a problem in the lens of the eye. The lens should be clear, and when a dog has a cataract, it obscures the vision. The size of the cataract can lead to blindness.

Diabetes in a dog can bring on cataracts as can genetics or damage to the eye from exposure to ultraviolet light. Fortunately, dogs with cataracts can still see. Dogs with old cataracts can have surgery to remove them.

When a dog owner suspects a cataract in their pet’s eye it is best to treat it immediately with anti-inflammatory dog cataract eye drops. Cataracts never go away however without surgery.

Hypothyroidism:

The thyroid gland in the neck produces a hormone called thyroxine. It controls metabolism, but with hypothyroidism, enough of the hormone isn’t made. Its a common disease which affects all dog breeds.

Signs of hypothyroidism include hair loss, weight gain, intolerance to cold and a troublesome skin. To have the disease diagnosed, the vet will do a series of blood tests.

red heeler puppies - health problemsYour Red Heeler can live to be 15 years of age with good care. Every dog however, can fall prey to some of the many common dog diseases there are, some of which can be -

Musculosceletal Problems:

There are quite a lot of congenital and inherited musculoskeletal disorders in dogs, with some of the more common ones being hip dysplasia and muscular dystrophy for instance.

There are some of these musculosceletal problems which can be fatal. Some of the typical symptoms you’ll see with these problems are difficulty climbing stairs or jumping, loss of muscle mass in the hind limbs, arthritis and lameness.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy:

The retina of the eye is that light-sensitive part and which is part of the central nervous system. With retinal degeneration, the cells decline, leading to impaired vision and sometimes even blindness.

Some symptoms to look out for include dilated pupils, night blindness and the inability to see clearly in bright light. The disease worsens over times with sudden blindness being quite common with older dogs. Your vet will want a thorough history of your dog’s health.

Other dog diseases to be very aware of are cancer, obesity, bloat, hip dysplasia and epilepsy.

Caring The Pet

miniature schnauzer dogs - caringLet’s look at several ways you need to care for your Miniature Schnauzer -

Make sure you have his puppy injections on time. This means knowing which veterinarian you’ll use. Later on if you don’t want to go in for breeding, you will need to have your pet spayed or neutered.

Make sure you have a nice warm, dry spot for your dog to sleep. It can be a cardboard box, or you can buy a dog basket or sleeping platform. Make sure your pet loves it and knows he can retreat to it anytime he wants.

If he goes outside for a few hours, make sure that he has a place to lie in the shade and away from the elements.

Good food promotes good health and longevity. You can feed your pet one of the top quality commercially manufactured foods and give your pet some variety by adding in some boiled chicken, vegetables and brown rice. Some raw meat occasionally can also be excellent for your pet.

Exercise:

red heeler dogs - caringThe Red Heeler is an active dog, and apart from walks which will give him the chance to sniff around, he will need lots of other forms of exercise. Rope pulling games he’ll love and running after a ball will please him because it takes him back to days when he used to run around and herd livestock.

If you’re an outdoorsy type of person who loves hiking in the wilds and swimming in rivers, you can count this dog in.

Grooming:

You can look at the Red Heeler as a low maintenance dog. He does shed, but a good brush of the coat twice a week will be excellent for him. If he doesn’t wear his nails down naturally, you will need to trim them. Also, while you are brushing him, check his ears and eyes and inside his mouth to make sure he is clear of all infections.

Diet:

Red Heelers rely on good food for their resilience and stamina, and for convenience it is good to have commercially manufactured dog food as a backup. The best is home-made food which is easy to prepare and totally uncomplicated.

Simply add into one big pot chicken, brown rice or pasta and spinach, sweet potatoes and carrots. This food can all be chopped up, refrigerated and added warmed up and in small portions to your pet's dry kibble once or twice a week. Simple and tasty, your Red Heeler will love it and thrive on it too.

Ensure there is always a bowl of fresh, cool water within his reach.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Red Heeler vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  2. Red Heeler vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  3. Red Heeler vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  4. Red Heeler vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  5. Red Heeler vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. Red Heeler vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  7. Red Heeler vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  8. Red Heeler vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Red Heeler vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. Red Heeler vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. Red Heeler vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  12. Red Heeler vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  13. Red Heeler vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  14. Red Heeler vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  15. Red Heeler vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  16. Red Heeler vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  17. Red Heeler vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  18. Red Heeler vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  19. Red Heeler vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  20. Red Heeler vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  21. Red Heeler vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  22. Red Heeler vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  23. Red Heeler vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  24. Red Heeler vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  25. Red Heeler vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Miniature Schnauzer vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Miniature Schnauzer vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Miniature Schnauzer vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Miniature Schnauzer vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Miniature Schnauzer vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Miniature Schnauzer vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Miniature Schnauzer vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Miniature Schnauzer vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Miniature Schnauzer vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Miniature Schnauzer vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Miniature Schnauzer vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Miniature Schnauzer vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Miniature Schnauzer vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Miniature Schnauzer vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Miniature Schnauzer vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Miniature Schnauzer vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Miniature Schnauzer vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Miniature Schnauzer vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Miniature Schnauzer vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Miniature Schnauzer vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Miniature Schnauzer vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Miniature Schnauzer vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Miniature Schnauzer vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Miniature Schnauzer vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Miniature Schnauzer vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison