Miniature Schnauzer vs Griffon Nivernais - Breed Comparison

Miniature Schnauzer vs Griffon Nivernais - Breed ComparisonGriffon Nivernais is originated from France but Miniature Schnauzer is originated from Germany. Griffon Nivernais may grow 26 cm / 11 inches higher than Miniature Schnauzer. Griffon Nivernais may weigh 15 kg / 34 pounds more than Miniature Schnauzer. Both Griffon Nivernais and Miniature Schnauzer has almost same life span. Both Griffon Nivernais and Miniature Schnauzer has almost same litter size. Both Griffon Nivernais and Miniature Schnauzer requires Moderate Maintenance.

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Terrier dog
undefined
France
Germany
Height Male:
55 - 62 cm
21 - 25 inches
30 - 36 cm
11 - 15 inches
Height Female:
55 - 62 cm
21 - 25 inches
30 - 36 cm
11 - 15 inches
Weight Male:
22 - 25 kg
48 - 56 pounds
5 - 10 kg
11 - 23 pounds
Weight Female:
22 - 25 kg
48 - 56 pounds
5 - 10 kg
11 - 23 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 14 Years
12 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
1 - 6
3 - 8
Size:
Medium
Small
Other Names:
Chien Gris de St. Louis, Grey Dogs of St. Louis
Zwergschnauzer (Dwarf Schnauzer)
Colors Available:
Grey and fawn, black and fawn
salt-and-pepper coat – mix of black and white. , Black and silver
Coat:
Long, shaggy, coarse
Double, wiry medium-length coat
Shedding:
Minimal
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Detached, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Detached, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
Yes
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

griffon nivernaisThe Griffon Nivernais is a working breed dog originating in France and used as a hunting dog because of his exceptional scent skills and his alertness with hunting.

The idea was to develop a dog that looked much like the hunting dogs of the Middle Ages. French noblemen kept these dogs but the breed disappeared somewhat after the French Revolution, being restored again in 1925.

The restoration of the breed was done based on the Grand Griffon Vendeen but other breeds were also used such as the Otter- and Foxhounds. The breed has yet to receive official recognition by the AKC but it is recognized by both the FCI and the UKC.

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.

Description

griffon nivernais puppy - descriptionAs a medium sized dog, the Griffon Nivernais stands at 55 to 62cm in height and weighs between about 22 and 25kg.

He is recognized easily by his distinctive rough or shaggy coat which is a grey with fawn around the muzzle and legs. Other colors can be black and fawn. Sometimes this blend of colors gives him a grizzled look in appearance.

He is also noted for the hairy eyebrows, a beard and mustache. He has dark brown eyes, black nose, long floppy ears and a tail that is held upright and with a slight curve. He is a muscular dog with a deep chest and a slight arch in the back.

Temperament:

Stubborn, courageous and independent, the Griffon Nivernais is a hunting dog with amazing scenting abilities. He is a dog used to working in a pack with other dogs so he tolerates other dogs well. He is a friendly dog, getting on well with children as well.

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.

Characteristics

griffon nivernais dog - characteristicsYour Griffon Nivernais is a sociable, stubborn, independent dog who loves to be around his human family members.

Socialization and training will do him good and round him off, making him obedient and responsive to your commands. He isn't an aggressive dog, but is even tempered and confident.

Exercise him well, feed him quality food, give him a nice warm, dry place to sleep, just like any other family member of yours, and you'll be rewarded with the companionship of a faithful, loving friend.

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.

Health Problems

griffon nivernais puppies - health problemsThe typical lifespan for your Griffon Nivernais is 10 to 14 years. Even though you're highly unlikely to spend much time with him at the vet, there are one or two common dog illnesses worth knowing about -

Ear Infections:

It is the fate of many dogs with floppy ears that they are prone to developing ear infections. You may notice him shaking his head canine, his ears may be red and there could even be a discharge.Get him to the vet as ear infections can be promptly treated with a course of medication.

Immunizations:

Remember to have your Griffon Nivernais puppy vaccinated at 6 weeks of age. Puppies are vulnerable to horrible diseases which can sap the very life from them. These diseases are distemper, canine hepatitis, parvovirus as well as rabies. The puppy’s first vaccinations should be at 6 weeks of age followed by a second vaccination 2 to 4 weeks later.

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.

Caring The Pet

Exercise:

griffon nivernais dogs - caringThis breed needs to be walked daily, and he needs a large space to run and play. Take him on walks, to the park, or give him a good game with ropes and balls.

Grooming:

In spite of his long, shaggy coat, the Griffon Nevernais doesn't need any special grooming and his shaggy coat will require brushing twice a week to remove loose hairs. When you brush him, you can also check for fleas and ticks.You get special flea combs for this. You can speak to your vet about recommendations too.

Because his coat is of a harsh texture it doesn't tangle or matt. Bathing will only be necessary when he becomes super dirty as too much bathing removes natural oils. He will need to have his nails trimmed if they don't wear down naturally, and he will also need to have his ears cleaned to keep them free of wax and dirt and to prevent ear infections.

Brush his teeth 2 or 3 times a week will also help towards preventing dental disease.

Diet:

He is a high energy dog so he will need to get top quality food. You can feed him the best commercially manufactured food but its to his advantage to include some home-made food too such as cooked chicken, brown rice and vegetables. He'll also need some raw meat from time to time and a constant supply of fresh, cool water.

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.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Griffon Nivernais vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  2. Griffon Nivernais vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  3. Griffon Nivernais vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  4. Griffon Nivernais vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  5. Griffon Nivernais vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. Griffon Nivernais vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  7. Griffon Nivernais vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  8. Griffon Nivernais vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Griffon Nivernais vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. Griffon Nivernais vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. Griffon Nivernais vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  12. Griffon Nivernais vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  13. Griffon Nivernais vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  14. Griffon Nivernais vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  15. Griffon Nivernais vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  16. Griffon Nivernais vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  17. Griffon Nivernais vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  18. Griffon Nivernais vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  19. Griffon Nivernais vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  20. Griffon Nivernais vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  21. Griffon Nivernais vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  22. Griffon Nivernais vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  23. Griffon Nivernais vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  24. Griffon Nivernais vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  25. Griffon Nivernais 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