Affenpinscher vs Miniature Schnauzer

An Affenpinscher
Photo: Pleple2000
A Miniature Schnauzer
Photo: Zorik07

Side by side

Affenpinscher
Miniature Schnauzer
Adult weight
4–6 kg (8.8–13 lb)1
4–8 kg (8.8–18 lb)2
Height
No sourced figure
Males 30–35 cm; females 30–35 cm2
Lifespan
Median 9.3 years3
Median 13.3 years3
Fully grown
10 months, both sexes4
Group
Pinschers & molossoids1
Pinschers & molossoids2
Coat
Wire or harsh coat1
Wire or harsh coat2
Shedding
Holds loose hair until it is brushed or clipped out
Grooming
A brush once a week
Exercise
A moderate amount
A modest amount
Health
No sourced figure
Adrenal gland tumour (much more likely); Dry eye (much more likely)5,6
Class
Lap dog
Companion

Which suits you

Size
The Miniature Schnauzer is a little larger on average: about 6 kg (13 lb) as an adult, against 5 kg (11 lb) for the Affenpinscher.
Lifespan
In UK vet records the Miniature Schnauzer lives longer: a median of 13.3 years, against 9.3 for the Affenpinscher.
Exercise
Plan for a moderate amount of exercise with the Affenpinscher, and a modest amount with the Miniature Schnauzer.
Temperament
They differ most on independence (Affenpinscher: decides for itself; Miniature Schnauzer: cooperative, with its own ideas) and on voice (Affenpinscher: barks to alert, then settles; Miniature Schnauzer: very vocal).
Neither is the better dog in general. Which suits you depends on your home, your days and the care you can give.
Take the breed matcher

What they're like

Affenpinscher
Pinschers & molossoids · Small

In temperament the Affenpinscher is alert, self-assured and often clownish. It is devoted to its household but can be stubborn, and it will stand up to much larger dogs without hesitation.

Miniature Schnauzer
Pinschers & molossoids · Small

The Miniature Schnauzer is alert, lively and quick to learn, and closely attached to its household. It tends to bark at strangers and unfamiliar sounds, which suits its old role as a watchdog.

The Affenpinscher page →The Miniature Schnauzer page →

Breed traits

Day to day
Affenpinscher
Miniature Schnauzer
Activity
A good daily walk and play
A good daily walk and play
Intelligence
Learns readily, likes games
Learns readily, likes games
Handler demand
Needs steady training
Needs steady training
With people
Affenpinscher
Miniature Schnauzer
Affection
Affectionate on its own terms
Affectionate on its own terms
Loyalty
Bonded to its family
Bonded to its family
Independence
Differs
Decides for itself
Cooperative, with its own ideas
Around the home
Affenpinscher
Miniature Schnauzer
Sensitivity
Average
Average
Voice
Differs
Barks to alert, then settles
Very vocal
Prey drive
Chases; needs managing
Chases; needs managing
Breed explains only about 9% of how individual dogs differ in behaviour7. Meet the dog. A good breeder breeds for temperament as well as health, and matches each puppy's personality to the right home8,9.

Puppy growth

Reference curves · both sexes
The Miniature Schnauzer grows to the heavier adult, about 6 kg against the Affenpinscher's 5 kg.
Affenpinscher
Miniature Schnauzer
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More comparisons

Compare the Affenpinscher with
Miniature Schnauzer vs Standard SchnauzerAffenpinscher vs Brussels GriffonWire Fox Terrier vs Miniature SchnauzerMiniature Schnauzer vs West Highland White TerrierBorder Terrier vs Miniature SchnauzerMiniature Schnauzer vs Yorkshire TerrierAll breed comparisons →

Sources

Parts of this page were written by AI ·