We are choosing a breed at the moment - a family dog and a companion - and now need to decide on either a wire haired dachshund, or a border terrier, or a miniature schnauzer. My question is whether certain aspects of temperament and energy level depend on the breed or is it just a dog personality in the end? We are planning to attend dog classes and have 1,5-2 hour walks each day but at home we would prefer a calm and a laid back dog as none of us are really high energy.... Any advice would be appreciated!

My neighbour has a miniature schnauzer that is a 4 year old dog and he doesn't stop barking indoors or out. He has been like this since she got him at 8 weeks.  He is not a pleasure to walk for the owner as they cannot go anywhere.
On my walks I have met other people with 2 schnauzers where one barks and the other doesn't.

I too sometimes meet a lady on our walks with 4 Min Schnauzers and they never stop barking. Even after a long walk in the company of the girls once they get back into the car they bark like nutters.
It does seem to be a breed trait.
Aileen

Border terrier for me, tough healthy little dogs, love children and never get tired, they do chew and nothing is proof against their jaws but great temperaments, they do need socialising as they can be a bit grumpy with other dogs. I do love the daxi's but they come with health concerns and you do have to be careful with them as regards jumping off things, sweet dogs though, Schnauzer's are nice, quite terrier like in a lot of aspects, do tend to be noisy and they need regular stripping as do the border terriers, also a breed that needs training and not always ones for paying attention

Just read your post properly and a daschund would be better as you are low- energy, I met the most gorgeous one at a show last year, a standard wire haired with a wonderful temperament, I would have smuggled him home happily, you may have to wait a while for a puppy though

Had all 3 breeds come to class at various times, Yes the mini Schnauzers were by far the barkiest, noisiest of the three breeds.

The schnauzers at class often do seem a bit yappy but that might just be lack of training and outlet for their energy, the walks each day (once adult of course) should surely be sufficient together with some brain work to keep a schnauzer happy? The w/h daxies I groom also seem quite noisy, with a surprisingly loud bark for their size, however they seem to have a lovely friendly cheeky temperament. Of the three breeds, my favourite would be the border terrier, not nearly as sharp as other terriers, not generally yappy, and the ones I groom always seem nice friendly confident but not too manic little dogs. The one owned by a work colleague seems happy to snooze much of the day with walks at lunchtime and presumably before and after work.

Of those three I'd go for the border terrier.  Mini schnauzers have a tendency to be yappy and they can be feisty little things even when well-raised; and the potential health issues would be a concern for me with a dachshund.  They can be a bit barky too.  Borders are generally healthy, happy, friendly, all-round good dogs when raised well and for terriers, tend to be fairly chilled about life even when in the middle of something exciting.

Have you actualy met the breeds yet? Best thing to do would be to go meet up with some owners/breeders so you can get a good feel for what ones like.

My brother has two standard wires, one has an issue and has allways been a calmer dog but their normal one is much more active and needs more mental stimulation.
A friend had a mini shnouser she when I knew her she was a lovely little dog her only down side was being very very stubbon, although I use to bump into an older lady walking my girl who had gone and brought a puppy of the breed and he was way to much for her to handle both in and out of the house. She ended up changing him for an older Cav.

Thank you everyone for replying! I do feel we should meet the dogs to make the choice easier... Shall we go to a dog show maybe?

I don't think I've ever heard my sister's Miniature Schnauzer bark, and meet several on walks locally and would say the same - not barkers. Training/individual dogs, maybe?

I find him 'not my type of dog' - quite clingy, expect kids would like that - but I have to say he has the most fabulous temperament and with more training than he's had he would I think be an ideal family pet. My sister not big on training though, so maybe the barking thing is luck of the draw LOL.

After doing your online homework (there's a lot of information if you search),and perhaps narrow it down to just two breeds (?) contact the relevant Breed Club and by appointment go visit.   Try to focus on the adult rather than the puppies or you'll get side-lined (all puppies appeal!).   Ask them all the questions you need answered - and expect as many back from a reputable breeder!   This should help you make up your mind.

There will be significant differences in temperament between Terriers and Hounds btw.   And usually terriers will be more 'high energy' than other groups.    But it would also be unwise to 'generalise'.

" Shall we go to a dog show maybe?"    By all means, but just know that when at a show, breeder/exhibitors are very much on the job and until after their class, will want to focus on showing.   Afterwards would be best, but again if they haven't won, and feel they should have (!) they may not be exactly receptive.   Especially if they don't have puppies available!!

Whereabouts are you, Janeze? The dog show season is well underway now so a good time to visit dog shows :)
Would the standard size Schnauzer be too big for you? They seem rather less busy than the miniatures lol

We are in Bromley, ie Greater London, South East. Considering what MamaBas said do you think you could advise a particular show we should visit?

Just found this http://www.discoverdogs.org.uk/ - surely, that must be a good start! pity, have to wait - though we are not getting a dog before autumn '17 anyway when our youngest starts school...

Southern Counties championship show is on the end of the week/weekend after the Bank Hol. It is held over several days, different groups on different days.
It's held just off the M4 near Newbury so a bit of a tromp but you'll see lots of dogs!
Hounds and Toys on Fri 3rd (so Dachshunds)
Pastoral, Working and Terrier on Sat 4th (so Border Terriers)
Utility and Gundog on Sun 5th (so Min Schnauzers and Schnauzers)
So very spread out! And prob further than you wanted to travel, but if you've narrowed your breed down, it's a good way of seeing lots of them and talking to breeders.
Maybe someone who lives in your area can give you more local ideas :)

Oh, thanks - we'll try maybe at least 1 day!

I always recommend Discover Dogs. It's specifically for people in your position, with all the KC recognised breeds under one roof at the same time.

You've got time then lol

Discover Dogs is exactly what you want and what I was going to suggest, well done! Worth going to the champ show possibly, but for one thing your 3 breeds are in 3 different groups so they won't be on the same day, and for another it's never a good idea to try to chat to people at a show as they are usually rushing off to do in the ring and don't want their dogs fussed over just at that moment. If you do go, make sure you don't approach anyone until they have come out of the ring, and ask before touching, particularly children who might have sticky fingers! :-D At Discover Dogs you will find owners who are delighted to tell you all about the pros and cons of each breed, along with several examples of the breed all ready to be fussed and cuddled. And there's no worry about not going till November this year if you aren't looking to get one till autumn next year. :-)

I know my timing is a bit ridiculous If I can not get a dog now at least I can do all that...

I think your timing is excellent, it's great to start planning it all well in advance. :-)

Yes mini schnauzers can be barky but they can be trained to stop once they've let you know theres something they think you should know about. Mine never barks while out unless he sees noisy children that he thinks should be quiet and need telling.They were originally bred to be independent thinkers and to alert the german shepherds if they thought there was an intruder/threat on the farm. Its the independent thinking that can mean they are stubborn while they decide if its worth their while to do what you ask.

They love to be with their people and are not suited to being left home alone for long periods of time and love to have a routine. Exercise wise mine has a couple of miles walk in the morning he gets lots of mental stimulation during the day to tire him and is happy to play fetch if he doesn't get a walk on an evening. On a lazy weekend hes quite happy just to chill and snooze with his hoomans if a long walk isn't on offer. They are intelligent and do need mental stimulation as much as physical exercise otherwise they find their own mischief. Loads of personality, very cheeky, understands far too much human language and almost psychic at knowing what you are going to do next. They do need training and constant reminder/reinforcement of the training otherwise they will train you.

I would say out of the three breeds schnauzers are more labour intensive grooming wise but I love grooming him so that's a plus for me.

Would I have another ? Yes, but I want a miniature poodle first.

Forgot to add I wouldn't have a shedding breed after having a non shedding breed so dach would be off my list.

I have come across a few dach owners who dont let theirs off lead in rural areas as they will bolt down any rabbit hole and sometimes have to be dug out. Only met a couple of borders and they've seemed high energy to me compared to mine.

I walk some mini daxies as they are noisy, very yappy but happy dogs, we often come across others and they are just the same, little man syndrome I call it.
If I'm honest the best bet for you would be the border terrier, while they do make noise because they are a terrier and its not a low pitched deep bark either but they are the less noisy and reactive of the 3 breeds.
The other breed can be quite reactive with other breeds if not very carefully socialised, loads my way and most are very snappy
I think you need to meet some of all 3 in the breeders homes to get a feel for them and ask lots of questions.

It seems more and more people recommend border terriers...Anyway, we'll try to meet them all first...

I often have people on my pup waiting list for a year or more so it is not to soon to start.

Once you have decided on which breed, try to visit a show, preferably a breed club event to see more of them and see which breeders dogs appeal most and choose a breeder you click with and can respect.

Choosing the breeder and liking the stock they breed is far or important than he choice of a puppy.

If the breeder is going things properly then ay of their puppies should meet the quality and care requirements and good breeders do their best to match the pups with the homes they have waiting.

Schnauday, I thought that we probably should add miniature poodle to our list of potential breeds. Why are you considering poodle - temperament-wise? Thanks )

Brainless, thanks for the breed club event tip. As for the choice of breed - the more people commenting the more it seems it is up to the amount of training and dog's personality than a breed as a whole...

Mini poodle was on our original list but the outdated image meant OH had the wrong impression so they didn't get the vote. Mini schnauzers are definately more of a butch mans dog. OH now being educated.

Why I would like our next dog to be a poodle? Mini schnauzers have poodle in their genetic make up, they have inherited the non shedding coat, intelligence, loving being with their family, human type brain. In addition their nature is more of one to please humans making them easier to train, which is why they make good assistance dogs. I would like to do obedience and agility which poodles are very suited to. My mini schnauzer couldn't see the point in obedience so just went through the motions, he enjoys agility but more if he feels like it rather than really enjoying it. He would love lure coursing but there are no facilities where I live.

As I said before I really enjoy grooming, mine has never been to a groomer, it gives you an added close bond with your dog and poodles are the ultimate grooming dog.

Not interested in poodle cross from the ones I know it's far too unpredictable which bit of which breed you'd get

Hope that helps or has it made it worse by adding to your list Definately meet as many examples of the breeds you fancy as you can that way you should see all the good and bad.

Every breed will have its breed traits which should always be borne in mind when choosing a dog as these traits will affect its behaviour and how it needs to be trained and what it is like to live with. Take for example sight hounds or scent hounds different from say training a Chihuahua  partly because of their breeds traits. My chi is happy to stay close to me where as the hounds will be off  at the sight or smell of something  in many cases   . Personality will vary from dog to dog as as expected although there are somethings that are common in a breed. Training, well thats all about how much you can put in as to what you get out but some breeds are easier to train than others, some require more mental work and some are very high energy, while others content to have  couple of short walks followed by snoozing on your lap . All things to consider against your lifestyle
My gsd for example is world away from training my chi x pom both   breeds capable of being trained very well but quite different to train . While looking for your ideal dog learn as much as you can about what they were bred for and how that could affect everyday  living and what you can offer them

Biddability is what you want for ease of training. As a family pet you may want to look for breeds which in general are people and dog friendly rather than aloof or known to be problematic around other dogs. Highly strung breeds can be difficult to manage if you don't get a firm hand on them and give them what they need brain training wise

just another idea for you, you mentioned intending to start classes when you get  your pup, you could start - even this early - looking at different classes in your area - far better to check out without a puppy.
You may well find your possible breeds going and see them training/talk to the owners or you may see a completely different breed that you fall in love with

Great idea Tattyhead with a warning to also check they'll take entire dogs and accept Nosodes and/or titre tests.  I thought I'd found a good training school, positive methods and appropriate to age opportunities for agility and scent work.  I didn't take him as a young pup, for various personal reasons, only to find  they don't allow entire dogs.

The kennel club good citizens scheme is good, accept all breeds whether entire or not. They are a set way of training and its positive or should be.

Brilliant thanks Cambria

Schnauday, that all sounds quite impressive, thank you,  - though it does add to a choosing dilemma... which is a nice one to have )

I have had 3 Mini Schnauzers and only one (a rescue I got at 18 months) is a barker, but after a few months she got to know excessive barking was frowned upon.

The new batch of Mini Schnauzers  around at the moment (aged under 5) are a lot noisier and hyper than the half dozen or so who lived here when I moved. I don't know if its the breeding or the training but looking on FB groups it is a major problem and has made me have 2nd thoughts about ever getting a fourth one in the future.

The Borders I have met are similar in temperament to my old Mini Schnauzers, but the few Dachshunds I have met have always been kept on the lead and yap! I like dogs with beards and do like Mini Wire Dachshunds.

debbo don't take entire dogs ? what even puppies ? so encouraging early spaying :(

Malwhit I find that interesting about your observations. I've also had thoughts that some family lines seem to be more barky than others when meeting groups of schnauzer together where there have been different lines. All the more reason to make sure time is spent getting to know about where your puppy is coming from.

Sadly that attitude is common in the USA, some places insist on neutered pets in their housing leases.  Boarding kennels and Daycare only take neutered pets.

Yes brainless I have seen that with daycare etc but never a training club.all.very sad no thought about the dog

My reply seems to have disappeared.  Anyway, I didn't take Pip to puppy classes for various reasons.  When I found out about no entires it completely put me off, I've been to a number of different training classes over the decades and have never been keen so not difficult lol. 

I'm not sure what age is adult, possibly 12 months, I can't find the details now.  It does encourage early (or even any) neutering, perhaps to keep themselves in business with the behavioural problems from doing so.