Hi All

I am trying to find out some information for a friend of mine who is thinking of 2 miniature schnauzers for pets, she likes the salt and pepper and the complete black 1's and is interested to find out more about the breed, are they friendly and well tempered and easy to train, also she works for 5 hours per day in the mornings so would they be fine to be left for this long, i know as puppies they need to be housetrained but once they are a bit older is it fair to leave 2 dogs on their owns for 5 hours per day? I have got a little westie who i leave every morning while i am at work but she is concerned that 2 of them will get up to more mischief than 1.
She likes the thought of 2 brothers but would opossite sex be better? I personally know nothing about the schnauzers and thought this would be the best place to find out more about the breed for her from other owners, i have told her to look on the kennel club site but she said that it did not tell her much about the temperment of them, my westie is so well behaved that she loves him to bits and would ideally like this temperment in the schnauzer breed.
We live in the south of england so also if anybody knows of good breeders in this area or within a decent travelling range we would be very grateful.

Thanks in advance
Helen

Have pm'd you.

You are best getting just one for now, 2 brothers is asking for trouble, plus two puppies at the same time is just way too much hard work!  They are a bright intelligent breed and full of life, I wouldn't have two at the same time myself.

I agree with perrodeagua, i have two male schnauzers and they get on great! I wouldn't have two pups at the same time though. One is quite enough to train.

I have two miniature salt & pepper boys - one is nearly 11 and the other nearly 3. The eldest is a great role model for the youngest.

If she doesn't have experience of the breed then two at the same time wouldn't necessarily be a good idea, i think most people would agree that getting one and devoting time to that etc before getting another in a few years time would be a better idea.

Plus you get to do the puppy 'thing' twice over instead of at the same time! - of course, my pup was an angel and we had no problems so i wouldn't hesitate to go through it again. I cant imagine looking after two naughty pups! :D

I don't know what i can tell you about the breed really, her best bet would be to visit someone with some and see for herself. Schnauzers are known for being intelligent friendly, family orientated breeds. Good with children and relatively easy to train (if there is such a dog lol) mine enjoy nothing more than to be near me and that includes being followed to the toilet, kitchen etc :)

We wanted a companion for our only schnauzer and didn't hesitate to get another schnauzer - fab dogs :)

Mini scnauzers are lovely dogs, but be warned, all of the Mini Scanuzers I've ever met have loved the sound of their own voices (very loud too ;) )  They need to be trained NOT to bark all the time ;)  If you get two pups together you'll have a much harder time training them not to bark constantly.

Hope this helps.