Mini Kerry Blue Schnauzer: Info, Pictures, Characteristics & Facts

Breed Overview

The Miniature Kerry Schnauzer Dog is the hybrid pup of the Miniature Schnauzer and the Kerry Blue Terrier. Despite the Kerry being one of the largest terriers in the canine kingdom and the Miniature Schnauzer being the smallest of the Schnauzers, this guy's appearance is very predictable. Just from looking are pictures of these guys, you'd be forgiven for thinking they are related somehow.

Their personality is also very predictable because both of their parents are pocket rockets full of love, with a twist of stubborn charm. And thankfully, because he is becoming increasingly popular, you shouldn't struggle to find a reputable breeder either.

If you are thinking about welcoming one of these little guys into your life, there are a few things that you must know beforehand. Because no matter how cute they are, they can be a devil, especially if they fall into the hands of the wrong family.

This guide is a must-read for all those looking to adopt a Mini Kerry Blue Schnauzer. From their personality to some fun facts, as well as their training needs and what they eat, we've covered it all. So, sit back, relax, and educate yourself on all things Mini Kerry Schnauzer.

Mini Kerry Schnauzer Puppies

Mini Kerry Schnauzer Characteristics

Before you sail off into the sunset in search of this dog, there are a few things that you need to know first. This dog is not a typical small to medium-sized dog – they are feisty as heck. Imagine how feisty a Chihuahua is, times that by 10, and you might just come close to their personality. This is fantastic for those who like this dog trait, but they're not suited to those who like their dog to sit back and chill.

They are also full of intense terrier energy. They could keep going all day long. This means that their family needs to be active and mentally ready to provide them with all the exercise and attention they need and want. If you are looking for a companion to provide you with endless entertainment, look no further.

The Mini Kerry Schnauzer is a stubborn dog who, essentially, does what they want when they want. They aren't always interested in joining you in training sessions, which means they are not the most obedient of dogs. This means they are only suited to those who have experience with independent dogs. Otherwise, it can be overwhelming.

Despite the Miniature Kerry Schnauzer being feisty, deep down, they are a sensitive pooch that hates to be left alone. This means that they should only be placed with a family that can spend most of their time with him. Otherwise, they will get sassy and destructive, and that’s good for no one. The separation anxiety struggle is real with this pooch.

They also have an extremely high prey drive. Their parents were bred to work on the farm, usually as ratters, other pest exterminators, and hunting small game and birds. This means that they are out to get anything small and furry, and you should always keep them on a leash.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Mini Kerry Schnauzer

1. Mini Kerry Schnauzers aren't blue blue.

Not by smurf standards anyway. They are also known as Mini Kerry Blue Schnauzers, and this is because their Irish parent, the Kerry, is blue. However, blue is an off-black or deep gray, and it is a stunning doggy coat color for sure.

2. Mini Kerry Schnauzers make excellent farm dogs.

As both of their parents were bred to live and work on the farm, the Mini Kerry Schnauzer is almost guaranteed to inherit this natural instinct too. They will be able to clear the barns of rats, hunt birds, as well as collect their master’s prized catches from the water.

3. Mini Kerry Schnauzers' coat might change color.

Their Kerry parent has the coat color-changing gene, which means they could also inherit this. Kerry Blues are born black, and over time, their coat fades to gray. When they reach 18 months, their coat will be the beautiful ‘blue’ that everyone adores.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Mini Kerry Schnauzer 🧠

You already know the aspects of their personality that might not be suited to everyone, but here we will go through the traits that most people adore. They are super affectionate with their family and love to snuggle up with them for evening cuddles. They are sickly sweet, and with that gorgeous soft coat, cuddling up to them is a great way to pass your time.

They are lots of fun and always up for a game in the yard with their family. They need to be the center of attention, but they will provide you with hours of laughter if you can allow them this. This is a fantastic trait for those moms and dads out there who need assistance with kid-entertaining duty. You can observe them from the kitchen, completing your chores while the dog entertains them.

They are friendly with strangers, too, meaning that they will probably not attempt to ward off visitors. Everyone's welcome at the Mini Kerry Schnauzer inn. But you can expect them to sound the woof alarm every time someone enters the yard. If you aren't a fan of barky dogs, you might want to look another quieter breed.

The Mini Kerry Schanzuer is very intelligent, and they can pick up commands quickly. But don’t get too excited, because they will only pick up your orders if they have the patience to listen to you. If you’re boring them that day, they’ll turn the other way. They're stubborn and sassy, and they are not the most obedient of dogs. Some people find this annoying, some find it charming, so it depends on your viewpoint.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🏡

Yes, the Miniature Kerry Schnauzer makes a fantastic dog for the right family. If you like the sound of their personality outlined above, and you can meet all of their needs in the below sections, you could be a match made in heaven.

The trouble comes when owners don’t research the dogs they are about to welcome into their homes. If you aren't the right family for them, they will become sad and destructive, and you will become frustrated. Please do your research on both of the parents to make sure that you love this designer doggie.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets? 🐶 😽

The Mini Kerry Schnauzer, if socialized well as a pup, is likely to get along well with other dogs. This means that if you are a multi-dog household, they will fit right in or accept others into their fold.

However, they are unlikely to get along with any other type of pet because of their high prey drive. They may or may not get along with cats, but ideally, you shouldn’t risk it. And when it comes to anything smaller than them, unfortunately, there isn’t much of a chance of them cohabiting.

Things to Know When Owning a Mini Kerry Schnauzer:

Here we will take a look at their day to day needs, and these are just as important as the above points.

Food & Diet Requirements

The Mini Kerry Schnauzer will eat approximately 2½ cups of food every day. Their diet should be high-quality, and it should provide a well-balanced diet too. Look for meat proteins, carbohydrates, fiber, omega fats, vitamins, and minerals in the ingredient list.

The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) recommends that all puppies eat a minimum protein content of 22%, and adults a minimum content of 18%.

These sassy dogs might also be fussy. If you find that they are not eating their meals, try adding a little bit of warm water or low-sodium chicken broth to their kibble. This will make it more enticing. Or, you could always try adding wet food to the mix.

Exercise 🐕

The Mini Kerry Schnauzer is an energetic little dog who will need between 45 and 60 minutes of exercise every day. His intelligent mind is full of pent up energy, and they need an outlet. Otherwise, your furniture will be their outlet. Come rain or shine, this farm pooch needs their exercise.

Be sure to mix up their exercise routine to stop them from becoming bored. This will also keep them on their toes and keep them obedient, instead of deciding that they don’t need you by their side. We also advise to keep them on the leash at all times. Otherwise, you risk that they’ll catch a scent and leg it.

Their Irish parent was bred to fetch their master’s hunt in the water, so you can be sure that they will love the water too. If you can, take them to the local lake every now and then, and they will appreciate it.

Training 🦮

The Mini Kerry Schnauzer is a stubborn dog, so for this reason, you need to be an experienced and patient dog owner. As soon as you get them home, you need to begin their training. Positive reinforcement training is the most efficient way to train a pup.

Start obedience training straight away too. They need to know who is the boss, otherwise, they will assume that they are. And don’t give up just because they are having a bad day; persistence and consistency are vital in training stubborn dogs.

Because this dog hates to be left alone, it is a great idea to crate train them. Set up their new crate so that it is ready for when they arrive at their new home with you, and let them check it out in their own time. If you make their crate a pleasant experience and super comfy, it won’t take long for them to love it.

Grooming ✂️

As the Mini Kerry Schnauzer’s parents are both hypoallergenic dog breeds, it is more than likely that they will be too. This means that they will not shed much. This means they are easy to groom, right? No, sorry…

Their silky curls are prone to matting, which means that you need to brush them daily. A slicker brush will help to detangle and prevent matting.

Their coat is much more like human hair than dog fur, which means it grows quickly. Because of this, you will need to clip their coat regularly. This can be time-consuming and tricky to achieve their famous cut (especially that magnificent beard!). As such, many owners opt to take their pooch to a professional groomer.

Their beard is long, and as such, it becomes dirty with food and wet with water. To prevent it from becoming smelly, rinse or wipe it after every mealtime. And brush it out every day too.

Health Conditions ❤️

The Mini Kerry Schnauzer is a relatively healthy dog breed who enjoys a lifespan of 12 to 15 years, just like both of their parents. All mixed breeds are susceptible to their parents' health concerns, so it’s essential to understand them all.

Male vs Female

There is very little difference between a male and a female Mini Kerry Schnauzer. The most significant difference is that males tend to be larger than females, but this isn’t always the case. Instead, their upbringing and training influence their personality the most, as well as their home environment.

Final Thoughts

The Mini Kerry Schnauzer is a blue bundle of fun that will impress all that they meet. They might not be the biggest dog, but he certainly has a huge personality to make up for his stature, as well as that stupendous beard of his!

They are a livewire that will keep you on your toes, and they will command your attention all day long. Thankfully, unlike many other mixed breeds, their personality and appearance are predictable, much because their parents are very similar. However, you need to make sure that you can provide them with all of their needs for them to be a happy dog.

If you can, you are in for many years of fun, feistiness, and cuddles. What more could a dog owner ask for?!

• See also: Schnauzer Mixed Breeds (With Pictures)

Featured Image Credit: Left - Blue Kerry Terrier(golubka57, Shutterstock); Right - Miniature Schnauzer (otsphoto, Shutterstock)