Teacup schnauzers are a category of miniature schnauzers. Hence, they are not an official breed but resemble miniature schnauzers, very closely, except for the presence of a dwarf gene. Teacup Schnauzers emerged when miniature schnauzers were bred with other smaller dog breeds. These adorable canines are pretty compact and weigh less than 7 pounds. Due to their petiteness, these canines are easy to carry around and well-suited for small spaces. In addition, they require less maintenance owing to their more diminutive stature. All these factors make them a popular pet choice among pet parents.

Table of Contents
Teacup Schnauzer Pros and Cons
Pros | Cons |
Low maintenance | They cannot be show dogs |
They fit very well in small spaces. | They are prone to health issues |
Easy to train | Prone to serious injuries due to their small stature. |
Teacup Schnauzer Basic Information
- Name: Teacup Schnauzer
- Height: 6-8 inches
- Weight: 2-7 pounds
- Coat: Double, hard, and wiry.
- Color: Black and silver, salt and pepper, and solid black
- Energy: Medium to high
- Activities: Digging, jumping, ratting, herding, and guarding
- Group: Terrier
- Barking Level: Medium
- Shedding Level: Low to Medium
- Hypoallergenic: Yes
- Litter Size: 3 to 6 Puppies
- Life Span: 12 to 14 years
Miniature Schnauzer Vs. Teacup Schnauzer – A Comparison
Features | Miniature Schnauzer | Teacup Schnauzer |
Image | ![]() | ![]() |
Origin | Germany | Germany |
Height | 13 – 14 inches | 6 – 8 inches |
Weight | 11 to 20 pounds | 2 to 7 pounds |
Size | Miniature | Teacup |
Group | Terrier | Terrier |
Children Compatibility | Medium | Medium |
Family Compatibility | High | High |
Pets Compatibility | Medium | Medium |
Barking Level | Medium | Medium |
Shedding Level | Low to Medium | Low to Medium |
Hypoallergenic | Yes | Yes |
Grooming Needs | High | High |
Overall Health | Medium | Medium |
Energy | Medium to high | Medium to high |
Exercise Needs | Medium to high | Medium to high |
Trainability | Medium to high | Medium to high |
Activities | Retrieving, jumping, ratting, digging herding, guarding | Retrieving, jumping, ratting, digging herding, guarding |
Complication in breeding | High | High |
Litter Size | 3 to 6 | 3 to 6 |
Lifespan | 12 to 14 years | 12 to 14 years |
Other Names | zwergschnauzer |
Teacup Schnauzer Personality
Teacup Schnauzer has a portable, square-shaped short body with an incredible sporty look. In addition, these cute canines have a long, rectangular head that accommodates a black nose with a wedge-shaped snout. They are blessed with medium-sized eyes that are oval-shaped and tilted towards the front. They have a characteristic bushy, long beard with dense eyebrows and a thick mustache, differentiating these dogs from other breeds. They are wrapped with a double coat, whose inner layer is pretty dense and black while the outer coat is firm and curly. They bear a medium-length coat with a sickle-shaped tail.
Friendliness Overview
Affection level | High |
Family-friendly | High |
Kid-friendly | Medium |
Pet-friendly | Medium |
Stranger -friendly | Medium |
Adaptability Overview
Good for apartment living | Medium |
Good to new owners | Medium to high |
Sensitivity level | Medium to high |
Tolerates being alone | High |
Cold-tolerance | Medium to high |
Heat-tolerance | Medium to high |
Teacup Schnauzer Temperament
Teacup Schnauzers are highly affectionate dogs who are pretty intelligent and mischievous. Hence, they are astute pets who are easily trainable and are pretty energetic. On the other hand, they are challenging, muscular, non-aggressive, and fearless with an outgoing personality. They enjoy the company of their owners and are well attached to them. This makes them an excellent watchdog.
Teacup Schnauzer Training
As teacup schnauzers are pretty friendly and lively, they are easily trainable. In addition, they also love to please their owners. Thanks to their high intelligence levels, they are quick learners. However, they can get bored easily with repetition. Hence, training sessions must be interesting to retain their attention longer. These canines are good sports companions and are often involved in agility, obedience, rally, and earthdog events.
Trainability Overview
Easy to train | High |
Intelligence | Low to medium |
Mouthiness tendencies | Medium to high |
Barking and Howling tendencies | Medium to high |
Prey drive | High |
Wanderlust tendencies | Medium |
Teacup Schnauzer Exercise Needs
Due to their medium energy levels, teacup schnauzers are versatile for city life. Although they can be accommodated easily in apartments, they are safe when confined within a fenced area due to their high prey drive. This also calls for the need to always put them on a leash. Since they love playtime with their pet parents, you can choose games like fetching the ball, Frisbee toss, backyard agility, and tug of war to play along with them. In addition, they require a 30 to 60 minutes daily walking routine.
Exercise Needs Overview
Energy level | High |
Exercise needs | Medium |
Intensity | High |
Playfulness | Medium to high |
Teacup Schnauzer Grooming
Addressing the grooming needs of your teacup schnauzer ensures them an elegant and smart look. In addition, it is the best time for you to check for signs of sores, rashes, and infections which may indicate potential health issues.
Coat: To maintain your pet’s coat, you have to brush out their coat. This way, you can prevent any matting, which will ease the process of trimming your pet’s hair. You can use a soft, slicker brush and a comb for brushing. In addition, you have to brush your pet twice or thrice a week. Once you untangle the mats, you have to bathe your dog using a gentle shampoo and lukewarm water.
Teeth: Schnauzers are prone to periodontal diseases. Hence, to maintain your pet’s dental health, you need to brush his teeth daily. However, if not, try brushing him at least twice or thrice weekly to avoid tartar or bacteria formation.
Ears: Teacup schnauzers are prone to thick fur growth, making them vulnerable to yeast and bacterial growth. To avoid this, you have to use a cotton swab dipped in dog ear wash to clean the visible areas. Then, the left-out moisture can be wiped with a soft dry cloth.
Nails and Paws: Your teacup schnauzer’s paws are dense in hair growth. Hence, it would help if you trimmed the hairs around their paws. Once their paws are clean, you have to use a guillotine dog nail clipper or dog nail grinder to cut their nails to a convenient length. Later, you may apply a tiny amount of moisturizer to keep your pet’s nails hydrated.
Grooming Overview
Easy to groom | Low to medium |
Drooling tendency | Low |
Amount of shedding | Low to medium |
Teacup Schnauzer Health
Teacup Schnauzers are predisposed to specific health conditions due to their smaller size. In addition, they have to be handled with care as they are prone to severe injuries.
Health Overview
Overall health | Medium |
Weight gain tendencies | Medium to high |
Size | Low to medium |
Teacup Schnauzer Specific Health Conditions
The concern with miniaturization is that it exposes canines to health issues that aren’t as frequent in larger dogs.
Health Overview
General health | Low to medium |
Weight gain tendencies | Medium |
Size | Toy/ Teacup |
Liver Shunts: A liver shunt happens when the passage of blood through the liver is bypassed.
Symptoms of Liver Shunts
- Stunted Growth
- Poor Muscle development
- Abnormal behaviors
- Seizures
Cataracts: This condition is caused due to the thickening of the eye lens, leading to cloudy vision in dogs. Although it occurs primarily because of their age, you can treat this condition either with medications or surgery.
Diabetes Mellitus: Teacup Schnauzers become diabetic when the glucose in its dog’s blood is not converted to energy despite the proper insulin secretion. As a result, your dog suffers from insulin resistance diabetes. Here are some of the symptoms to look out for in dogs.
Symptoms of Diabetes in Dogs
- Excessive thirst
- Increased Urination
- Weight Loss
- Increased appetite
Myotonia Congenital: It is a painful, hereditary condition resulting from the continuous contraction of muscle fibers.
Symptoms of Myotonia Congenital
- Exhibit a stiff gait
- Experience trouble when rising
- Swollen tongues
- Difficulty swallowing.
Hyperlipidemia: Excessive amounts of fat deposit lead to elevated cholesterol levels in the bloodstream. This condition is called hyperlipidemia. Although this condition does not present with any symptoms initially, it may present as gastrointestinal issues.
Pancreatitis: Pancreatitis is a life-threatening emergency condition that results from the inflammation of the pancreas. It requires immediate medical intervention. It is caused due to the below-mentioned factors:
- A high-fat diet
- Obesity
- Hypothyroidism
- Severe blunt trauma
- Diabetes mellitus
- Certain medications or other toxins
- Genetic predisposition
Symptoms of Pancreatitis
- Hunched back
- Repeated vomiting
- Pain or bloated abdomen
- Diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- Dehydration
- Weakness
- Fever
Take your pet to his vet immediately if you notice the above symptoms.
Bladder stones: Your dog’s diet or a previous history of disease from a bacterial infection or a change in his body’s metabolism can lead to elevated levels of a stone-forming crystalline compound. This condition leads to the formation of bladder stones. These stones may be either small or large. Although smaller stones called gravels can pass out through urine, larger stones can block the urethra. This, in turn, can impede your dog’s urinary tract, which, if not treated timely, can be fatal. To prevent this condition, you must supply your pet with sufficient water.
Hypoglycemia: Anorexia, excessive tiredness, poor coordination, shaking, muscular twitching, fatigue, convulsions, and skin and gum discoloration are all symptoms of hypoglycemia. When a dog is in low sugar shock, he or she will usually refuse to eat or drink.
Periodontal Disease: Bacteria that cause periodontitis can damage your dog’s mouth. Typically, this illness invades the mouth quietly, and you won’t notice any noticeable indications or symptoms until it has progressed. Gum disease, on the other hand, can cause persistent discomfort, gum erosion, and tooth and bone loss.
Comedo Syndrome: Schnauzers can have allergies and may also develop “Schnauzer bumps.” This condition is called Comedo Syndrome, and it causes blackheads, hair loss, and scabbing along a Schnauzer’s back. These dogs are also prone to skin tumors.
Teacup Schnauzer Diet and Nutrition
Your teacup schnauzer’s daily caloric requirements vary with her health, weather conditions, and if she is lactating or not. Once you get these details right, you can ensure to provide your dog with those specific amounts of calories in her food. In general, dry dog food is recommended for schnauzer breeds. It is easier to clean their thick, long beard after eating. If you prefer dry food, you can feed between half to 1 cup of it split into two meals.
Teacup Schnauzer Living Condition
Teacup Schnauzers tend to live indoors and love to spend time with their pet parents. They are amiable dogs who adapt to apartment life easily. However, they must be given adequate exercise to prevent boredom and destructive behavior. In addition, these canines can play around securely in a fenced area to prevent them from jumping over.
Adding a Teacup Schnauzer to Your Family
Things to Remember Before Breeding a Teacup Schnauzer
If you plan to adopt a Teacup Schnauzer, you must remember that they are predisposed to some eye diseases. Hence, always check for their health clearance on eye diseases, liver shunts, and some bleeding disorders. In addition, Teacup Schnauzers are pretty costly and in demand. Hence, it may be challenging for you to find one at a reasonable price. However, you can purchase or adopt a pet from a reputable breeder who will furnish you with the health clearance of your pet-to-be parents. In addition, ensure to visit your veterinarian periodically to identify potential health issues early.
Cost of a Teacup Schnauzer Puppy
Teacup Schnauzers are a popular breed of dogs that are in high demand. Consequently, these canines come with a high price tag of thousands of dollars.
Teacup Schnauzer Images










Teacup Schnauzer Videos
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Teacup Miniature Schnauzer Playing with her Friends!