Which is Better between the English Toy Spaniel and the Miniature Schnauzer? A Very Detailed Review.

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English Toy Spaniel Versus Miniature Schnauzer: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the English Toy Spaniel and the Miniature Schnauzer? Well, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will provide you a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the English Toy Spaniel and the Miniature Schnauzer better suits you.

We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the English Toy Spaniel and the Miniature Schnauzer.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the English Toy Spaniel and the Miniature Schnauzer is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.

Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the English Toy Spaniel and for the Miniature Schnauzer. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you more insight into deciding which pet to get between the English Toy Spaniel and the Miniature Schnauzer.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the English Toy Spaniel or the Miniature Schnauzer

English Toy Spaniel versus Miniature Schnauzer: Overview

Both the English Toy Spaniel and the Miniature Schnauzer are similar in size. The English Toy Spaniel and the Miniature Schnauzer are both small-sized dogs.

Furthermore, the English Toy Spaniel belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.

On the other hand, the Miniature Schnauzer belongs to the Terrier Dogs group. Terrier Dogs were originally bred to go underground to hunt rodents and other small wild animals (vermin). Terriers come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, but all terriers are energetic, highly intelligent, and territorial. Terries also have the tendency to escape. They require a securely fenced yard.

English Toy Spaniel versus Miniature Schnauzer: Comparison Table

The table below compares the English Toy Spaniel to the Miniature Schnauzer based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.

When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets

Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.

However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.

Factor English Toy Spaniel Miniature Schnauzer
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 1/5 3/5
Height 10 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder 13 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder
Life Span 10 to 12 years 12 to 14 years
Tolerates Cold Weather 2/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 4/5
Does NOT Drool 4/5 5/5
General Health 2/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 4/5 1/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 2/5
Easy To Train 3/5 5/5
Intelligence 3/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 1/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 3/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 4/5 4/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 3/5
Easygoing 2/5 2/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 1/5 4/5
Weight 8 to 14 pounds 11 to 20 pounds
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 13.0 years
Average Price $2350 $1950
Price Range $2250 – $2525 $1400 – $2500
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination
  • Mycobacterium Avian Complex
  • Myotonia Congenita
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 134 17

    *Data from dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org, ATTS.org (the American Temperament Test Society)

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the English Toy Spaniel in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Miniature Schnauzer. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.

    The Better-Pet score for a English Toy Spaniel is 74 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Miniature Schnauzer is 82 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Miniature Schnauzer is a better pet than the English Toy Spaniel. So, you should get the Miniature Schnauzer!

    Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

    Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the English Toy Spaniel and the Miniature Schnauzer so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the English Toy Spaniel and the Miniature Schnauzer

    Below is a list of where the English Toy Spaniel and the Miniature Schnauzer are most different:

  • English Toy Spaniels do not like to be left alone. However, Miniature Schnauzers can be left alone for some time without problems.
  • English Toy Spaniels have low exercise needs. However, Miniature Schnauzers require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • English Toy Spaniels shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies. However, Miniature Schnauzers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • The Similarities Between the English Toy Spaniel and the Miniature Schnauzer

    The English Toy Spaniel and the Miniature Schnauzer are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the English Toy Spaniel and the Miniature Schnauzer are most similar:

  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the Miniature Schnauzer do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the Miniature Schnauzer have the tendency to develop certain health problems.
  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the Miniature Schnauzer do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the Miniature Schnauzer adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the Miniature Schnauzer are good for new dog owners.
  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the Miniature Schnauzer are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the Miniature Schnauzer get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the Miniature Schnauzer are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the Miniature Schnauzer have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the Miniature Schnauzer are very playful.
  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the Miniature Schnauzer are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of English Toy Spaniel versus Miniature Schnauzer

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the English Toy Spaniel and the Miniature Schnauzer.

    English Toy Spaniels weigh 8 to 14 pounds when fully grown. English Toy Spaniels are 10 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Miniature Schnauzers weigh 11 to 20 pounds when fully grown. Miniature Schnauzers are 13 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Price of English Toy Spaniel versus Price of Miniature Schnauzer

    The average price of the English Toy Spaniel puppy is $2350. The price of the English Toy Spaniel typically ranges from $2250 – $2525. However, the price of a English Toy Spaniel can be as low as $2000 and as high as $2550. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 3 English Toy Spaniel puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Miniature Schnauzer puppy is $1950. The price of the Miniature Schnauzer typically ranges from $1400 – $2500. However, the price of a Miniature Schnauzer can be as low as $500 and as high as $8500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 913 Miniature Schnauzer puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The English Toy Spaniel is more expensive than the Miniature Schnauzer.

    English Toy Spaniel Miniature Schnauzer
    Average Price $2350 $1950
    Price Range $2250 to $2525 $1400 to $2500

    The charts below show the price distribution for the English Toy Spaniel and Miniature Schnauzer. For different price points, the charts show how many English Toy Spaniel puppies or how many Miniature Schnauzer puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of English Toy Spaniels. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of English Toy Spaniels. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Miniature Schnauzers

    A breakdown of the prices of Miniature Schnauzers

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the English Toy Spaniel puppy or the Miniature Schnauzer puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.

    Nevertheless, when looking from a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from one of those puppy mills that mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

    You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.

    The Popularity of English Toy Spaniel versus Popularity of Miniature Schnauzer

    Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).

    The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the English Toy Spaniel and the Miniature Schnauzer over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Miniature Schnauzer is more popular with dog owners than the English Toy Spaniel. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Miniature Schnauzer is 17 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the English Toy Spaniel is 134 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of English Toy Spaniel

    Popularity of English Toy Spaniel

    Popularity of Miniature Schnauzer

    Popularity of Miniature Schnauzer

    Year English Toy Spaniel Popularity Rank Miniature Schnauzer Popularity Rank
    2013 135 17
    2014 138 16
    2015 129 16
    2016 130 17
    2017 134 18
    2018 135 19
    2019 139 18
    2020 138 19

    Health Problems of English Toy Spaniel versus Health Problems of Miniature Schnauzer

    Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. Therefore, there is nothing like a perfect puppy.

    Both the English Toy Spaniel and the Miniature Schnauzer are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.

    The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.

    Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Miniature Schnauzer is prone to the same number of genetic health problems as the English Toy Spaniel.

    4 health tests are recommended for English Toy Spaniel while 4 tests are recommended for the Miniature Schnauzer.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in English Toy Spaniels and in Miniature Schnauzers.

    English Toy Spaniel Health Problems

    English Toy Spaniels are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing English Toy Spaniel puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a English Toy Spaniel puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your English Toy Spaniel breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen English Toy Spaniels for:

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination
  • Patellar Luxation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for English Toy Spaniels here.

    Miniature Schnauzer Health Problems

    Miniature Schnauzers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Miniature Schnauzer puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Miniature Schnauzer puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Miniature Schnauzer breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Miniature Schnauzers for:

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination
  • Mycobacterium Avian Complex
  • Myotonia Congenita
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Miniature Schnauzers here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in English Toy Spaniels and Miniature Schnauzers

    Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the English Toy Spaniel Breed is Congenital Cardiac problems.

    This is because the English Toy Spaniel ranks 2 out of 159 dog breeds for Congenital Cardiac problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 470 English Toy Spaniels, 21 of them had Congenital Cardiac problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in English Toy Spaniels, and how common these diseases are in English Toy Spaniels relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 2 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 4 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 4 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Miniature Schnauzer Breed is Legg-Calve-Perthes problems.

    This is because the Miniature Schnauzer ranks 13 out of 40 dog breeds for Legg-Calve-Perthes problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 157 Miniature Schnauzers, 0 of them had Legg-Calve-Perthes problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Miniature Schnauzers, and how common these diseases are in Miniature Schnauzers relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Legg-Calve-Perthes problems: Rank 13 out of 40 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 96 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 125 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 187 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in English Toy Spaniel and in Miniature Schnauzer and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the English Toy Spaniel and the Miniature Schnauzer:

    Disease English Toy Spaniel Rank Miniature Schnauzer Rank
    Congenital Cardiac problems 2 out of 159 dog breeds Not Common
    Eyes problems 4 out of 182 dog breeds 96 out of 182 dog breeds
    Patella problems 4 out of 145 dog breeds 125 out of 145 dog breeds
    Legg-Calve-Perthes problems Not Common 13 out of 40 dog breeds
    Hips problems Not Common 187 out of 198 dog breeds

    *To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.

    Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.

    Tolerates Being Alone: English Toy Spaniel versus Miniature Schnauzer

    English Toy Spaniels do not like to be left alone.

    Miniature Schnauzers can be left alone for some time without problems.

    How Kid-friendly are English Toy Spaniels and Miniature Schnauzers?

    English Toy Spaniels do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.

    Miniature Schnauzers get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

    Can English Toy Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Miniature Schnauzers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    English Toy Spaniels cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Miniature Schnauzers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Can English Toy Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Miniature Schnauzers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    English Toy Spaniels cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Miniature Schnauzers can tolerate hot weather.

    Which one drools more, the English Toy Spaniel or the Miniature Schnauzer

    English Toy Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Miniature Schnauzers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Wanderlust Potential: English Toy Spaniel vs. Miniature Schnauzer

    English Toy Spaniels do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    Miniature Schnauzers have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Is the English Toy Spaniel Easier to Train than the Miniature Schnauzer?

    English Toy Spaniels are fairly easy to train.

    Miniature Schnauzers are very easy to train.

    Do English Toy Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about Miniature Schnauzers?

    English Toy Spaniels bark and howl, but not very much.

    Miniature Schnauzers bark and howl, but not very much.

    Is the English Toy Spaniel Better for Apartment Owners than the Miniature Schnauzer?

    English Toy Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.

    Miniature Schnauzers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the English Toy Spaniel or the Miniature Schnauzer?

    English Toy Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.

    Miniature Schnauzers are OK for new dog owners.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the English Toy Spaniel or the Miniature Schnauzer?

    English Toy Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Miniature Schnauzers get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the English Toy Spaniel or the Miniature Schnauzer?

    English Toy Spaniels are very easy to groom.

    Miniature Schnauzers require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Does the English Toy Spaniel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Miniature Schnauzer?

    English Toy Spaniels have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Miniature Schnauzers have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Are English Toy Spaniels good family dogs? What about Miniature Schnauzers?

    English Toy Spaniels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Miniature Schnauzers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Do English Toy Spaniels shed more than Miniature Schnauzers?

    English Toy Spaniels shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Miniature Schnauzers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the English Toy Spaniel

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the English Toy Spaniel that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the English Toy Spaniel:

  • Japanese Chin (74 percent match with English Toy Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Miniature Schnauzer vs Japanese Chin.
  • Pug (73 percent match with English Toy Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Miniature Schnauzer vs Pug.
  • French Bulldog (74 percent match with English Toy Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Miniature Schnauzer vs French Bulldog.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Miniature Schnauzer

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Miniature Schnauzer that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Miniature Schnauzer:

  • Polish Lowland Sheepdog (79 percent match with Miniature Schnauzer). Here is our comparison of the English Toy Spaniel vs Polish Lowland Sheepdog.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the English Toy Spaniel and how the Miniature Schnauzer compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the English Toy Spaniel and of the Miniature Schnauzer to other breeds:

    English Toy Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds

    English Toy Spaniel versus Hovawart     English Toy Spaniel versus Chi-Poo     English Toy Spaniel versus Patterdale Terrier     English Toy Spaniel versus Italian Greyhound     English Toy Spaniel versus Newfoundland     English Toy Spaniel versus Redbone Coonhound     English Toy Spaniel versus Puli     English Toy Spaniel versus Standard Poodle     English Toy Spaniel versus Aussiedoodle     

    Miniature Schnauzer Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Miniature Schnauzer versus Komondor     Miniature Schnauzer versus Lhasa Apso     Miniature Schnauzer versus Curly-Coated Retriever     Miniature Schnauzer versus Bolognese     Miniature Schnauzer versus Pekingese     Miniature Schnauzer versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog     Miniature Schnauzer versus Collie     Miniature Schnauzer versus French Spaniel     Miniature Schnauzer versus Dutch Shepherd     Miniature Schnauzer versus Pomchi     

    Conclusion: English Toy Spaniel versus Miniature Schnauzer. Which One is a Better Pet?

    In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the English Toy Spaniel and the Miniature Schnauzer better suits you and your family.