Is the Miniature Schnauzer Better than the Pekingese as a Pet? Answer…

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Miniature Schnauzer Versus Pekingese: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Miniature Schnauzer and the Pekingese? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Miniature Schnauzer and the Pekingese 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 Miniature Schnauzer and the Pekingese.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Miniature Schnauzer and the Pekingese 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 Miniature Schnauzer and for the Pekingese. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Miniature Schnauzer and the Pekingese.

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

Miniature Schnauzer versus Pekingese

Miniature Schnauzer versus Pekingese: Overview

A very important difference between the Miniature Schnauzer and the Pekingese is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Miniature Schnauzer is a small-sized dog while the Pekingese is a tiny-sized dog.

Furthermore, 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.

On the other hand, the Pekingese 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.

Miniature Schnauzer versus Pekingese: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Miniature Schnauzer to the Pekingese 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.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Miniature Schnauzer and the Pekingese

Factor Miniature Schnauzer Pekingese
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Weight 11 to 20 pounds 7 to 14 pounds
Life Span 12 to 14 years 12 to 15 years
Height 13 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder 6 to 9 inches tall at the shoulder
Does NOT Shed 4/5 2/5
Easy To Groom 2/5 1/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 3/5
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 3/5 2/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 2/5
General Health 3/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 5/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 4/5 5/5
Easygoing 2/5 4/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 1/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 3/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 3/5
Tolerates Being Alone 5/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Easy To Train 5/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 4/5
Average Lifespan 13.0 years 13.5 years
Average Price $1950 $1930
Price Range $1400 – $2500 $1288 – $2500
Temperament Score 79.3 percent 93.3 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination
  • Mycobacterium Avian Complex
  • Myotonia Congenita
  • No Data
    Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 17 86
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) 12 73

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Miniature Schnauzer 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 Pekingese. 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 the Miniature Schnauzer is 82 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Pekingese is 77 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Miniature Schnauzer is a better pet than the Pekingese. 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 Miniature Schnauzer and the Pekingese so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    Miniature Schnauzer versus Pekingese

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Miniature Schnauzer and the Pekingese

    Below is a list of where the Miniature Schnauzer and the Pekingese are most different:

  • Miniature Schnauzers can tolerate hot weather. However, Pekingeses cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Miniature Schnauzers have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy. However, Pekingeses have low energy levels. They do not require a lot exercise time.
  • Miniature Schnauzers require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise. However, Pekingeses have low exercise needs.
  • The Similarities Between the Miniature Schnauzer and the Pekingese

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

  • Both the Miniature Schnauzer and the Pekingese do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Miniature Schnauzer and the Pekingese require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Both the Miniature Schnauzer and the Pekingese are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Miniature Schnauzer and the Pekingese adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Miniature Schnauzer and the Pekingese can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Miniature Schnauzer and the Pekingese gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Miniature Schnauzer and the Pekingese are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Miniature Schnauzer and the Pekingese have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Miniature Schnauzer and the Pekingese are very playful.
  • Both the Miniature Schnauzer and the Pekingese are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Miniature Schnauzer versus Pekingese

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Miniature Schnauzer and the Pekingese.

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

    On the other hand, Pekingeses weigh 7 to 14 pounds when fully grown. Pekingeses are 6 to 9 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Miniature Schnauzer versus Pekingese

    The lifespan of Miniature Schnauzers is between 12 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Miniature Schnauzers is 13.0 years.

    The lifespan of Pekingeses is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Pekingeses is 13.5 years.

    Pekingeses live longer than Miniature Schnauzers.

    Miniature Schnauzer versus Pekingese

    Temperament of the Miniature Schnauzer Versus the Pekingese

    The Pekingese has a better temperament than the Miniature Schnauzer.

    This is because the temperament score for the Pekingese is 93.3 percent while the temperament score for the Miniature Schnauzer is 79.3 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).

    The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.

    Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.

    The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.

    With its temperament score of 79.3 percent, the Miniature Schnauzer has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 93.3 percent, the Pekingese has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Miniature Schnauzer and the Pekingese by measuring the temperaments of 116 Miniature Schnauzers and 15 Pekingeses.

    Price of Miniature Schnauzer versus Price of Pekingese

    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 reviewing the prices of 913 Miniature Schnauzer puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Pekingese puppy is $1930. The price of the Pekingese typically ranges from $1288 – $2500. However, the price of the Pekingese can be as low as $700 and as high as $7500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 138 Pekingese puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Miniature Schnauzer is more expensive than the Pekingese.

    Miniature Schnauzer Pekingese
    Average Price $1950 $1930
    Price Range $1400 to $2500 $1288 to $2500

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Miniature Schnauzers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Miniature Schnauzers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Pekingeses

    A breakdown of the prices of Pekingeses

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Miniature Schnauzer puppy or the Pekingese 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 to buy 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 a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

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

    Miniature Schnauzer versus Pekingese

    Adopting the Miniature Schnauzer versus Adopting the Pekingese

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Miniature Schnauzers and many Pekingeses are currently available for adoption.

    These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.

    Below is an adorable Male Miniature Schnauzer named Clyde that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Miniature Schnauzers like Clyde on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Miniature Schnauzers, Pekingeses are also available for adoption. For example, Billy is a Male Pekingese that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Pekingeses like Billy that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Miniature Schnauzer and the Pekingese can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Mike is the name of another Miniature Schnauzer (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

    Also, Buster is an adorable Male Pekingese on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

    Miniature Schnauzers and Pekingeses are always available for adoption. Images from petfinder.com

    You can find more Miniature Schnauzers and Pekingeses that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    The Intelligence of the Miniature Schnauzer versus the Intelligence of the Pekingese

    Miniature Schnauzer Pekingese
    Intelligence Rank 12 out of 130 dog breeds 73 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After 5 To 15 Repetitions Tend To Learn New Commands After 80 To 100 Repetitions Or More!

    Professor Stanley Coren, the famous psychology/neuropsychological professor and, dog lover/trainer measured and ranked the intelligence of about 130 different dog breeds.

    According to Prof. Stanley Coren, the total intelligence that a dog demonstrates is the addition of three types of intelligence. These intelligence types are:

  • Instinctive Intelligence: This is the natural intelligence a dog has because of what the dog was bred for. This type of intelligence comes from instinct. For example, dog breeds that were bred for guarding will have high `guarding` instinctive intelligence, while dog breeds that were bred for hunting will what high `hunting` instinctive intelligence. However, you cannot compare the intelligence of dog breeds based on instinctive intelligence because such a comparison will not make sense.
  • Adaptive Intelligence (learning and problem-solving ability): This indicates what a dog can learn to do for himself or herself. It includes learning and benefiting from experience with his environment, solving new problems, and so forth. Adaptive intelligence is specific to each dog, and not breed specific. Thus, two dogs can have remarkably different levels of adaptive intelligence even if they are of the same breed.
  • Working/Obedience Intelligence: This intelligence is the closest to what we might call school-learning ability and it is based upon what the dog can learn to do when instructed by humans. Importantly, different dog breeds have different learning abilities. Also, science has shown that some dog breeds can learn faster than some other breeds. This means certain dog breeds tend to have higher working/obedience intelligence than some other breeds. Dogs with high Working/Obedience Intelligence are smart and easy to train.
  • Prof. Coren showed that the Working/Obedience Intelligence of different dog breeds can be measured reliably. Thus, he was able to rank different dog breeds based on their Working/Obedience Intelligence.

    This is important because according to Prof. Coren, 51 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from its genes while 49 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from the dog`s environmental circumstances.

    To rank the intelligence of dog breeds, Prof. Coren employed the help of 208 dog obedience judges in North America to fill out a detailed survey on dog obedience. This number represented more than half of all of these judges in North America at the time. He also employed 63 veterinarians and 14 guard dog experts to collect data on the personality of different dog breeds.

    Prof. Coren found that the Miniature Schnauzer has an obedience intelligence rank of 12 out of 130 dog breeds. The Miniature Schnauzer belongs to the `Excellent Working Dogs` category. This means that Miniature Schnauzers tend to learn new commands after 5 to 15 repetitions.

    The Pekingese has an obedience intelligence rank of 73 out of 130 dog breeds. The Pekingese belongs to the `Lowest Degree of Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Pekingeses tend to learn new commands after 80 to 100 repetitions or more!.

    The Miniature Schnauzer is more intelligent than the Pekingese.

    However, Prof. Coren noted that a dog should not be judged based on its intelligence alone, that other factors such as sociability, adorability, and compatibility with the owner are other very important factors that new dog owners need to consider when deciding on a new dog.

    The Popularity of Miniature Schnauzer versus Popularity of Pekingese

    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 Miniature Schnauzer and the Pekingese over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Miniature Schnauzer is more popular with dog owners than the Pekingese. 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 Pekingese is 86 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Miniature Schnauzer

    Popularity of Miniature Schnauzer

    Popularity of Pekingese

    Popularity of Pekingese

    Year Miniature Schnauzer Popularity Rank Pekingese Popularity Rank
    2013 17 77
    2014 16 82
    2015 16 80
    2016 17 93
    2017 18 88
    2018 19 92
    2019 18 83
    2020 19 95

    Tolerates Being Alone: Miniature Schnauzer versus Pekingese

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

    Pekingeses can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Miniature Schnauzers shed more than Pekingeses?

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

    Pekingeses shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Miniature Schnauzer or the Pekingese

    Miniature Schnauzers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Pekingeses do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Miniature Schnauzer or the Pekingese?

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

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

    Does the Miniature Schnauzer Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Pekingese?

    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.

    Pekingeses 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.

    Do Miniature Schnauzers Bark and Howl? What about Pekingeses?

    Miniature Schnauzers bark and howl, but not very much.

    Pekingeses are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Can Miniature Schnauzers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Pekingeses Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Miniature Schnauzers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Pekingeses can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Miniature Schnauzer vs. Pekingese

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

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

    Can Miniature Schnauzers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Pekingeses Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Miniature Schnauzers can tolerate hot weather.

    Pekingeses cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Miniature Schnauzer or the Pekingese?

    Miniature Schnauzers get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Pekingeses do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Miniature Schnauzers good family dogs? What about Pekingeses?

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

    Pekingeses are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Miniature Schnauzers and Pekingeses?

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

    Pekingeses do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.

    Is the Miniature Schnauzer Easier to Train than the Pekingese?

    Miniature Schnauzers are very easy to train.

    Pekingeses are fairly easy to train.

    Is the Miniature Schnauzer Better for Apartment Owners than the Pekingese?

    Miniature Schnauzers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Pekingeses adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Miniature Schnauzer or the Pekingese?

    Miniature Schnauzers are OK for new dog owners.

    Pekingeses are very good for new dog owners.

    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 Pekingese vs Polish Lowland Sheepdog.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Pekingese

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Pekingese 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 Pekingese:

  • Dandie Dinmont Terrier (72 percent match with Pekingese). Here is our comparison of the Miniature Schnauzer vs Dandie Dinmont Terrier.
  • Mal Shi (72 percent match with Pekingese). Here is our comparison of the Miniature Schnauzer vs Mal Shi.
  • Pomeranian (72 percent match with Pekingese). Here is our comparison of the Miniature Schnauzer vs Pomeranian.
  • Pomsky (72 percent match with Pekingese). Here is our comparison of the Miniature Schnauzer vs Pomsky.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Miniature Schnauzer Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Miniature Schnauzer versus Xoloitzcuintli     Miniature Schnauzer versus Boykin Spaniel     Miniature Schnauzer versus Saluki     Miniature Schnauzer versus Pekingese     Miniature Schnauzer versus Havanese     Miniature Schnauzer versus Field Spaniel     Miniature Schnauzer versus Flat-Coated Retriever     Miniature Schnauzer versus Skye Terrier     Miniature Schnauzer versus Affenpinscher     Miniature Schnauzer versus Xoloitzcuintli     Miniature Schnauzer versus Karelian Bear Dog     Miniature Schnauzer versus Portuguese Pointer     Miniature Schnauzer versus German Longhaired Pointer     Miniature Schnauzer versus Yorkipoo     Miniature Schnauzer versus Norwegian Buhund     Miniature Schnauzer versus Korean Jindo Dog     Miniature Schnauzer versus Chihuahua     Miniature Schnauzer versus Chihuahua     Miniature Schnauzer versus Curly-Coated Retriever     Miniature Schnauzer versus Redbone Coonhound     Miniature Schnauzer versus Yorkshire Terrier     Miniature Schnauzer versus Beaglier     Miniature Schnauzer versus Bergamasco Sheepdog     Miniature Schnauzer versus Brittany     Miniature Schnauzer versus Mastiff     

    Pekingese Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Pekingese versus Westiepoo     Pekingese versus Basset Hound     Pekingese versus Boerboel     Pekingese versus American Bulldog     Pekingese versus Yorkshire Terrier     Pekingese versus Portuguese Water Dog     Pekingese versus Dogue de Bordeaux     Pekingese versus Puli     Pekingese versus Sealyham Terrier     Pekingese versus Briard     Pekingese versus Patterdale Terrier     Pekingese versus Australian Kelpie     Pekingese versus Mountain Cur     Pekingese versus American Water Spaniel     Pekingese versus Manchester Terrier     Pekingese versus Cavachon     Pekingese versus Spinone Italiano     Pekingese versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi     Pekingese versus Australian Kelpie     Pekingese versus Miniature Poodle     Pekingese versus Norwegian Buhund     Pekingese versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi     Pekingese versus American Staffordshire Terrier     Pekingese versus Mastiff     Pekingese versus Boerboel     

    Conclusion: Miniature Schnauzer versus Pekingese. 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 Miniature Schnauzer and the Pekingese better suits you and your family.