Breed Comparison: Pekingese Versus Standard Schnauzer

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Pekingese Versus Standard Schnauzer: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Pekingese and the Standard Schnauzer? 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 Pekingese and the Standard 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 Pekingese and the Standard Schnauzer.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Pekingese and the Standard 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 Pekingese and for the Standard Schnauzer. 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 Pekingese and the Standard Schnauzer.

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

Pekingese versus Standard Schnauzer: Overview

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

Furthermore, 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.

On the other hand, the Standard Schnauzer belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.

Pekingese versus Standard Schnauzer: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Pekingese to the Standard 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.

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

Factor Pekingese Standard Schnauzer
Tolerates Hot Weather 1/5 4/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 1/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 5/5 3/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 13 to 16 years
Easygoing 4/5 2/5
Kid-Friendly 2/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 2/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 2/5
General Health 2/5 5/5
NOT Rambunctious 4/5 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 4/5 1/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 2/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 5/5
Easy To Train 3/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 3/5 5/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 5/5
Intelligence 4/5 5/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 4/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 1/5
Height 6 to 9 inches tall at the shoulder 1 foot, 5 inches to 1 foot, 8 inches tall at the s
Weight 7 to 14 pounds 30 to 50 pounds
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 14.5 years
Average Price $1930 $1710
Price Range $1288 – $2500 $1200 – $2150
Temperament Score 93.3 percent 71.1 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM)
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination- minimum age 24 months, recommend every other year until age 7
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 86 90
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) 73 18

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Pekingese 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 Standard 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 the Pekingese is 77 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Standard Schnauzer is 80 out of 125.

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

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Pekingese and the Standard Schnauzer

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

  • Pekingeses cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments. However, Standard Schnauzers can tolerate hot weather.
  • Pekingeses have the tendency to develop certain health problems. However, Standard Schnauzers are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Pekingeses have low energy levels. They do not require a lot exercise time. However, Standard Schnauzers have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Pekingeses have low exercise needs. However, Standard Schnauzers require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Pekingeses shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies. However, Standard Schnauzers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • The Similarities Between the Pekingese and the Standard Schnauzer

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

  • Both the Pekingese and the Standard Schnauzer do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Pekingese and the Standard Schnauzer require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Both the Pekingese and the Standard Schnauzer do not get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Pekingese and the Standard Schnauzer are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Pekingese and the Standard Schnauzer can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Pekingese and the Standard Schnauzer are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Pekingese and the Standard Schnauzer adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Pekingese and the Standard Schnauzer are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Pekingese and the Standard Schnauzer have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Pekingese versus Standard Schnauzer

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

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

    On the other hand, Standard Schnauzers weigh 30 to 50 pounds when fully grown. Standard Schnauzers are 1 foot, 5 inches to 1 foot, 8 inches tall at the s when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Pekingese versus Standard Schnauzer

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

    The lifespan of Standard Schnauzers is between 13 to 16 years. The average lifespan of Standard Schnauzers is 14.5 years.

    Standard Schnauzers live longer than Pekingeses.

    Temperament of the Pekingese Versus the Standard Schnauzer

    The Pekingese has a better temperament than the Standard Schnauzer.

    This is because the temperament score for the Pekingese is 93.3 percent while the temperament score for the Standard Schnauzer is 71.1 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 93.3 percent, the Pekingese has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 71.1 percent, the Standard Schnauzer has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Pekingese and the Standard Schnauzer by measuring the temperaments of 15 Pekingeses and 76 Standard Schnauzers.

    Price of Pekingese versus Price of Standard Schnauzer

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

    The average price of the Standard Schnauzer puppy is $1710. The price of the Standard Schnauzer typically ranges from $1200 – $2150. However, the price of the Standard Schnauzer can be as low as $600 and as high as $2500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 26 Standard Schnauzer puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Pekingese is more expensive than the Standard Schnauzer.

    Pekingese Standard Schnauzer
    Average Price $1930 $1710
    Price Range $1288 to $2500 $1200 to $2150

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

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

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Standard Schnauzers

    A breakdown of the prices of Standard Schnauzers

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Pekingese puppy or the Standard 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 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.

    Adopting the Pekingese versus Adopting the Standard Schnauzer

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Pekingeses and many Standard Schnauzers 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 Pekingese named Dasher that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Pekingeses like Dasher on pefinder.com.

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

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

    Prancer is the name of another Pekingese (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

    Also, Mickey is an adorable Male Standard Schnauzer on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

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

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

    The Intelligence of the Pekingese versus the Intelligence of the Standard Schnauzer

    Pekingese Standard Schnauzer
    Intelligence Rank 73 out of 130 dog breeds 18 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After 80 To 100 Repetitions Or More! Tend To Learn New Commands After 5 To 15 Repetitions

    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 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 Standard Schnauzer has an obedience intelligence rank of 18 out of 130 dog breeds. The Standard Schnauzer belongs to the `Excellent Working Dogs` category. This means that Standard Schnauzers tend to learn new commands after 5 to 15 repetitions.

    The Standard 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 Pekingese versus Popularity of Standard 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 Pekingese and the Standard Schnauzer over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Pekingese is more popular with dog owners than the Standard Schnauzer. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Pekingese is 86 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Standard Schnauzer is 90 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Pekingese

    Popularity of Pekingese

    Popularity of Standard Schnauzer

    Popularity of Standard Schnauzer

    Year Pekingese Popularity Rank Standard Schnauzer Popularity Rank
    2013 77 90
    2014 82 90
    2015 80 91
    2016 93 85
    2017 88 90
    2018 92 89
    2019 83 97
    2020 95 92

    Tolerates Being Alone: Pekingese versus Standard Schnauzer

    Pekingeses can be left alone only for a short time.

    Standard Schnauzers do not like to be left alone.

    Do Pekingeses shed more than Standard Schnauzers?

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

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

    Which one drools more, the Pekingese or the Standard Schnauzer

    Pekingeses do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Standard Schnauzers do have a very low tendency to drool.

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

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

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

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

    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.

    Standard 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.

    Do Pekingeses Bark and Howl? What about Standard Schnauzers?

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

    Standard Schnauzers are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

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

    Pekingeses can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Standard Schnauzers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Pekingese vs. Standard Schnauzer

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

    Standard Schnauzers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Pekingeses Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Standard Schnauzers Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Standard Schnauzers can tolerate hot weather.

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

    Pekingeses do not get along well with other dogs.

    Standard Schnauzers get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Are Pekingeses good family dogs? What about Standard Schnauzers?

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

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

    How Kid-friendly are Pekingeses and Standard Schnauzers?

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

    Standard Schnauzers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Pekingese Easier to Train than the Standard Schnauzer?

    Pekingeses are fairly easy to train.

    Standard Schnauzers are fairly easy to train.

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

    Pekingeses adapt very well to apartment living.

    Standard Schnauzers adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    Pekingeses are very good for new dog owners.

    Standard Schnauzers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    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 Standard Schnauzer vs Dandie Dinmont Terrier.
  • Mal Shi (72 percent match with Pekingese). Here is our comparison of the Standard Schnauzer vs Mal Shi.
  • Pomeranian (72 percent match with Pekingese). Here is our comparison of the Standard Schnauzer vs Pomeranian.
  • Pomsky (72 percent match with Pekingese). Here is our comparison of the Standard Schnauzer vs Pomsky.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Standard Schnauzer

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

  • Polish Lowland Sheepdog (77 percent match with Standard Schnauzer). Here is our comparison of the Pekingese vs Polish Lowland Sheepdog.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Pekingese Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Pekingese versus Black Russian Terrier     Pekingese versus French Bulldog     Pekingese versus Siberian Husky     Pekingese versus Cocker Spaniel     Pekingese versus Bergamasco Sheepdog     Pekingese versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi     Pekingese versus Saluki     Pekingese versus Shih Tzu     Pekingese versus Basenji     Pekingese versus Standard Poodle     Pekingese versus Aussiedoodle     Pekingese versus German Wirehaired Pointer     Pekingese versus Collie     Pekingese versus Irish Terrier     Pekingese versus Norwegian Buhund     Pekingese versus Chinook     Pekingese versus Treeing Walker Coonhound     Pekingese versus Giant Schnauzer     Pekingese versus Lhasa Apso     Pekingese versus Cesky Terrier     Pekingese versus Toy Fox Terrier     Pekingese versus Ibizan Hound     Pekingese versus Boerboel     Pekingese versus Saluki     Pekingese versus French Bulldog     

    Standard Schnauzer Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Standard Schnauzer versus Irish Water Spaniel     Standard Schnauzer versus Silky Terrier     Standard Schnauzer versus Welsh Springer Spaniel     Standard Schnauzer versus Harrier     Standard Schnauzer versus Borzoi     Standard Schnauzer versus French Bulldog     Standard Schnauzer versus Irish Terrier     Standard Schnauzer versus Australian Shepherd     Standard Schnauzer versus Spinone Italiano     Standard Schnauzer versus Kuvasz     Standard Schnauzer versus French Spaniel     Standard Schnauzer versus Akita     Standard Schnauzer versus German Pinscher     Standard Schnauzer versus Spanish Mastiff     Standard Schnauzer versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog     Standard Schnauzer versus Hovawart     Standard Schnauzer versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog     Standard Schnauzer versus Whippet     Standard Schnauzer versus Black and Tan Coonhound     Standard Schnauzer versus Shichon     Standard Schnauzer versus Siberian Husky     Standard Schnauzer versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog     Standard Schnauzer versus Cockapoo     Standard Schnauzer versus Lhasapoo     Standard Schnauzer versus German Pinscher     

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