Schnauzer sizes vary from small to large and depend on the variety. Schnauzers come in three sizes: Miniature, Standard and Giant. The Miniature Schnauzer is a dog that is approximately 12-14 inches tall and weighs 11-20 pounds. The Standard Schnauzer will be approximately 17-20 inches in height and 30-50 pounds in weight. There are two sizes available for Giant Schnauzers: 23.5-27.5″ in height and 55-85 lbs. in weight. The variations between the Schnauzer breeds allow them to fit into a variety of homes, lifestyle and activity levels. 

What Are The Different Schnauzer Sizes?

There are not only different types of Schnauzer sizes when asked, “What is the size of a Schnauzer?” There are three varieties of the breed: Miniature Schnauzer, Standard Schnauzer and Giant Schnauzer.

They have similar facial characteristics, a wiry coat, beard and prominent eyebrows but size and body makes are quite different.

Let’s do a quick comparison: 

Schnauzer Type	Height	Weight
Miniature Schnauzer	12–14 inches	11–20 pounds
Standard Schnauzer	17–20 inches	30–50 pounds
Giant Schnauzer	23.5–27.5 inches	55–85 pounds

These are approximate adult ranges. Some dogs may lie just outside of them due to their genes, gender, age, weight, and condition.

The Miniature Schnauzer is the smallest of the three. It’s compact, yet looks robust like the Schnauzer family.

The original medium sized variety is the Standard Schnauzer. It is a well-balanced size and slightly larger and heavier than the Miniature.

The Giant Schnauzer is the largest, and most expensive, variety. It has a powerful, athletic body and can be almost twice the height and several times the weight of a Miniature Schnauzer.

Knowing these 3 types is the first step to answering questions about Schnauzer size. 

How Big Does A Miniature Schnauzer Get?

Miniature Schnauzer is the smallest recognised variety of the Schnauzer. It is a dog that does not need to be handled with great care, as the name implies. It is compact, muscular and has been bred as a working terrier-type farm dog.

The Miniature Schnauzer is a tall dog, which will grow to be an adult of 12 to 14 inches at the shoulder. The average weight is 11 to 20 lbs.

Miniature Schnauzers are generally a small size, and males and females can vary slightly in size.

Miniature Schnauzers are a good size for apartments and other homes, but need sufficient exercise and mental stimulation. It also has a smaller body, which makes it easier to handle on a day-to-day basis, compared to the larger Schnauzer breeds.

But body size isn’t the whole story. Miniature Schnauzers are very energetic and active dogs. They like to walk, play, train and engage in activities that require them to use their brain.

The Miniature Schnauzer should have a well-muscled and athletic body with a prominent waist line and a well-defined tail set. Not all dogs that are overweight are fat; however, if they are outside of the normal range, they are probably so. Body condition score and veterinary advice should be taken into account with the weight.

The average size of a Miniature Schnauzer can be described as: 

• Height: 12–14 inches
• Weight: 11–20 pounds
• Strength: Compact, yet sturdy
• Weight: 6-10 pounds
• Adult size: Usually reached during the first year 

Miniature Schnauzers tend to be more compact and can live in a smaller home compared to Standard and Giant Schnauzer breeds. 

How Big Does A Standard Schnauzer Get?

The Standard Schnauzer is a medium sized dog. Medium sized dog with a strong square shaped body.

The adult Standard Schnauzer is about 17 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder and 30 to 50 pounds.

Standard Schnauzers are well muscled and athletic, and were bred to work. They are not as big as Giant Schnauzers but are much bigger than Miniatures.

They are also a medium-sized dog which may make them a good option for those who prefer a bigger size without a giant Schnauzer. They do require regular exercise and interaction, though.

The Standard Schnauzer may look bigger than its weight indicates, due to its square body, thick coat, beard and leg furnishings. Grooming may also impact the size of the dog.

The height of a Standard Schnauzer is measured to the top of the shoulders, not to the head. This is the traditional method of measuring a dog’s height. 

Typical measurements include:

• Height: 17–20 inches
• Weight: 30–50 pounds
• Build: Strong and athletic
• Size category: Medium-sized dog
• Adult size: Generally established by the end of the growth period

Standard Schnauzer size is another factor in its versatility. It is big enough to take part in a multitude of physical activities, but doesn’t need as much physical room as a Giant Schnauzer. 

How Big Does A Giant Schnauzer Get?

The Giant Schnauzer is the largest breed of Schnauzer. Very large, strong, athletic looking dog with good bone structure.

The Giant Schnauzer is a medium sized dog that stands 23.5 to 27.5 inches high at the shoulder. The average weight is 55-85 lbs, but some dogs may be below or above.

Giant Schnauzers can appear much larger than Standard Schnauzers due to their height and musculature. They are large and very active and will need owners who can handle a large, active dog.

Giant Schnauzers require plenty of exercise and mental challenges. Even if a large dog is provided with plenty of house room, he may become difficult to handle if he is not getting enough exercise.

Their size is slower to reach adult size than many smaller dogs. Puppies may grow and develop until they are a significant portion of their adult size. Development may be affected by genetics, nutrition, exercise, and overall health.

A typical Giant Schnauzer will be: 

• Height: 23.5–27.5 inches
• Weight: 55–85 pounds
• Build: Large, muscular and athletic
• Breed group: Sporting dogs
• Adult development: May grow after a lot of its adult growth. 

When you are considering introducing a Giant Schnauzer into your life, be sure to think about the adult dog; do not judge the dog by its puppy appearance. A little puppy can grow to be a dog in excess of 60 lbs. 

When Does A Schnauzer Reach Full Size?

The time when your Schnauzer will be fully grown depends on the specific type of Schnauzer.

Miniature Schnauzers mature earlier, due to their small size. Many will grow close to their full adult size in their first year, but can still grow muscle and fill out after that.

The standard Schnauzer will mature a bit slower. Large dogs have a longer growth period, and Giant Schnauzers typically are the longest.

It is important to separate out height and maturity. A dog’s full muscle mass and body shape may not develop until after reaching full size.

There are a number of factors that may affect a Schnauzer’s growth: 

Genetics:
A puppy’s adult size, weight and conformation are greatly influenced by their parents. 

Nutrition:
Healthy growth is achieved by a balanced diet. It is not good to overfeed a puppy as this will not help the dog turn into a healthy adult and could cause too much weight gain. 

Exercise:
Healthy development is nurtured through age-appropriate activities. Never push puppies into any kind of extensive exercise before they are prepared. 

Health:
Normal growth may be impaired by illness or nutritional deficiencies. The Vet visits can help detect problems early. 

Sex:
A few differences may occur in body size and weight between male and female dogs, but this is normal.

When you’re worried that your Schnauzer puppy is growing too fast, too slow, or too fat, a vet can determine this based on age, breed, body condition and medical history. 

Does A Schnauzer’s Size Affect Its Care?

Yes. Although the Schnauzer breed has many common traits, there are differences between the three varieties in their physical needs.

A Miniature Schnauzer will require less food and space than a Giant Schnauzer. But it should not be assumed that this makes it an easy exercise or small dog.

The Standard Schnauzer requires a balanced amount of exercise, training, and socialization. It is relatively small in size, allowing it to undertake a number of activities.

With a bigger body comes a need for more planning in the case of a Giant Schnauzer. From portions to exercise, transportation, sleeping area, training materials and veterinary care, owners have to take all this into account.

Another way in which size matters is in making real-life decisions in the home. Thus, a large dog might require a larger crate, tougher walking devices and room for easy movement.

Another factor to take into account is grooming needs. All three varieties have the characteristic Schnauzer coat, but the amount of coat and grooming required can vary between individual dogs and grooming styles.

Whatever the size, a Schnauzer is good for: 

• Regular veterinary care
• A balanced diet appropriate for its age and size
• Consistent exercise
• Basic obedience training
• Mental stimulation
• Routine grooming
• A healthy body condition

Weight is also not a good indicator of a Schnauzer’s health size either. Dogs can be the same height, but have differing ideal weights due to differences in bone structure and muscle. 

Final Thoughts

Then what size is a Schnauzer? This varies according to variety. Miniature Schnauzers are 12-14 inches tall and weigh 11-20 pounds. The standard-sized Schnauzeros are about 17-20 inches tall and weigh between 30-50 pounds. Giant Schnauzers measure 23.5–27.5 inches in height and 55–85 pounds.

The three sizes provide Schnauzer owners with very different experiences. There are Miniature and Standard sizes, both of which are smaller and easier to work with physically. When it comes to space, exercise, food and general management, a Giant is a lot bigger and will demand more consideration.

When considering getting a Schnauzer puppy, don’t focus on how big it is now. Inquire from parents, know about the variety, watch for healthy growth, and consult with your vet to ensure proper development of the puppy. With that in consideration, you should be able to have a much clearer notion of what the size of your Schnauzer will be.