Little girl

Miniature Schnauzers may look like lap dogs, but they’re more likely to chase animals around the yard or stand guard at the door than be lazy couch potatoes. These loyal dogs are bundles of energy that enjoy spending time with their owners, protecting the home, and being your #1 companion. Full-grown, they typically weigh 11-20 pounds and stand 12-14 inches tall.

Miniature Schnauzers are generally excellent with children of all ages. Miniature Schnauzers are not the warmest dogs upon initial introduction, but once they get acquainted with you, they’re sweet and loving. Their wariness around strangers usually leads to lots of barking, especially when they’re around other dogs. They're very vocal and bark quite a lot.

Miniature Schnauzers are athletic pups that can barely contain their energy. They need to be exercised multiple times a day to stay healthy and avoid getting into trouble. These dogs love to run, play in the yard, practice earth dog or tracking activities, and do anything that gets their heart pumping. Overall, their exercise needs are very high.

Miniature Schnauzers have typical terrier-style coats. A soft, thick undercoat keeps them warm and is topped by a wiry outer coat. Their notable features include long hair on their chin and face, which gives them expressive eyebrows and a beard. Grooming-wise, this breed is fairly high-maintenance. Miniature Schnauzers are considered hypoallergenic, which can be a plus for allergy sufferers.

Miniature Schnauzers are best suited for apartments and smaller homes. They can live outdoors in moderate or warm areas but prefer to spend most of their time indoors with family. They are highly trainable and eager to learn.

With a star-studded history and loving yet protective personality, it’s easy to understand why German Shepherd Dogs are one of the most popular breeds around. These pups possess the perfect blend of gentle love and fierce watchfulness. As long as you’re safe and content, they will be too. Full-grown, they typically weigh 50-90 pounds and stand 22-26 inches tall.

German Shepherd Dogs are generally excellent with children of all ages. German Shepherd Dogs are ultra territorial, making them among the least likely of breeds to run away from a fight. German Shepherds get along fine with children and other animals, as long as they’ve been socialized, and they prefer to live in a home with family around. They're moderate barkers — they'll alert you when something's up but aren't excessive.

German Shepherd Dogs are happiest when they’re doing some type of work, such as agility, obedience, or any activity that taps into their herding instincts. This breed enjoys helping and having a job to do, so they're often used as guide dogs and police dogs. No matter what the activity is, be sure to keep your German Shepherd busy with mental and physical activities to prevent boredom. Overall, their exercise needs are very high.

There are three varieties of German Shepherds: coarse and short-haired, coarse and long-haired, and wavy and long-haired. The most common dogs are tan with a black back and mask, but German Shepherds come in a variety of colors, including solid black, grey, brown, and yellow, tricolor, or sable. They also have several kinds of markings, such as “pencilling” (black lines on the toes) and “tar heels” (black on the back of the leg). Grooming-wise, this breed is low-maintenance.

German Shepherd Dogs are best suited for a home with a yard, though they can adapt to apartment life with enough exercise. German Shepherds get along fine with children and other animals, as long as they’ve been socialized, and they prefer to live in a home with family around. However, they don’t enjoy being with other dogs and would prefer to have the house to themselves. They are highly trainable and eager to learn.