Irish Terrier vs Miniature Schnauzer
Compare the Irish Terrier to the Miniature Schnauzer. Use the tool below to compare temperament, size, personality, maintenance requirements, and everything else between Irish Terriers and Miniature Schnauzers.
Quick Summary
- Owner Experience - Both the Miniature Schnauzer and the Irish Terrier are good for new owners, but the Miniature Schnauzer is a slightly better choice.
- Children - Both breeds are child friendly, but the Irish Terrier is the most friendly between the breeds.
- Grooming - Both the Irish Terrier and Miniature Schnauzer require moderate grooming.
- Barking - Both breeds will bark frequently, but the Irish Terrier has the highest tendency to bark between the two.
 |  | |
| Breed Name | Irish Terrier | Miniature Schnauzer |
| General Details | ||
| Breed Type | Purebred | Purebred |
| Is Hypoallergenic | Maybe | Yes |
| Lifespan | 12-15 yrs. | 12-14 yrs. |
| Height | 16-18 in. | 12-14 in. |
| Weight | 21-27 lb | 11-20 lb |
| Intelligence | Average | High |
| History | ||
| Origin Country | Ireland | Germany |
| Origin Year | 1875 AD | 1888 AD |
| Temperament | ||
| Overall Friendliness | ||
| Family Friendly | ||
| Kid Friendly | ||
| Pet Friendly | ||
| Stranger Friendly | ||
| Personality | ||
|
| |
| Living Environment | ||
| Apartment | No | Yes |
| Indoor | No | Yes |
| Small Yard | No | Yes |
| Medium Yard | Yes | Yes |
| Large Yard | Yes | Yes |
| Temperature Tolerance ¹ | 40°F to 70°F | 30°F to 80°F |
| Barks/Howls | ||
| Exercise Needs | ||
| Energy Level | High | Medium |
| Exercise Required | High | Medium |
| Top Running Speed | 22 mph | 17 mph |
| Strength | High | Low-Medium |
| Grooming Needs | ||
| Coat Maintenance | Medium | High |
| Shedding | None-Low | Low |
| Dander | Low | Low |
| Drool Amount | None-Low | None-Low |
¹This is estimated min/max temperature range for a healthy adult dog. Dogs that live indoors, puppies, seniors, unwell dogs, and/or dogs with improperly groomed coats may overheat sooner and get cold more quickly.
| Breed Name | Irish Terrier | Miniature Schnauzer |
| Breed Mentality | ||
| Dominant/Alpha | No | No |
| Family/Pack | No | No |
| Independent | Yes | Yes |
| Breed Focus | ||
| Distracted Easily | Yes | Yes |
| Average | No | Yes |
| Focused & Patient | No | No |
| Breed Instincts | ||
| Aggression | Below Average | Average |
| Burrow/Digging | High | Below Average |
| Chasing | High | High |
| Follow Commands | Average | Average |
| Fighting | Average | Below Average |
| Guarding | Below Average | Below Average |
| Herding | Below Average | Below Average |
| Hunting | High | Average |
| Protection | Below Average | Below Average |
| Remove Vermin | Below Average | High |
| Sledding | Very Low | Very Low |
| Watch | Average | High |
| Breed Name | Irish Terrier | Miniature Schnauzer |
| Lifespan | ||
| Lifespan | 12-15 yrs. | 12-14 yrs. |
| Common Health Issues | ||
| Cataracts | No | Yes |
| Mycobacterium Avium Infection | No | Yes |
| Progressive Retinal Atrophy | No | Yes |
| Breed Name | Irish Terrier | Miniature Schnauzer |
| Coat | ||
| Hair | Yes | Yes |
| Coat Type | ||
| Single Coat | Yes | No |
| Wire Coat | Yes | No |
| Double Coat | No | Yes |
| Coat Texture | ||
| Rough | Yes | Yes |
| Coat Length(s) | ||
| Medium | Yes | Yes |
| Short | No | Yes |
| Coat Color(s) | ||
| Red | Yes | No |
| Red Wheaten | Yes | No |
| Wheaten | Yes | No |
| Black | No | Yes |
| Black & Silver | No | Yes |
| Salt & Pepper | No | Yes |