What Kind of Hair Does a Miniature Schnauzer Have?

One of the major breed features for all Schnauzers is the hair. And the Miniature Schnauzer is not an exception. It’s rigid, coarse and wire-like. It protects your dog from skin damage and does not shed on its own. Much of the quality of a particular dog’s coat depends on its genetics. However, even the most coarse dog will lose its characteristic hair texture if he is cut or shaved. Cutting will encourage undercoat growth and reduce the hardness of your dog’s top coat. As a result, the Schnauzer will start to shed like any other breed and his coat will become dusty, dull and soft. Therefore it is very important to understand the correct grooming procedure and select the best brush for Miniature Schnauzer. Actually, there is not the only one, but several for different aims.

Schnauzer’s hair care includes regular hand stripping and a hygienic regular haircut, as well as bathing with special shampoos and conditioners and daily combing of the legs, skirt and face. We have tested plenty of them and got professional advice from the most reliable groomers and here is a list of the best brush for Mini Schnauzer for every purpose – all you need for proper grooming.

Best Grooming Brush for Miniature Schnauzer 

The proper care for Mini’s hair requires not only one brush, but a number of tools for different aims and stages of shedding. You will need every day combs for the coat, special brushes to care for longer decorative hair of Schnauzers, special dematting tools to cope with mat and knots after long walks in wet weather or playing in grass. Besides, there are special knives for hand-stripping.

Types of Brushes for Mini Schnauzer

• Daily Coat Care – Steel Comb
• Longer Hair Care – Soft Slicker Brush
• Dematting – Dematting Rake
• Trimming – Hand-Stripping Knife

And here is our set of brushes each Schnauzer parent should have for every day care.

And now let’s get into detail for every Miniature Schnauzer brush type and see what other good quality options you may have.

Daily Coat Care – Steel Comb

This simple comb is necessary for quick and universal care. You can always bring it with you, detangle minor mats, get rid of fleas, and make final brush before walking out. Regular comb can be with frequent and rare teeth. Before buying such a comb, make sure that it does not scratch the skin with its teeth, its ends should be as round as possible. Straight hair should be brushed as it grows.

Longer Hair Care – Soft Slicker Brush

Slicker Brush is very good for decorative Schnauzer’s longer hair. It helps to make it soft and straight. We know that Schnauzers need profound trimming twice a year. But during the year you will still need a tool to eliminate not numerous dead hairs from the undercoat. For this purpose Slicker Brush is good as well. Choose a medium sized Slicker. The Slicker should be selected according to teeth stiffness. For Schnauzers – medium stiffness or soft. Comb hair against its growth with a Slicker Brush

DeMatting – Dematting Rake

It is very important to have a dematting tool in your collection of brushes for the Mini. The long hair on the legs, stomach and muzzle gets matted, with tangles and knots, especially when the weather is wet, or the dog is running in high grass and bushes. DeMatting brushes are specially designed to remove mats easy, with no pain or scratching. Let’s have a look at the best.

Trimming – Hand Stripping Knives

The process of regular shedding (twice a year) and hair renewal is slowed down for Miniature Schnauzers. The hair does not fall out on its own even after it has become dead. That’s why the dog needs help in plucking out the hair by hand. Knives for hand stripping help you to remove easily all the old hair, making room for new coat to grow – healthy and shiny. You can ask a professional groomer to do this for your Mini, at least for the first time. But when you see the process once, you can do it by yourself with the help of professional devices.

What You have to Know about Miniature Schnauzers Shedding, Matting, and Other Coat Problems

Probably you have heard that Schnauzers do not shed. And all you have to do is to shave it twice a year. A dog that does not shed is like a dream to come true. But this is just a dream.

• Miniature Schnauzers shed heavily twice a year. But their hair does not fall off by its own – hand stripping is needed to help your dog
• Miniature Schnauzers shed slightly all year round – A regular care is required (once a week)
• Their coat is growing all year round – A regular hygienic haircut or clipping is required to keep your Mini looking neat
• The long hair on the legs, stomach and face get matted and tangled- Daily care is required
• Irritation of the skin after hand stripping may occur – Special treatment shampoos are requires to provide relief

You may like to read: Schnauzer Grooming Tools

Buyer’s Guide – Best Brush for Miniature Schnauzer

Accustom your Mini to brush from a young age. Brush your puppy for at least a few minutes every day, the entire his body and limbs. Then praise him and give him a treat. This not only allows him to look good, but also teaches him discipline. Often owners brush their dogs with inappropriate tools and the dog remains unbrushed.

Things to Consider When Buying the Best Brush for Schnauzer

Daily and overall care of the Mini begins with understanding the shedding process of the breed first of all. We are here to help you with. Then, choose correct grooming tools and follow the scheme:

• Wash Mini’s hair on the limbs, face and stomach with shampoo for frequent use every three days. Then, to make the coat softer and less tangled, rinse it with conditioner. Use special dog care products. After each walk, rinse off dirt and dust with running water.
• If your Mini quickly gets tangled up on his paws and stomach and knots appear, then cut his hair more often and make it shorter (Note: not for show dogs). Combing with special hair brushing means facilitates the process, less hair breaks and tangles.
• Mini has a well-developed undercoat, so it should be removed regularly, combing the entire body and sometimes limbs with special tools: Daily Care Comb, DeShedder or Slicker for perfect schnauzer haircut. Removing undercoat will allow your dog to develop a perfect top coat and make him look well-groomed for a long time.
• It’s best to hand stripp your Mini, i.e to pluck his coat off the body every 5-6 months, rather than to cut (or groom with clippers only), at least partially. After cutting most dogs, especially the youngest ones, don’t develop top coat, protecting them from wind and rain. Special Hand Stripping Knives will help you with the process.

You may like to read: Best Shampoo and Detangling Spray for Miniature Schnauzer

FAQ about Best Brush for Miniature Schnauzer

Summary

If you want your Miniature Schnauzer to look according to his breed standards, follow the agenda:

• Handstrip Miniature Schnauzer twice a year
• Cut the Mini with scissors (or clipper) in three months after hand stripping to keep him neat
• Once a week use deshedding tools
• Comb him daily, reduce mats and knots

This way your Mini will always look well-groomed and will have healthy top coat and proper undercoat.