14-30 lbs
12-18"
Unknown
The Bulldog Schnauzer is typically a small to medium-sized canine with playful but gentle demeanor. It is a cross between the English Bulldog and the Miniature Schnauzer that is recognized by the American Canine Hybrid Club, however, they are not a particularly popular or common hybrid at this time, and may be difficult to find. The two parent breeds are quite different from one another in structure, temperament, and coat, so there can be some rather large differences between Bulldog Schnauzers from dog to dog. The hybrid would be less likely to develop brachycephalic difficulties than the English Bulldog and is typically calmer and gentler than the Miniature Schnauzer.
The Bulldog Schnauzer is a cross breed between the English Bulldog, a dog originally bred to control and bait bulls, and the Miniature Schnauzer, a very capable ratter. The English Bulldog is quite an old breed and the origins of this canine are somewhat mysterious. Some experts believe they are a descendant of a Mastiff breed dog and a Pug, while others think that the Mastiff line was descended from the English Bulldog. Either way, it is known that these dogs were used to control, guard, and bait bulls. To that end, Bulldogs of the 1800’s were bred to be much more aggressive and tenacious than they are today, with an extremely high pain tolerance. This made them excellent candidates for fighting other dogs as well and because of this trait they were instrumental in the development of both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the American Staffordshire Terrier. When these violent “sports” became illegal in 1885, the breed was maintained by Bulldog fanciers who chose to breed for a more agreeable nature, and today’s English Bulldog is typically a docile animal who is capable of adapting to many situations. The Miniature Schnauzer as we know it today is a slightly newer breed, although the Schnauzer that it is derived from dates back to the middle ages in one form or another, it wasn’t until it was crossed with the Poodle from Germany and the grey Wolfspitz, better known as the Keeshond, that it got its distinctive wiry coat and coloration. Sometime after this change, the Miniature Schnauzer was developed not only by breeding the smallest of the Schnauzers together, but also by breeding them with other small Terrier type dogs; possible contributors to the breed may include Wire Fox Terriers, Pomeranian dogs, and the Affenpinscher. It wasn’t until 1888 that the first Miniature Schnauzer was recorded in a German stud book. North American breeders began working with and breeding Miniature Schnauzers as early as 1924 and they were accepted as a distinct breed by the AKC in 1926. The Miniature Schnauzer’s long, broad muzzle may help to mitigate brachycephalic issues and the English Bulldog’s more gentle nature may help to reduce the Miniature Schnauzer’s high prey drive.
This hybrid is a combination of two dogs with differing structures, temperaments, and coats, so there could be a great deal of variation between dogs, even within the same litter. The English Bulldog is quite a bit larger than the Miniature Schnauzer, and although the Miniature Schnauzer has a short, deep body, it is not as thick or low-slung as the Bulldog. Both parent breeds have a relatively flat head but the head of the Bulldog is wide where the head of the Schnauzer is long and although both have small, dark eyes; the Miniature Schnauzer’s eyes are much rounder than the English Bulldog’s and the ears of the Bulldog sit a little higher on their heads while the ears of the Schnauzer fold flatter to the head. The differences between the muzzles and the coats of these two breeds are the most striking, however. The English Bulldog has been bred to have a shortened muzzle with an undershot jaw and the Schnauzer has a fairly long and substantial muzzle with a luxurious thick beard of hair at the end of it. The coat of the Schnauzer is a medium length wiry coat with a thick undercoat whereas the English Bulldog has a single layer, short coat that lays flat to their body. The Bulldog Schnauzer can inherit any of these traits, or anything in between.
Maintenance and grooming for this particular crossbreed can vary quite a bit from animal to animal due to the differences in the coats that may be inherited. These dogs will typically need a bath every month or two unless they get into something messy or stinky, and regardless of the type of coat they inherit, brushing their coat several times a week will be essential. Bulldog Schnauzers that lean towards the Bulldog heritage will have the short, single layer coat, and will only need a quick once over using a slicker brush or rubber bristle brush, whereas those that have the longer, double-layer coat of the Schnauzer will generally require a comb or pin brush as well as a slicker brush, and are much more prone to tangling and matting. Miniature Schnauzers often require clipping of their coat to keep their feet and beard neat and tidy and to keep the hair out of their eyes and in some cases, this may be necessary for the Bulldog Schnauzer as well. If your dog has developed the same wrinkly skin that is found on the English Bulldog, it is important to ensure that dirt and moisture do not get trapped in the folds as the contaminants may cause skin irritation and infection.
Although the Miniature Schnauzer is a fairly active breed, the English Bulldog tends to be a bit more sedentary and the crossbreed should find 40 to 60 minutes a day of exercise satisfactory to burn off its excess energy. Dogs that have the shortened muzzle of the English Bulldog may have difficulty in either extremely cold or extremely hot conditions and should be carefully monitored during heat fluctuations. The regular exercise is needed for this crossbreed, whether your canine companion is begging or not, as these dogs are prone to developing obesity, which can lead to added stress on the cardiovascular system.
Written by Darlene Stott
Published: 10/09/2017, edited: 02/24/2021
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