Is the Miniature Schnauzer or the West Highland White Terrier better for families with children?

Both the Miniature Schnauzer and the West Highland White Terrier are considered good with children when properly socialized and supervised.

Which sheds more, the Miniature Schnauzer or the West Highland White Terrier?

The West Highland White Terrier sheds more than the Miniature Schnauzer. If shedding is a concern, the Miniature Schnauzer is the lower-maintenance choice.

Which is easier to train, the Miniature Schnauzer or the West Highland White Terrier?

The Miniature Schnauzer is generally the easier of the two to train, making it a better pick for less experienced owners.

Is Miniature Schnauzer or West Highland White Terrier bigger?

Miniature Schnauzer and West Highland White Terrier are a similar size (Small).

Which barks more, Miniature Schnauzer or West Highland White Terrier?

Both bark a similar amount (medium).

Which is better for apartment living, Miniature Schnauzer or West Highland White Terrier?

For apartment or apartment living, Miniature Schnauzer and West Highland White Terrier are an even match — either can work well.

Miniature Schnauzer vs West Highland White Terrier: Compared

Miniature Schnauzer vs West Highland White Terrier: full comparison

Trait	Miniature Schnauzer	West Highland White Terrier
Size	Small	Small
Energy level	Medium	Medium
Trainability	High	Medium
Friendliness	High	High
Good with children	High	High
Grooming needs	High	High
Shedding	Low	Medium
Barking	Medium	Medium
Protectiveness	Medium	Medium
Adaptability	High	High
Typical lifespan	14 years	14 years
Hypoallergenic	Yes	No

Size and living space

The Miniature Schnauzer is a compact little dog that suits apartments and smaller homes well and needs little floor space. By comparison, the West Highland White Terrier is a compact little dog that suits apartments and smaller homes well and needs little floor space. Because they are a similar size, neither has a clear space advantage — both will suit the same kind of home.

Exercise and energy needs

The Miniature Schnauzer wants a decent walk or two each day and some playtime. The West Highland White Terrier wants a decent walk or two each day and some playtime. Their exercise needs are broadly the same, so this is unlikely to be a deciding factor.

Grooming and shedding

The Miniature Schnauzer requires frequent brushing and regular professional trims and sheds only lightly. The West Highland White Terrier requires frequent brushing and regular professional trims and loses a fair amount of coat, especially seasonally. The Miniature Schnauzer is also considered hypoallergenic, an advantage for allergy sufferers. If low upkeep matters to you, factor this in — the difference adds up over a dog's lifetime.

Temperament, training and family life

The Miniature Schnauzer is quick to learn and a pleasure to train, barks a moderate amount, usually with reason and is reliably good with children and a solid family choice. The West Highland White Terrier is reasonably trainable with regular, positive sessions, barks a moderate amount, usually with reason and is reliably good with children and a solid family choice. On guarding instinct, Miniature Schnauzer will alert you to visitors but is not an aggressive guardian, whereas West Highland White Terrier will alert you to visitors but is not an aggressive guardian.

Which is better for…

For apartment or apartment living, Miniature Schnauzer and West Highland White Terrier are an even match — either can work well.
For families with young children, Miniature Schnauzer and West Highland White Terrier are an even match — either can work well.
For first-time dog owners, Miniature Schnauzer has the edge, as it is easier to train and more forgiving of beginner mistakes.
For being left alone during the workday, Miniature Schnauzer and West Highland White Terrier are an even match — either can work well.
For allergy sufferers, Miniature Schnauzer has the edge, as it is hypoallergenic and lower-shedding.

Which should you choose?

Choose the Miniature Schnauzer if you need a hypoallergenic, low-dander coat, you want an easier dog to train, or you want less shedding around the home.

Choose the West Highland White Terrier if you simply prefer the breed — it's very closely matched with the Miniature Schnauzer on temperament, size and care.

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Frequently asked questions

Is the Miniature Schnauzer or the West Highland White Terrier better for families with children?: Both the Miniature Schnauzer and the West Highland White Terrier are considered good with children when properly socialized and supervised.
Which sheds more, the Miniature Schnauzer or the West Highland White Terrier?: The West Highland White Terrier sheds more than the Miniature Schnauzer. If shedding is a concern, the Miniature Schnauzer is the lower-maintenance choice.
Which is easier to train, the Miniature Schnauzer or the West Highland White Terrier?: The Miniature Schnauzer is generally the easier of the two to train, making it a better pick for less experienced owners.
Is Miniature Schnauzer or West Highland White Terrier bigger?: Miniature Schnauzer and West Highland White Terrier are a similar size (Small).
Which barks more, Miniature Schnauzer or West Highland White Terrier?: Both bark a similar amount (medium).
Which is better for apartment living, Miniature Schnauzer or West Highland White Terrier?: For apartment or apartment living, Miniature Schnauzer and West Highland White Terrier are an even match — either can work well.

Miniature Schnauzer vs West Highland White Terrier