Miniature Schnauzer vs Otterhound vs Basenji – Which one is a better dog breed for you?
"Find similarities and differences between Miniature Schnauzer vs Otterhound vs Basenji"
Compare Miniature Schnauzer and Otterhound. Which is better: Miniature Schnauzer or Otterhound or Basenji?
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Name | Miniature Schnauzer | Otterhound | Basenji |
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Origins | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
Group | Hunting Dogs | Hunting Dogs | Hunting Dogs |
Popularity Rank | 18 | 186 | 84 |
Reviews | 2 | 1 | 1 |
Rate |
Other Names | Zwergschnauzer | Otter Dog | Congo Dog, Congo Terrier, African Bush Dog, African Barkless Dog, Ango Angari, Zande Dog |
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Breed Type | Purebred | Purebred | Purebred |
AKC Group | Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1926 as a Terrier breed. | Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1909 as a Hound breed. | Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1944 as a Hound breed. |
FCI Group | Recognized by FCI in the Pinscher and Schnauzer - Molossoid and Swiss Mountain and Cattledogs group, in the Pinscher and Schnauzer type section. | Recognized by FCI in the Scent hounds and related breeds group, in the Scent hounds section. | Recognized by FCI in the Spitz and primitive types group, in the Primitive type section. |
Breed Recognition |
American Canine Registry American Kennel Club America's Pet Registry Canadian Kennel Club Dog Registry of America Inc. Federation Cynologique Internationale Kennel Club of Great Britain North American Purebred Registry, Inc. American Canine Association, Inc. Australian National Kennel Council Continental Kennel Club National Kennel Club New Zealand Kennel Club United Kennel Club |
American Kennel Club Australian National Kennel Council Canadian Kennel Club Continental Kennel Club Federation Cynologique Internationale Kennel Club of Great Britain National Kennel Club New Zealand Kennel Club United Kennel Club | No set |
Price | $600-$1000 | $500-$600 | $1000-$1200 |
General Appearance - Miniature Schnauzer vs Otterhound vs Basenji
Size | Small | Large | Medium |
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Weight | Male: 11-18 pounds (5.0-8.2 kg), Female: 10-15 pounds (4.5-6.8 kg) | 66-115 pounds (30-52 kg) | Male: 22-26 pounds (10-12 kg), Female: 20-25 pounds (9-11 kg) |
Avg. Weight | Male: 14.5 pounds (5.0-8.2 kg), Female: 12.5 pounds (4.5-6.8 kg) | 90.5 pounds (41 kg) | Male: 24 pounds (11 kg), Female: 22.5 pounds (10 kg) |
Height | Male: 14 inches (35.6 cm), Female: 13 inches (33.0 cm) | 24-26 inches (60-65 cm) | Male: 16-17 inches (41-43 cm), Female: 15-16 inches (38-41 cm) |
Avg. Height | Male: 14 inches (35.6 cm), Female: 13 inches (33.0 cm) | 25 inches (62.5 cm) | Male: 16.5 inches (42 cm), Female: 15.5 inches (39.5 cm) |
Hair & Care - Miniature Schnauzer vs Otterhound vs Basenji
Coat | Wiry |
Rough Waterproof | Fine |
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Colors |
Salt Pepper Silver Black |
Blue Cream Wheaten Tan Black |
White Brindle Tan Red Black |
Grooming | Advanced: The Miniature Schnauzer requires a lot of grooming. | Advanced: The Otterhound requires a lot of grooming. | Effortless: The Basenji requires minimal grooming. |
Shedding Level | Miniature Schnauzers shed none to minimal. | Otterhounds shed above average. | Basenjis shed none to minimal. |
Characteristics - Miniature Schnauzer vs Otterhound vs Basenji
Temperament |
Alert Friendly Obedient Fearless Intelligent Spirited |
Amiable Outright Tempered Boisterous |
Affectionate Curious Playful Alert Energetic Intelligent |
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Intelligent Rank | Very smart: Miniature Schnauzer is an excellent dog breed. | Average: Otterhound's has average obedience intelligence. | Low: The Basenji if one of the dog breeds that have the lowest degree of obedience intelligence. |
Trainability | Miniature Schnauzers are easy to train. | Otterhounds are easy to train. | Basenjis are easy to train. |
Playfulness | Miniature Schnauzers, like any other dog breed, like playing. | The Otterhound is a highly playful breed. | Basenjis, like any other dog breed, like playing. |
Sensitivity Level | They are a little bit more sensitive than other dog breeds. | Otterhounds are less sensitive than other dog breeds. | Basenjis have an average emotional level and are not the most sensitive dog breed. |
Affection Level | Miniature Schnauzers are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. | Otterhounds are average dogs regarding their affection level. | Basenjis may seem unfriendly sometimes due to their independence. |
Social Needs | Miniature Schnauzers are a social breed. | Otterhounds need for social interaction is average. | Basenjis are kinda antisocial. |
Barking | Average: The Miniature Schnauzer barks occasionally. | Average: The Otterhound barks occasionally. | Low: The Basenji barks none to minimal. |
Watchdog Ability | Miniature Schnauzers are one of the best watchdogs. | Otterhounds are not the best watchdogs. | Basenjis are one of the best watchdogs. |
Territorial | Miniature Schnauzers strongly protect their territory. | Otterhounds can't provide protection for their territory. | Basenjis are average defenders. |
Biting Potential |
Low The Miniature Schnauzer has a low chance of biting somebody. |
Low The Otterhound has a low chance of biting somebody. |
Low The Basenji has a low chance of biting somebody. |
Mouthiness | Miniature Schnauzers have lower than average tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. | Otterhounds have an average tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. | Basenjis have a strong tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. |
Impulse to Wander or Roam | Miniature Schnauzers have average wanderlust potential. | Otterhounds have high wanderlust potential, which means that this breed has a strong desire for exploring the world. | Basenjis have high wanderlust potential, which means that this breed has a strong desire for exploring the world. |
Prey Drive | Miniature Schnauzers have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds. | Otterhounds have a high impulse to chase and catch something. | Basenjis have a high impulse to chase and catch something. |
Apartment Friendly | Miniature Schnauzers are not the best choice for an apartment lifestyle, but they don't mind being inside if you walk them several times every day. | Otterhounds are not apartment-friendly dogs. | Basenjis are not recommended for an apartment lifestyle. |
Adaptability | Miniature Schnauzers adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments. | Otterhounds adapt to lifestyle changes and different living environments quite okay usually. | Basenjis adapt to lifestyle changes and different living environments quite okay usually. |
Tolerates Being Left Alone | Miniature Schnauzers do best when a family member is at home during the day or if their workplace is dog-friendly so they can take the dog at work. | Just like every puppy, they are prone to panic, cry, bark, whine when they left alone by their owner. | Basenjis handle alone time quite well. |
Fighting Dog |
Not really In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog. |
Not really In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog. |
Yes In history, this breed was unfortunately used for combat dog. |
Good With - Miniature Schnauzer vs Otterhound vs Basenji
Stranger Friendly | Miniature Schnauzers are average friendly towards strangers. | Otterhounds are not the most stranger friendly dogs. | Basenjis are not the most stranger friendly dogs. |
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Child Friendly | Miniature Schnauzers are kid-friendly dogs. | Otterhounds are kid-friendly dogs. | Basenjis are kid-friendly dogs. |
Cat Friendly | Miniature Schnauzers are average friendly towards cats. | Otterhounds are average friendly towards cats. | Basenjis are not the most cat-friendly dogs. |
Dog Friendly | Miniature Schnauzers are average friendly towards other dogs. | Otterhounds are average friendly towards other dogs. | Basenjis are not the most dog-friendly dogs. |
Office Friendly |
No Miniature Schnauzer is not the best dog breed for office environment. |
No Otterhound is not the best dog breed for office environment. |
No Basenji is not the best dog breed for office environment. |
Senior Citizens Friendly | Miniature Schnauzers are usually recommended for elderly people. | Otterhounds are usually recommended for elderly people. | Basenjis are usually recommended for elderly people. |
Pet Friendly | Miniature Schnauzers are generally with other pets. | Otterhounds are generally with other pets. | Basenjis usually don’t get on well with other pets. |
Good For First Time Owners |
No Miniature Schnauzers are not good for novice owners, due to their stubborn personality. |
Yes Otterhounds are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality. |
Yes Basenjis are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality. |
Service Dog |
Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog. |
Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog. |
Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog. |
Therapy Dog |
Not really This breed generally not used as a therapy dog. |
Not really This breed generally not used as a therapy dog. |
Not really This breed generally not used as a therapy dog. |
Detection Dog or Sniffer Dog |
Not really A detection dog or sniffer dog is a dog that is trained to use its senses (mostly its smell) to detect substances such as explosives, illegal drugs, wildlife scat, currency, blood, and contraband electronics such as illicit mobile phones. |
Not really A detection dog or sniffer dog is a dog that is trained to use its senses (mostly its smell) to detect substances such as explosives, illegal drugs, wildlife scat, currency, blood, and contraband electronics such as illicit mobile phones. |
Not really A detection dog or sniffer dog is a dog that is trained to use its senses (mostly its smell) to detect substances such as explosives, illegal drugs, wildlife scat, currency, blood, and contraband electronics such as illicit mobile phones. |
Search and Rescue Dog (SAR) |
Not really The use of dogs in search and rescue (SAR) is a valuable component in wilderness tracking, natural disasters, mass casualty events, and in locating missing people. |
Not really The use of dogs in search and rescue (SAR) is a valuable component in wilderness tracking, natural disasters, mass casualty events, and in locating missing people. |
Not really The use of dogs in search and rescue (SAR) is a valuable component in wilderness tracking, natural disasters, mass casualty events, and in locating missing people. |
Boat Dog |
Yes Miniature Schnauzer breed usually likes being on a boat. |
Yes Otterhound breed usually likes being on a boat. |
Not really Basenji breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. |
Cart Pulling or Drafting Dog |
Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. |
Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. |
Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. |
Health Factors - Miniature Schnauzer vs Otterhound vs Basenji
Health Issues | The Miniature Schnauzer is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly. | Otterhounds tend to have more and frequent health issues than other breeds. | The Basenji is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly. |
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Health Problems |
Cataracts Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare infection (MAI) Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) |
Bloat Epilepsy Glanzmann's Thrombasthenia Joint Problems | No set |
Life Expectancy | 12-14 years | 10-12 years | 10-12 years |
Hypoallergenic | Yes | No | No |
Energy Level | Miniature Schnauzers are high energy dogs. | Otterhounds are high energy dogs. | Basenjis are high energy dogs. |
Exercise Need | Miniature Schnauzers have an average exercise need. | Otterhounds need a lot of exercises. | Basenjis need quite a lot of exercise. |
Sleeping Need | Miniature Schnauzers don't need too much sleep. | Otterhounds don't need too much sleep. | Basenjis don't need too much sleep. |
Avg. daily food consumption | 1/2 to 1 cup dry food a day. | 3 to 5 cups of a high-quality dog food daily, divided into two meals. | 3/4 to 1 cup of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals. |
Weight Gain Potential | Average to High. | Average. | Low to Average. |
Weather & Climate |
Prefers average to cold weather conditions The Miniature Schnauzer can adapt to well to cold weather conditions, some dogs even can be a good mountain dog. |
Prefers average to cold weather conditions The Otterhound can adapt to well to cold weather conditions, some dogs even can be a good mountain dog. | Prefers warm weather |
Stinkiness |
Low The Miniature Schnauzer has a low chance of bad smell. |
Medium The Otterhound has an average chance of bad smell. |
Low The Basenji has a low chance of bad smell. |
Drooling tendency | The Miniature Schnauzer is a perfect example for very low drooling tendency. | The Otterhound is a perfect example for very low drooling tendency. | The Basenji is a perfect example for low drooling tendency. |
Reproducibility - Miniature Schnauzer vs Otterhound vs Basenji
Gestation Length | 60-64 days | 60-64 days | 60-64 days |
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How often can the have a litter? |
Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. |
Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. |
Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. |
Litter Size | 3-6 puppies | 4-7 puppies | 4-5 puppies |
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