The Carnauzer is an interesting mixed breed created by mixing the Miniature Schnauzer with the Cairn Terrier Mix. It’s a healthy dog that loves to play and spend time with the family. It has a water-repellent coat that’s hypoallergenic and perfect for anyone that’s allergic to the dander that dogs produce.

Breed Overview

If you would like to learn more about this new breed, keep reading while we discuss cost, health issues, training, grooming, and more to help you make an educated purchase.

Carnauzer Puppies

You will want to set aside a fair amount in your budget for your new Carnauzer, depending on where you live and what breeder you choose. Both parents are fairly popular in the United States, so there is a good chance you will find one willing to create one for you. If you can’t find a breeder near you, you might need to set aside additional funds for traveling.

Besides the cost of your dog, you will also need to purchase regular vaccinations. We recommend getting your dog spayed or neutered, and you might also want to consider pet insurance, which will raise your monthly costs but can be a lifesaver if emergencies occur. Food treats and toys are other recurring expenses that you should consider as well.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Carnauzer

The Carnauzer is a playful dog that rarely gets aggressive toward people or other pets. It can form strong bonds with every family member and can become upset if left alone too long. Its small size is popular with children, and it usually gets along with them quite well.

It is an intelligent breed that enjoys learning and solving puzzles. It’s not hard to train, and it will quickly learn your routine and look for ways to help you without getting in the way. Its endless energy and curiosity also help make the Carnauzer a great watchdog.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪

As we mentioned earlier, the small fuzzy appearance of the Carnauzer makes it popular with children, and it is quite tolerant of rough play, and it enjoys the attention the children give. It forms strong bonds with all family members and will always be happy when you return home from work. It is not barky unless it feels ignored, but it will let you know if there is an intruder in the yard, so it makes a great watchdog.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets? 🐶 😽 

The Carnauzer gets along quite well with other dogs and is usually well-behaved on the walking trail. It has a strong prey drive for rodents and may occasionally chase after a cat but will usually stick to rabbits, squirrels, and mice it finds in the yard. Early socialization can help your puppy get along with cats and other household animals a little easier.

Things to Know When Owning a Carnauzer:

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

Your Carnauzer is a high-energy dog that requires a high-protein diet to help it develop strong muscles and stay active. Foods with more protein tend to help your pet stay full longer so it will be less likely to look for snacks and treats. To find high-quality food, read the ingredients and choose one with real meat listed as the first ingredient. Ingredients like chicken, turkey, lamb, and salmon, will help deliver the protein, while corn, wheat, and soy will provide your dog with mostly empty calories.

Exercise 🐕

Your Carnauzer is a highly active dog that will require you to set aside at least 30 minutes each day to play with it or go for a long walk. Your dog will likely get much of the exercise it needs running around your home each day, but you will still need to spend some time with it unless you have children who can keep it entertained. Not helping your dog get the activity it needs can cause it to start barking out of boredom, and it might also lead to weight gain if your dog doesn’t burn enough calories.

Training 🎾

Your Carnauzer is an intelligent breed, but its high energy level can cause it to lose focus rather quickly. We recommend keeping your training sessions short, no more than 5 or 10 minutes, and holding them at the same time each day. Give your dog plenty of positive reinforcement in the form of pets and treats to keep it interested, and never let the dog see you are disappointed no matter how the session goes. Patience and consistency are the keys to success. Moving our sessions to different times or, even worse, missing them will confuse your dog and set your training back. It can take your dog several weeks to learn a new trick and commit it to memory, so remember to be patient, and you will succeed.

Grooming ✂️

Your Carnauzer will not shed much and will not need much grooming. Brushing one per week can be effective for removing tangle and keeping the coat looking neat and shiny. We don’t recommend bathing unless it gets into something because it can strip the skin of important oils and cause your pet to have dry, itchy skin.

We recommend manually brushing your pet’s teeth as frequently as possible with a pet-safe toothpaste to help slow the progression of dental disease, which is very common in dogs and can cause pain and difficulty eating. If your Cairnuzer is primarily a house dog, you will also need to trim the nails when you hear them clicking on the floor.

Health and Conditions ❤️

Bladder Stones (Serious Conditions) – Bladder stones are a hardened mineral deposit in the bladder that is similar to kidney stones. These stones can be painful and could block the flow of urine. The most common symptom is blood in the urine, and if you see this with your dog, it’s important to take them to the vet immediately. There are many ways doctors can remove these stones, including surgery, and your dog will likely be subject to a change in diet to help lower the risk of a recurrence.

Hypothyroidism (Minor Conditions) – The thyroid gland in your dog affects its metabolism as it does in humans. Hypothyroidism slows down the metabolism and will cause your dog to gain weight, seemingly for no reason. Other symptoms include intolerance to cold, dry, dull fur, and a slow heartbeat. Hormone injections can help treat the disease, but there is no cure at this time.

Male vs Female

The male and female Carnauzer are about the same, and there are no specific differences we can mention. Since this is a mixed breed, even dogs of the same sex can vary considerably, depending on the dominant parent.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Carnauzer

1. Popular amongst celebrities

Many celebrities have owned the Canauzer’s parent, the Miniature Schnauzer, including Bruce Lee and Mary Tyler Moore

2. “There’s no place like home”

Most people will recognize the Cairn Terrier as Dorothy’s dog in The Wizard of Oz.

3. Less vocal than most Terriers

Luckily, the Carnauzer is not an excessive barker.

Final Thoughts

The Carnauzer is a relatively new mixed breed like many others. It’s exceptionally friendly and gets along with children without ever becoming aggressive, and it makes a great watchdog and hiking companion. It has a long life expectancy with few health problems, and it’s perfect for small homes and large ones.

We hope you have enjoyed reading over this deep dive and learned something new about these interesting dogs. If we have convinced you to get one for your home, please share this guide to the Carnauzer pet breed on Facebook and Twitter.

• See Also: Cairland Terrier (Cairn Terrier & Westie Mix): Pictures, Guide, Info, & Care

Featured Image Credit: Left – Cairn Terrier (doanme, Pixabay); Right – Miniature Schnauzer (PublicDomainPictures, Pixabay)