Toy Schnauzer vs Moscow Water Dog - Breed Comparison

Toy Schnauzer is originated from Germany but Moscow Water Dog is originated from Russia. Toy Schnauzer may grow 41 cm / 16 inches shorter than Moscow Water Dog. Toy Schnauzer may weigh 46 kg / 101 pounds lesser than Moscow Water Dog. Toy Schnauzer may live 3 years more than Moscow Water Dog. Toy Schnauzer may have less litter size than Moscow Water Dog. Both Toy Schnauzer and Moscow Water Dog requires Moderate maintenance.

History

The Miniature Schnauzer was actually a distinct breed as early as 1899. It is believed that the dog came from breeding the smallest Standard Schnauzers with Affenpinschers, Black Poodles, and the gray Spitz.

Miniature Schnauzers were registered as a separate breed in 1926. The Toy Schnauzer is registered as a Miniature Schnauzer but is actually a little bit smaller.

The Miniature Schnauzer was developed as a farm dog with the purpose of killing rats.

The Moscow Water Dog was developed in the Soviet Union around the same time as other classic Soviet dogs. The Moscow Watchdog and the Black Russian Terrier are a couple of these other dogs. The Water Dog came from crossing the Caucasian Oytcharka with the Newfoundland. The breed is known by many names including the Vodolaz which means “diver of deep Water”. The Moscow Water Dog was only bred in the Russian state’s Red Star Kennels as working dogs for the military.

Following the second World War, most of the working dogs had been destroyed during the war. Not enough dogs could be imported to begin a breeding program for any working breed. So, the Soviet Red Star Kennels began to create several working breeds. Included in this group with the Moscow Water Dog, were the Moscow Newfoundland, the Moscow Great Dane, the Black Russian Terrier, and the Brudasty Hound.

The only really successful breed coming from this program is the Russian Black Terrier. All the rest are either extinct or found only in Russia today. The Moscow Water Dog was supposed to be a life saver/water rescue dog, but the dogs they developed were too aggressive, and the program was scrapped. It seemed that the cross had bred a dog that had too much of the working water dog traits and not enough of the rescue dog traits. The military breeders tried to pass the dogs off as a Russian Newfoundland and sell it to the non-military.

These non-military owners of the few “Russian Newfoundland”, did not try to change the dogs through breeding. Instead over time they bred the Russian Newfoundland with pure bred Newfoundlands almost eliminating the “Russian” portion of the breed. By the early 1980’s the stock had been so diluted with the pure Newfoundland that the Russian Newfoundland was basically extinct.

The Red Army kennel had other breeds with some of the genes of this breed in their lines. This included the Brudasty Hound, the Moscow Great Dane, the Caucasian Oycharka, the Moscow Watchdog and the Russian Black Terrier. The Russian Navy was unhappy with the situation and never again let the army developed the Navy’s waterdog.

Description

The Toy Schnauzer is a small dog standing at between 33–35cm tall and weighing about 4 to 9 kg.

He has medium length hair which is hard and wiry and which requires minimal grooming. These low-shedding dogs make the ideal family pets for those people who have allergies.

Colors of the coat are essentially black and silver, chocolate or a salt and pepper look. You'll find they have a beard and bushy eyebrows, giving him an almost human-like expression.

These dogs were brought about to be all-around farm dogs and ratters and they are tough, muscular, and fearless without being aggressive.

The Moscow Water Dog was intelligent, vigilant, an excellent swimmer, and great in artic waters. However, he was too aggressive and instead of saving the swimmer, they would attack them. The Moscow Water Dog is a tall, balanced and powerful dog. They have a wide muzzle and a square head like the Newfoundland. Their eyes are dark and small while the ears are triangular. The nose and lips are black. He has webbed feet of course and a hanging tail.

The coat on the Moscow Water Dog was of course waterproof and double. The top coat is very dense, straight and soft. It is usually a dark brown with some black and white.

Characteristics

The Toy Schnauzer is spunky, strong-willed and confident. They all have different personalities and while some people report they are aloof, stubborn and uppity, others say they are playful, friendly and amicable.

A lot depends on the owners as dogs often develop the temperaments of the owners.

With this range in temperament, you can’t say with certainty how your Toy Schnauzer will turn out. Most of them just want to be involved with their human families and they make great family pets.

Children friendliness

yes

Special talents

Swimming and stamina

Adaptability

Yes but needed some land. Better in countryside.

Learning ability

This is an intelligent dog, but he could not be trained out of his aggressiveness.

Health Problems

Your Toy Schnauzer has a life expectancy of 12 – 15 years if you care for them properly. They can, however, suffer from some health problems that so many other dogs might also have to contend with.

Some of these are -

Cataracts:

You’ll notice your pet's eyes taking on a filmy look. Most times these cataracts emerge in older dogs and they can be surgically removed.

Entropion and Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) are other eye diseases that may affect your dog. Most dogs are able to adapt well to their limited vision and can even adapt to lost vision.

Bladder Infection:

A bladder infection can be terribly uncomfortable for your pet and occurs when bacteria gets into the bladder. Females are more likely to get a bladder infection, but male dogs can pick up the infection too. Having a bladder infection increases the pet’s urge to urinate even when there is no urine to come out.

The little bit of urine that does come out may be cloudy or even have some blood in it. It is imperative to get your pet urgent veterinary attention. When you see your pet trying to urinate all the time with nothing happening, then this is the sign to get your dog to the vet for a course of antibiotics.

Congenital Megaesophagus: 

This is when food and liquid are retained in the dog's esophagus so that you find him regurgitating his food. This can lead to pneumonia.

Because the breed was around for such a short period there is not a lot of documentation or information regarding genetic or propensity health issues. There are however a few issues that just his heritage and Newfoundland blood would lend itself to.

  • Tendency toward obesity. Do not free feed.
  • Hip and elbow dysplasia – could lead to arthritis.
  • Bloat or gastric torsion – could be fatal.
  • Cardiovascular issues.
  • Addison’s Disease
  • Hypothyroidism

Caring The Pet

Most people have their Toy Schnauzers professionally groomed on a regular basis. He is a double-coated dog with a wiry coat. Some people, looking to maintain the wiry texture do hand-stripping, certainly if the dog is used for show purposes.

Diet:

No dog deserves to have dry kibble served up to him day after day. However, there are some excellent commercial dog foods on the market and you can choose the best one.

These foods provide a lot of convenience for the dog owner. Dogs also need to have their share of home-made food. It doesn’t have to be all complicated as dogs like simplicity.

Wholesome foods such as boiled chicken, brown rice and some nutritious vegetables such as sweet potatoes, spinach and carrots can do him the world of good. Schnauzers are also prone to pancreatis so you want to avoid giving him food that is high in fat.

Exercise:

Toy Schnauzers love an active lifestyle. They don't like sitting around inactive for too long.

Your Toy Schnauzer can adapt to life in the country or the city but he will certainly need to be well exercised. Walking your dog each day will be essential as will ball games and just generally giving your pet some of your attention,

Feeding the puppy

Required high quality food made specifically for large or giant puppies. Feed 3-4 times a day a total of 21/2 -3 cups.

Feeding the adult

Required high quality food made for large or giant dog breeds. Feed twice a day a total of 2 cups.

Games and Exercises

The Moscow Water Dog did not need a high level of exercise, but they did have a lot of stamina. They loved to swim. Not overly active – more of a couch potato.

Basic Information

Group:
Toy dog
Working dog
Origin:
Germany
Russia
Height Male:
33 - 35 cm
12 - 14 inches
66 - 76 cm
25 - 30 inches
Height Female:
33 - 35 cm
12 - 14 inches
64 - 74 cm
25 - 30 inches
Weight Male:
4 - 9 kg
8 - 20 pounds
45 - 55 kg
99 - 122 pounds
Weight Female:
4 - 9 kg
8 - 20 pounds
40 - 50 kg
88 - 111 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 15 Years
8 - 12 Years
Litter Size:
3 - 8
5 - 12
Size:
Toy dog
Giant dog
Other Names:
Miniature Schnauzer
Moscow River Dog, Московский Водолаз, Moscow Vodolaz, Moskovsky Vodolaz, • Russian Newfoundland,Moscow Diver, Vodolaz, Moscow Retriever,
Colors Available:
Black and silver, chocolate or a salt and pepper look
dark brown to black, black
Coat:
Medium length, hard and wiry
double coat
Shedding:
Minimal
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn
Aggressive, Alert, Courageous, Intelligent
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
No

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Pyrenean Mastiff vs Moscow Water Dog - Breed Comparison
  2. Spanish Mastiff vs Moscow Water Dog - Breed Comparison
  3. St. Bernard vs Moscow Water Dog - Breed Comparison
  4. Moscow Water Dog vs Bernese Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  5. Moscow Water Dog vs Newfoundland Dog - Breed Comparison
  6. Moscow Water Dog vs Anatolian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  7. Moscow Water Dog vs Leonberger - Breed Comparison
  8. Moscow Water Dog vs Alaunt - Breed Comparison
  9. Moscow Water Dog vs Alangu Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  10. Moscow Water Dog vs Bisben - Breed Comparison
  11. Moscow Water Dog vs Moscow Watchdog - Breed Comparison
  12. Moscow Water Dog vs Kars Dog - Breed Comparison
  13. Moscow Water Dog vs Ciobanesc de Bucovina - Breed Comparison
  14. Neapolitan Mastiff vs Moscow Water Dog - Breed Comparison
  15. Mountain Burmese vs Moscow Water Dog - Breed Comparison
  16. Nebolish Mastiff vs Moscow Water Dog - Breed Comparison
  17. Scottish Deerhound vs Moscow Water Dog - Breed Comparison
  18. Shiloh Shepherd vs Moscow Water Dog - Breed Comparison
  19. Moscow Water Dog vs Great Dane - Breed Comparison
  20. Moscow Water Dog vs English Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  21. Toy Schnauzer vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  22. Toy Schnauzer vs Chihuahua - Breed Comparison
  23. Toy Schnauzer vs Morkie - Breed Comparison
  24. Toy Schnauzer vs Havanese - Breed Comparison
  25. Toy Schnauzer vs Chorkie - Breed Comparison
  26. Toy Schnauzer vs Pekingese - Breed Comparison
  27. Toy Schnauzer vs Chinese Crested Dog - Breed Comparison
  28. Toy Schnauzer vs Chiweenie - Breed Comparison
  29. Toy Schnauzer vs Chug - Breed Comparison
  30. Toy Schnauzer vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  31. Toy Schnauzer vs Brussels Griffon - Breed Comparison
  32. Toy Schnauzer vs Chipoo - Breed Comparison
  33. Toy Schnauzer vs Chiapom - Breed Comparison
  34. Toy Schnauzer vs English Toy Terrier (Black & Tan) - Breed Comparison
  35. Toy Schnauzer vs Long Haired Chihuahua - Breed Comparison
  36. Toy Schnauzer vs Bichon Bolognese - Breed Comparison
  37. Toy Schnauzer vs Russian Toy Terrier - Breed Comparison
  38. Toy Schnauzer vs Franzuskaya Bolonka - Breed Comparison
  39. Toy Schnauzer vs Phalene - Breed Comparison
  40. Toy Schnauzer vs Bugg - Breed Comparison
  41. Toy Schnauzer vs Cockachon - Breed Comparison
  42. Toy Schnauzer vs Shih Tzu - Breed Comparison
  43. Toy Schnauzer vs Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  44. Toy Schnauzer vs Snorkie - Breed Comparison
  45. Toy Schnauzer vs Toy Bulldog - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds