The Wauzer is a hybrid that crosses the West Highland Terrier with the Schnauzer. It is considered a good breed for owners with dog allergies because it is low shedding. The intelligent breed likes to play, is fearless and friendly around strangers, but he will enjoy playing and chewing toys and treats. Considered a good all-rounder, the Wauzer will enjoy curling up with you just as much as it enjoys getting outside and burning off energy.
Breed Overview
Height:
7 – 14 inches
Weight:
12 – 16 pounds
Lifespan:
12 – 16 years
Colors:
Silver, white, brindle, black, brown, cream
Suitable for:
Active families looking for a hypoallergic, fun, energetic dog
Both parent breeds were used for ratting, and the hybrid is equally at home hunting and controlling vermin. This means that you will need to train your Wauzer, when young, to prevent it from chasing and hunting small animals. Use training as an opportunity for early socialization, too, helping ensure your dog gets on with others.
Wauzer Characteristics
Energy
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High-energy dogs will need a lot of mental and physical stimulation to stay happy and healthy, while low-energy dogs require minimal physical activity. It’s important when choosing a dog to make sure their energy levels match your lifestyle or vice versa.
Trainability
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Easy-to-train dogs are more skilled at learning prompts and actions quickly with minimal training. Dogs that are harder to train will require a bit more patience and practice.
Health
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Some breeds, due to their size or their breeds potential genetic health issues, have shorter lifespans than others. Proper exercise, nutrition, and hygiene also play an important role in the lifespan of your pet.
Lifespan
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Some dog breeds are prone to certain genetic health problems, and some more than others. This doesn’t mean that every dog will have these issues, but they have an increased risk, so it’s important to understand and prepare for any additional needs they may require.
Sociability
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Some dog breeds are more social than others, both towards humans and other dogs. More social dogs have a tendency to run up to strangers for pets and scratches, while less social dogs shy away and are more cautious, even potentially aggressive. No matter the breed, it’s important to socialize your dog and expose them to lots of different situations.
The Wauzer is a hybrid breed, which means that it might be difficult to find breeders that specialize in the Wauzer breed. They are not registered with kennel clubs, either, so you will have to research breeders yourself. Look in newspapers, check online, and join breed fan groups. If you know of any in your local area, speak to owners and ask for their opinion of breeders.
Always meet a breeder before you buy a dog from them. Ensure that you can meet the puppy you want to adopt, as well as at least the mother. Ensure that mother and puppy look healthy, that they are alert, and that they are not too aloof or stressed when they encounter you for the first time. You should also be able to arrange for your children to meet the puppy before you bring it home.
Because this is a hybrid breed, the Wauzer can be found in local shelters and pounds. Although you will not usually be able to get a full life story, you should get as much information as possible from the shelter.
Image Credit: Left- antschabaer, Pixabay | Right – PublicDomainPictures, Pixabay
Temperament & Intelligence of the Wauzer
The Wauzer is a medium-sized dog and while both parents were bred for hunting vermin, they also make excellent family pets. Expect a cross of the two breeds to be similar, but be prepared to put some time and effort into puppy training and socialization.
Are These Dogs Good for Families?
The Wauzer is a companion dog. While some breeds might favor a single member of the family, forming an especially close bond with one human, the Wauzer will share its love equally with all family members. It can live with children of all ages and is not only accepting of your children but will enjoy companionship with somebody willing to throw a ball or pull a toy around.
Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets?
The parent breeds are both hunting dogs so the resulting cross does retain some hunting instincts. This means that the Wauzer might be tempted to chase small animals. To prevent your dog from giving chase every time it sees a cat, a squirrel, or even a smaller dog, ensure you socialize it from an early age and encourage good practices through early and ongoing training.
The Wauzer is a good family pet that will get along with most people and other animals, but it does require a good amount of exercise every day, and its intelligence can lead to stubbornness in some cases. Read on for more information about the breed and to find out what you need to keep one of these loving and intelligent dogs as a pet.
Food & Diet Requirements
As a medium-sized dog, the Wauzer will require approximately one cup of decent-quality kibble per day. You can feed a little more or a little less according to the dog’s age, activity levels, and whether it has any existing health conditions. Always follow your vet’s advice if it differs from general guidelines. Food should be split over two meals, and if you use treats or food as a training tool, take this into account when calculating a daily food allowance.
Exercise
This hybrid breed is a lively and energetic dog, which means that it will need reasonable exercise every day. Provide 45 minutes of moderate to heavy exercise. This can include time playing in the yard or the house, but should also include some time walking. If you enjoy outdoor activities, try to find a way to involve your Wauzer: he will be able to keep up with you and can also compete in dog agility and other canine sports.
Because the Wauzer likes to please its humans and it is an intelligent breed, it means that the hybrid is considered an easy dog to train. Make training sessions fun, praise positive behavior, and be consistent in your training efforts, and you should enjoy good results.
The intelligence of this breed means that the Wauzer can be stubborn if it gets bored and is not given consistent training. Go to puppy classes to learn basic commands. This will also allow you to better socialize your dog.
Grooming ✂️
Although the breed sheds minimally, it can have moderate to high grooming requirements. You will need to ensure that whiskers do not become matted and that the hair around the eyes is not allowed to prevent proper vision. The hair around the paws can also grow long. Daily brushing will remove dead hairs and help ensure your dog is more comfortable.
Your dog needs your assistance in managing dental hygiene, too. Brush its teeth at least three times a week, ideally starting from a puppy when it will be easier to get into the habit.
Trim your Wauzer’s nails when you can hear them clipping on a hard floor surface. This will usually mean cutting them down every two months and it is best to start from a puppy, again. Alternatively, if you do struggle to cut nails or are worried about it, you can get a professional groomer to do it for you.
The hardy Wauzer is a generally healthy dog, but there are some conditions that it is genetically predisposed to, and therefore more likely to develop. Look for signs of the following and consult a vet if your dog shows symptoms.
Minor Conditions
Legg-Calve Perthes Disease
Westie Lung Disease
Patellar Luxation
Serious Conditions
Craniomandibular Osteopathy
Eye Problems
Myotonia Congenita
Urinary Stones
Von Willebrands Disease
Male vs Female
The male Wauzer will grow slightly taller and a little heavier than the female.
3 Little-Known Facts About the Wauzer
1. The West Highland Terrier Is a Skilled Ratter
The West Highland Terrier is one of the parent breeds of the Wauzer. It originates from the Highlands of Scotland, where it was bred as a companion, but primarily for vermin control. It was skilled at hunting rats down burrows and holes, and the tail of the West Highland Terrier is short and very strong. This strong tail allows the breed to be able to lever itself back out of any burrows it finds itself down. The modern Westie can use its tail for the same purposes but is just as likely to have to use it to get out of a chair. The Westie also has a loud bark, especially for a dog of its size. This loud bark meant that hunters could still hear their dogs when they were underground.
2. Schnauzers Were Used By The German Army
The other parent breed of the Wauzer, the Schnauzer, is of German descent. The Standard Schnauzer would have protected livestock and acted as a companion for hunters, as well as hunting vermin. Like the Westie, it adapted and was bred to become a highly proficient hunter. The Standard size was ideal because he was easy to transport in a cart, small enough to get down burrows and holes, but big enough to take on large rats and other animals. The whiskers of the Schnauzer are arguably its most recognizable attribute, and these were developed to protect the dog from being bitten around the snout and face. As well as being used as a skilled hunter, the breed was also employed by the German Army as a guard dog.
3. Wauzers Are Considered Good For Allergy Sufferers
The Schnauzer and the Westie, like most matters, are considered hypoallergenic. Both parent breeds shed only a small amount and have wiry hair. The resulting hybrid has a similarly hypoallergenic coat and while it will still trigger some allergies, it is one breed that is considered better for sufferers. This doesn’t mean that you won’t have to maintain the dog’s coat. In fact, because the Wauzer sheds less, it means that it will require regular grooming. Grooming helps remove dead hairs helps maintain a decent temperature and ensures that your dog is comfortable and relaxed.
The Wauzer is a hybrid breed that crosses the West Highland Terrier with the Schnauzer. Because it originates from two hunting breeds, you can expect the Wauzer to be lively and energetic. It may also retain some hunting instinct, which will need training out from a young age. The breed makes a very good family pet, an excellent companion for walks and hikes, and it will develop a bond with all family members while also getting along with visitors and strangers.
Nicole has loved animals of all sizes her whole life so it's no wonder she has dedicated her career to helping them through what she loves best: learning, writing, and sharing knowledge with others. She’s the proud mom of two dogs, a cat, and a human. With a degree in Education and 15+ years of writing experience, Nicole wants to help pet parents and pets around the planet to live happy, safe, and healthy lives.
