Searching for miniature schnauzer puppies and are located in Minnesota?
As a trusted Miniature Schnauzer breeder, Fernweh Schnauzers has been matching our Miniature Schnauzer pups with devoted Minnesota families for over a decade. We interview and personally match each puppy with their adopter family.
Our home is located in Indiana. Historically, Minnesota families have used our in person delivery service or have flown out to pick up at our house.
Delivery: One of our family friends can drive your new pup directly to your home
Home Pickup: You are welcome to travel to our Indiana home for pickup
We are recognized as one of the top Schnauzer breeders in the country and have over a decade experience
We are uniquely known for producing Healthy and Socialized Miniature Schnauzers
Highly reviewed by our past adopters – 4.9 star Google review average
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Health Tested Parents
We have over a decade of bloodline improvement.
Health examines focus on:
Hereditary Diseases, Digestive, Patellar Tendons, Eyes, Hips, Heart, and Tail
Head to Tail Puppy Examination
Performed by our licensed veterinarian
Customized personality profiling
We do personality testing to ensure that each puppy is a good match for their family
Platinum Health Guarantee
Personal follow-up after puppy goes home
We are fully invested in supporting our adopters during the critical transition period
Each of our Puppies come with:
-AKC Registration from “Bred With Heart AKC Breeder”
-Bag of puppy food
-Internal parasite prevention
-Blanket that has been with their litter
-First puppy grooming
-Starter toys
-Fully up to date on vaccinations
Matching the correct miniature schnauzer puppy with its forever home!
Through years of experience, we have developed our adoption process to focus on the compatibility of each miniature schnauzer puppy with their adopter family. We believe that a successful adoption always starts with placing the correct schnauzer with the correct family.
Steps of our adoption process:
1. Verbal Interview – Miniature Schnauzer Puppy questionnaires are great, but verbal interaction via a phone conversation really cannot be beat. Expect to talk about work schedule, family/pet structure, and expectations to ensure a Fernweh Miniature Schnauzer is the best fit for your family. Because of your Minnesota location, communication and a good relationship are important foundations. They are essential to working towards finding the best pup possible for your family.
2. Deposit – We require a $500 non refundable deposit (please add a 4% processing fee if using credit/debit card) to join our wait list for the next miniature schnauzer puppy available or current puppy available.
3. Miniature Schnauzer Selection – Once an adopter has made their way through the waiting list, we will begin the puppy selection process. Personalities will be discussed* (read more on this below), and the pro’s and con’s of each mini schnauzer puppy available will be weighed before a selection. Ultimately, a puppy selection is made by the adopter, but we will do our best to provide support and information to make the best decision. We believe it is our job to give you all the information possible to make the best decision. If you are in Minnesota, know you will receive the support and information you need to pick the correct puppy for your family.
*Miniature Schnauzer Puppy Personality Profiling – In order to ensure we understand (and correctly match) each puppy with their correct family we must understand each personality. We conduct our personality profiling by spending a large amount of time with each puppy and noting both their energy levels and dominance/submissive levels. This process requires each puppy to be around 5 weeks of age before we can confidently profile each puppy’s personality correctly. Some adopters request (and we deny) to choose their puppy as early as 1 to 2 weeks of age. This selection approach is short sighted and often ends in disaster as the adopter has no idea what kind of miniature schnauzer they are purchasing before their selection.
4. Mini Schnauzer Puppy Prep and Pickup or Delivery Information – Once we have matched an adopter with their miniature schnauzer puppy, we will transition to setting a pickup or delivery date and preparing the adopter with a puppy supply list they will need before getting their new miniature schnauzer puppy! If you are from Minnesota, we will begin to work through logistics and help you make the best decision – either traveling for an in person pickup or using one of our family members to deliver your puppy to you in Minnesota.
Puppy Prep Questions
Your Fernweh puppy comes home with complete AKC registration documents, current health records including vaccinations and deworming, comprehensive veterinary documentation, and a thoughtful starter kit containing toys, quality puppy food, a detailed care guide, and a familiar-scented blanket from their litter.
Yes! Every puppy receives thorough veterinary examinations and stays current with all age-appropriate vaccinations and deworming protocols before joining your family.
Your puppy will have been introduced to crate basics and simple commands. However, miniature schnauzer puppies typically develop full housetraining readiness around 10-12 weeks of age, so continued training at home will be necessary.
Our puppies go home at 10 weeks of age. This extra time with their mother and siblings provides valuable socialization and developmental benefits that set them up for success.
Please arrange a veterinary appointment within 72 hours of bringing your puppy home. We recommend scheduling this visit before pickup or delivery day. Because we have worked with many Minnesota adopters over the years, we do have some vet clinics that we recommend. We provide a list of highly reviewed vets in Minnesota that can help you located an experienced Schnauzer vet if you haven’t already done so.
Certainly! We have comprehensive nutritional recommendations available on our website’s nutrition page.
Delivery and Pickup Questions
Our home is located in Northern Indiana, where our family has deep roots and has been raising schnauzers for years.
Yes! For Minnesota, we prefer to fly. We provide personal puppy delivery through our family’s flight nanny service. Your puppy travels safely in-cabin with us, following all USDA and state transportation regulations.
Absolutely! We welcome personal pickups and enjoy meeting our puppy families. We’ll review everything in your puppy package and ensure you feel confident before heading home.
We deliver to most major Minnesota airports including Minneapolis-St. Paul International, Duluth, Rochester, Bemidji, and Brainerd. We can also arrange delivery to nearby states.
A deposit secures your spot on our waitlist or reserves a specific puppy. The remaining balance is due at pickup or delivery. Our miniature schnauzer puppies are often reserved quickly, so early planning is recommended.
Our puppies receive veterinary care from our best-in-state vet clinic, Auburn Hills Animal Hospital. We register all puppies through AKC’s purebred registry and proudly maintain our “Bred With Heart” AKC recognition. We comply with all state and USDA requirements for puppy care and transport.
Adopter Support Questions
Definitely! We feel it is essential to support our out of state adopters. We’ll check in personally after your puppy arrives and review their care package together. We’re committed to ongoing support and welcome any schnauzer-related questions as your puppy grows. Even our out of state adopters like Minnesota will receive world class support from our family.
Miniature schnauzers have unique characteristics and health considerations. With our years of breed-specific experience and access to veterinary consultants, we can provide knowledgeable guidance on schnauzer health matters.
The pages from our website our helpful: https://fernwehschnauzers.com/most-important-aspect-of-breeding-healthy-puppies/
Yes! We have extensive resources and experience with schnauzer-specific training, nutrition, and behavior. Our website features helpful articles on housetraining, crate training, and proper nutrition for miniature schnauzers.
Here are some links we recommend from our website: https://fernwehschnauzers.com/separation-anxiety/ https://fernwehschnauzers.com/how-to-potty-train-a-miniature-schnauzer/ https://fernwehschnauzers.com/puppy-behavioral-issues/
Yes! Maintaining AKC registered purebred lineages is fundamental to our program. You’ll receive all necessary AKC documentation to register your puppy after adoption.
Email works best for most questions and ongoing communication. For urgent health concerns, we’re happy to schedule phone consultations to provide immediate support.
Over the years we have worked with quite a few Minnesota based Miniature Schnauzer adopters. Here is a pool of information that we have gathered that might be helpful for future adopters.
Twin Cities Metro: Dr. Sarah Anderson, DVM – North Star Animal Hospital, Minneapolis Fellowship trained in emergency medicine with advanced certification in extreme cold weather pet care, Dr. Anderson specializes in managing hereditary schnauzer conditions including pancreatitis, kidney stones, and cold-related health issues specific to Minnesota’s harsh winter climate.
Why We Recommend: Many of our adopter families appreciate that Dr. Anderson truly understands schnauzer temperament and takes time to explain breed-specific health considerations for Minnesota living. Our families especially value her expertise in preventing frostbite and hypothermia and managing the dietary sensitivities common in miniature schnauzers during extreme cold periods.
Southern Minnesota: Dr. Michael Johnson, DVM – Prairie Lakes Veterinary Clinic, Rochester Known for his expertise with small breeds and four-season health management, Dr. Johnson takes a comprehensive approach to preventive care and works closely with internal medicine specialists for complex cases involving genetic conditions common in miniature schnauzers.
Why We Recommend: Our southern Minnesota families love that Dr. Johnson remembers each dog’s personality and individual cold tolerance levels. Several of our adopters have mentioned how he helped them navigate their schnauzer’s digestive sensitivities with customized diet plans that work well in Minnesota’s variable climate conditions.
Northern Minnesota: Dr. Lisa Peterson, DVM – Iron Range Animal Medical Center, Duluth With over 25 years treating small breeds and extensive experience with sub-arctic climate pets, Dr. Peterson offers specialized care for terriers and maintains emergency hours for severe winter weather events and outdoor recreation injuries.
Why We Recommend: Many of our northern Minnesota families appreciate the extreme cold expertise for those “my schnauzer got too cold on the hiking trail” winter situations. Our adopters consistently mention how the entire staff treats their schnauzers like VIPs and remembers their seasonal cabin migration schedules.
Emma Larson, CPDT-KA, KPA-CTP – Gopher State Dog Training A Certified Professional Dog Trainer with special expertise in terrier breeds and extreme cold weather training, Emma offers both in-person and virtual training throughout Minnesota. Her background includes sled dog training techniques and she has a Master’s degree in Animal Behavior, bringing a scientific approach to understanding schnauzer behavior in harsh Minnesota winters.
Why We Recommend: Our families rave about Emma’s ability to explain the “why” behind schnauzer behaviors during extreme cold. One adopter told us Emma helped them realize their schnauzer wasn’t being difficult about winter walks – he was showing intelligent cold avoidance that needed proper gear and techniques. Many families love that she offers virtual follow-ups, perfect for quick questions about new behaviors.
Tom Olsen – University of Minnesota Extension Services Offering affordable weekly training classes that welcome all skill levels, Tom has developed specific techniques for working with intelligent, independent breeds like schnauzers in sub-zero temperatures and deep snow conditions. His group classes create a supportive environment where small dogs can learn without feeling overwhelmed by harsh weather.
Why We Recommend: Our adopters can’t stop talking about these reasonably priced classes! Several families drive over an hour to attend because Tom makes training fun for both dogs and humans while teaching extreme cold safety protocols. One family told us their schnauzer actually gets excited on “school nights” and waits by the door with his winter training gear.
Schnauzer Meetup Groups
Why Our Families Love This: One of our Minneapolis families told us their shy schnauzer completely came out of her shell after attending monthly meetups. Another family made their best human friends through the Duluth group – they now take cabin retreats together with their schnauzers!
Minnesota’s Ten Thousand Lakes
Why Our Families Love This: Our adopters consistently mention Minnesota’s lakes as their schnauzer’s “summer paradise.” One family drives from the Twin Cities weekly to Lake Minnetonka because their schnauzer learned to love both the cool lake water and the gentle sandy beaches.
Boundary Waters and North Shore
Why Our Families Love This: Several families have told us the North Shore provides unmatched natural beauty for schnauzer exploration. One family makes Split Rock their monthly tradition and says their schnauzer knows every scenic overlook along the Superior Hiking Trail!
Twin Cities Urban Adventures
Why Our Families Love This: City-dwelling families tell us these activities helped their schnauzers become “urbane Minnesota citizens.” One Minneapolis family says their schnauzer has become a regular at Uptown coffee shops and the baristas know his order!
Winter Sports and Snow Activities
Why Our Families Love This: Our winter-loving families say these activities transformed their “house schnauzer” into a snow enthusiast. One family’s schnauzer became so good at snowshoeing, they now participate in winter dog events – and their dog clearly loves Minnesota winters as much as summers!
State Fair and Festival Culture
Why Our Families Love This: Festival-loving families appreciate Minnesota’s strong community culture. One couple said their schnauzer has become a “festival expert” who knows which food vendors provide water bowls and which events have the best people-watching!
Historic Iron Range and Mining Heritage
Why Our Families Love This: Heritage-minded families tell us these activities helped their schnauzers understand Minnesota’s industrial history. One Duluth family says their schnauzer has become an expert at mining heritage sites and actually knows the difference between different machinery sounds from the displays!
Special Minnesota Considerations: Remember that miniature schnauzers require comprehensive winter protection in Minnesota due to extreme cold temperatures (often below -20°F) and deep snow. Invest in high-quality winter coats, protective booties for ice and salt, and consider heated indoor exercise options during the coldest months. Minnesota’s dramatic seasonal temperature swings (from -30°F to 100°F) require gear for all conditions. Watch for seasonal affective patterns in both you and your schnauzer during long winters, and take advantage of Minnesota’s incredible summer weather for maximum outdoor activity!
We are currently accepting deposits to join our waiting list for future miniature schnauzer puppies of many different colors. If you are interested in adding a Fernweh Schnauzer to your family we would encourage you to reach out to us via an email or phone conversation. Please be advised that we are known through the country as a breeder of high quality miniature schnauzer puppies and are in high demand. Be sure to reach out and plan in advance when considering a future Fernweh addition. Adopters who plan ahead and join our waiting list are preferred and treated as such during the adoption process. Click Here to see our puppies!
