← Back to brittany|Back to schnauzer standard →

Brittany Spaniel vs Schnauzer (Standard): Which Suits Your Home?

Brittany Spaniel or Schnauzer (Standard)? On paper they differ most on grooming need, and on the scales Schnauzer (Standard) is the heavier at 26–50 lbs. Here is how the two compare on everything that shapes an ordinary week.

This is for someone already down to Brittany Spaniel and Schnauzer (Standard) and deciding between them. For this pair the decision usually turns on grooming need and shedding, so those are covered first and in most detail. Anyone choosing from a flat has a clear answer here: Schnauzer (Standard) rates 4/5 against 3/5. The focus throughout is on daily consequences rather than breed background.

Quick verdict

Between Brittany Spaniel and Schnauzer (Standard), grooming need is what separates them, and Brittany Spaniel is the lower-effort dog of the two to keep.

Choose brittany if...

Choose Brittany Spaniel if this is your first dog, you do not want a standing grooming appointment and you already have another dog.

Choose schnauzer standard if...

Choose Schnauzer (Standard) if you are in a flat or a smaller home, shedding is a problem in your house and the dog will be alone during the working day.

Head-to-head comparison

Feature	brittany	schnauzer standard	Winner
Size class	medium	medium	Equal
Weight	30–40 lbs	26–50 lbs	Equal
Height	17–20 in	17–20 in	Equal
Lifespan	12–15 years	13–16 years	schnauzer standard
Exercise need	High (4/5)	High (4/5)	Equal
Grooming need	Low (2/5)	High (4/5)	brittany
Shedding	Moderate (3/5)	Very low (1/5)	schnauzer standard
Energy level	High (4/5)	High (4/5)	Equal
Barking	Low (2/5)	High (4/5)	brittany
Apartment suitability	Moderate (3/5)	High (4/5)	schnauzer standard
Good for first-time owners	High (4/5)	Moderate (3/5)	brittany
Tolerates being alone	Low (2/5)	Moderate (3/5)	schnauzer standard
Trainability	Very high (5/5)	Very high (5/5)	Equal
Good with kids	Very high (5/5)	Very high (5/5)	Equal
Good with other dogs	Very high (5/5)	Moderate (3/5)	brittany
Friendly to strangers	High (4/5)	Moderate (3/5)	brittany
Cost level	Moderate (3/5)	Moderate (3/5)	Equal
Coat	Medium, wavy coat	Wiry double coat	Equal
Origin	France	Germany	Equal
Typical monthly cost	$90–$180	$100–$200	Equal
Typical first-year cost	$1,300–$2,500	$1,500–$2,800	Equal

Deep dive

Size and build

These two land in the same size class and nearly the same height -- 17-20 inches for the Brittany, matching exactly -- though the Standard Schnauzer's weight range (26-50 lbs) runs both lighter and heavier than the Brittany's tighter 30-40 lb band. In practice you're choosing between two solidly built, medium dogs; neither will surprise you with unexpected bulk.

Energy and exercise

Both breeds want High (4/5) exercise and run High (4/5) energy day to day -- this is not a comparison where one dog is the couch potato. A bored Standard Schnauzer or a bored Brittany will both find their own entertainment, and you probably won't like what they pick. Plan on real daily output for either one: a walk around the block will not cut it.

Grooming and shedding

The coats couldn't be more different in upkeep. The Brittany's wavy coat needs only Low (2/5) grooming and sheds at a Moderate (3/5) clip; the Schnauzer's wiry double coat needs High (4/5) grooming -- regular hand-stripping or clipping -- but barely sheds at all, Very low (1/5). If shedding bothers you more than grooming bills do, the Schnauzer wins that trade.

Apartment living, noise and time alone

Barking is the Schnauzer's weak spot here: High (4/5) against the Brittany's Low (2/5), which matters more than usual since the Schnauzer also edges out the Brittany for apartment suitability (High, 4/5 vs. Moderate, 3/5). Thin walls and a vocal Schnauzer are not a great combination -- factor that in even though its space needs are lower.

Training and owner experience

Both breeds are Very high (5/5) for trainability, so neither will fight you on obedience work. The gap shows up in beginner-friendliness: the Brittany rates High (4/5) for first-time owners, the Schnauzer Moderate (3/5) -- a reflection of its more independent, terrier-adjacent streak even with strong trainability on paper.

Kids, other dogs and visitors

Both score Very high (5/5) with kids, so families aren't choosing between two different tiers there. The Brittany pulls ahead with other dogs (5/5 vs. 3/5) and with strangers (High, 4/5, vs. Moderate, 3/5) -- the Schnauzer tends to be more reserved and watchful outside its immediate circle, which some owners want in a dog and others don't.

Health and lifespan

The Standard Schnauzer edges out the Brittany on lifespan, 13-16 years against 12-15. Both carry long health lists of ten conditions each, with real overlap: hip dysplasia, PRA, hypothyroidism, allergies, and ear infections appear for both breeds, and both risk seizure-type conditions. The Schnauzer's list adds hemangiosarcoma, a cancer of the blood vessels, and pancreatitis -- worth discussing with a vet at regular checkups.

Cost to keep

Costs track closely: $90-$180 monthly for the Brittany against $100-$200 for the Schnauzer, and $1,300-$2,500 versus $1,500-$2,800 in year one. The gap is modest but real, and likely reflects the Schnauzer's grooming bills more than food or vet costs -- that High (4/5) grooming need adds up over a year of professional hand-stripping or clipping appointments.

Brittany Spaniel vs Schnauzer (Standard) at a glance

Brittany Spaniel weighs 30–40 lbs and lives 12–15 years; Schnauzer (Standard) weighs 26–50 lbs and lives 13–16 years. The two diverge most on grooming need, shedding and barking and 1 other rated axes. They are level on cost level, energy level and exercise need, so those cannot decide it. The table below marks a winner only where one breed is genuinely easier for a typical owner; size and origin are facts rather than merits and stay level. Ratings come from one source applied to both breeds, so they are meaningful against each other rather than as absolute scores.

Frequently asked questions

Are these two dogs a similar size?

Yes -- both are medium dogs at 17-20 inches tall, though the Schnauzer's weight range (26-50 lbs) is wider on both ends than the Brittany's 30-40 lbs.

Which one sheds less?

The Standard Schnauzer by far -- Very low (1/5) against the Brittany's Moderate (3/5). Its wiry coat holds onto loose hair until it's groomed out, rather than shedding around the house.

Which is the safer pick for a first dog?

The Brittany, rated High (4/5) for first-time owners versus the Schnauzer's Moderate (3/5), even though both train easily.

Is a Standard Schnauzer okay in an apartment?

Space-wise, yes -- it rates High (4/5). The catch is noise: it also rates High (4/5) for barking, well above the Brittany's Low (2/5), which can be an issue with close neighbors.

Which costs more to keep?

The Schnauzer, modestly -- $100-$200 a month and $1,500-$2,800 in year one, against the Brittany's $90-$180 and $1,300-$2,500. Grooming is the likely driver.

Do they share health risks?

Several -- hip dysplasia, PRA, hypothyroidism, allergies, and ear infections show up on both lists. The Schnauzer's list adds cancer and pancreatitis risk not present for the Brittany.

Which lives longer?

The Standard Schnauzer, typically -- 13 to 16 years against the Brittany's 12 to 15, a modest but consistent edge.

Quick answers

View more answers

Living

Overall, which is the easier dog to live with?

It depends on what you'll tolerate -- the Schnauzer needs less space but barks more; the Brittany needs more space but stays quiet.

Costs

What's the cost difference?

Small -- about $10-$20 more per month and $200-$300 more in year one for the Standard Schnauzer, mostly from grooming.

Health

Which breed tends to live longer?

The Standard Schnauzer, by about a year on average -- 13-16 years versus 12-15 for the Brittany.

Training

Are both easy to train?

Yes -- both rate Very high (5/5) for trainability. The difference is that the Brittany is friendlier to a first-time handler overall.

Related DogBreedCompass guides

Brittany Spaniel breed guide – Readers comparing the two usually want the full profile of Brittany Spaniel before deciding.
Schnauzer (Standard) breed guide – The same for Schnauzer (Standard), so the comparison can be checked against the detail.
Brittany Spaniel vs Beagle – Beagle is the closest breed to Brittany Spaniel on the measured axes, so it is the natural next comparison.
Schnauzer (Standard) vs Poodle (All Sizes) – Poodle (All Sizes) sits closest to Schnauzer (Standard), which makes it the alternative worth ruling out.
Brittany Spaniel vs Poodle (All Sizes) – Poodle (All Sizes) is the other breed Schnauzer (Standard) is most often weighed against.
Schnauzer (Standard) health problems – The health pages set out what each breed is actually screened for.

Related guides

Comparison

Important reminder

Health information here is general and is not veterinary advice. If your dog shows pain, sudden behaviour change, or worsening symptoms, consult a licensed veterinarian.

Some links on this site are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you, and we only suggest products we believe are helpful for dog owners.

Find Your Perfect Breed

Match your lifestyle to the right dog.

Take quiz

Find your match

Not sure which breed is right for you? Take our 2-minute quiz to find out.

Take the quiz