I tried to post a reply to a topic from a new member (Vera) regarding introducing a miniature schnauzer puppy to a household with a chinchilla but the original post disappeared so, just in case it was a glitch rather than the OP removing her post, this was my reply
"Hello Vera and welcome to the Forum
It is surprising how many families have a variety of species living in harmony within a family setting - cats with birds or mice being one example and dogs with small animals which you might expect would be seen as prey. You are right that the most important things are socialisation from the early days and a managed environment when the puppy comes home. It is important to get a puppy from a good breeder who undertakes socialisation and enrichment protocols with their pups to get them relaxed and confident in different environments and with a range of experiences from earliest weeks. Although it is impossible for a breeder to introduce pups to all kinds of experiences, the more work they have done before you take your puppy home, the easier it should be for you to build on this within your family home.
We have had miniature schnauzers with cats, guinea pigs and hens and two of the puppies we bred years ago (different litters) settled happily in a household with house rabbits and guinea pigs. In our experience animals do embrace all members of their household as "family" and, if the introductions and on-going interactions are carefully managed, mini schnauzers will be happy to engage safely with creatures that in a different setting they may see as "prey". The same in our experience has been with the schnauzers who would be snuggle buddies with our own cats but given the chance would chase after any other cat they saw.
If your chinchilla is confident and has not been fazed by visiting dogs, I would think introducing a mini schnauzer puppy should be fine. Choose the breeder carefully, let them know the situation and discuss with them how they raise their pups; make sure your chinchilla meets the puppy from a safe space initially - letting them see each other but with no possibility of the puppy chasing him - always ensure the chinchilla has easy access to "escape" unwanted attention. It may not be necessary to always keep them apart unless you feel happier with that situation but just make sure they are never left unsupervised unless in crate / cage. "
Miniature Schnauzer and Chinchilla
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Please do not discuss breeders or raise issues concerning breeders on the forum. This has created problems in the past and many breeders are not members and unable to defend any claim you may make.
- zeta1454
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Miniature Schnauzer and Chinchilla
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Magic - Silversocks Sharade at Darksprite
Trilby - Darksprite Rosa Bud
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