The corners of your Schnauzer’s eyes should be wiped daily with a tissue or cotton ball dampened with warm water. Matter that accumulates there can irritate the skin and give off a foul odor. Your Schnauzer’s eyes should be clear and bright, not bloodshot or teary.
At least once a week, you should also clean your dog’s ears. Mini Schnauzers sprout hair in their ear canals. For healthy ears, hair should be removed; plucking it with your fingers is the easiest way.

Sprinkle a little ear powder inside the ear to make it easier for you to grab the hair and pull it out. This powder also helps keep the ear dry to prevent bacterial infection. Start with the longer hairs, pulling a few at a time. Don’t grab a big clump; this will hurt the dog. Some groomers use hemostats (a type of locking forceps) for this procedure, but if you do, be careful not to pinch your dog’s ear cartilage or poke too deeply inside his ears.

Follow up by swabbing the powder and ear wax from the ear canal with a cotton ball moistened with an over-the-counter ear cleaner or a homemade solution of half vinegar and half rubbing alcohol. A little bit of ear wax is normal, but if you see a dark, crusty substance, a yellowish discharge, red swollen tissue or if the ear has a foul odor, you will need to make a trip to see the veterinarian. Ear cleaning is preventive only; it will not cure an existing infection.

Most breeders will have their pups’ ears cropped at around 8 weeks of age before they go to their new homes. If you have your pup’s ears cropped, refrain from grooming them for at least 10 days until the ears are healed, then clean them of debris with your most gentle touch.