How to Keep a Schnauzer's Face White

Co-authored by Lancy Woo

Last Updated: August 31, 2022 References

Schnauzers are delightful dogs, but unsightly staining around a schnauzer’s eyes and mouth can frustrate any owner. Luckily for you, keeping the fur white and clean on your schnauzer’s face is quite simple. You usually need to make just a few adjustments to your schnauzer’s diet and grooming routine to resolve the issue. If excessive staining remains an issue, then you may want to take your schnauzer to the vet for a check up.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Keeping Your Schnauzer Groomed

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Clean its beard after its last meal of the day. Use a natural dog shampoo to clean your schnauzer's beard.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Lancy Woo
Certified Pet Groomer
Expert Interview. 26 February 2020.} Make sure to rinse its beard until all of the shampoo is removed. Blow dry the hair on a cool setting until it is completely dry.
- Be careful when blow-drying your dog's hair, as dogs are sound sensitive. If your dog becomes stressed or fearful, take a break or use a towel to dry their hair instead.^{[2]
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  Lancy Woo
  Certified Pet Groomer
  Expert Interview. 26 February 2020.}
- Alternatively, wet a cloth with warm water. Wipe your schnauzer’s beard with the cloth to remove food and other debris that can cause staining.
2
Wipe its eyes with a warm cloth. Dampen a cloth with warm water. At the end of each day, wipe around your schnauzer’s eyes to remove eye matter and build up that can cause staining.^{[3]
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- You can also purchase specific products to help clear up eye stains at your local pet supply store or online.
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3
Trim its facial hair every five to eight weeks. Take your schnauzer to the groomer to have the hair on its face and around its eyes trimmed. Long hair around your schnauzer's eyes can poke and irritate them, causing tearing and staining.^{[4]
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American Kennel Club
The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.
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- Additionally, trimming your schnauzer's hair periodically will promote new hair growth, making room for new, white hair.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Adjusting Your Schnauzer’s Diet

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Feed your schnauzer a high-quality dog food. Feeding your schnauzer a high-quality dog food may help reduce staining on its face. Choose a dog food that is high in protein and low in grains and cereals. The first two to three ingredients listed should be a protein like beef, lamb, poultry, or fish.^{[5]
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Trustworthy Source
American Kennel Club
The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.
Go to source}
- Additionally, choose a dog food that contains high-quality byproducts such as organs and entrails.
2
Avoid foods that contain artificial coloring. Dog food and treats that contain artificial coloring will stain your schnauzer’s face. If you want to keep your schnauzer’s face white, choose a brand that contains zero artificial colors.^{[6]
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- Choose white or pale-colored treats and biscuits over colored treats and biscuits.
3
Provide filtered water. Faucet water is more likely to contain hard minerals like iron that can stain your schnauzer’s face. Instead, provide your dog with filtered water from water bottles or a water filtration system.^{[7]
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4
Add 1 teaspoon (4.9 ml) of apple cider vinegar to its water. Add apple cider vinegar to your schnauzer’s water for three to four weeks. After three weeks, repeat this every two months.^{[8]
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- Some people report that adding apple cider vinegar will further purify the water, reducing the chances of staining in your schnauzer’s face.
5
Supplement its food with probiotics. Supplementing your schnauzer’s diet with probiotics can help maintain your dog's coat and appearance. Probiotics come in either a powder or a liquid form. Administer the probiotics per the instructions on the bottle.^{[9]
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- You can purchase dog probiotics online or from your local pet supply store.
- Talk to your vet before giving your dog any supplements.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Making Changes to Your Dog’s Environment

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Clean and dust your house twice a month. An allergic reaction to dust and other seasonal allergens can cause tears and mucus to stain your schnauzer’s white face. To prevent this from happening, dust your house often, especially during allergy seasons.^{[10]
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- Change your air filters every two to three months.
2
Use stainless steel water and food bowls. Plastic food and water bowls tend to absorb colors and odors from dog food and water. These colors can transfer to your schnauzer’s face while they eat and drink, causing staining. Instead, use stainless steel, glass, or ceramic food and water bowls.^{[11]
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- Alternatively, a dog water bottle is a great way to keep your schnauzer’s face dry and clean.
3
Take your schnauzer to the vet. If staining is still an issue, you should consider taking your dog to the vet. While some staining is ok, excessive and persistent staining can be a sign of a mild to severe health issue.^{[12]
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- For example, periodontal disease, fractured teeth, oral tumors, eye infections, allergies, eye abrasions, and face and mouth abnormalities can all cause excessive staining in schnauzers.

Expert Q&A

Question

Is it normal for my dog to be afraid when I blow-dry their hair?

Lancy Woo
Certified Pet Groomer
Lancy Woo is a Certified Pet Groomer and the Owner of VIP Grooming, a pet grooming salon based in San Francisco, California. VIP Grooming has served San Francisco for over 35 years. Lancy received her pet grooming certification from the WWPSA (Western Word Pet Supply Association). VIP Grooming has been voted "Best in the Bay" in 2007, 2010, 2011, 2014, 2017, 2018, and 2019 and won Bay Woof’s "Beast of Bay" in 2014. In 2018, Lancy's work contributed to VIP Grooming's acceptance onto San Francisco's Office of Economic and Workforce Development's Legacy Business Registry.

Lancy Woo

Certified Pet Groomer

Expert Answer

Some dogs are sound sensitive, and usually, you don't blow dry older dogs' hair because they may have a panic attack. Try turning on the blow dryer from afar as a test. Start at the rear of the dog and see how they respond.

Warnings

Avoid using whitening products to keep your schnauzer's face white. These typically contain harmful chemicals.^{[14]
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Always make sure your schnauzer's ears are completely dry when using water to clean their face. Leaving your dog's ears wet can eventually lead to infection.^{[15]
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Lancy Woo
Certified Pet Groomer
Expert Interview. 26 February 2020.}

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