Sniffing - typical or obsessive?

by RJ
(Florida)

We just took in a 5 yr old, white miniature schnauzer who was dumped at our vet's office with no place to go. I don't know anything about his former owners or how they raised him.

After a few days with us, he has begun sniffing every square inch of our back yard - circling some spots over and over with his nose to the ground - for hours on end, if I let him. I can't interest him in other games or toys and no matter how many times our other dog tries to engage him, he isn't interested in playing with him either!

Is this normal? Should I allow him to continue? He breaks only long enough to come find me for a quick pet, then back out again! Not knowing much about Schnauzers, I am scouring the internet for any info beyond the general temperament & behavior of this breed.

Thanks to anyone who can help me give this sweet little dog a good life with us from here on out!