Standard Schnauzer Dog Breed

Below are the details and facts on the Standard Schnauzer dog breed.

Standard Schnauzers are medium sized dogs; they fall between the Giant and Miniature varieties in terms of height and weight. The females stand about 17-19 tall and weigh in somewhere between 30-45 pounds while males are 18-20 inches and 35-50 pounds.

If socialized and trained as a puppy this breed is good with other pets; animals resembling rodents should be kept in their proper enclosed areas away from the Schnauzer, as they have a history of hunting vermin. This breed prefers having a family to protect and an extended amount of loved ones around them provides more stimulation for their sharp and mischievous mind. Strangers will be approached with warning and caution, but if they are established as friends, the Schnauzer will accept them. They are immensely intelligent and with an owner that is very firm, authoritative, consistent and patient will excel in obedience training. If the owner/family does not have the time for this then they should never consider this pet.

The Schnauzer is a moderate maintenance breed . Training will require quick establishment of authority and firm consistency. The hallmark coat of this breed needs brushing every few days and stripping twice per year; luckily they are not stinky or shedding dogs. They need a minimum of 30-45 minutes exercise per day that can be met with a long walk, outdoor playtime, obedience and agility training, and giving them jobs to do.

Hailing from ancestors documented during the Middle Ages, the Standard Schnauzer is originated in Germany as a multi purpose working dog. Members of this breed is thought to have lineage of terrier, wire-haired pinscher, German poodle, and gray-wolf spitz. Since their origins, they protected farms and houses, kept rats and other vermin at bay, and helped with livestock duties. Before German influence this type of dog was not considered a breed and was quite variable in coat, color, size and other traits; in the late 1800s the German Kennel Club began distinguishing between various traits and eventually between Pinschers and Schnauzers. Due to the characteristic smart appearance they began to gain favor as show dogs. The Bavarian Schnauzer Club at Munich was the first of its kind in 1907 and merged into the Pinscher-Schnauzer club 11 years later. World War I brought Schnauzers to the United States in large numbers as German aid dogs; although they had been recognized by the AKC since 1904, and mistakenly they had them classified as Terriers. By 1930 what we consider the modern Schnauzer had taken upon characteristic appearance, including its prominent bearded muzzle or "schnauze". This was changed two decades later and soon after came the splitting of the Standard and Miniature breeds. By 1930 what we consider the modern Schnauzer had taken upon characteristic appearance, including its prominent bearded muzzle or "schnauze". In the United States the recognized club for the Standard Schnauzer is the Standard Schnauzer Club of America.

The Standard Schnauzer has all the looks of a rugged and spirited working dog. They have a muscled and heavy-boned body that appears, overall, square. Their dense, harsh coat is characteristic of the breed; it consists of a thick and soft undercoat with a longer, wiry outer coat that is especially prominent on the muzzle, brows and limbs. The Schnauzer has a long, rectangular head that measures around half the length of the back. Here you will observe lively dark brown eyes with a prominent brow and moustache and ears that are usually cropped (and therefore erect). Uncropped ears will be medium rectangular, set high and moving freely. Their shoulders are well muscled and forelegs straight, leading into well padded feet and cat-like feet with tough nails. Hind Legs are short and also well muscled; the tail is typically docked by standard and is set high.

A "Schnauzer" can refer to three separate breed types: Standard, Miniature, and Giant. Starting in the late nineteenth century, breeders began actively working to develop a smaller variant of the Standard Schnauzer by crossbreeding smaller Schnauzers with various toy-sized breeds, most notably the Affenpinscher; by about 1940 the Mini Schnauzer was considered a distinct breed. Similar crossbreeding methods were used to develop the large Schnauzer; beginning in the early 1900s, breeders crossbred the Standard with larger breeds like the Great Dane, and the Giant Schnauzer was likewise considered a separate breed by about 1970. Big Schnauzers are quite popular and one of the breeders in the forefront for this type is Grande Schnauzer.

Size is what most separates the three Schnauzer breeds. The Standard is typically 17-20 inches at the shoulders and 30-50 pounds. Mini Schnauzers, meanwhile, are 12-14 inches in height and 12-20 pounds. (One rare variant of this breed, the Teacup Schnauzer, can be as small as 8 inches in size.) Giant Schnauzers average 24-28 inches in height and 50-80 pounds in weight. Keep in mind that Teacup Schnauzer puppies (and the even smaller micro Schnauzers) will most likely come with a greater cost and lesser health.

In regards to coat, the Standard (Medium) Schnauzer (like the Mini and Giant Schnauzer types) has little variation from dog to dog. Practically all Schnauzer coats are medium-length, wirehaired, and double-layered; while short-haired and long-haired Schnauzers do exist, they are rare.

Due to their immensely high intelligence they love to compete, work and help. Schnauzers excel in sports, agility training, tracking and herding, and yes--even obedience training. Although they can seem stubborn and mischievous, if in the hands of a capable trainer, obedience training is an excellent way to exercise your dog's body and mind. Their keen wit also allows them to wear many hats; Schnauzers are frequently therapy, bomb sniffing, search and rescue, and cancer sniffing dogs.

Members of this breed are good with most other pets except rodents; they are naturally inclined to chase these animals so households with these pets should keep them locked safely away. Standard Schnauzers prefer a family environment where they can be useful, helpful and above all--a reliable protector of the home. Having more than one person in the household increases the likelihood that your dog will stay exercised and out of trouble.

Overall, Standard Schnauzers are reliable, playful, entertaining companions.

The most common health issues for Schnauzer are hip dysplasia, dermatitis and eye diseases. This makes them an excellent choice for families that cannot take on unforeseen veterinarian bills or those that want a purebred dog without the myriad of purebred problems. They will likely live 12-14 years.

Some interesting facts about the breed:

• The breed is named for its facial hair: The German word schnauzer, in conversational English, loosely translates to "whiskered snout"--which is obviously a reference to these dogs' facial furnishings.
• Standard Schnauzers in war: Starting in World War I, dogs of this breed were used extensively in the German military; they would dispatch written messages between troops and provide aid to medical teams.
• "Ugly Schnauzer" Christmas apparel: Some clothing lines offer comically hideous holiday-themed sweaters and T-shirts with an "Ugly Schnauzer" logo, complete with the dog's image on the front.
• Celebrity Schnauzer owners: The Standard Schnauzer has been a favorite breed of entertainment personalities for decades. Errol Flynn, Doris Day, Mary Tyler Moore, Rob Lowe, boxer Sugar Ray Leonard, Usher, and Katherine Heigl have all been Schnauzer owners.