Other names/Nicknames:
- None
Country/Date of origin:
- Germany
- 1400′s
Height:
- 17 to 19 inches at shoulder
Weight:
- 30 to 50 pounds
Personality:
- A serious-minded worker. The Standard Schnauzer takes its duties as a home protector to heart.
- Tends to be a one-person dog.
- Enjoys joining in rough and tumble activities.
- Not only intelligent, but trainable.
History:
Schnauzers come in three sizes: Miniature, Giant and Standard. The two extremes are believed to have sprung from the middle or standard size which is at least 500 years old. Although the smaller member of the trio is considered a terrier by the American Kennel Club (AKC), the two larger Schnauzers—also with obvious terrier origins—are classified as working dogs. These Germanic members of the terrier tribe are less fiery than their British cousins and eminently suited for a life of service. Standard Schnauzers are in demand around the world as guardians and police dogs. Standard Schnauzers were imported into the United States for show purposes in the 1920′s.
Body Type:
- A stocky dog, the Standard Schnauzer has a decidedly square shape.
- Typical rough-coated terrier appearance.
- Has distinctive arched eyebrows, bristly mustache, and whiskers.
- Tail is set moderately high and carried erect. It is always docked to not less than one-inch or more than two-inches.
- The ears are set high. They can be either cropped and erect, or natural and folded.
Coat:
- Tight, hard, wiry and as thick as possible. It is composed of a soft, close undercoat and a harsh outer coat.
- Allowed colors are pepper-and-salt or pure black.
- The gray salt-and-peppers are the most common.
- The grizzle color is the result not of a mixture of light and dark hairs, but of agouti coloration that has banded patterns of light and dark on a single hair.
- Grooming requires the plucking or stripping of long, dead hairs.
- Eyebrows and beard need shaping with scissors.
- Professional grooming may be necessary.
Health and Wellness:
- Generally healthy overall.
- Hip dysplasia. Pulmonic stenosis.
- Schnauzer comedo syndrome.
- Melanoma (cutaneous).
- Skin tumors.
What you should know:
- In 1879, the winner of the first show in which the then named Wirehaired Pinschers were exhibited was named Schnauzer. He was such a superior animal that his name became generic for the entire breed.
- It was a most suitable name too, because in German the word, Schnauze means muzzle or face, especially pointing out the hallmark beard and mustache.
- Salt-and-pepper is the more common color by far.
- It will prove difficult to find a solid black puppy to purchase.
