Standard Schnauzer

In my own words

 

“I may have been bred to be a working dog, but I’m a family pet at heart!”

I love living on the farm, there’s so much for me to do here! I can chase rabbits and hunt rats, go for long walks across the sprawling countryside and spend all day outside keeping my master company. I’m not afraid of a bit of hard work and I love to get stuck in with all the chores, but really I’m just as happy snuggled up relaxing at home as I am running around the fields outside.

Sure, I was bred to work but I’m so well suited to life as a family pet that I can get the best of both worlds. There’s little more I enjoy than playing with the children and keeping watch over them, making sure they are safe and happy. I love them and the rest of my family so very much, all I want is for them to be safe and sound. Their company is very important to me; I hate to be on my own and I’ll go with them wherever I can. It’s not that I’m clingy or anything like that… I just enjoy being around my humans. Why wouldn’t I?

Information essential about the Standard Schnauzer

 

Kennel Club Group:

Utility

Size:

Medium: Weight Male 40 – 45 lb (18 – 21 kg) Female 35 – 40 lb (16 – 18 kg)

Height Male 18 – 20” (46 – 51 cm) Female 17 – 19”(42 – 48 cm)

Popularity:

 

The Standard Schnauzer is a popular family pet in its native Germany and other areas of continental Europe. However, in the UK it is much less common and the Mini Schnauzer is preferred. The Standard Schnauzer has never gained widespread or mainstream popularity in North America.

Breed History:

 

The Standard Schnauzer originates from Germany and dates back to the 15th Century. The Standard Schnauzer is the oldest breed of Schnauzer and created the Mini and Giant Schnauzer. The breed was developed from a combination of Spitz, Poodle and Pinscher breeds and was bred to work on farms, keeping vermin such as rats out of barns and herding livestock.

However, the Schnauzer was soon discovered to also be an incredibly protective dog, making him an excellent watchdog, and they were used to protect travelling merchants’ wagons during the night. Their working skills and protective nature combine with the fact that Schnauzers make wonderful companion animals to make the breed a popular choice for families in Germany and surrounding countries like Switzerland.

 

Character:

 

The Schnauzer has an affinity for children and was once famed across its native Germany for being incredibly protective over children and making sure that no harm can come to the children in their family. This trait still remains in the Schnauzers we know and love today, and they are excellent pets for families with children of all ages as they are not only protective but playful, patient and gentle. Your Standard Schnauzer is a generally quiet dog, though he will bark when they sense danger or a threat to the household or family. This makes your Schnauzer a fantastic watchdog as he is alert and watchful, and won’t hesitate in raising the alarm should there be trouble.

Temperament:

 

Your Standard Schnauzer is a loyal and loving dog with an incredibly playful side, however he is also extremely intelligent and reliable. A true companion dog, your Standard Schnauzer loves to be near you and thrives on human company, so he doesn’t like to be left on his own for long periods of time. Your Schnauzer’s protective nature makes him wary of strangers, so you can expect him to be aloof and reserved with visitors and people he hasn’t met before. A born rat- catcher and hunter, your Schnauzer should not be allowed near smaller household pets and should be socialised with other dogs from a young age as they can be territorial and dog aggressive. Your Schnauzer can be stubborn and wilful, so plenty of obedience training is necessary from puppyhood.

Conformation:

 

Standard Schnauzers are stocky, muscular dogs with a square, medium sized frame. The head is rectangular, with oval shaped eyes, V shaped, high set ears and a blunt muzzle with a jaw which meets in a scissor bite. Longer hair is featured on the eyebrows, beard and moustache, giving a very distinctive appearance. The long, arched neck should be strong and slope down to straight topline. The chest is deep and broad while the body length should be the same as the height at the withers. The front legs are straight and the rear legs muscular. The tail should be carried high as well as being high set. The Standard Schnauzer’s coat is thick, harsh and wiry with a dense undercoat.

Colour:

 

The Standard Schnauzer’s coat commonly comes in solid black or salt and pepper. White coats can also be found but they are quite rare and not seen in the show ring.

Training:

 

Standard Schnauzers are very intelligent dogs and can be wonderfully trainable, however they do have a stubborn side to their personality and they therefore need a strong minded and confident owner who will make sure they know who is boss. Plenty of early socialisation and obedience training is needed from an early age in order to ensure they do not act aggressively towards other dogs, as they can be territorial. They have been known to confront much larger dogs when out on walks and are completely fearless. Firm yet fair training is vital to show your dog what is appropriate behaviour and what is not appropriate.

Care:

 

Your Standard Schnauzer will benefit from a daily brush to ensure that his wiry coat doesn’t become matted or tangled. A short wire brush is best suited to the task. The longer hair around the eyes, ear and mouth may need the occasional trim. The Standard Schnauzer is a low shedding breed and therefore may be suitable for people with allergies. Bathing or dry shampooing should take place only when necessary.

Health:

 

The Standard Schnauzer is a relatively healthy breed, however they can develop eye problems and hip dysplasia. Older Schnauzers can be prone to heat failure, which is a common cause of death for the breed as the dogs reach old age. The average lifespan of the Standard Schnauzer is around 12 years, though they have been known till live till about 17 years old.

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