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Hill’s Brand Horizon

Standard Schnauzer

dog Breed Profile

The general impression of the standard schnauzer is a compact, sinewy, square-built dog, sturdy and alert, with a stiff wiry coat and bristling eyebrows and beard.

Attributes

Size

Weight

40-45 lbs.

35-40 lbs.

Height

18 in.

(at withers)

19 in.

Coat

Length

Medium

Color

Pepper and salt, pure black

Care

Exercise

>30 minutes/day

Energy level

Very energetic

Longevity

12-14 yrs.

Needs

Moderate

Traits

Barking

Moderate

Snoring

Low

Drooling

Low

Digging

Moderate

Grooming Needs

High

Social Needs

Moderate

Club recognition

AKC Class.

Working

UKC Class.

Terrier

Prevalence

So-so

The Standard Schnauzer Dog Breed

A standard schnauzer's boredom and restlessness may be displayed by running through the house with toys, chasing the kids and being a pest or destructive behavior.

About the Standard Schnauzer

The general impression of the standard schnauzer is a compact, sinewy, square-built dog, sturdy and alert, with a stiff wiry coat and bristling eyebrows and beard.

Standard Schnauzer personality

The standard schnauzer combines unusual intelligence and reliability with a high-spirited temperament. In this country and in Germany, these dogs are used primarily as personal guards and companions. Their devotion and bravery together with their intelligence makes them suitable in this role. They are watchful, courageous, easily trained, and loyal to family.

Standard schnauzers need a fair amount of exercise. They need walks and playtime. If you do not give them enough exercise, they will exercise themselves! Running through the house with toys, chasing the kids, getting in the way, and basically being a pest is the way standard schnauzers will display their boredom and restlessness. Being family-oriented, they would prefer to be with their family rather than isolated in a kennel or in the backyard.

What to expect

Early socialization and extensive training are necessary for a standard schnauzer to turn into the type of family pet that you would be proud to own. The high level of intelligence can be a blessing or a curse in disguise. While the standard schnauzer puppy learns quickly, he will also use that intelligence to figure out clever ways to avoid obeying his guardian's commands. These dogs often think they have a better way to do things.

The look of the standard schnauzer is not a natural look. One must be prepared to spend time stripping or clipping, trimming or scissoring the coat, or using the services of a professional groomer. Schnauzers do shed. Brushing, bathing and grooming are necessary for this dog's overall health.

History of the Standard Schnauzer

This is a German breed of great antiquity, appearing in paintings of Durer and Rembrandt. In Mechlinburg a statue dating back to the 14th century of a hunter with a schnauzer crouching at his feet stands in the market place. All the schnauzers had their origins in the neighboring kingdoms of Bavaria and Wurtemmburg.

Standard schnauzers are reported to be a cross of the gray wolf spitz and, later, the black German poodle with the wire-haired pinscher stock.

Originally considered a terrier in the United States because of the dog's reputation as an excellent ratter, the schnauzer was always classed as a working dog in Germany because of his vocation as a yard dog, ratter and guard. It is believed that over 90 percent of the dogs used to guard the farmer's carts brought to market before World War I were of strong schnauzer blood in Germany.

Standard schnauzers were first exhibited in Germany as wire-haired pinschers in 1879. A standard for the breed was published in 1880, and the breed made rapid progress as a show dog. They have been widely known in the states only since World War I.

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