Standard Schnauzer

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Standard Schnauzer

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With bold eyebrows and whiskered chin, Standard Schnauzer is alert and hardworking, who originally worked as versatile farm dogs. They have medium size with a sporty look of canine classic. Willful and reliable, Miniature Schnauzers are harnessed for search and rescue, drug and bomb sniffing, and therapy work today.

Other Names Mittelschnauzer, Schnauzer
Color Black, Pepper & Salt
Height Males: 17-22 inches. Females: 17-22 inches.
Weight Males: 28-44 pounds. Females: 28-44 pounds.
Life Span 13-16 years
Personality Fearless, Smart, Spirited
Exercise Regular Exercise
Origin
Popularity #96
Groom Needs 2-3 Times a Week Brushing
Kids Friendly Yes
Dog Friendly Yes with supervision
Watch Dog
Family Dog
Litter Size 4 to 8 pups

Standard Schnauzer Pictures

Standard Schnauzer Video

Introduction

This is a breed of dogs that originated in Germany as far back as the 14th-15th century. It is known as the progenitor of the Miniature Schnauzer and the Giant Schnauzer. Its initial name was Wire Haired Pinscher and it was in the year 1879 that the name Schnauzer was adopted. The German name Schnauzer means “snout” in English. This is because of its bearded snout.

The coat of the Standard Schnauzer is stiff with wiry hair. The coat colors recognized by the American Kennel Club are black, gray, silver, salt, and pepper. But there are some dogs in this breed which have coat colors of pure white, particolored and chocolate. In the U.S, Schnauzers that have white coats or other patterns are seen as non-standard.

A male Standard Schnauzer weighs about 35-58 lb (16-26 kg) and stands 18-20 inches (46-51 cm) at the shoulders. A female Standard Schnauzer weighs 30-45 lb (14-20 kg) and stands at 17-19 inches (43-48 cm) at the shoulders. These dogs are known to be very loyal and possess guardian instincts, with many believed to protect their owners and family from strangers with a bark which is usually robust and deep. They have a high adaptability attribute and can adapt to any climatic condition. Once known in Germany, the country of their origin, as kinder watchers, they are very friendly with children. They can be very patient and tolerant if given proper training of socializing with different ages and temperaments of people at an early age. The Standard Schnauzer requires an owner with a fairly strong will who can be firm and consistent in training it and issuing commands. This is something that is common with many other working dogs like it.

Its life span on average is 13-16 years. Generally, the Standard Schnauzer is a very healthy breed. A survey done by the Standard Schnauzer Club of America in 2008 revealed that only about 1% of the Schnauzers surveyed had serious health problems. There are, however, two major health issues that are hereditary in the breed: Hip dysplasia and hereditary eye disease. Since both health issues can be tested for and identified, the Standard Schnauzer Club of America recommends that every breeding stock owned by kennels should be tested for any hip and eye problems before breeding and to breed only healthy animals.

Living with Standard Schnauzer

Standard Schnauzers require regular grooming to look their best. With a double coat, clippering the coat can help keep his coat soft. You’ll need to brush the beard and legs daily to prevent tangles, and wash his face after every meal.

Begin accustoming your Standard Schnauzer to being brushed and examined when he’s a puppy.

A Standard Schnauzer’s coat usually must be hand-stripped every four to six months if you show your dog or like the look and feel of the proper coat with the help of your groomer. Be warned, however, that if his coat is clipped, instead of stripped, because the texture will soften, and he’ll shed more.

Trim his nails once or twice a month, as needed. Short nails keep the feet in good condition and won’t scratch your legs when your Standard Schnauzer jumps up to greet you. Handle his paws frequently — dogs are touchy about their feet — and look inside his mouth and ears.

Brush your Standard Schnauzer’s teeth at least two or three times a week to remove tartar buildup and the accompanying bacteria. And daily brushing would be better to keep its oral health.

Make grooming a positive experience filled with praise and rewards, and you’ll lay the groundwork for easy veterinary exams and other handling when he’s an adult.

The Standard Schnauzer needs at least an hour of vigorous activity every day to keep healthy and active. The Standard Schnauzer is an adaptable dog and can live as comfortably in a city apartment as on a country farm if he gets enough exercises.

He’s a high-energy dog, and should be walked briskly a minimum of three times a day, about 20 minutes each time. And you could take him for two half-hour walks.

The love long hikes with their people. They’re excellent at performance sports such as agility, barn hunt, herding, and lure coursing. Other good forms of exercise for this breed include swimming, playing fetch or Frisbee, and hiking.

Standard Schnauzers can swim, and some of them enjoy the pastime. But don’t push your Standard Schnauzer to swim unless she wants to, and always watch her closely.

Whatever his environment, he should live in the home with his people. A fenced yard is highly recommended for these dogs, who has been known to jump a six-foot fence. The breed should spend hours playing, running, and walking outside with family members. Because Schnauzers chase neighborhood squirrels and cats, secure your yard completely to prevent escape.

As long as their person enjoys an activity, most Standard Schnauzer will participate with enthusiasm.

In general, this breed requires about 1 to 2 cups of good quality dry dog food each day, over the course of two feedings. But this will vary with your Standard Schnauzer’s size, activity level, metabolism and age. 

The quality of dog food you buy also makes a difference — the better the dog food, the further it will go toward nourishing your dog.

Some dogs are prone to getting overweight, so watch out the calories consumption and weight level to keep your Standard Schnauzer in good shape by measuring his food and feeding him twice a day rather than leaving food out all the time. 

Clean, fresh water should be available at all times.

Learn about which human foods are safe for dogs, and which are not. Check with your vet if you have any concerns about your dog’s weight or diet.

Standard Schnauzers have very few health problems. But just like all breeds, sometimes they may suffer from some health conditions, such as hip dysplasia, hereditary eye disease, tumors, hair matting. Not all dogs will get any or all of these diseases, but it’s important to be aware of them if you’re considering this breed.

These dogs have the benefit of being a very old breed with a substantial amount of genetic diversity. A health survey conducted by the SSCA determined than less than 1% of all Standard Schnauzers had serious health problems, and that the median age of death was 12.9 years.

Health tests, including Hip Evaluation, Ophthalmologist Evaluation, DCM DNA Test, can help discover and prevent some diseases early. And responsible breeders will screen their stock for health conditions regularly.

Total Annual Cost: $2889

Cost is estimated for the first year and may vary depending on many factors, such as dog food, health care, leash, collar, licensing, possible fencing, crates, training and obedience classes, dog-walking, grooming, treats, toys, flea, tick, and heart-worm meds, microchips, etc.

Smart and athletic, Standard Schnauzers benefit from continued training, including advanced obedience skills, agility training, and most dog sports. These sports can help keep your dog healthy and prevent boredom and some destructive behaviors that arise from restlessness. 

Standard Schnauzers are extremely intelligent, wily, and crafty, so early socialization in puppyhood is a must. Begin training when your Standard Schnauzer is young, and continue to reinforce lessons throughout his life.

Standard Schnauzers are smart but they like to forge their own path, which can make training a challenge. They are excellent herders and don’t excel as hunting dogs.

House training and basic commands will come with firm, consistent, and gentle training and plenty of positive reinforcement, dog treats to reward achievements along the way.

Standard Schnauzers are independent enough to spend a few hours alone, but they may get bored quickly and develop nuisance behaviors, such as barking and chewing to pass the time. Crating training with a puzzle dog toy can help minimize the problems.

Although he’s intelligent and wants you to be happy, his idea of how things should be may outweigh any desire to please.

History

Schnauzer-type dogs were developed in the middle ages from herding and working breeds in Germany. It was known as a dog of the peasant farmers and it was only when dog shows began in the 19th century that German dog fanciers picked interest in it. It was recognized as a distinct purebred dog in 1850. It received its German standard in 1880 with the name “Wire-Haired German Pinscher” and, in 1895, the Pinscher-Schnauzer Club was founded and remains active. In 1925, the Wire-Haired Pinscher Club of America was founded. In 1926, the Standard Schnauzer was classified as a Terrier Group dog by the American Kennel Club which had initially classified it as a Working Dog, though this was reverted later on.

Helpful Information

Breed Club: STANDARD SCHNAUZER CLUB OF AMERICA

Breed Club Link: http://www.standardschnauzer.org/

Breed Club Rescue: SSCA rescue

Breed Club Rescue Link: http://www.standardschnauzer.org/rescue_contacts.htm