Schnauzer

[Troy]

The Schnauzer

ANKC Standard

(from http://www.ankc.org.au/home/breeds_details.asp?bid=175 )

Group: Group 6 (Utility)

General Appearance: Sturdily built, robust, sinewy, nearly square, (length of body equal to height at shoulders). Expression keen and attitude alert. Correct conformation is of more importance than colour or purely 'beauty' points.

Characteristics: Strong, vigorous dog capable of great endurance.

Temperament: Alert, reliable and intelligent. Primarily a companion dog.

Head And Skull: Head strong and of good length, narrowing from ears to eyes and then gradually forward toward end of nose. Upper part of the head (occiput to the base of the forehead) moderately broad between ears. Flat, creaseless forehead; well muscled but not too strongly developed cheeks. Medium stop to accentuate prominent eyebrows. Powerful muzzle ending in a moderately blunt line, with bristly, stubby moustache and chin whiskers. Ridge of nose straight and running almost parallel to extension of forehead. Nose black with wide nostrils. Lips tight but not overlapping.

Eyes: Medium sized, dark, oval, set forward, with arched bushy eyebrows.

Ears: Neat, V-shaped, set high and dropping forward to temple.

Mouth: Jaws strong, with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. the upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaws.

Neck: Moderately long, strong, and slightly arched; skin close to throat; neck set cleanly on shoulders.

Forequarters: Shoulders flat and well laid. Forelegs straight viewed from any angle. Muscles smooth and lithe rather than prominent; bone strong, straight and carried well down to feet; elbows close to body and pointing directly backward.

Body: Chest moderately broad; deep with visible, strong breastbone reaching at least to height of elbow and rising slightly backward to loins. Back strong and straight, slightly higher at shoulder than at hindquarters, with short well developed loins. Ribs well sprung. Length of body equal to height from top of withers to ground.

Hindquarters: Thighs slanting and flat but strongly muscled. Hindlegs (upper and lower thighs) at first vertical to the stifle; from stifle to hock in line with the extension of the upper neck line; from hock, vertical to ground.

Feet: Short, round, cat-like, compact with closely arched toes, dark nails, firm black pads, feet pointing forward.

Tail: Docked: Set on and carried high, customarily docked to three [3] joints.

Undocked: Set on and carried high, of moderate length to give general balance to the dog. Thick at root and tapering towards the tip, as straight as possible, carried jauntily.

Gait/Movement: Free, balanced and vigorous, with good reach in forequarters and good driving power in hindquarters. Topline remains level in action.

Coat: Harsh, wiry and short enough for smartness. Closer on neck and shoulders; clean on throat, skull and ears. Harsh hair on legs. Dense undercoat essential.

Colour: Pure black, (white markings on head, chest and legs undesirable) or pepper and salt. Pepper and salt shades range from dark iron grey to light grey; good pigmentation. Hairs banded dark/light/dark. Facial mask to harmonise with corresponding coat colour.

Sizes: Ideal height:

Dogs 48 cms (19 ins) at withers

Bitches 46 cms (18 ins) at withers

Any variations of more than 2.5 cms (1 inch) in these heights undesirable.

Faults: Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.

Notes: Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

See Photos of the Schnauzer

QUESTIONS

1. What is my relationship with the breed? (ie breeder, first time owner etc)

2. Where and why was the breed first developed?

3. How common is it in Australia?

4. What is the average lifespan?

5. What is the general temperament/personality?

6. How much daily exercise is needed for the average adult?

7. Is it a breed that a first time dog owner could easily cope with?

8. Can solo dogs of this breed easily occupy themselves for long periods?

9. How much grooming is required?

10. Is it too boisterous for very small children or for infirm people (unless the dog is well trained)?

11. Are there any common hereditary problems a puppy buyer should be aware of?

12. When buying a puppy, what are the things you should ask of the breeder? (eg what health tests have been done (if applicable) and what is an acceptable result to those tests so the buyer has an idea of what the result should be)

If you wish to contribute to the knowledge about this breed, please answer the above questions. (Copy and paste them into a new post).

• Please only answer if you breed or own a pedigree example of this breed.
  
• You do not have to answer all questions
  
• Please keep posts limited to answering questions or for asking further questions if you require more (or expanded) information.
  

See Photos of the Schnauzer

Schnauzer Breeders

Schnauzer Puppies For Sale

[becks]

QUESTIONS

1. What is my relationship with the breed? (ie breeder, first time owner etc)

owner, breeder, exhibitor, judge

2. Where and why was the breed first developed?

The middle size, correctly called 'Schnauzer' though often refered to as the 'Standard' was around in the 15th century and used as a general farm dog in Germany. Later on the Giant was developed by various crosses to create a more powerful dog also used for carting, guarding, herding etc of cattle. The Mini was bred down for ratting, again with crosses to other breeds to decrease size. Even from the early days there has been a difference in the temperaments and work ability of the different sizes. They are classed as separate breeds. In the UK the mini and standard are in the utility group and the Giant in the working group. FCI have them all in group 2 schnauzers, pinschers and mollasers

3. How common is it in Australia?

pass

4. What is the average lifespan?

Minis can reach 15 plus.

Giants 12 - 14

5. What is the general temperament/personality?

minis are a bit like a terrier with an off switch! Keen and into things, make a good watch dog. Can be barkers.

Giants are capable of working a full day. Intelligent, independent, aloof with strangers. Can be dominant with other dogs and people.

6. How much daily exercise is needed for the average adult?

Minis half an hour off lead is ideal

Giants at least an hour or two off lead each day, some of that playing fetch. Without the exercise you will end up with a bored and destructive, independent dog. It is easier on your sanity to take them for the walk!!

7. Is it a breed that a first time dog owner could easily cope with?

Minis, yes with some basic understanding of dogs and going to puppy classes.

Giants, most of them, probably not.

8. Can solo dogs of this breed easily occupy themselves for long periods?

Yes, if they can eat your house and howl! They were bred to be with people when working and don't like the family to be gone long.

9. How much grooming is required?

At least a weekly brush and comb of legs and face, more depending on life style. Clipping every 8 weeks, clipping can alter the colour of the dog. They also need the ears plucking. Soft coated Giants will require a LOT more grooming then the hard coated Giants.

To maintain a stripped coat (which is what theshow dogs need) requires work a couple of times a week on the body coat, raking out the undercoat and pulling out the longer hairs.

10. Is it too boisterous for very small children or for infirm people (unless the dog is well trained)?

Minis should be OK. Giants are clumsy and boisterous, they don't mean to knock small children into next week.

11. Are there any common hereditary problems a puppy buyer should be aware of?

Minis - hereditary cataract, juvenile cataracts, progressive retinal atrophy.

Giants HC and PRA + thyroid issues, epilepsy

12. When buying a puppy, what are the things you should ask of the breeder? (eg what health tests have been done (if applicable) and what is an acceptable result to those tests so the buyer has an idea of what the result should be)

Eye tests are done yearly by clinical inspection (no DNA tests yet)

Giants + thyroid, hip x-ray,

Puppies should also be eye tested before 12 weeks old by an eye specialist for CHC

[Prydenjoy]

I've heard that the Standards tend to have aggression issues and a lot end up in breed rescue, is this true?

[Dogsfevr]

I've heard that the Standards tend to have aggression issues and a lot end up in breed rescue, is this true?

I have never heard of many ending up in shelters BUT the problem is some people will not accept that the 3 sizes dont have the same temp & will buy a standard even though its the wrong dog for them.

Std & giants are workings dog & thrive on doing jobs & super thinkers. not socialised & left in the yard they will often go loopy.They are also great guard dogs & will protect there family till the end.

They are used as police dogs in Europe & the stds are used in the US as cancer sniffer dogs .

They are great dogs but there not mini schnauzers .

We breed the minis & will get alot of people trying to decide between the 2 sizes & want the std as there bigger but it takes a great deal of effort to make them understand its not one size fits all but one breed with 3 very different needs

Edited October 20, 2009 by showdog

[becks]

Of the 3 sizes, the standard is often the most difficult to live with and owners need to be very dog savvy before taking one on. In the right home they aren't aggressive dogs but they can develop issues with weak or lazy owners.

[mushka]

What are the exercise requirements of a standard?

[twodoggies2001]

Of the 3 sizes, the standard is often the most difficult to live with and owners need to be very dog savvy before taking one on. In the right home they aren't aggressive dogs but they can develop issues with weak or lazy owners.

I have had a standard and a mini at the same time years ago. My big boy has now gone, but he was super intelligent, protecting his family, and I mean human and his mini 'brother' to the end. When a grandchild was born into the family, he took over the job of No. 1 attendant, and he was the most gentle boy with her it was a beautiful time in all our lives. He tended to each subsequent grandchild with the same enthusiasm and love. The children, from an early age on were taught to be gentle, kind and considerate to the dogs. It's been nearly 3 years since he has gone, and my oldest grandchild still talks about him. On the other side of the coin, my mini totally ignored our first grandchild for just about 6 months, but we didn't push the issue until he was ready to accept the baby. Eventually he did, but now when we are all together, he takes himself upstairs after greeting them and stays on his own. His choice.

There was never any aggression with the standard except when he came across a situation and perceived someone needed help. Both sizes have their merits, but even though, at the time, my big boy was my soul mate, I will now go for the mini, because of the size and our advancing age.

[jebee]

Would standard schnauzer be able to co-exist with a cat if brought to home as a 8 week pup?

[becks]

yes

[Podengo]

Of the 3 sizes, the standard is often the most difficult to live with and owners need to be very dog savvy before taking one on. In the right home they aren't aggressive dogs but they can develop issues with weak or lazy owners.

I would agree with this. I have done quite a bit of training (agility) with all 3 sizes, and definitely find the standard the hardest to work with, can be very stubborn and dominant, and will really walk all over someone who isn't in charge and one step ahead of them. They get frustrated very easily and don't handle repetition well. In saying that, they are very clever, pick things up very quickly and if they enjoy their work, they are very good at it!

Giants would be difficult to live with just because of their size, and the fact they aren't really aware of how big they are! Giants seem to want to work and please you a little more than the Standards, who are out to please themselves! Giants are a lot scarier than Standards though! Especially a big gorgeous black giant hehehe

I find minis very easy to work with, a lot are pretty unhappy about having other dogs in their space, but generally very easy dogs.

[Joan of Arc]

How would a giant go living in the home with 4 other dogs?... all gundog breeds

They all get a run every now and then plus fetch etc in the yard and we have a relatively large yard... plus they are self exercising because they all run together... would that be enough on weekdays for a giant until we were home all day on weekends?

Off lead areas are scarce here....

[becks]

What gundog breed? Giants can play rough (stand up and box on hind legs, body slam etc) and they can be dominant, so choice of temperament match to current dogs would be something to look into. No, I wouldn't say that would be enough weekday exercise, it might be enough after the dog has had an hour or 2s off lead walk and some training.

[Cheyenne_Fury]

Hi Guys,

I was just wondering if anyone could suggest a breeder of Mini Schnauzers preferably in Victoria.

My mum is looking to buy a Mini Schnauzer pup. Loving experienced home assured, my mum doesn't work and is home most of the time. Pup will be a pet only so does not need to be show quality but would needs to be from a reputable breeder.

Thanks in advance :)

[twodoggies2001]

there are always breeders on DOL listing litters available, or go the the Schnauzer Club and make contact with them.

[mackiemad]

Saultz are provably my favourite kennel - I've met quite a few and they're all lovely examples with stable temperaments.

My next one will be a Saultz pup