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Standard Schnauzers:  What, Exactly, Are They?

Feb. 21, 2003

History

The Standard Schnauzer was the original Schnauzer, as opposed to the Miniature Schnauzer and the Giant Schnauzer.  Developed in Germany they were used as guardians of farmers' and peddlers' carts as they traveled from town to town.  These fearless dogs were of sufficient  size to make an impression upon possible thieves,  but small enough to ride in the cart. (The Miniature and Giant Schnauzers were developed by interbreeding with other dogs. One does not breed a Giant to a Mini and get a litter of Standards.) The word "schnauzer" means "snout" in German or, we have heard, "bigmouth".  Ours are not nearly as vocal as Schatz, the Miniature Schnauzer we had for years; but they do let you know in no uncertain terms when you've got company.  They are the smallest dogs that the U. S. Army trains for K-9 work.

Temperament

Standard Schnauzers are know for their audacity.  They honestly believe they could pulverize in a moment any Rottweiler they encounter . . . and they would love to have the opportunity!  But they are very loving companions to their humans. They are extremely intelligent, but they know their own minds and are not slavishly dependent upon their humans to tell them what to think and do.  The Standards have a certain "presence" about them, but they must be obedience-trained.  A well-trained Standard Schnauzer can be the dog of a life-time. 

Physical Characteristics

Standard Schnauzers are physical marvels.  Ours almost never  get sick.  They are highly muscled and extremely agile.   They seem to be twice as strong as you would expect an animal of their size to be. When Monte & Skully  lie down, they like to "frog-out" (lie on the abdomen with hind legs splayed out to the sides).  This is considered a sign of good hips. 

They have wiry coats and usually somewhat less "furnishings" (fluffier hair on legs and underbelly) than is fashionable in the Miniature Schnauzers. Show dogs have their coats "stripped", but pets look fine with a clipped Schnauzer cut.  They come in two color variations: black or pepper and salt.

In years past Standard Schnauzer ears had to be clipped to stand straight up in order to show in the United States.  However, in some other countries, like England, they had to be left to tip over naturally.  Now we understand they can be shown either way here.  I  think that the clipped ears show the dogs to be as intelligent as they are.  My husband disagrees.  We crop their tails, but leave their ears for their new families to decide what to do.

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