Schnauzer

The Schnauzer is the middle sized member of the Schnauzer family, between the Giant and the Miniature. He appears to be the oldest of the three. As a type, Standard Schnauzer is therefore very old, but as with most breeds, its actual origin is not known.

History:

It is probable that the Schnauzer originated in the great cattle and sheep herding areas of Wurttemberg and Bavaria in Germany. Early accounts state that it was a good farm dog, but it was also considered to be a ratter of extraordinary ability. Some researchers argue that it resulted from a cross between now two vanished breeds, the Middle Ages Beaver Dog and a rough coated dog which was used primarily for killing rats. Others believe that it evolved from the crosses of the extinct Schafer Pudel and the Wire Haired German Pinscher. Still some prominent canine historians say that the Standard Schnauzer was never a terrier; hat it has little if any terrier blood in it; and it descends entirely from shepherd dogs. These authorities cite their research to the Bouvier des Flandres , the Giant Schnauzer, and to other shepherd and drover dogs.

The breed was first shown at the 3rd international dog show at Hanover, Germany, in 1879, and the winning dog was named “Schnauzer”. The subsequent year German breeders set up a breed standard. During this phase, the Plavia Kennels of Max Hartenstein was prominent. A specialty show held in 1890 had 93 entries.
The first club to acknowledge the breed was the “Pinscher Club”, formed at Cologne in 1895. The ‘Bavarian Schnauzer Club’ was organized at Munich in 1907. In 1918, the two clubs combined under the name, Pinscher-Schnauzer Club.

In those early days the breed was inbred heavily to fix type. Two major roots were formed. One arrived from “Schnauzer” and the other from “Seppel”. From them came three grand pillars of the breed, Ch. Rex von den Gunthersburg and his sons, Ch. Rigo Schnauzerlust, and Rex vom Egelsee.
After the end of first world war, the breed crossed the Atlantic . The ‘Schnauzer Club of America” was formed in 1925, but as Miniature Schnauzers introduction hastened, the club changed its name to “Standard Schnauzer Club of America” in 1933. The Schnauzer was shifted to the Working Group in 1945, and the Miniature Schnauzer remained in the terrier group.

Essentials of the Breed:

The Schnauzer is a rough coated dog measuring from 18 – 20 inches at the shoulders, bitches somewhat smaller in physique. Allowed colours are pepper and salt; from iron grey to silver grey, and pure black. Fading to lighter shades of grey or silver white on eyebrows, whiskers, cheeks, under the throat, across the chest, under the tail, leg furnishings, and under the body, are permitted.

The head is rectangular, and narrows slightly from ears to eyes, and again from eyes to nose tip. Head length equals around half the body length from the withers to the root of the tail. There is a slight stop, with the toplines of the muzzle and the skull parallel. The body is compact and short coupled with the height equaling the length from breast bone to the point of the rump. The tail is set on moderately high, and is docked to not less than an inch, nor more than two inches. The coat is hard and wiry and about an inch and a half long on the body. If cropped, the ears are erect; if uncropped they are small, V shaped and set on rather high.The height parameters are 45 to 50 cm and the weight range from 14 to 20 kg.

Character:

The Schnauzer with his compact body makes an ideal family pet. It’s alert and very intelligent and really takes pleasure in participating in all family activities. It has protective instincts and makes a fine guard, without being too aggressive.

Tags: bouvier des flandres, german breeders, german pinscher, Giant Schnauzer, international dog show, pinscher schnauzer club, schnauzer, schnauzers, shepherd dogs, standard schnauzer