Standard Schnauzer
The Standard Schnauzer is a medium-sized dog; the Miniature and Giant varieties come from the Standards.
They are one of the most intelligent breeds. They are devoted and athletic dogs. This could be the perfect breed if you want an active addition to your family or household.
They need plenty of exercise so as long as you have an active life with time to take them on a good daily walk and lots of playtimes, they are a fantastic addition to your active family. They can cope quite well with apartment/flat living as long as all their exercise needs are met.
Schnauzers love to be with you and the family but tend to bond more with one special person. They are good with older children, but with younger ones, they won’t take to being messed around with. Remember, a bored dog will usually become mischievous, whether it be nuisance barking, chewing or digging. Try to ensure they are occupied with jobs, playtime or plenty of exercise to keep them out of trouble.
They are excellent watchdogs and take the role very seriously. You will always know about incoming dangers and just about anything going on outside. They will want to protect their families and don’t care how small they are. This means they are very un-trusting and aloof with strangers and can be wary. You must make sure you socialise with them when they are young to combat this behaviour.
Schnauzers should be OK with other dogs, but they may be better as the only dog in the household. You might want to avoid two males together. Cats and small animals may be OK. They will typically chase neighbourhood cats with delight!
They are very intelligent and fairly easy to train. Try to keep training both interesting, fun and consistent and firm. Identifying their motivation reward early will get you the best results, and it’s normally food. They are probably one of the most intelligent breeds, so you must ensure they are adequately stimulated. Otherwise, you may have a bored, destructive dog on your hands.
Schnauzers have a double coat. The outer coat is coarse and wiry with a shorter, softer undercoat. They are very light shedders, but they do require regular maintenance and grooming. You will need to brush them at least weekly to prevent matting and have him trimmed with clippers typically every six to eight weeks by a professional groomer. You may want to learn how to do it yourself.
Standard Schnauzer Stats
The Schnauzer is an ancient breed. It is the original sheepdog of the Austrian Tyrol. Paintings and tapestries dating back to 1492 show dogs that are not unlike the modern Schnauzers.
- Weight -11kg –17kg
- Size – 36cm – 41cm
- They live for 10-12 years
