The Standard Schnauzer is a medium sized dog, and the smallest of the working dog breeds.
The Standard Schnauzer Breed Profile FAQ
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The Standard Schnauzer is a breed of dog that originated in Germany. They are the smallest of the working dog breeds, and are known for their intelligence and obedience. They are also considered to be excellent guard dogs and are also good with children. They are a sturdy breed that is known for their intelligence and protective nature.
Standard Schnauzers require a lot of exercise and thrive best in an active lifestyle. They make good companions for people who lead active lives. If left alone for long periods of time they may bark excessively or become destructive as a result of stress.
Some compare their personalities to those of cats! They can be stubborn and wary of strangers, but they love their family and will protect them with their lives if needed. When it comes to training they can be difficult, but if you are firm and consistent they learn quickly.
About The Standard Schnauzer
This breed is often described as being cheerful, dependable and alert. They can be independent when need be but are overall obedient dogs that take well to training. Their medium size makes them easy to travel with, although they prefer having plenty of room to run around without a leash outside. Due to their size they do not make good apartment dogs, but can be kept in an apartment if they are given enough exercise.
Standard Schnauzer Breed Information
- The average Standard Schnauzer lives between 12 to 14 years, though they can sometimes live up to 18 years if properly cared for. They are a healthy breed but are known for being sensitive to barbiturate anesthesia, which can increase their risk of developing an irregular heart beat called ventricular arrhythmia.
- The Standard Schnauzer is a sturdy dog. They stand between 1 foot, 11 inches and 2 feet high at the shoulder and weigh in at around 40 pounds, females being slightly smaller than males. The standard for height was originally set by a German breed club. They wanted to make sure that no Standard Schnauzers would be taller than what was needed to protect livestock from packs of wolves.
- Standard Schnauzers come in three varieties based on their coat color. These varieties are called Salt and Pepper, Black and Silver, and All Black. Although all three varieties have the same temperament it is best to keep dogs with similar coat colors together as this will reduce the chances of the offspring having health problems.
They have bushy eyebrows and moustaches that give them a stern appearance but they actually have warm personalities. Their ears are long and can hang down close to their cheeks when relaxed but they will prick up when alert.
To Dock Or Not To Dock
Docking a Standard Schnauzer’s ears is a common practice in the United States. It is done to ensure that the dog has a healthy appearance and to prevent injuries. The practice of docking a dog’s ears and tail has been around for centuries, and is still practiced today.
Ear cropping and tail docking were historically done for functional purposes. In the past, these practices were performed to make it easier for dogs to work in their given environments; they also made it possible to spot the dogs as working animals. These days, docking is considerably less common for functional purposes; however, it is still done to beautify the dog while preventing injuries.
Standard Schnauzers are, by nature, always ready to chase squirrels, rodents or other animals. Consider getting your dog micro-chipped.
Standard Schnauzer Health Issues
Standard Schnauzers are generally healthy but are known to suffer from hip dysplasia, cataracts, deafness, progressive retinal atrophy, and von Willebrand disease. It’s important to keep an eye out for signs of these problems throughout their lives and contact your vet if you notice any.
They have a beard and bushy eyebrows, which are gray or black in color. While their coat can be black or salt & pepper, the most common colors are solid black or brown/black/silver striped. Their undercoat is soft
Some people say that Standard Schnauzers look like angry old men, with their bushy eyebrows and beards. However, I think they are a handsome breed of dog, and I love their intelligence and obedience.
Learn more about some of the other working dog breeds and the unique characteristics working dogs have.