The schnauzer is an elegant, agile and robust dog, characterized by its great intelligence and enormous loy alty. It is also informally called the standard schnauzer, although that is not the official name of the breed. They are very curious, intelligent dogs with a unique character. They are truly loyal and noble life companions, perfect for any kind of family.
This terrier-type dog usually shows very peculiar physical characteristics that make it popular in countries around the world. His eyebrows and mustache stand out above all else.
In this tab of our site we will detail with you some curiosities of the medium or standard schnauzer so you know how you should take care of him or how his education should be. Here's everything you need to know before adopting one:
History of the schnauzer
The origin of this breed is found in Germany, where the schnauzer accompanied the carriages, guarded the stables and killed rodents and other vermin. In addition, he was much appreciated as a companion dog and to take care of children. In the late 1800s, the breed was first introduced at a dog show. However, she was introduced as a wire-haired pinscher. Later, and alluding to his characteristic beard and mustache, he was given the name of schnauzer, which derives from the German word "schnauze" which means snout.
Over time this breed was crossed with other canine breeds to look for the same qualities in different sizesThus, the schnauzer gave rise to the giant schnauzer and the miniature schnauzer. Today the schnauzer is an excellent companion, working and show dog. And although he stands out in many tasks, his main function is to accompany and cheer up his family.
Physical Characteristics of the Schnauzer
In general terms, this dog is a very elegant animal, with a square profile (height at the withers equal to the length of the body) and dignified and haughty in appearance. It is medium in size, compact and with a rough coat. The dorsal line descends slightly from the withers towards the back. Both the back and the loin are short and strong, while the croup is slightly rounded. The chest is of moderate width and deep, reaching to the elbows. The flanks are gathered in the belly, but not exaggeratedly.
The schnauzer's head is covered with thick fur that forms prominent eyebrows, it is strong and long, with a flat forehead and a faint occiput. Its length corresponds approximately to half the length of the body (measured from the withers to the base of the tail). The stop, or naso-frontal depression, is very evident below the eyebrows. The muzzle is straight and shaped like a truncated wedge. The nose is wide and black, while the lips, also black, are well attached to the jaws. The bite is strong and scissor.
This dog's eyes are oval, medium-sized and forward facing. They have a lively expression. The ears are "V" shaped and fall forward. In the past they were amputated, but the current standard of the International Cinological Federation (FCI) requires complete ears.
The tail must be natural and saber or sickle shaped. They used to be amputated, but fortunately for dogs, the current breed standard requires natural tails.
Hair is made up of two layers. The outer coat is rough and moderately long, without being shaggy or wavy. The undercoat is a dense fleece. The fur on the head is very characteristic of the breed, forming eyebrows on the forehead and a bushy beard on the muzzle. Only two color varieties are accepted for this breed, pure black with black inner fleece and " s alt and pepper ". However, we can find schnauzers of different colors and combinations.
The height at the withers ranges from 45 to 50 centimeters, both for males and females. The ideal weight, on the other hand, ranges from 14 to 20 kilograms, for both male and female dogs.
Schnauzer character
Schnauzer dogs have a strong personality and are usually very sure of themselves, intrepid and confident, many even becoming arrogant. Despite this, or perhaps because of this, their temperament is usually very stable and they are reliable and very loyal dogs.
It is very important to socialize them from puppies so that their strong personality does not cause problems later. Properly socialized they get along well with people and tolerate other dogs and other pets well. However, if the education and socialization of dogs is not done correctly and at an early age, schnauzers can be reactive with other dogs of the same sex, be hunters of small animals and be reserved with strangers.
When it comes to dog education and dog training, they respond very well as long as they are treated fairly and respectfully. Exceptional results can be achieved when trained consistently and with positive methods.
Schnauzers are active dogs that need physical and mental exercise. When they don't get enough exercise they can become destructive dogs. However, the most troublesome behavior problem in this breed is that of resource guarding. To avoid this, it is very important to socialize dogs from an early age and teach them canine obedience exercises that help develop self-control.
When properly socialized and trained, schnauzers make excellent pets for individuals and families who enjoy moderate physical activity. They are also great pets for families with older children, as they get along well with them. However, it is not the most suitable breed for families with very young children, as it can react badly to mischief and unconscious mistreatment of the little ones.
Schnauzer care
The coat requires a little regular effort to keep it he althy and shiny. daily brushing is usually enough to prevent tangling and you have to take the dog to the dog groomingabout three or four times a year to shape and help care for the hair.
Moderate exercise is necessary for these dogs. Although they are not as active as Giant Schnauzers, they do require two to three daily walks and some play time. They can also participate in dog sports such as agility or canine freestyle, but avoid sudden jumps when the dogs are not yet fully grown. They make excellent jogging and walking companions.
These dogs are strong-willed and somewhat independent, but need frequent company. Schnauzers are not suitable animals to be left alone all day since that is when they begin to develop strong separation anxiety. They are very social pets that will appreciate a playmate.
On the other hand, they can live very well in an apartment as long as they get enough walks and exercise, but it is better if they have a garden where they can run freely. Ideally, they can use the patio or garden to exercise (in addition to their daily walks), but sleep inside the house.
Schnauzer education
The schnauzer dog, being extremely sociable, has a natural predisposition to follow the game and our instructions. Especially if they include positive reinforcement as the foundation of their education. They will respond wonderfully to treats and treats. But for the schnauzer to be a truly sociable dog, we must actively work on socializing him, which will begin when he is a puppy and continue throughout his adult stage.
Even so, the schnauzer can be somewhat stubborn so working on basic obedience will be priority in this breed.
Finally, we encourage you to take long walks with him to allow him to enjoy the surroundings and enrich his day-to-day as he deserves. He is a very grateful and noble dog who will not hesitate to offer us all his love if we treat him with care and respect.
Schnauzer he alth
Unlike many other breeds of dog, the schnauzer tends to be a he althy dog without high incidences of hereditary diseases. However, he occasionally develops follicular dermatitis and may suffer from hip dysplasia
Even if you are a he althy dog, it is important that you follow the usual he alth routines for any dog, which include veterinary visits every 6 months, deworming and monitoring of the vaccination schedule. Following these guidelines correctly will help us detect any ailment quickly.
