Standard Schnauzer

The Standard Schnauzer shares its characteristics with its two family breeds - Giant and Miniature. The Standard version is of medium size and has a stocky build. They are rough-haired, and their noses should always be black. This breed has oval, forward-facing, and medium-sized eyes that should be dark-colored.

They are known for their V-shaped, dropped ears and their mustache and beards. These dogs have an effortless, elegant, and agile movement that gives the impression of fast and active dogs.

FUN FACT: The Standard Schnauzer is the original Schnauzer breed

Grooming

Standard Schnauzer has a wiry, hard, and dense outer coat and a soft undercoat. These dogs require a lot of grooming to look good. To prevent tangles and mats, you must brush their beard and legs daily. Also, you should wash their face after every meal.

Their coat needs to be hand stripped every 4-6 months for show purposes. Their coat can also be clipped, but you must know that the texture of their coat will soften and it will shed more.

Standard Schnauzer  coat colors:

• pepper and salt
• pure black

The rest is basic care; trim their nails when needed (if they don't wear them down naturally), brush their teeth weekly to prevent tartar buildup and bacteria development. Regularly check their ears for any sign of redness or a bad odor that can indicate an infection.

You can wipe their ears with a cotton ball dipped into an ear cleaner. The key for your dog to get used to all things mentioned above is to start early with them. Make a positive experience for the dog, full of praises and rewards, and you can be sure that your dog will enjoy all these things when they grow up.

Exercise

Standard Schnauzer is active and requires a lot of daily activities to be happy and healthy. With these dogs, you can take long walks, throw them a ball, or simply play various games inside. If their physical needs are met you will have the most lovable and calm dog at home and you don’t have to worry that your dog will misbehave.

Since this is a versatile dog breed, it is a great participant in canine sports such as tracking, agility, rally, or obedience.

Standard Schnauzer temperament

The temperament of the Standard Schnauzer is an intelligent and stubborn one. Owners of this breed describe them as being incredibly smart and a bit of a showman. These dogs love being in the center of attention and they will demand that with no regrets.

They are spirited and energetic. They love to take the role of the family’s watchdog, and you can be sure they will alert you about anyone approaching your home. At first, they will be distrustful towards strangers but once that stranger is welcomed into your home, these dogs will accept them as part of the group.

The Standard Schnauzer loves their family, and all members will enjoy their protection. They are devoted, loyal, and protective.

Training and socialization

When training a Standard Schnauzer, make sure your approach is innovative and interesting. They are really intelligent and will easily get bored with repetitive training that will not challenge their mind. These dogs need firm and strict rules that they will most likely try to bend to their will.

They will test your limits and if you are not decisive and persistent, the Standard Schnauzer will do as he pleases. Make sure you use positive training methods that are rewarding your dog's good behavior instead of punishing their bad behavior.

Like any other breed, the Standard Schnauzer needs early socialization too. These dogs will need to learn social rules so they do not develop behavioral problems. Expose your Standard Schnauzer to different, strange people, and make it a positive experience.

That way, your dog will learn that not all strangers are a threat to their or their family’s safety. Early socialization makes sure that your puppy develops in a well-behaved and stable dog.

Health problems

The Standard Schnauzer is generally considered a healthy breed, but they are prone to some health issues and concerns like any other dog breed. These dogs have an average lifespan of 13-16 years. 

When getting any breed, the breeder must show you the health tests that they have done for their breeding dogs. Dogs must be adequately tested because taking a chance and hoping that the puppy’s parents are healthy is a risk no one should ever take.

Only healthy dogs should be bred because that is the only way to ensure that bloodlines will remain healthy and without any problems. Health problems associated with this breed are;

• Hip dysplasia - Genetic problem affecting hips resulting from an improperly formed hip joint.

Standard Schnauzer breeders

If you are thinking of getting one of these dogs, make sure you get it from a reputable and registered Standard Schnauzer breeder. A good breeder will take care of their dogs in the best possible way. They will also keep in mind that their dogs have great characters and not just the desired look a breed should have.

It is a popular breed, so make sure you do your research before buying a dog and make sure you are communicating with a great Standard Schnauzer breeder.

When you bring your new puppy home, start with the training and socialization immediately. By doing so, you will end up with a well-behaved dog whom you can trust. Provide him with enough daily exercise for him to be happy. If you devote your time and energy to this dog, you can be sure that you will end up with a companion for life.

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World Dog Finder team

Standard Schnauzer was used from the beginning as a guard and herding dog in their homeland – Germany. During World War, these dogs were used for police purposes and also helped carry dispatches and aid Red Cross workers. Standard Schnauzers were brought to the US at the beginning of the 1900s, and Americans immediately fell in love with these dogs.