Medium
16 Years
23 Kg
Utility Dogs
Alert, Energetic, Friendly, Intelligent, Lively, Playful
The Standard Schnauzer is a medium-sized, muscular dog with square proportions (the height at the withers is the same as the length of the body.) It features a long head that sports a shaggy beard; prominent eyebrows accentuated by a medium stop and long moustache which are often trimmed to emphasize the square profile of the breed, a straight, powerful muzzle with a black nose. It has dark, oval, forward-setting eyes, v-shaped ears that drop forward to temple, and a strong jaw with perfect and complete scissor bite. The neck is moderately long and provides a strong support for the head. The standard Schnauzer has a moderately broad chest, straight back but slightly higher at withers than hindquarters, straight and muscular legs with cat-like feet. The tail is commonly docked to three joints. The harsh, wiry outer coat covers a dense and close undercoat. Colours include salt and pepper, and pure black.
IntelligenceAll dog breeds have different levels of intellect. Some dog breeds; working dogs in particular, are very independent thinkers and have been evolved to be very intelligent. Typically, a highly intelligent dog does well in obedience training and other activities. A highly intelligent dog can be very demanding and do require lots of physical and mental stimulation. If you’re looking for a relatively laid-back dog, that doesn’t require lots of mental and physical stimulation, then you must fully understand the level of intelligence of your dog breed of choice.
Before committing to a certain dog breed, you must fully understand their intellect levels and their specific levels of energy. To keep your dog well-balanced and happy, their needs must be met and maintained.
Exercise NeedsAll dog breeds have different needs when it comes to the level of exercise they require. For the high energy dogs; which are your typical working dogs, they have a lot of energy and require lots of daily exercise along with plenty of mental stimulation. A highly energetic dog breed would suit an individual or family that is equally as active and loves the outdoors. There are also breeds that have relatively low exercise needs, such as toy dog breeds. Although they require daily exercise and mental stimulation, they’re just as happy chilling at home with their loved ones. This type of dog breed would suit an individual or family that prefers the peace and quiet and relaxation.
Before deciding on your chosen dog breed, Mypetzilla recommends that you research the exercise needs and whether you’re well equipped before committing to buying or adopting a particular dog breed.
Dogs HealthThere are several dog breeds that are known and potentially predisposed to developing health related conditions. Sensible breeding can help prevent the onset of health related conditions and this should always be taken into condition when researching your dog breed of choice. Before committing to a dog, you should speak to the breeder about any health related conditions that may affect the dog you’re looking to buy or adopt. You can also request to see any test results from genetic testing.
Child FriendlyThere are many dog breeds that tolerate children really well and are not affected by the constant noise and need for play-time. However, there are some dog breeds that don’t do very well with children and can become frustrated and snappy. That being said, all children should be shown how to handle and care for a dog in their home and should always be supervised when playing. As much as a dog can become annoyed and snappy with a younger child, the child can also become less tolerant and misbehaved towards the dog.
Mypetzilla recommends that you always supervise play-time between your children and dog. Children need to respect the boundaries and feeding time for the dog and likewise for the child. We also strongly advise that play-time doesn’t get out of control and too rough which can cause injury to both child and dog.
ApartmentThere are lots of dog breeds that are well suited to living in an apartment. It’s worthwhile noting that you need to check that you’re allowed dogs in your building before committing to bringing one home. If you do decide to own a dog and are living in an apartment, then you must make sure that they have plenty of room to roam around and frequent walks outside to prevent them from becoming bored and depressed.
Mypetzilla recommends that you check as to whether you’re allowed dogs in your apartment building and to fully ensure your apartment is dog proof before committing fully to bringing a dog home.
SheddingAll dog breeds shed to some extent, some more than others. With this, all potential dog owners should be aware of this, as it will be a matter of putting up with some hair or lots of hair being left around the house. Depending on the dog breed, there are certain times during the year where some dog breeds shed the most and this is typically around spring and autumn. However, there are some dog breeds that shed all year round.
If you’re very house-proud, they you may want to choose a dog breed that sheds very little. Mypetzilla strongly recommends that you fully research your dog breed of choice and their shedding levels before committing.
Grooming NeedsAll dog breeds require different levels of grooming. Some dog breeds are easier to maintain than others and only require a weekly brush to help keep their coat in good condition. There are some dog breeds that require regular trips to the grooming parlour and this can come at a huge cost. Either way, all dog breeds require their coat and nails to be maintained and cared for.
Mypetzilla strongly advices that potential owners research the grooming needs and associated costs with their desired dog breed before fully committing.
BarkingBarking is a necessity for your dog to communicate. However, it can also be a nuisance to yourself and fellow neighbours if it’s not kept under control. If you live in an apartment, then you’re better off choosing a dog breed that doesn’t bark as much. If you live further out and far from civilisation, then it’s worthwhile looking into a dog breed that does bark and will bark to alert you of any other company on your property.
Mypetzilla advices that you research the behaviours of your dog breed of choice and whether this would work for you and your family. It’s worth noting that dogs can be trained to bark less and this will take a lot of effort and training from the owner.
AloneMajority dog breeds form very close relationships with their owners and as a result can become very stressed when left alone for a period of time. If a dog is suffering with separation anxiety then they’re very likely to become destructive around the home as a way of dealing with their anxieties. Dog breeds that do form strong bonds with their owners are better accustomed to a household where one member of the family remains home, whilst the others are out, this is to help avoid further anxieties and destructive behaviours.
Mypetzilla recommends that all potential owners research their dog breed of choice on their bonding abilities and how well-adjusted they are to being left alone at home. It’s also worth noting that you should never leave your dog for longer than 4 hours alone at home.
TrainabilityThere are certain dogs breeds that have very high intellect and therefore easier to train than other dog breeds. There is also a downside to this; as fast as they learn the new trick or command, they can easily pick up bad habits just as quick. Other dog breeds that don’t rank as high on the intellect scale require patience and plenty of reward treats from their owners during training.
Before committing to a certain dog breed, Mypetzilla advices you to fully research your dog breed of choice and their level of training needs.
Energy LevelsAll dog breeds have different energy levels. The working dog breed has one of the highest energy levels in comparison to the low-energy dog’s breeds such as the Toy dog breed group. To keep a dog truly happy, healthy and well-balanced, their energy levels must be met.
High-energy dog breeds need lots of exercise and mental stimulation. High energy dog breeds would suit an active family or person. Dog breeds that are considered as low-energy, love to spend the majority of their time relaxing and sleeping in their favourite, comfy spot. A low-energy dog breed would suit an individual that equally loves the quiet life and relaxing lifestyle. Of course, low-energy dogs still need their daily walks and mental stimulation, just not as much as a high-energy dog breed.
Mypetzilla recommends that potential owner research fully on the type of dog breed that would suit their existing lifestyle and to also take into consideration the dog breeds energy levels and exercise requirements.
Dog friendlyBefore you decide on what dog breed would be suitable for you and your family, you must consider whether they’re a friendly dog breed and if you already have other pets within the household. For homes that already have dogs and other domestic pets, then it’s wise to choose a dog breed that has a friendly personality and temperament.
There are some dog breeds that mix well with other dog breeds and there are others that don’t suit one another and this could potentially cause issues later on down the line.
Another important point to consider is whether the dog breed of choice is friendly towards people and children.
Mypetzilla recommends to research fully on the right dog breed for your family and to also consider their temperament and characteristics.
The standard Schnauzer is a German breed and the oldest among the three varieties of Schnauzers; the miniature, standard, and giant. There are historical evidences that show the breed with many German families as early as the 14th century. In fact, many paintings and literary works during the 15th to 16th centuries portrayed the Schnauzer as an inseparable household pet and companion. It was developed from a line of working and hunting terriers, mixed with wirehaired pinschers, black German poodles and grey wolf Spitz breeds. There are other claims that it was also crossed with the Beaver Dog, which is a rough-coated dog with striking similarity to the terrier breed. The schnauzer became an effective ratter and an excellent guardian dog. At the beginning of the 20th century, the breed was very famous among German farmers for guarding carts at the marketplace. The breed was first shown to the public as a wire-haired Pinscher during the German International Dog Show at Hanover, Germany in 1879. It was used during the First World War as a dispatch carrier and aide and as a guard dog by the Red Cross. It was also used at one time in police work together with the giant variety both by the German and American police departments. Today, the Schnauzer is moderately popular as a companion dog, compared to the miniature or giant variety which achieved enormous popularity.
The standard Schnauzer is a courageous, dependable, and cheerful dog. It is usually reserved with strangers and may exhibit aggressive behaviour towards other dogs. In general, the Schnauzer is good with other pets if socialized at an early age. This intelligent and very brave breed can learn quickly and will often take the lead when its master may think twice about doing something. It has a tendency to bark excessively especially if it senses an unfamiliar scent around the house.
This agile and protective breed can have a tendency to be dominant and thus, it needs a firm and consistent training from a loving and patient handler. Early consistent training is necessary to discourage unpleasant behaviours such as the tendency to be stubborn and destructive when bored.
The wiry coat is practically easy to groom. However, the dense undercoat may need to be carefully groomed or it will become matted. Weekly brushing with a short wire brush is recommended, clipping out knots all over to an even length at least every three months. The ears should be checked regularly to avoid infections. The Schnauzer has no doggie odour and shed little to no hair.
The Schnauzer is a hardy breed with no known major health issue. It has an average lifespan between 12 to 16 years and given the right maintenance, it can even surpass this average. Like most dog breeds, it may be prone to hip dysplasia which can cause crippling lameness and severe arthritis of the hips.
Beef blended with wheat and corn is a good mixture in the dog’s diet. Any food which contains soy blend, white rice or poultry is not recommended feeding as poor diet may result in severe arthritis and may affect the quality of the coat.
The Schnauzer does not require a lot of exercise but it will take as much exercise as it can get. Vigorous exercise should be provided such as long walks or a romp in a safe area. The Schnauzer is suitable for an apartment life provided that it is given its daily dose of exercise. It will do best in a home with a large and secured area to run and play freely.
It is a loyal breed that forms a strong bonding relationship with its owner. Although it is generally good with children in its own family, it may prove to be too boisterous for smaller children and is not recommended for a family with very young children.
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