Standard Schnauzer

The Standard Schnauzer is an intelligent, incredibly loyal dog. The history of this dog goes back to the 15th-century Germany. At that time, it was known as a wire-haired pinscher. Many German farmers kept pinschers to drive out mice, rats, and other pests on the property. In 1879, the name ‘wire-haired pinscher’ was dropped in favor of ‘Standard Schnauzer.’ In short, this dog became an official breed, as opposed to simply having a name referring to its coat’s appearance. It belongs to the working group.

This dog is popular due to its combination of favorable qualities. It’s playful, friendly, smart, easy to train, and gets along well with other pets.

3 Pros And Cons Of Owning A Standard Schnauzer

Size And Weight

Standard Schnauzers are dogs of medium size with a double coat of wiry hair. A male can be 19.5 inches tall at the shoulder, while a female can be 18.5 inches in height. Males can be as heavy as 50 pounds, whereas females can be 45 pounds, full-grown. At eight weeks old, puppies weigh nine to ten pounds. They’re full-grown at one year old.

Standard Schnauzer Vs Miniature Schnauzer

A Standard Schnauzer and a Miniature Schnauzer have some similarities as well as several differences. One similarity is that they both need at least an hour of exercise each day to keep healthy. In terms of grooming, they both need to be brushed daily. Both the Standard and the Miniature Schnauzer are intelligent dogs with loyal temperaments. The history of both started in Germany.

The main difference between these two dogs relates to their size. A Miniature Schnauzer weighs less and is shorter than a Standard Schnauzer. Also, a Miniature Schnauzer has a somewhat shorter lifespan. Its lifespan is 12-15 years, whereas a Standard Schnauzer’s lifespan is 13-16 years. A Miniature Schnauzer doesn’t have the strong hunting instinct of Standard Schnauzers. Miniature Schnauzers are less inclined to go outside in search of rodents to chase. A Standard Schnauzer likes all family members equally. Alternatively, Miniature Schnauzers have a tendency to choose one family member to follow around.

Common Health Issues

The Standard Schnauzer has a few common health issues to think about. Hip dysplasia is a health issue many Standard Schnauzers deal with. Due to a malfunctioning hip joint, a Schnauzer may limp, hop, or avoid going up a set of stairs. Some dogs with hip dysplasia get better with the help of physical therapy, while others need surgery. Cataracts are also a common health issue in Standard Schnauzers. A cataract takes the form of cloudiness over one or both of a dog’s eyes. They can eventually cause blindness. Fortunately, surgery is an effective way to treat them.

Bladder stones are another health issue for this breed. Older dogs are especially prone to this condition. The stones are made of calcium or struvite and form inside a dog’s bladder. Generally, these stones appear as a result of an infection. A Standard Schnauzer with bladder stones may have trouble urinating. A reliable veterinarian can diagnose the issue by taking an X-ray of the dog’s bladder. Sometimes the stones can be flushed out, while in other cases, surgery is necessary to remove them. A special diet can sometimes prevent this condition.

Common health issues for Standard Schnauzers are:

• Hip dysplasia
• Cataracts
• Bladder stones

Temperament And Behavior

A Standard Schnauzer has laser focus when searching for a mouse or other rodent in the yard. This same dog can exhibit a playful, affectionate personality while running, jumping, and chasing the kids in a household. In short, whether working or playing, a Standard Schnauzer puts its whole heart into the activity.

One of the most significant traits of this breed is loyalty. In fact, it is so loyal to its family, this dog can be very suspicious of unfamiliar guests. But a Standard Schnauzer’s behavior usually changes as it gradually warms up to the person. These dogs have inquisitive eyes that always seem to be taking in their surroundings.

How To Take Care Of Standard Schnauzers

Learning about the dietary, health, exercise, and grooming needs of a Standard Schnauzer can help an owner to care for it throughout their entire life. Whether someone is looking for a Standard Schnauzer puppy from reputable breeders or wants to go to a rescue organization in search of an adult dog, knowing as much as possible is always an advantage.

The Best Dog Food For Standard Schnauzers

Standard Schnauzer puppies and adult dogs have different nutritional needs. It’s a good idea for an owner to take a close look at the nutrients needed to keep puppies and adult dogs healthy.

Standard Schnauzer puppy food: Protein in the form of lamb, chicken, or salmon helps build powerful muscles and healthy tissue in this lively puppy. Fat supplies a puppy with the nourishment it requires to explore its environment. Calcium lends to the development of bones, teeth, and nails. Vitamin C and E build up a puppy’s immune system so it can fight off illness. Fiber, along with plenty of clean water, is important for a puppy’s digestive system. Omega-3 fatty acids have a direct effect on the development of a puppy’s brain and vision.

Standard Schnauzer adult dog food: Lean protein is vital for the health of a growing dog’s muscles and helps to maintain a shiny coat. Fat is essential in an adult dog’s diet, but in smaller amounts as compared to a puppy’s. Vitamin A contributes to healthy eyes and strong vision, which is especially beneficial for a breed that suffers from cataracts. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that can decrease inflammation.

Maintenance And Grooming

How much does a Standard Schnauzer shed? This dog experiences minimal shedding. That’s why it’s especially popular in households with family members who suffer from allergies.

Standard Schnauzers have a double coat of hair that needs to be brushed once per day. A slicker brush can get rid of tangles stuck in this dog’s wiry coat. Start at the dog’s head and brush with the flow of its hair. When you find a tangle, use your fingers to gently separate it into small sections and work through each one using the slicker brush.

Taking a Standard Schnauzer to a professional groomer twice a year (or more) can keep its coat in excellent condition. A groomer can hand-strip the dog’s coat to remove dead hair and enhance their salt and pepper coloration.

This breed is prone to a skin condition called Schnauzer Comedo Syndrome. This condition appears as black, wart-like bumps. These harmless bumps may appear and disappear throughout the dog’s life.

Training

The intelligence of this dog makes it relatively easy to obedience train. They’re alert and eager to have a task to tackle!

Exercise

Standard Schnauzers are energetic dogs that need exercise to maintain their physical, mental, and emotional health. They need at least 60 minutes of running exercise each day. A jog in a nearby woods or field, a game of chase in the backyard, or some time spent at the dog park are all good possibilities. As a note, this breed or a mix that includes this breed is likely to become destructive if not given exercise each day.

This dog is not a favorable choice for someone who lives in an apartment. They need a large backyard where they can stretch their legs and find something fun to do.

Puppies

Socializing Standard Schnauzer puppies is important. Doing this early on can prevent this breed or a mix of this breed from barking too much.

Standard Schnauzer And Children

These dogs are known to do well with children. They are playful and have a gentle temperament suited to interacting with kids.

Dogs Similar To Standard Schnauzer

Canines with similarities to the Standard Schnauzer include the Standard Poodle, the Airedale Terrier, and the Irish Terrier.

• Standard Poodle: Standard Poodles are intelligent with a playful temperament, just like Standard Schnauzers, but Standard Poodles tend to weigh more than Standard Schnauzers.
• Airedale Terrier: Like Standard Schnauzers, these dogs have a lively nature combined with a friendly temperament. However, when it comes to size, Airedale Terriers are larger.
• Irish Terrier: Irish Terriers are brave and smart like Standard Schnauzers. But they are a smaller size than Standard Schnauzers and usually have a coat of red or wheaten hair.

Famous Standard Schnauzers

Some famous individuals in recent history have owned Standard Schnauzers or a mix of this breed. These individuals include:

• President Kennedy owned a Schnauzer mix named Wolf
• Actress Doris Day owned a Standard Schnauzer named Charlie
• 1940s Actor Errol Flynn owned a Standard Schnauzer named Arno