History of the Schnauzer

The Schnauzer is of German origin and said to be recognizable in pictures of the 15th century.

The Miniature Schnauzer is derived from the Standard Schnauzer and is said to have come from mixing of Affenpinschers and Poodles with small Standard Schnauzers. The breed was exhibited as a distinct breed as early as the late 1800’s.

It was originally bred to be a small farm dog, able to go to ground for all kinds of vermin and is a robust, active dog resembling his larger cousin, the Standard Schnauzer, in general appearance, and has an alert, active disposition.

He is friendly, intelligent and willing to please. He should never be overaggressive or timid. Our babies are bred to fully live up to this standard.

The breed standard

The Miniature Schnauzer is a distinctive dog with a square body, wiry coat, and a rectangular head accented by bushy eyebrows and a luxurious beard ("schnauzer" is translated from the German as "muzzle" or "beard"). He stands 12-14 inches at the withers and weighs 13-15 pounds. His head tapers only slightly from the relatively flat skull to the blunt nose and has only a slight stop. Thick whiskers decorate the lower muzzle and give the dog its characteristic schnauzer look. Schnauzer ears can be cropped or left natural. Ears should be cropped between nine-12 weeks of age, when the puppies are past the fear period1. Many Schnauzer breeders keep puppies until the ear crop is done rather than leave it to the puppy buyer to arrange. The cropped ear must be identical in shape and size, in balance with the head, and have pointed tips. Cropping is surgery and should only be done by a veterinarian.

Uncropped ears can be left on their own or can be set to fold over the top of the skull by gluing in place with a special adhesive. Breeders may begin this painless process when the puppy is six-to-eight weeks old. The ears should be left glued in place until the pup is about five months old, after his permanent teeth are in. Inexperienced Schnauzer owners should depend on the breeder or a veterinarian to glue the ears to assure that air can circulate properly and the puppy can hear. The original set remains in place about three weeks; after which it must be loosened and the ears cleaned and trimmed, and then reset.

Disqualifications

Dogs or bitches under 12 inches or over 14 inches.

Color solid white or white striping, patching, or spotting on the colored areas of the dog, except for the small white spot permitted on the chest of the black.

The body coat color in salt and pepper and black and silver dogs fades out to light gray or silver white under the throat and across the chest. Between them there exists a natural body coat color. Any irregular or connecting blaze or white mark in this section is considered a white patch on the body, which is also a disqualification.

FOR THE FULL DESCRIPTION AND HISTORY OF THIS MAGNIFICANT BREED, PLEASE FOLLOW THIS LINK TO THE AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB.

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