Schnauzer Dog Breeds: Varieties and Characteristics

The Schnauzer family consists of several types. Read more about all types of schnauzers and their characters in the article.

The Schnauzer family is a dog of three sizes originally from Germany. These pets are descended from pinschers, hunting dogs that are now more often used as working dogs.

Schnauzer in German means “whiskered muzzle”. In 1880th century Bavaria, large schnauzers were used as farm dogs and even transported small loads on them. At that time, the breed did not have a single color standard, but as a result of careful selection, two of them were fixed – completely black and “pepper and salt”. The first breed standard was recorded in XNUMX.

These are rather massive dogs, resembling a rectangular bedside table on the side. The muzzle is large, square, with pronounced eyebrows and mustaches. The ears are small and drooping, the tail is thick at the base and narrow towards the end. Until recently, the tails of schnauzers were docked.

Schnauzers differ, in fact, mainly in size. There are three popular varieties.

Giant schnauzer – the largest schnauzer. The height at the withers is 60-70 cm, the weight of an adult reaches 35 kg. On average, Giant Schnauzers live up to 12 years. This is a full-fledged service dog – it can be trained both to guard the home and to search for prohibited substances. The dog will definitely choose its owner and will obey him, while being very good-natured towards the rest of the family. When guarding a selected family member, a pet can show pronounced aggression. Patiently treats children, will become a wonderful nanny.

For his training, teams will need the help of a professional dog handler: the Giant Schnauzer is a very active breed that does not always immediately obey the owner. At the same time, he learns all the commands perfectly and quickly remembers the sequence of actions. Giant Schnauzers love to communicate and require the development of their skills.

Unlike other breeds, the Giant Schnauzer does not have a pronounced unpleasant odor. Pets should be brushed daily and bathed once every few months. It is also necessary to monitor the condition of the ears, nose and claws.

Mittelschnauzer – a medium sized dog. Height at the withers – 45-50 cm, weight – up to 16 kg, live up to 14 years. Representatives of the breed – loyal, active and friendly – have absorbed all the best canine qualities. At the same time, they are very freedom-loving and dominant, therefore, in order to teach the puppy commands, the owner will need to make significant efforts and spend a lot of time. In no case should the puppy be punished with slaps or shouts if he does not respond to the command – the dog will close in on himself and stop trusting the owner.

Standard Schnauzers need daily thorough grooming and monthly trips to the groomer. You can bathe the dog once every few weeks as the coat gets dirty, you need to comb out the tangles every few days.

Representatives of the breed live quietly both in an apartment and in a private house. However, in nature they feel freer and more confident.

Miniature schnauzer is the smallest of the three species. Height at the withers – up to 35 cm, weight – 6-7 kg, at home they live up to 15 years. The name of the breed is translated from German as “dwarf mustachioed muzzle”. In 1890, miniature schnauzers first appeared at exhibitions in Europe.

Despite its small size, the miniature schnauzer is an excellent guard, can be a hunter and at the same time has a friendly character. If the dog will live in an apartment, it is important to remember that he will need constant physical activity, long walks, classes in the dog playground, and so on – this dog simply cannot sit still for a long time.

Miniature schnauzers are very smart and perfectly trained even in the most difficult commands. Representatives of the breed are quite unpretentious in care, unlike their larger relatives.

Before you start any of the schnauzers in the house, it is advisable to consult with breeders and cynologists. Despite their friendliness, all three breeds of the Schnauzer group need thorough and professional training. Timely and competent training will protect against problems with the behavior of the pet in the future.

See also:

Tips for Grooming Your Dog Grooming and Bathing Instructions for Your Dog How Often to Bathe Your Dog