Schnauzer Breed Origins and Caracteristics
The origin of the medium-sized schnauzer is not very clear, but it is known that this kind of dogs existed in the Medieval Age, especially in Wurtemberg. The current type of medium-sized schnauzer was not created until early our century when the schnauzer club was founded in 1907. The schnauzers are used as load dogs and guard dogs; even today they are appreciated because they are lively, less irritable, intrepid and because of their constancy. Since they are not used to bark without reason, they can live in apartments. Its hair requires a bit of work; it should be cut differently in the different parts of the body, according to a determined principles.
In the south of Bavaria, in Salzburg and in Tirol, there were big sized-bristly haired dogs that watched over the herds and pigs and protected the farms from thieves. They were first exposed in Munich in 1909 and in 1923. They received their first standard. It is the giant schnauzer which nowadays is almost exclusively used as a labor dog. The giant schnauzer is a confident, very aggressive and mistrustful dog. It is an excellent defense dog. Due to its vitality and great need of exercise; it may not be convenient for everyone.
At the end of the 19th century, the miniature schnauzer was created from the medium-sized schnauzer and the affenpinscher. This miniature breed has the same characteristics as the big ones and they are included and they are included among the breeds of auxiliary dogs. Due to its cheerful character and the few demands that it requires, the miniature schnauzer is increasingly more appreciated as a pet dog.
Medium-sized schnauzer (3). Size: 45-50 cm. Weight: 15-18 kg. Colors: black or pepper and salt (1). The tonalities of steel gray and silver gray are accepted always with a shadowed mask and hair with gray roots.
Giant schnauzer (2). Size: male 60-70 cm, female 60-64 cm. Weight: 35-50 kg. Colors: black, pepper and salt colors are authorized. But nowadays we only find black specimens.
Miniature schnauzer (4). Size: 30-35 cm. The weight is not indicated in the standard but the dogs must have the adequate physical condition. Colors: black, pepper, salt, black and silver. In the pepper and salt colors, the tonalities of metal gray, silvered gray, with gray roots and a dark mask. The black and silver-colored dogs have black hair and white roots.
