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Schnauzer Standard

General
Other Names		Mittelschnauzer
Dog Group Kennel Club		Utility
Breed Classification		The Standard Schnauzer is a member of the utility group in Britain and Australia, but in the working group in the United States. They were originally used for ratting and guarding; today they are companion dogs.
Cost of Ownership
Average Food Cost		£4-7.50 per week
Feeding Requirements		The Schnauzer is a fairly undemanding dog feeding wise.
		Try Royal Canin Breed Specific Dog Food
Other Expenses		The average purchase price of a puppy is £400-£500.
Average Puppy Price		£300-500
Lifespan		9 - 15 years The average lifespan is about 12 years; if they live longer than this they may go on until 17 years.
Average Litter Size		8 The average litter size is 8; however even larger litters have been recorded, with as many as 16 puppies.
General Physical Description		The Standard Schnauzer is a medium sized dog. The breed is sturdy and muscular, with an alert outlook. Hair on the eyebrows, moustache and legs is longer than elsewhere, giving them a very distinctive appearance. The Standard has a rectangular head and the body length equals the height at the withers.
Height Min Max Bitch 43.2cm (17") 48.2cm (19") Dog 45.8cm (18") 50.8cm (20") Weight Min Max Bitch 16kg (35lbs) 16kg (35lbs) Dog 18kg (40lbs) 18kg (40lbs)
Size Category		Medium
Weight Height Range		Ideally dogs should measure 48.3cms at the withers and weigh 18kgs. Bitches should measure 45.7cms and weigh 16kgs.
Ailments		Most of the problems that a Standard Schnauzer encounters are behavioural. A common cause of death in the older Schnauzer is heart failure.
Common Ailments		Eye - Conjunctivitis - Foreign body Cardiovascular (Congenital) - Heart Murmur - Pulmonic stenosis Urogenital (Acquired) - Nephroliths (kidney stones, renal calculi) Skin - Allergy - Food Skin - Fleas Schnauzer comedo syndrome - specific type of follicular dermatitis Fatty tumours Adenomas
Susceptibility To Illness		Low
Other
History		A Schnauzer-type dog has been represented in art and sculptures as early as the 1400’s. The Standard Schnauzer is the one that the Miniature and Giant Schnauzers evolved from, originating from southern Germany and the nearby regions of Switzerland and France. Originally it was used as a ratter, then it was discovered that they make excellent watchdogs and guards. The first breed standard for this dog was created in 1890.
Intelligence		The Standard Schnauzer is an intelligent dog that is easily trained, although it does need consistent training, as it can be quite stubborn. As puppies they do require lots of socialisation and training.
Show Characteristics		The head should be strong and flat between the ears. It should have a powerful blunt muzzle and a strong jaw with a perfect scissor bite. The eyes should be of medium size, dark and oval, with arched bushy eyebrows. The ears should be V shaped and high set. The neck should be relatively long, strong and slightly arched. The chest should be deep and broad, and the topline strong and straight, slightly higher at the shoulder than the back end. The body length should be the same as the height at the withers. The front legs should appear straight when viewed from all angles; the back legs should be well muscled. The feet should be compact, round and short. The tail is customarily docked to 3 joints, high set and carried high. The coat should be harsh and wiry with a dense undercoat. The preferred colours for the show ring are salt & pepper or solid black.
Country Of Origin		Germany
Famous Examples
Records Held
Characteristics
Energy		Medium
Overall Exercise		0 - 20 minutes per day. Schnauzers enjoy exercise and play. However they will quite happily fall in with the family’s life style. They do like to be kept active and enjoy obedience tasks
Distress Caused if Left Alone		Low
Personal Protection		Medium
Suitability As Guard Dog		Medium
Risk of Sheep Worrying		Low
Tendency to Bark		Medium
Ease of Transportation		High
Level of Aggression		Low
Compatibility With Other Animals		Medium
Suitable For Children		Medium
General Character And Temperament		Standards are lively, active dogs and they can be stubborn and wilful and need a firm hand when training. They can become one man or one family dogs and may become very territorial. They do not always get on well with other dogs or household pets. Schnauzers make ideal family pets and watchdogs, ideally suited to the active family. They are quick to alert the family of any strangers approaching their territory, using their deep bark. Any behavioural problems can be minimised by correct socialisation and training at an early age.
Grooming
Coat Length		Short/Medium
Grooming Requirement		> Once a week
Trimming		Occassional
Requires Professional Groomer		True
Grooming		The coat of the Standard is harsh, wiry and short with a dense undercoat. All over grooming is required at least twice a week. Hand stripping is a must for the show ring but clipping is straightforward and easy for the smart family pet.
Colour		They can be salt and pepper, solid black or white in colour. White is not a common colour and is rarely seen in the show ring.
Shedding		Little
Suffers From Allergies
Tendency to Cause Allergies

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