Colors: Black, black and silver or salt and pepper

Living: Indoor with regular exercise and a large fenced yard if possible.

Recognized: CKC, FCI, AKC, UKC, KCGB, CKC, ANKC, NKC, NZKC, APRI, ACR

Description

The Standard Schnauzer is a medium-sized, rugged, robust dog with bushy eyebrows, whiskers and a beard. The head is long and rectangular, with a strong muzzle and a pronounced stop. The nose is black and the eyes are oval and dark brown. The teeth should form a scissors bite. The feet are small and cat-like, with arched toes. The tail is generally docked at the fourth vertebra, but cropping the ears is optional. The forelegs are very straight. Any dewclaws should be removed. The topline slopes slightly downward from the withers to the rump. The front legs must appear straight from every angle, while its rear legs and thighs are oblique and very muscular. He has a harsh, wiry outer coat and dense, soft undercoat. The coat comes in salt & pepper or solid black.

Temperament

Bold and lively, the standard schnauzer is a fun-loving companion and guardian. It is clever and headstrong, and unless given daily physical and mental exercise, it can be mischievous. It does best with a firm, patient owner. It is a devoted family dog and very reliable with children. It is good with other family pets, but it can be aggressive toward strange dogs, animals or rodents. It is reserved with strangers, sometimes acting suspicious and protective.

Excercise

The standard schnauzer needs daily exertion, either a long walk on leash, a vigorous game or an off-lead outing in a safe area. It can live outdoors in temperate climates, but it is better off dividing its time between house and yard. Its harsh coat needs combing twice weekly, plus professional scissoring and shaping four times yearly. Shaping is done by clipping for pets and stripping for show dogs.

Grooming

The wiry coat is reasonably easy to look after, but the undercoat is dense and it will become matted unless it is combed or brushed daily with a short wire brush. Clip out knots and brush first with the grain, then against the grain to lift the coat. The

Health

Major concerns: none

Minor concerns: CHD, follicular dermatitis

Occasionally seen: none

Suggested tests: hip