The Schnauzer is immediately recognizable by his beard and bushy eyebrows. The Standard Schnauzer is the middle-sized Schnauzer breed — not too big, not too small. You might say he’s “just right.” Here are some fun facts about the Standard Schnauzer:
1. They Are the Original Schnauzer Breed
Unlike the Poodle, the three sizes of Schnauzers are completely separate breeds. The Standard Schnauzer is the original size, from which the Miniature Schnauzer and the Giant Schnauzer were developed. The Standard Schnauzer’s history can be traced back to the Middle Ages in Germany.
2. They Are Versatile Dogs
The wirehaired dogs that would become the modern Standard Schnauzer performed many jobs for German families. They guarded the livestock, hunted vermin, and protected their owners as they went to and from the market. The Standard Schnauzer was the perfect size because he was small enough to fit in the farmer’s cart, but big enough to serve as a guard dog.
3. Those Whiskers Served as Protection
The thick whiskers on a Schnauzer’s snout actually had an important function. When they matted together, they protected the Schnauzer from being bitten by the vermin they hunted on farms.
4. Their Name Means “Snout”
The name “Schnauzer” comes from the German word, “schnauze,” which means snout or muzzle. (You might notice that schnauze sounds a bit like “shnaz,” a slang word for a big nose.) Schnauzers used to be called Wirehaired Pinschers, but the name Schnauzer took over by the early 1900s.
5. They Worked for the German Army
Standard Schnauzers proved to be quite useful during the first World War. The German army used them as guard dogs, and the Red Cross used them as dispatch carriers.
6. They Came to the U.S. With Immigrants and Travelers
The Standard Schnauzer first began appearing in the United States in the early 1900s. They either came with German immigrant families, or with Americans who had traveled to Germany and wanted to bring a Schnauzer home.
7. They’re True Family Members
This breed is known for being an outstanding companion who’s completely devoted to their family members. They’re not necessarily “one person dogs,” instead they appreciate all of the members of their “pack.” The Standard Schnauzer is particularly good with children, as they’re extremely playful, yet tolerant. They also make for awesome watch dogs, ready to alert anyone of an intruder who might threaten their home or family.