Where the Standard Schnauzer came from
The Standard Schnauzer comes from southern Germany. The breed took shape in the 1880s. A dog named Schnautzer took first place at a Hanover show in 1879. They shared a history with the German Pinscher and worked as farm and stable dogs. They were skilled ratters.
The first Pinscher standard was written in 1880. In 1917, the rough-haired breed was officially renamed Schnauzer. The word means snout, and also a mustache. The AKC recognized the Standard Schnauzer in 1904. The Standard Schnauzer Club of America was formed in 1933.
Today they are family dogs who still have a ratter's drive. They are alert, loyal and bold, and they like a person to lean on.
- 1879 A dog named Schnautzer places first at the Hanover dog show
- 1904 AKC recognizes the Standard Schnauzer
- 1917 The rough-haired Pinscher is officially renamed Schnauzer
- 1933 The Standard Schnauzer Club of America is formed
The job a Standard Schnauzer was bred for
A farm and stable dog that guarded the yard, drove livestock and killed rats. That is why many Standard Schnauzers bark at noise, dig and chase small, fast things. They are alert and protective of their home.
What you may see at home
Alert, barks at noise, bold, digs, protective of the yard.
Give them: Quiet cue, scent work, barn hunt, and early socializing. Give a daily job.
Sports that fit a Standard Schnauzer
- Obedience. Smart and able, with a good reason to work
- Agility. Quick and athletic for a medium dog
- Scent work. A good way to use the nose and the mind
- Barn hunt. Lets the old ratter job come back to life
- Herding. Some still work livestock
Training tips for a Standard Schnauzer
- Teach a quiet cue and reward it. They bark to alert.
- Practice leave it with small, fast things like squirrels.
- Socialize early, so that guarding does not turn into suspicion.
- Give a daily job, since a bored Schnauzer finds its own.
Body and health
Wiry coat needs regular brushing and hand stripping or clipping. Hip dysplasia and eye conditions can occur. A deep chest means bloat is a concern.
Fun fact. A Standard Schnauzer won Best in Show at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show in 1997.
Breed is where we start
A study of more than 18,000 dogs found breed explains only about 9 percent of the differences in behavior between dogs (Morrill and others, Science, 2022). So your Standard Schnauzer is a starting guess, not a label. We find the drive your dog actually runs on, give it a job, and teach you to read them.
Free tools for your dog
- Breed drive calculatorMixed breed? Add the other breeds and see the drives your dog was bred with.
- Dog breed quizTen photos, four names each. The same quiz our trainers take.
- Dog drive testAnswer everyday moments and find the job your dog runs on.
Looking for a different breed? See what 137 breeds were bred to do, and download any of their guides.