Dog Breed

Standard Schnauzer

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Full Name
Standard Schnauzer
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Life Span
13 - 15 years
Weight
30 - 50 pounds
Description

Trainable, Good-natured, Devoted, Lively, Playful, Intelligent

Origin
Germany
Bred For
Ratting, guarding
Attachments
    Family Considerations
    Child Friendly

    Is the Standard Schnauzer good with children?

    The Standard Schnauzer is about average in how friendly they are with children. They can be friendly and loving with children, but we recommend that they get early socialization, and are not left alone with children for extended periods.
    Stranger Friendly

    Is the Standard Schnauzer friendly with strangers?

    The Standard Schnauzer is not automatically friendly with strangers and we would not recommend for a living situation with frequent guests.
    Dog Friendly

    Is the Standard Schnauzer friendly with other dogs?

    The Standard Schnauzer is about average in how friendly they are with other dogs. They can be timid or defensive, but with proper training and socialization can be fine for dog parks and living with other dogs at home.
    Likes to Cuddle

    Does the Standard Schnauzer like to cuddle?

    The Standard Schnauzer appreciates affection and that includes kisses and snuggles!
    Playfulness

    Does the Standard Schnauzer like to play?

    The Standard Schnauzer will almost always be ready for play! The Standard Schnauzer is great for a family with children, or otherwise, an environment that is always ready for play.
    Service Dog Ability

    Does the Standard Schnauzer make a good service dog?

    The Standard Schnauzer can be a service dog with the proper training. Standard Schnauzers are not the most common service dog, but they certainly can be if their personality matches- smart, patient, and extremely dedicated to their owner.
    Overall Ease of Breed
    Ease for Novice

    Is the Standard Schnauzer good for first-time owners?

    The Standard Schnauzer would not be the best fit for first-time owners. A breed is only good for first-time owners if it is raised for home companionship, and is open to training and is motivated to please its owner.
    Training Potential

    How well can the Standard Schnauzer be trained?

    The Standard Schnauzer can be trained to the highest level and is oftentimes seen in various competitions. The Standard Schnauzer is not only intelligent, but it wants to please its owner and is motivated with competition, especially if it feels like it has a job assigned to it.
    Amount of Shedding

    Does the Standard Schnauzer shed a lot?

    The Standard Schnauzer does shed, but less than average.
    Ease of Grooming

    Is the Standard Schnauzer easy to groom?

    The Standard Schnauzer requires some grooming, but less than the average dog breed. Typically you will not need to take the Standard Schnauzer to the pet salon, and occasional combing at home should be enough.
    Exercise Need

    Does the Standard Schnauzer need a lot of exercise?

    The Standard Schnauzer has a lot of energy and getting daily exercise is very important, both for their well-being and for their focus, which is important when you train them.
    Personality
    Intelligence

    How smart is the Standard Schnauzer?

    The Standard Schnauzer is one of the smartest dog breeds. Having a very smart dog is fun, but it is also demanding- they require mental challenge and stimulation just as much as physical exercise.
    Amount of Barking

    How much does the Standard Schnauzer bark? Does the Standard Schnauzer bark too much?

    The Standard Schnauzer barks an average amount. It can vary widely between Standard Schnauzers - some may be much more expressive than others.
    Guard Dog Ability

    Is the Standard Schnauzer a good guard dog?

    The Standard Schnauzer can serve as an excellent guard dog. It is both physically intimidating and also enjoys having a "job" to protect its family and property.
    Tolerates Being Alone

    Is the Standard Schnauzer good at staying alone? Is the Standard Schnauzer independent?

    The Standard Schnauzer prefers having family around at all times, but can also do well when left alone. The Standard Schnauzer still needs plenty of attention, but is independent, and can typically be left alone for several hours without issues.
    Home and Environment Considerations
    Good for Apartment Living

    Is the Standard Schnauzer a good apartment dog?

    The Standard Schnauzer can be a good dog for apartment living. Daily exercise is still important, but the Standard Schnauzer is a better fit for apartment living than most breeds.
    Size

    How big is the Standard Schnauzer?

    The Standard Schnauzer is a medium sized dog breed. They can range in size depending on genetics, and males are larger on average than females.
    Tolerates Heat

    How much does the Standard Schnauzer tolerate hot weather? When is it too hot for a Standard Schnauzer?

    The Standard Schnauzer can tolerate some heat, but should not be over-exposed to hot weather. In general, they can live in hot weather climates, but would do best with air conditioning or at least a fan in their home, especially where they sleep.
    Tolerates Cold

    How much does the Standard Schnauzer tolerate cold weather? When is it too cold for a Standard Schnauzer?

    The Standard Schnauzer can tolerate cold weather well. Play time in the snow or on particularly cold evenings may need to be limited, but overall they can do well in cold climates.
    Potential to Run Away

    Does the Standard Schnauzer try to run away?

    It is natural for the Standard Schnauzer to run away. They are easily distracted and excited, so the urge to run away should be expected and prepared for- a fenced yard is important.
    Physical Characteristics
    General Health

    Is the Standard Schnauzer a healthy dog? The health of a Standard Schnauzer should be measured not just by how many years they live, but also by how many health issues they've had. It is important to know which health conditions your breed is prone to- hip problems, eye problems, bloating, and arthritis are all common dog health problems.

    The Standard Schnauzer is very healthy, but it is still important to feed the Standard Schnauzer high-quality food and to live a healthy lifestyle.
    Energy Level

    How energetic is the Standard Schnauzer?

    The Standard Schnauzer has a lot of energy and this needs to be considered before bringing the Standard Schnauzer into your home. Can you give your Standard Schnauzer enough exercise? They will need several small daily walks, or a large dog park trip to get all of the energy out.
    Amount of Drooling

    How much does the Standard Schnauzer drool?

    The Standard Schnauzer does not drool at all.
    Prey Drive

    Does the Standard Schnauzer have a large prey drive? Does the Standard Schnauzer like to chase birds, cats, and other small animals?

    The Standard Schnauzer has a high prey drive and has a natural tendency to chase after any small animal. Every case is unique, but the Standard Schnauzer may not be the best dog for living with other cats or small animals.
    Athleticism

    Is the Standard Schnauzer atheltic?

    The Standard Schnauzer is athletic and has average levels of endurance. They need a lot of exercise, and can be an exercise partner as long as it's nothing too extreme.
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  1. Working
  2. Schnauzer
  3. Standard Schnauzer
The Standard Schnauzer is a purebred dog that belongs to the Schnauzer sub group, which falls under the larger Working dog breed group.
Working group: Working dogs encompass a wide range of different breeds- but they all were bred to assist people, so they are used to working hard. It is important for them to feel they have a "job" as their roles traditionally have varied from rescuing people to pulling sleds. Because of their large size and intensity, they may be a handful for first time dog owners. On the other side, they can be trained well, so any owner who can exercise and dedicate to training their working dog, will be well rewarded. A common misconception may be that the working dog's jobs are only in physically challenging jobs; actually working dogs can also make excellent service dogs, since they are also kind and attentive to their owners.
Schnauzer sub-group: If you needed a serious chief to run your city, but it had to be a dog, a Schnauzer would be a good option. They are very independent and intelligent. This can be seen in their proud gait... as they walk.. almost as if they are aware of their abilities and strengths. Generally these are all positive traits, but early training and a strong owner are essential. The Schnauzer is mid to high energy, and incredibly alert. They like to 'own' their space, so can sometimes become protective. Because of this they are excellent guard dogs, but again, they need good early socialization and training. In return you will be given an excellent family companion and guard dog. Schnauzers are also hypoallergenic, do not shed very much, and are not a huge breed- so they are a good apartment dog, especially for an owner who can give them the proper exercise.

Standard Schnauzers for adoption

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