schnauzer

Dictionary: schnau·zer (shnou'zər, shnou'tsər) pronunciation

n.
Any of three German breeds of dog of a range of sizes, having a wiry pepper-and-salt or black coat and a blunt muzzle with wiry whiskers.

[German, from Schnauze, snout, alteration of Middle Low German snūte.]

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Britannica Concise Encyclopedia: schnauzer

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Any of three German dog breeds having a wiry black, salt-and-pepper, or black-and-tan coat. The standard, 17 – 20 in. (43 – 51 cm) high and weighing 26 – 37 lbs (12 – 17 kg), dates to the 15th century; it has a blunt, heavily whiskered muzzle and a squared body. The miniature, 12 – 14 in. (30 – 36 cm) high and weighing 13 – 15 lbs (6 – 7 kg), was developed in the 19th century from standard schnauzers and affenpinschers. The giant schnauzer, a cross between the standard and various working dogs, stands 21 – 26 in. (53 – 66 cm) and weighs 66 – 77 lbs (30 – 35 kg).

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Columbia Encyclopedia: schnauzer

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schnauzer (shnou'zər), a sturdy, wirehaired dog developed in S Germany. There are three separate breeds of schnauzer distinguished by their size. The standard schnauzer is a medium-sized dog whose existence in Germany dates back to the 15th cent. It stands from 17 to 20 in. (43.1-50.8 cm) high at the shoulder and weighs from 27 to 37 lb (12.3-16.8 kg). The giant schnauzer, developed at the end of the 19th cent. by crossing the standard schnauzer with various native sheepherding and farm dogs and later the Great Dane, stands from 21¹/₂ to 25¹/₂ in. (54.6-64.8 cm) high at the shoulder and weighs from 65 to 78 lb (29.5-35.4 kg). The miniature schnauzer, also developed around the end of the 19th cent., resulted from the crossing of standard schnauzer to affenpinscher. It stands from 12 to 14 in. (30.5-35.6 cm) high at the shoulder and weighs from 13 to 15 lb (5.9-6.8 kg). The coat of all three breeds may be pepper and salt, silver, or black in color. The standard schnauzer, listed by the American Kennel Club in the working-dog group, was originally used as a ratter, farm dog, and guardian. Later, both it and the giant schnauzer, also a working dog and bred especially for driving cattle, were used in police work. The miniature schnauzer is classified in the terrier group and has been raised primarily as a pet. See dog.

Veterinary Dictionary: Schnauzer

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A dog with hard, wiry, black or salt-and-pepper colored coat that is short on the body but longer on the legs and face, where it forms the characteristic eyebrows, moustache and chin whiskers. The small, v-shaped ears are set high and fold over except in countries where ear-cropping is practiced. The tail is docked to a short length. There are three varieties of Schnauzers, each regarded as a separate breed, similar in appearance but varying in size. The miniature (12–14 inches tall) is classed as a terrier while the standard (17–20 inches tall) and giant (23–27 inches tall) are classed as working dogs in the United States. The miniature Schnauzer is predisposed to congenital cataracts, progressive retinal atrophy and Schnauzer comedo syndrome.

Wikipedia: Schnauzer

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Standard Schnauzer

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A schnauzer (plural schnauzers) is a German dog type that originated in Germany in the 1400s and 1500s. The term comes from "Schnauze," the German word for snout,^[1] because of the dog's distinctly furry muzzle. The type consists of three breeds: the giant, standard and miniature schnauzer. The original schnauzer was of the same size as the modern standard schnauzer breed, and was bred as a rat catcher, yard dog and guard dog. The miniature schnauzer is the result of crossing the original schnauzer. The word Schnauzer also means moustache in German.

Friendly and loving, Schnauzers become part of their families and get on well with children. They are protective, and they will also alert members of the household to any potential danger. The breed is very intelligent but can be have a mind of their own, so it’s good to start training early and provide daily exercise.

The Schnauzer’s beard and leg hair should be brushed often to prevent mats from forming. The body coat should be "stripped" (loose, dead hair is plucked out) at least twice a year. Some schnauzers have wiry hair which is easier to shave but may have fuzzier soft hair which is harder to shave.

Miniature Schnauzers are around one foot (30 cm) tall at the shoulder and weigh between 5 and 13 pounds (5 to 7 kg). They have high energy levels, are very intelligent and are often salt and pepper or black. They can also be silver, white or even parti (multi) coloured. They can live outside, but love to spend time with their owners. They make excellent pets as they are loyal companions and are rarely aggressive toward strangers, although they are quick to sound the alarm at a perceived threat.

Standard Schnauzers are around 1 1/2 feet (46 cm) tall at the shoulder and weigh 26 to 37 pounds (12 to 17 kg). They are in the group of working dogs. Standard schnauzers have been used to catch rats and as guard dogs. They have also carried messages in times of war, helped the Red Cross and been police dogs.

Giant Schnauzers are around two feet (60 cm) tall at the shoulder and weigh between 75 and 85 pounds (30 to 35 kg). They also are working dogs. In history, giant schnauzers helped herd cattle and were also guard dogs at breweries.

References

^ Merriam-Webster: schnauzer

Encyclopedia of Animals

		Dictionary. The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. Read more
		Britannica Concise Encyclopedia. Britannica Concise Encyclopedia. © 2006 Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. All rights reserved. Read more
		Columbia Encyclopedia. The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition Copyright © 2003, Columbia University Press. Licensed from Columbia University Press. All rights reserved. www.cc.columbia.edu/cu/cup/. Read more
		Veterinary Dictionary. Saunders Comprehensive Veterinary Dictionary 3rd Edition. Copyright © 2007 by D.C. Blood, V.P. Studdert and C.C. Gay, Elsevier. All rights reserved. Read more
		Wikipedia. This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Schnauzer". Read more
		Translations. Copyright © 2007, WizCom Technologies Ltd. All rights reserved. Read more

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