Post by charmingnancy on Mar 9, 2009 16:38:55 GMT -5
Schnauzer (Standard)
Group: 3- Working Dogs
Origin: Germany
Purpose: Guarding the family and livestock, ridding the farmyard of vermin, and protecting their owners as they traveled to market
Description:
Today's Standard Schnauzer is a medium-sized working breed in the schnauzer/pinscher canine family. It is not a terrier and was not developed to "go to ground." SS are characterized by a robust, square, athletic build, a dense, wiry, harsh coat of black or pepper and salt and an energetic, intelligent temperament. Standard Schnauzers are sociable, alert, affectionate, protective and reliable in nature, with a good sense of humor.
Appearance- Breed Standards:
Coat: Tight, hard, wiry and as thick as possible, composed of soft, close undercoat and a harsh outer coat. When seen against the grain it stands up off the back, lying neither smooth nor flat. Correct harsh coat texture is very important for its ability to repel dirt and moisture with no tendency to mat. The skull and outer body coat is hand-stripped (plucked) to accentuate the body outline. A dog may be considered to be in show coat when the hair on the back is 3/4 - 1 1/2 inches (2-4 cm) in length. Coat on the muzzle and over the eyes lengthens to form the beard and eyebrows. Coat on the cheeks, ears, throat, chest, belly and under the tail should be closely trimmed to give the desired typical appearance of the breed. The hair on the legs is slightly longer than on the body. These furnishings should be of harsh texture and should not be so profuse or long as to detract from the neat appearance or working capability. The skin is tight and grey in colour.
Colours:
Pepper and Salt- The typical pepper and salt colour of the outer coat results from the combination of black and white banded hairs distributed evenly on the body. All shades from dark iron grey to silver grey are acceptable. The undercoat is grey. It is desirable to have a black facial mask that harmonizes with the particular shade of coat colour. The pepper and salt mixture may fade to light grey or silver white in the leg furnishings, eyebrows, whiskers, cheeks, throat, belly and under the tail, chest and inside the legs.
Black- The black Standard Schnauzer should be a rich true colour, free from fading, discoloration or any admixture of grey or tan hairs. The undercoat should be solid black. A certain amount of fading and burning from increased age or continued exposure to the sun can occur. A small white smudge on the chest is permissible.
Head: Strong and rectangular in appearance, diminishing slightly from ears to eyes and again to the tip of the nose. The total length of the head should equal that of the neck. The head should match the sex and substance of the dog. The expression is alert, highly intelligent and spirited. The skull is strong and elongated, moderately broad between the ears. The skull is flat and the skin unwrinkled. The cheeks are well filled without being coarse or prominent and should not disturb the rectangular appearance of the head. The stop is slight and sloping. The muzzle is strong, balanced, equal in length, and parallel to the top of the skull. The muzzle ends in a moderately blunt manner with full whiskers and moustache. The nose is large, black and full. The lips are black and tight fitting. There is a full complement of strong white teeth with the incisors meeting in a scissors bite. The eyes are moderately deep set, medium size and oval shaped. The iris is dark brown, the darker the better. The eye rims are tight and black. Vision should not be impaired from front or profile by too long an eyebrow. The ears set high complimenting the head. They should be evenly shaped with moderate thickness of leather and carried erect when cropped. Uncropped, they are medium sized, V-shaped and mobile. The ear breaks at skull level and is carried forward when alert with the inner edge close to the cheek.
Neck: Equal in length to the head. The nape should be strongly muscled with a well-defined arch widening and blending cleanly into the shoulders. Skin should be tight and fit closely with the throat.
Forequarters: Strongly muscled with the shoulder well laid back. The forelimbs should be well under the dog providing maximum support. They are moderate in length, straight and vertical when viewed from all sides with the bone carried well down to the paws. The pasterns are firm and vertical when viewed from the front and nearly vertical from side view. Elbows are set close to the body and point directly rearward. Feet are small, compact, cat’s foot round shaped with thick pads and strong black nails. Toes are well arched with the centre of the paw straightforward. Dewclaws may be removed.
Body: Compact, strong, short-coupled and substantial allowing great strength, flexibility and agility. The appearance is square in proportion of body length from breastbone to point of rump, to the height at the highest point of the withers. At front view the width across the shoulder should equal the width across the rear. Chest is oval shaped, moderately broad with well sprung ribs. At side view the breastbone is prominent and obvious in profile. The brisket of a mature dog reaches to the elbow and ascends gradually rearward with the belly moderately tucked up. The depth of chest from the top of the withers to the brisket should equal the distance of the brisket to the ground. Back is strong, straight and short with the topline slightly descending in an almost horizontal rearward slope. The loin is well developed with the distance from the last rib to the hip being as short as possible. Croup is short, full and slightly rounded governing the set and carriage of the tail.
Hindquarters: Strongly muscled and well angulated, matching the forequarters for correct balance and propulsion. Hocks are short, strong and perpendicular to the ground. Feet as in front.
Tail: Set moderately high and carried erect. The docked tail should be not less than 1 inch (2cm) and not longer than 3 inches (7cm). The undocked tail is strong at the base, tapering gradually to the tip. It should be carried proudly like the blade of a sabre but not forward over the back. The tail is stripped in conformity with the body coat.
Gait: Sound, strong, quick, free, true with topline level. The forequarters and hindquarters are balanced in a stride that has strong reach and drive covering the ground with minimum effort. At a trot the back remains firm and level without swaying, dipping, rolling or roaching. Increased speed causes the feet to converge towards the centre line of gravity.
Faults:
-Dogs that are aggressive to humans or appear highly nervous or shy should be seriously faulted and excused.
-Coat that is soft, smooth, curly, wavy or shaggy; too long or short; sparse or lack of undercoat, excessive or lack of furnishings. Body coat that has been cut or clipped.
-Any colour, shadings or mixtures in the coat other than specified. A black saddle or streak down the back and absence of peppering.
-Skull domed or bumpy, too narrow, too wide or pronounced. Head and/or muzzle too long or short, pointed or down faced. Overly refined Terrier-like head. Over or undershot bite, crooked or missing teeth.
-Eyes round, protruding or light coloured. Ears that are low or hound-like, uneven in carriage or do not compliment the head.
-Shoulder and upper arm not equal in appearance.
-Excessively toed in or out spreading paws or hare foot.
-Barrel chest or slab sided.
-Squirrel Tail.
-Hackney gait.
Any variation from the above-described ideal should be faulted according to the severity of the deviation.
Disqualification: Adult males which are in excess of 20 inches (51cm) or less than 18 inches (45cm) and adult females which are in excess of 19 inches (48cm), or less than 17 inches (43cm) in height.
Size:
At withers from 18-20 inches (45-51cm) for adult males and from 17-19 inches (43-48cm) for adult females. Males weighing 40-45 lbs, while females are 35-40 pounds.
Temperament:
The Standard Schnauzer is not the breed for those who want a slow, placid dog or one that can be "fed and forgotten" for they insist on being part of the family activities and develop best when treated in this manner. They are outstanding companions known for their devotion and love of their family, and are not "one person dogs" but instead become a true family member. SS are particularly good with children, being playful and tolerant. At the same time, they are alert to any intruder which might threaten their home and family.
Standards are very intelligent and can be strong-willed. Owners must be prepared to train their new puppy from the beginning. Early Kindergarten Puppy Training and later, regular obedience classes, is the best approach.
Health:
There are a number of health problems to look out for, although by and large this is a relatively healthy breed. Some of the health issues that may affect the Standard Schnauzer include thyroid problems, cancer, HD, and cataracts. The parents of the Standard Schnauzer puppy should have OFA and CERF certificates.
Average Lifespan:
The life expectancy of the Standard Schnauzer is around 12-14 years.
History:
The Standard Schnauzer (SS) is the oldest (and original prototype) of the three Schnauzer breeds. Since the Middle Ages, dogs very like today's Standard Schnauzer performed household and farm duties in Germany: guarding the family and livestock, ridding the farmyard of vermin, and protecting their owners as they travelled to market. These rough-haired, medium-sized dogs were descended from early European herding and guardian breeds and were not related to the superficially similar terriers of Britain.
In the mid-19th century, German dog fanciers began to take an interest in this useful native breed. Crosses were made with gray Wolfspitz and black German Poodle to produce the distinctive pepper and salt and black colors. At this time, the medium-sized dogs were also being crossed with other breeds to develop the Miniature and, later, the Giant Schnauzer.
Wire-haired Pinschers, as the breed was originally known, were first exhibited in Germany in the 1870s. The official German breed standard of that era describes a dog remarkably similar to the Standard Schnauzer of today.
By the turn of the century, the breed was becoming universally known as the Schnauzer, a reference to the breed's hallmark a muzzle (German: schnauze) sporting a bristly beard and moustache, as well as to an early show winner of that name.
Sources:
Standard Schnauzer Club of America- History
CKC
Just Dog Breeds
Pictures:
Photobucket
Group: 3- Working Dogs
Origin: Germany
Purpose: Guarding the family and livestock, ridding the farmyard of vermin, and protecting their owners as they traveled to market
Description:
Today's Standard Schnauzer is a medium-sized working breed in the schnauzer/pinscher canine family. It is not a terrier and was not developed to "go to ground." SS are characterized by a robust, square, athletic build, a dense, wiry, harsh coat of black or pepper and salt and an energetic, intelligent temperament. Standard Schnauzers are sociable, alert, affectionate, protective and reliable in nature, with a good sense of humor.
Appearance- Breed Standards:
Coat: Tight, hard, wiry and as thick as possible, composed of soft, close undercoat and a harsh outer coat. When seen against the grain it stands up off the back, lying neither smooth nor flat. Correct harsh coat texture is very important for its ability to repel dirt and moisture with no tendency to mat. The skull and outer body coat is hand-stripped (plucked) to accentuate the body outline. A dog may be considered to be in show coat when the hair on the back is 3/4 - 1 1/2 inches (2-4 cm) in length. Coat on the muzzle and over the eyes lengthens to form the beard and eyebrows. Coat on the cheeks, ears, throat, chest, belly and under the tail should be closely trimmed to give the desired typical appearance of the breed. The hair on the legs is slightly longer than on the body. These furnishings should be of harsh texture and should not be so profuse or long as to detract from the neat appearance or working capability. The skin is tight and grey in colour.
Colours:
Pepper and Salt- The typical pepper and salt colour of the outer coat results from the combination of black and white banded hairs distributed evenly on the body. All shades from dark iron grey to silver grey are acceptable. The undercoat is grey. It is desirable to have a black facial mask that harmonizes with the particular shade of coat colour. The pepper and salt mixture may fade to light grey or silver white in the leg furnishings, eyebrows, whiskers, cheeks, throat, belly and under the tail, chest and inside the legs.
Black- The black Standard Schnauzer should be a rich true colour, free from fading, discoloration or any admixture of grey or tan hairs. The undercoat should be solid black. A certain amount of fading and burning from increased age or continued exposure to the sun can occur. A small white smudge on the chest is permissible.
Head: Strong and rectangular in appearance, diminishing slightly from ears to eyes and again to the tip of the nose. The total length of the head should equal that of the neck. The head should match the sex and substance of the dog. The expression is alert, highly intelligent and spirited. The skull is strong and elongated, moderately broad between the ears. The skull is flat and the skin unwrinkled. The cheeks are well filled without being coarse or prominent and should not disturb the rectangular appearance of the head. The stop is slight and sloping. The muzzle is strong, balanced, equal in length, and parallel to the top of the skull. The muzzle ends in a moderately blunt manner with full whiskers and moustache. The nose is large, black and full. The lips are black and tight fitting. There is a full complement of strong white teeth with the incisors meeting in a scissors bite. The eyes are moderately deep set, medium size and oval shaped. The iris is dark brown, the darker the better. The eye rims are tight and black. Vision should not be impaired from front or profile by too long an eyebrow. The ears set high complimenting the head. They should be evenly shaped with moderate thickness of leather and carried erect when cropped. Uncropped, they are medium sized, V-shaped and mobile. The ear breaks at skull level and is carried forward when alert with the inner edge close to the cheek.
Neck: Equal in length to the head. The nape should be strongly muscled with a well-defined arch widening and blending cleanly into the shoulders. Skin should be tight and fit closely with the throat.
Forequarters: Strongly muscled with the shoulder well laid back. The forelimbs should be well under the dog providing maximum support. They are moderate in length, straight and vertical when viewed from all sides with the bone carried well down to the paws. The pasterns are firm and vertical when viewed from the front and nearly vertical from side view. Elbows are set close to the body and point directly rearward. Feet are small, compact, cat’s foot round shaped with thick pads and strong black nails. Toes are well arched with the centre of the paw straightforward. Dewclaws may be removed.
Body: Compact, strong, short-coupled and substantial allowing great strength, flexibility and agility. The appearance is square in proportion of body length from breastbone to point of rump, to the height at the highest point of the withers. At front view the width across the shoulder should equal the width across the rear. Chest is oval shaped, moderately broad with well sprung ribs. At side view the breastbone is prominent and obvious in profile. The brisket of a mature dog reaches to the elbow and ascends gradually rearward with the belly moderately tucked up. The depth of chest from the top of the withers to the brisket should equal the distance of the brisket to the ground. Back is strong, straight and short with the topline slightly descending in an almost horizontal rearward slope. The loin is well developed with the distance from the last rib to the hip being as short as possible. Croup is short, full and slightly rounded governing the set and carriage of the tail.
Hindquarters: Strongly muscled and well angulated, matching the forequarters for correct balance and propulsion. Hocks are short, strong and perpendicular to the ground. Feet as in front.
Tail: Set moderately high and carried erect. The docked tail should be not less than 1 inch (2cm) and not longer than 3 inches (7cm). The undocked tail is strong at the base, tapering gradually to the tip. It should be carried proudly like the blade of a sabre but not forward over the back. The tail is stripped in conformity with the body coat.
Gait: Sound, strong, quick, free, true with topline level. The forequarters and hindquarters are balanced in a stride that has strong reach and drive covering the ground with minimum effort. At a trot the back remains firm and level without swaying, dipping, rolling or roaching. Increased speed causes the feet to converge towards the centre line of gravity.
Faults:
-Dogs that are aggressive to humans or appear highly nervous or shy should be seriously faulted and excused.
-Coat that is soft, smooth, curly, wavy or shaggy; too long or short; sparse or lack of undercoat, excessive or lack of furnishings. Body coat that has been cut or clipped.
-Any colour, shadings or mixtures in the coat other than specified. A black saddle or streak down the back and absence of peppering.
-Skull domed or bumpy, too narrow, too wide or pronounced. Head and/or muzzle too long or short, pointed or down faced. Overly refined Terrier-like head. Over or undershot bite, crooked or missing teeth.
-Eyes round, protruding or light coloured. Ears that are low or hound-like, uneven in carriage or do not compliment the head.
-Shoulder and upper arm not equal in appearance.
-Excessively toed in or out spreading paws or hare foot.
-Barrel chest or slab sided.
-Squirrel Tail.
-Hackney gait.
Any variation from the above-described ideal should be faulted according to the severity of the deviation.
Disqualification: Adult males which are in excess of 20 inches (51cm) or less than 18 inches (45cm) and adult females which are in excess of 19 inches (48cm), or less than 17 inches (43cm) in height.
Size:
At withers from 18-20 inches (45-51cm) for adult males and from 17-19 inches (43-48cm) for adult females. Males weighing 40-45 lbs, while females are 35-40 pounds.
Temperament:
The Standard Schnauzer is not the breed for those who want a slow, placid dog or one that can be "fed and forgotten" for they insist on being part of the family activities and develop best when treated in this manner. They are outstanding companions known for their devotion and love of their family, and are not "one person dogs" but instead become a true family member. SS are particularly good with children, being playful and tolerant. At the same time, they are alert to any intruder which might threaten their home and family.
Standards are very intelligent and can be strong-willed. Owners must be prepared to train their new puppy from the beginning. Early Kindergarten Puppy Training and later, regular obedience classes, is the best approach.
Health:
There are a number of health problems to look out for, although by and large this is a relatively healthy breed. Some of the health issues that may affect the Standard Schnauzer include thyroid problems, cancer, HD, and cataracts. The parents of the Standard Schnauzer puppy should have OFA and CERF certificates.
Average Lifespan:
The life expectancy of the Standard Schnauzer is around 12-14 years.
History:
The Standard Schnauzer (SS) is the oldest (and original prototype) of the three Schnauzer breeds. Since the Middle Ages, dogs very like today's Standard Schnauzer performed household and farm duties in Germany: guarding the family and livestock, ridding the farmyard of vermin, and protecting their owners as they travelled to market. These rough-haired, medium-sized dogs were descended from early European herding and guardian breeds and were not related to the superficially similar terriers of Britain.
In the mid-19th century, German dog fanciers began to take an interest in this useful native breed. Crosses were made with gray Wolfspitz and black German Poodle to produce the distinctive pepper and salt and black colors. At this time, the medium-sized dogs were also being crossed with other breeds to develop the Miniature and, later, the Giant Schnauzer.
Wire-haired Pinschers, as the breed was originally known, were first exhibited in Germany in the 1870s. The official German breed standard of that era describes a dog remarkably similar to the Standard Schnauzer of today.
By the turn of the century, the breed was becoming universally known as the Schnauzer, a reference to the breed's hallmark a muzzle (German: schnauze) sporting a bristly beard and moustache, as well as to an early show winner of that name.
Sources:
Standard Schnauzer Club of America- History
CKC
Just Dog Breeds
Pictures:
Photobucket