How to Identify a Standard Schnauzer

The standard schnauzer is an intelligent breed and is easily trained. It is bred for endurance and a high-spirited temperament. It is a heavy breed that is built with lots of muscle and bone. Its terrier-like personality is perfect for this working breed. It will also make a great watchdog. It does have a tendency to be over-protective, so the standard schnauzer should be socialized as a pup. This breed should not be around small children, but it does like older children.

Instructions

1. Look at the general appearance of the standard schnauzer. Males are 18 ½ to 19 ½ inches at the shoulders and females are 17 ½ inches to 18 ½ inches at the shoulders. This is a square-built breed, so the measurement from the withers to the rump is approximately the same as the height measurement. Males weigh 30 to 45 pounds and females weigh 30 to 40 pounds.

2. Make sure the strong head is rectangular shaped and quite long. It measures about one-half the length measurement (measured from the withers to where the rump meets the tail). Its expression shows its intelligence with alert, spirited eyes. The medium sized eyes are dark brown and oval-shaped. They do not protrude and are not sunken in, even though the brow gives a sunken-in impression. The ear leather is somewhat thick. The ears are carried straight up if they are cropped. If they are uncropped, they are v-shaped and are carried so that the inner edge rides close to the cheek. The muzzle sports whiskers that accentuate the squarishness of the skull.

3. Check that the neck and body are proportionate to the rest of the dog. The strong neck is somewhat thick and long. It arches into the shoulders and medium width chest. The skin on the throat should be tight with no wrinkles. The shoulders are well angulated, providing a maximum forward reach. The round feet are compact, have arched toes and are protected by thick pads. The rear is well muscled and balances with the forequarters. The rear feet are also round and compact with arched toes and thick pads. The tail is set rather high on the rump and is carried straight up. It is docked to 1 to 2 inches long.

4. Pet the wiry coat. It is very tight and thick. The wiry outer coat rides over a soft undercoat. The undercoat is thick enough to make the outer coat stand off the back. The outer coat may be salt and pepper or black. The undercoat is also black.