When seeing a Schnauzer for the first time, many people remark on its resemblance to a small, elderly, and stern professor. It's therefore logical that many perceive it as a rather gloomy animal. However, in reality, this is not the case at all. Many owners note that Schnauzers are very affectionate and cheerful creatures.
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Description of the breed
This is a family includes three types, which come in various sizes. Schnauzers can be identified by characteristic features such as their beard, mustache, and bushy eyebrows. If size is the primary characteristic, the following main types can be distinguished:
- Giant Schnauzer. Animals up to 70 cm tall.
- The Mini Schnauzer is a medium-sized dog, reaching a height of no more than 0.5 m.
- Miniature Schnauzer. A dwarf breed, the height of which is 30-35 cm.
Characteristics of Schnauzers
The only distinguishing feature of Schnauzers is their size, but in appearance, temperament, and character, they are completely similar. These animals remain cheerful and energetic throughout their lives, but they also have other qualities— endurance and desire for leadershipMedium and large sized dogs are excellent guard dogs.
Schnauzers are distinguished by their robust build and robust health, which means they rarely catch colds. This is largely what makes these animals long-lived compared to other dogs. The breed's close relatives are terriers, from which Schnauzers are descended. This explains why these dogs very active and inquisitive.
In general, they are not different in appearance.
According to the standard, they have an elongated head, oval dark-colored eyes and powerful jaws.- The ears can be cropped or normal: in the first case they are erect, and in the second - semi-drooping.
- The coat is quite coarse and thick, no more than 2.5 cm long. Shedding, a common occurrence for many dogs, is unusual for Schnauzers. Many owners appreciate the breed's lack of a characteristic doggy odor. While some may initially consider the soft, silky coat an asset, it is actually considered a drawback, as it makes grooming difficult.
According to the standard, they have an elongated head, oval dark-colored eyes and powerful jaws.All schnauzers without exception demonstrate sincere love for loved ones, which often borders on fanaticism. They exhibit very strong leadership qualities. To ensure your pet treats you with respect, you'll have to work hard. You can, of course, immediately assign your dog its resting places, but the moment you appear in the house, it will forget about it and follow you everywhere, no matter what.
Differences between Schnauzer breeds
Dogs of this breed differ from each other primarily in size. Therefore, if a person is interested in acquiring a Miniature Schnauzer, they should be considered solely as a pet. Other varieties of the breed are more versatile, as they can be used as guards of the house and the ownerThe Miniature Schnauzer is the result of the work of breeders, which was developed from the Mittel breed.
To date, there is no consensus regarding the origins of this breed. One theory is that these dogs appeared several centuries ago. However, some experts claim they were developed in Germany in the last century. It is widely believed that Schnauzers were initially kept as stable guards. After all, they are excellent rat and mole catchers. This explains the thick fur on their stomachs and muzzles, which prevents rodents from biting their skin. This quality has been preserved in modern Schnauzers, who are also effective in protecting their owners from rats.
Health
All schnauzers are distinguished by excellent healthTherefore, they are considered long-lived—their average lifespan is 12-14 years. However, in recent years, many members of the breed have been experiencing various tumors and growths. This condition occurs in all dogs, but Schnauzers are unique in that they require veterinary care less frequently. Schnauzers are susceptible to hip dysplasia, but it is found only in a few individuals.
Owners should ensure their pet gets enough exercise. Without enough exercise, the dog may become overweight and lose its vitality.
When kept in the right conditions, these animals have a slender and toned body, demonstrating high curiosity and activity. However, before purchasing a Schnauzer puppy, you should carefully review the parents' medical records. It's possible that you'll find a hereditary condition listed. juvenile cataracts and retinal atrophyThese diseases can seriously damage an animal's vision, leading to complete blindness.
Care and training
Dogs of this breed are highly trainable. However, every owner should be aware of their cunning nature. Therefore, if Standard and Miniature Schnauzers are not trained with due diligence, they may bark more than usual. This requires an owner to be proactive from an early age. ensure good socialization of puppiesSchnauzers thrive in the company of people and quickly become attached to their owners.
They can be good friends with children, and even if a stranger approaches them, they won't change their behavior. With a specialized training program, Schnauzers can be raised to be excellent protectors. This task is made even easier by the fact that these dogs quickly grasp all lessons.
It's especially important to emphasize that teaching them the necessary skills, including self-defense, should be done through play. If your pet makes a mistake, you only need to raise your voice slightly to point out a dog's mistakeAt the same time, you won't achieve results if you rely on mechanical memorization and spurring. Immediately forget about using physical force on Schnauzers when training.
A characteristic trait of Schnauzers is their tendency to be dominant. Therefore, be prepared to spend several weeks, even months, earning your pet's trust. To do this, you will have to deny your dog even the slightest indulgence. For example, if you allow your Schnauzer to indulge with a treat from the table, the next time they will come to you demanding their usual treat, the one you reward them with for successfully completing a task. Therefore, you must do everything possible to prevent your pet from becoming a domineering force.
- Make sure your Schnauzer gets regular exercise.
- Proper care for dogs of this breed involves long walks during which your pet can stretch his legs.
- Be sure to monitor the amount of food you feed your pet. Miscalculating the amount can cause your Schnauzer to become overweight. Therefore, if you don't keep your pet very active, you need to choose the appropriate nutrition, which should always be balanced.
Grooming
This breed of dog does not shed, provided the coat is properly groomed. The owner will only need to comb regularlyIt's also important to remember that trimming will be necessary at least twice a year. Clippers are most convenient for trimming the hair on the head and thighs. The hair that forms the beard, mustache, and eyebrows can be very soft and fine. It's recommended to entrust your pet's grooming to an experienced professional the first time, as your inexperience will likely make it difficult to achieve a beautiful haircut. Furthermore, if you're not skilled enough, you could even cause harm.
Don't forget about the eyes and teeth of a schnauzerYou can keep your dog's nails clean with a special pet toothpaste or baking soda. Various dirt can accumulate in the corners of the eyes, which should be removed regularly. It's also important to maintain the appropriate length of nails and trim them when necessary. However, extreme caution is essential, as there's a risk of harming your pet. Trimming nails should begin when your dog is still a puppy. The key is to avoid letting them grow longer than they were when you bought them. It's best to trim the hind legs first.
In general, schnauzers are unusually active and cheerful dogs, which applies equally to any of the types discussed. While they may appear sullen upon first meeting, which is not surprising given their overhanging eyebrows, in reality, representatives of this breed are quite good-natured creatures. They won't cause their owner much trouble either in training or care.
When choosing a dog, pay special attention to its size, as different purposes require an animal of appropriate size. If you need a guard dog, a Mittel is best. Those looking for a defense dog should consider a Giant Schnauzer, while a Miniature Schnauzer makes an excellent family pet. While it's not necessary to consider function when choosing a dog of this breed, personal preference is the only option.
Conclusion
Unlike other breeds, schnauzers stand out for their memorable appearance, but they also have a number of other distinctive characteristics that make them popular with dog breeders. Since this breed comes in several different sizes, owners can find a dog for both guarding and pet purposes. Generally, these animals are easy to care for, as they are generally healthy and rarely get sick. However, they need to be regularly kept active; only then will they remain as cheerful and happy as they were as puppies.
