An overview comparison of the Miniature Schnauzer breed with others similar in appearance and character

The Miniature Schnauzer is a loyal and reliable dog that should not be underestimated due to its miniature size. This is an excellent guard breed, they are brave and cautious, so you should not treat Miniatures as simple lap dogs. Representatives of this breed are intelligent, highly trainable and active.

Miniature Schnauzers get along well with small children, adore their owner and are always ready to protect him. These miniature dogs are energetic, sociable and have the character of a true fighter. The colors of the Tsvergs are quite interesting; black, black and white, black and silver, and pepper and salt are considered the standard ones. When buying a puppy of this breed, you should be careful not to confuse it with other similar breeds. You can read a description of the differences below.

History of the breed and its origin

The ancestors of the Rizens were distributed in the southern part of Germany. They did a wide variety of work. how closely related the Miniature Schnauzer , the Miniature Schnauzer and the Giant Schnauzer are.

The first images of these dogs can be seen in portraits of the German Princess Elizabeth (mid-19th century).

In 1902, representatives of the breed took part in the exhibition for the first time. At first, these dogs were called Munich and even beer schnauzers. Since beer was often delivered to them.

The modern name and standard appeared in 1923.

Giant schnauzers were brought to the USSR in the early 20s of the last century.

History of the origin of the breed

It is not known for certain when exactly the first schnauzers appeared. Presumably they were bred in Southern Germany back in the 15-16th century. (according to other sources in the 18th century) for the extermination of rodents in stables and in the field.

The name "schnauzer" translated from German means "muzzle", which corresponds to the characteristic external feature of these dogs.

The first representatives of the breed were depicted in their canvases by A. Durer, Rembrandt, and D. Reynolds. Also known is a museum sculpture from the 14th century depicting a hunter with a dog of this species and a monument from the 16th century erected to a night watchman with a schnauzer.

The new breed was based on the genes of wire-haired pinschers, German Spitz, poodles, griffons, and terriers. Subsequently, selection was carried out in the direction of increasing the growth of the dogs, as a result, a large subspecies was bred - the Giant Schnauzer, which was used for driving livestock to pastures and protecting housing and property. The miniature variety arose at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. near Frankfurt am Main, when the need for a companion dog arose.

Purposeful selection of the breed has been carried out since 1880 , at the same time it was given a modern version of the name. In 1895, the first dog club of this species was founded and a conformation standard was established. Already in 1910, the first exhibition for this breed was held, and in 1921 the Pinscher-Schnauzer Club appeared, uniting fans of the breed from all over Germany. The first dogs of this species appeared in Russia in 1979.

Appearance

The largest of the schnauzers. A muscular, strongly built dog whose weight should not exceed 47 kg. Height at withers – 60-70 cm (both males and females).

The Giant Schnauzer is almost square in size.

The body is elongated, the back is short and straight. The chest protrudes slightly. The neck is without dewlap, strong and strong. The stomach is tucked. The croup is slightly sloping.

Limbs are straight. On the front paws, the claw pads are well compressed.

The hind legs have wide, muscular thighs and long shins.

The forehead is flat, the head is oblong, the muzzle is wedge-shaped, the back of the nose is straight. The nose is black, the nostrils are large. The eyes are dark in color, oval in shape, and small in size. Ears are high set, drooping, triangular in shape. The ears reach the level of the cheekbones.

Previously, ears were cropped.

Cupping is now prohibited in many countries.

But some breeders still subject their dogs to this procedure.

The tail is medium length, saber-shaped. In Russia, dogs' tails are usually docked.

The wool is hard and wiry. The undercoat is dense, with guard hairs of medium length.

The peculiarity of the breed is a thick “beard” and “eyebrows”.

The fur on them is very hard.

Individuals of a black color are more common, and “salt and pepper” ones are a little less common.

The Giant Schnauzer has strong jaws and 42 teeth (a full set). Scissor bite.

Varieties

Schnauzers come in several types. Although they are generally similar in appearance and character, the varieties differ in height at the withers and body weight. According to this criterion, the following types are distinguished:

1. Giant or Giant Schnauzer;
2. Standard (Middle Schnauzer);
3. Miniature or Miniature Schnauzer.

The latter variety also has more color options than the others.

Giant Schnauzer

Exterior standard

The FCI standard requires animals to meet the following characteristics:

• The head with an obviously visible stop, oblong in shape, large. Its length correlates with the distance from the withers to the tail as 1:2 . The cheekbones are clearly visible, the muzzle is somewhat shortened, wedge-shaped, blunted. The frontal area is smooth and flattened. The circumference of the muzzle in the under-eye part is ideally equal to the length of the head.
• bite . Rizens have 42 teeth.
• The nose is completely black and large. The same shade is required for the lips.
• The eyes are as dark in color as possible, close to oval in shape, and of normal size.
• The ears are drooping and set high, but the fold line does not stand out above the skull. The shape resembles the letter “V”, with the lower edge adjacent to the cheeks. Cropped ears are allowed.
• The tail is saber-shaped from birth; it can be thrown over the back, but not from the very base. Most often, up to 2 or 3 vertebrae are subject to docking.
• The body is stocky and should be close to a square format. The topline is slightly sloping, with a characteristic “high front” appearance. The back is very strong, approximately 1/2 the length of the top line.
• The sternum is deep and massive, but does not differ in width, reaching the elbows. The loin is short, making up no more than a quarter of the length of the entire top line. The back, sacrum, and lower back ideally correspond to a 2:1:1 ratio.
• The neck is dry, muscular, and of moderate length. The scruff is clearly visible. The sum of the length of the neck and head approximately corresponds to the length from the withers to the tail.
• The legs are straight, covered with muscles, and stand moderately wide. The shoulder blades are very long, located at an angle of 50° to the horizon. The humerus are similar in size, parallel to the neck.

The pasterns have a slight slope, the paws are assembled like a cat, the claws are dark in color. The limbs of the posterior girdle are covered with visible muscles, sloping when viewed from the side. The hips are wide, the bones are strictly parallel to the pelvis. The knees are rounded, have an angle of 125-135° . The shins are equal in length to the thighs or exceed them. The hock joints have pronounced angles.

• The movements are sweeping and energetic. The front legs should be thrown forward as far as possible, the hind legs should give a good push.
• The wool is two-layered, coarse, wiry. It reaches its maximum severity on the limbs, beard, chest, and eyebrows. The coat does not shed and needs trimming. The silhouette of the Giant Schnauzer should have a strict appearance; excessively long, protruding or carelessly protruding hair is not welcome.

Breed photos

Character and characteristics of the dog

These are dogs with a strong character and pronounced dignity . They will not pay attention to barking dogs or cats running by, considering it beneath their own dignity. Shows leadership qualities and may strive for dominance. It is necessary to begin socialization early in order to prevent Risen from dominating the family or becoming aggressive towards a person.

Pets of this breed are active, energetic, happy to take part in trips out of town, and play with children . Thanks to its patience, the Giant Schnauzer will be an excellent companion for a child. The dog is focused on the owner, his family, communication with people in general, therefore he does not tolerate loneliness well, he cannot be left on a chain.

Giant Schnauzers are highly intelligent and are often used as service dogs in law enforcement.

They quickly learn new commands, make contact with the trainer, work steadily, without being distracted by trifles. All their actions are thought out; the impulsiveness of terriers is not characteristic of them.

Giant Schnauzers are excellent watchmen and bodyguards. They are not afraid of threats, they boldly stand up to protect the owner and his property. Even in a calm environment, they monitor the actions of strangers, preventing negative manifestations.

Read a detailed article about the breed: “Hardy and smart – Giant Schnauzer”

Miniature Schnauzer (standard)

Exterior standard

The FCI defines the following requirements for the appearance of Miniature Schnauzers:

• The head is massive, oblong in shape, the transition from the skull to the muzzle is clearly visible, pronounced “eyebrows” only emphasize this indicator. The girth of the head in the under-eye area corresponds to its length. The wedge-shaped muzzle is slightly shorter than the skull, the ratio is 4:5 . The forehead is smooth, the nasal dorsum is extensive.
• The bite is scissors only, there are 42 teeth in the mouth.
• The lobe is pure black, large.
• The eyes are oval-shaped, with a dark iris, and medium in size.
• The neck is dry, well muscled, with close-fitting skin, and of moderate length. The angle of inclination to the horizon is 45-50°, the scruff of the neck is clearly visible.
• The ears in their natural form hang down on cartilage and are shaped like the letter “V”. The tips are pressed to the cheeks. Cropped ears are allowed.
• The body is square, the maximum deviation towards elongation is 4% . The top point of the topline is at the withers, the back slopes down towards the root of the tail. The chest is elbow deep, not wide, giving the impression of massiveness. The loin is shortened, but deep and powerful, the croup has a rounded shape.
• The tail can be natural or docked. In the first case, it looks like a saber or sickle, lowered down, or thrown over the back, but significantly further than the base. In case of docking, the remainder of the tail is 2-3 vertebrae.
• The legs are straight, covered with good muscles, the width of the set is moderate. The shoulder blades should have a good length, preferably commensurate with the humerus bones, and be inclined at 50° to the horizontal. The elbows are not turned out, but must be firmly pressed to the body.
• The femurs are parallel to the pelvis. The lower legs are long, equal in this indicator (or exceeding it) to the thighs. The angular joints of the hock joints are clearly expressed. The paws are round. The claws are painted exclusively in dark colors.
• The movements are trotting, with excellent scope, the front legs are thrown far forward, the rear waist gives elasticity to the push.
• The coat is represented by 2 layers . The lower one is the undercoat, very dense, hard, and has a wire-like texture. The top one is the outer hair, which is longer, but similar in coarseness to the previous layer. The coat is slightly softer and more pronounced on the legs.

Characterized by a “beard”, “mustache” and eyebrow hair hanging over the eyes. Wool needs periodic trimming. A well-trained dog has a neat silhouette. All protruding, overly long hair can be attributed to exterior defects.

Photos

Character and characteristics of the dog

The character of the Miniature Schnauzer is lively and active. On the street he is playful, cheerful, enjoys participating in entertainment, overcoming dog obstacles, and running. At the same time, he calmly treats other dogs and other animals, does not provoke a fight and does not try to hunt.

Mittel is reasonable and not impulsive. At home it is characterized by calm behavior, barks little and does not make unnecessary noise. Dogs of this breed are friendly, obedient, patient, and socially oriented. These are ideal playmates for children, whom they will never hurt or bite.

Dogs are easy to train and loyal to their owner and family. It is better to start parenting from the moment the baby appears in the house in order to prevent aggressive behavior towards people.

Mittels always remain vigilant and wary, observing their surroundings and strangers. These are excellent guards for the owner’s property and the health of family members.

Read a detailed article about the breed: “A cheerful friend and devoted worker - the Miniature Schnauzer.”

Miniature Schnauzer (miniature)

Exterior standard

The requirements for the appearance of miniature schnauzers by the International Canine Federation are as follows:

• The head is strong, the muzzle is slightly shorter than the skull. It has the shape of a blunt wedge. A round skull and narrowed muzzle are not allowed. The stop is clearly visible, the cheekbones stand out moderately.
• The nose is only black, wide, with pronounced nostrils.
• The eyes are medium in size, oval. Roundness is considered a fault.
• The ears hang down, are set high, and have a bend that cannot be higher than the line of the skull. The shape resembles the letter “V”; overly long shells are undesirable, as well as the tips not adjacent to the cheekbones.
• The bite is scissor bite only. Miniatures have 42 teeth.
• The neck is dry and powerful, has a smooth bend. The scruff is not narrow.
• The body is square, with a topline that slopes slightly towards the tail area. The back is powerful, extending into a shortened lumbar region and a slightly rounded croup. The sternum is deep, descends to the elbow area, and is of moderate width. The stomach is slightly tucked.
• The limbs of the front girdle have a fairly wide set. The shoulder blades have a good slope back and are long. Elbows are pressed. The forearms are straight and covered with muscles.
• The limbs of the posterior zone appear to be set back during assessment from the side. The thighs are of good width and the shins are long and extend into visible hocks. The paws are similar to the cat type, with small, dark-colored claws.
• The movements are light and elegant. The limbs of the front zone capture the maximum amount of space during ejection, the rear ones set the springiness of the step, while simultaneously extending the legs from opposite sides.
• The tail is saber-shaped or sickle-shaped.
• The wool is coarse, resembles wire, and has two layers. It is shortest on the skull and muzzle, slightly more pronounced on the body, and more clearly represented on the legs. Vivid features of miniatures: thick hair hanging over the eyes, the presence of a “beard”.

Photos

Character, characteristics of the breed

The Giant Schnauzer tends to be dominant. An experienced dog breeder should be involved in his upbringing and training.

They have a predisposition to leadership.

The owner must always show that he is “in charge” of the pack.

He treats children condescendingly and is not averse to playing with them.

Risen has irrepressible energy and impulsiveness. Alert.

He is constantly ready to fiercely defend his owner and his family members.

In general, the Giant Schnauzer needs contact with its owner. Doesn't tolerate loneliness well. A cunning and smart dog. Amenable to training .

Risen is prone to aggression, so it is better to stop the puppy’s attempts to bark at passers-by on the street.

Otherwise, it will be difficult to eradicate this habit.

A dog that will take part in exhibitions must be accustomed to the fact that strangers will touch and examine it.

Care and maintenance

Despite its impressive size, the Giant Schnauzer adapts well to life in even a small apartment.

The main thing is to provide this “Bavarian” with long walks and physical activity.

But the best option for keeping it would be a large enclosure located in the courtyard of a private house. The enclosure should have a warm wooden floor. You can install electricity and make the enclosure heated.

If the winter is cold, then it is better to take the animal home at night.

The dog needs walks - at least 2 hours a day. If the Giant Schnauzer is kept in an apartment, you must give him the opportunity to splash out his energy.

It’s good to take him with you on morning runs or give him the opportunity to run after his owner who is racing fast on a bicycle.

The Giant Schnauzer is a wayward and freedom-loving dog; it cannot be put on a chain.

The Giant Schnauzer's coat requires special care. It has amazing properties: it protects the dog’s skin from minor injuries and repels water. In addition, it is practically odorless.

It is imperative to trim your pet, removing dead outer hair.

This can be done either manually or using a trimming knife. If necessary, after the plucking procedure, the skin is treated with disinfectants (chlorhexidine, hydrogen peroxide).

The first time the “pinching” procedure is carried out when the puppy is 6 months old.

If the dog does not show, you can use a furminator instead of trimming. The animal is given a haircut to improve its appearance. The hair on the throat and ears, as well as on the hips and groin is shortened.

It is recommended to wash your dog if it gets very dirty during a walk.

After washing, rub in burdock oil well (at least 7 days should pass after the trimming procedure). The Giant Schnauzer should be combed first with a sparse comb to remove tangles, and then with a fine-toothed brush.

After eating, the schnauzer's beard should be washed and wiped dry.

Owners of show dogs will have to work hard caring for their pets. The beards of pepper-and-salt schnauzers may acquire a yellowish tint from contact with food. To get rid of this, you need to purchase special cosmetics in grooming salons or specialized stores.

If the black coat has become slightly sunburnt and has acquired a “red” tint, then the dog should be washed with a special tinted shampoo before the show.

If Risen swims in a river or pond in the summer, you need to purchase shampoo with an antifungal effect.

care – as needed. You can pluck the fur from inside the ear.

This will help avoid wax buildup.

The black and silver color of the Giant Schnauzer is recognized

At the beginning of June 2022, an updated standard for the Giant Schnauzer breed was posted on the website of the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI), which legalized a new color for the giant variety of the Schnauzer breed - black and silver. This color has long been standard among miniature schnauzers.

From July 1, 2022, black and silver Giant Schnazers will be able to exhibit at international shows and receive CACIB (candidate international champion) titles, as well as all other world and section titles.

This news immediately spread throughout the Schnauzer community, causing joy for the breed and anticipation of new beautiful dogs in the rings.

FCI President Tamas Jakkel reported this on June 9, 2022 in a specialized judging group on Facebook:

"NEWS! NEWS!

Let's talk about colors.

Since the date is approaching very quickly and information is generally slower to arrive, I would like to remind you that, at the request of the country of origin of the breed and after approval by the Standards Commission and the General Committee of the FCI:

BLACK AND SILVER COLOR IS RECOGNIZED IN THE GIANT SCHNAUZER BREED. THE CACIB TITLE, INDEPENDENT IN COLOR, WILL BE AWARDED IN THE BREED FROM JULY 1, 2022.

To avoid possible mistakes, please take this information into account and distribute it among your colleagues if your Kennel Club has not yet done so.”

(Translator's note: author's capslog)

Astrid Schön, member of the Board of the German Pinscher-Schnauzer Club (PSK, since 1895):

“Yesterday, FCI President Tamas Jakkel published the news that from July 1, 2022, the black and silver color of Giant Schnazers will be recognized. The news quickly spread throughout the canine community and was welcomed by breed lovers.

I would like to take a moment and remember who was directly involved in the creation and development of this color in both the miniature schnauzer and the giant schnauzer, even in those days when it was “seditious” to talk about it. Congratulations to Peter Marx for this, although he is already in heaven.

We have a long way to go and, unfortunately, without him, but he could help with advice...

The opportunities that science gives us will allow us to do DNA tests for color and develop a competent breeding program. I would like to urge all lovers and breeders of this color, as well as judges around the world, not to use every Giant Schauzer for breeding when it only looks like a black and silver color, as well as not to award such dogs high marks when there are serious deviations from the standard.

Now, with the support of science, we will develop a high-quality breeding program and hope that breeders around the world will support us in this.

And please, in all the hype about the new color, don't forget about the salt and pepper color. It would be terrible if the decision to recognize black and silver Giant Schnauzers had a negative impact on pepper and salt Giant Schnauzers. It will be sad if there are no more breeders of pepper-and-salt Giant Schnazers.

We welcome all serious breeders who want to breed black and silver Risen dogs on an ongoing basis, and not just get puppies following fashion and with the goal of selling them at a higher price while there is rush demand. And I ask them to contact me or Anja Kopp for interaction and exchange of information.”

The MY DOG portal congratulates lovers of the Giant Schnauzer breed on the recognition of the new color, and wishes the breeders success in breeding and at exhibitions!

Prepared by Natalya Drovosekova

Current news color official Breed standard

Feeding

A quarter of the diet should be lean meat.

Protein foods also include sea fish, fermented milk products, and eggs.

From cereals - buckwheat, rice, oatmeal. Be sure to include stewed and fresh vegetables and fruits .

Young animals and puppies must be given vitamin and mineral supplements.

These can be either complex preparations or the well-known fish oil and bone meal.

Health

This “big guy” is in good health. But there is still a hereditary predisposition to certain diseases:

• Cataract.
• Hypothyroidism.
• Hip dysplasia.
• Volvulus.
• Pancreatitis.
• Diabetes.

Giant Schnauzers sometimes develop melanoma.

During the cold season, there are problems with the kidneys due to a weak urinary system.

Interesting facts about the breed

1. The literal translation of the breed's name is “giant face.”
2. Most of the Giant Schnauzers who now live in the Russian Federation are descendants of just two dogs that were brought to the Krasnaya Zvezda kennel in the 70s.
3. Many representatives of the breed serve in “government positions.” These dogs are excellent search engines, so they can often be seen in such structures as the police and the Ministry of Emergency Situations.
4. Yuri Nikulin was a big fan of dogs of this breed.
5. Giant Schnauzer - became the hero of the film "Education of Cruelty in Women and Dogs." It was filmed in Russia in 1992.

Overview of all types of Schnauzer dogs

There are three types of schnauzers in total. This:

• Miniature Schnauzer.
• Giant Schnauzer.
• Miniature Schnauzer.

Let's look at each type in more detail.

Miniature Schnauzer

This is a medium-sized schnauzer with a strong body and well-developed paws. Its height at the withers ranges from 45 to 51 cm, and the Miniature Schnauzer weighs up to 20 kilograms.

Standard colors of miniature schnauzers:

• "Pepper and salt."
• Black with black undercoat.

Miniature Schnauzer
Only these two colors are recognized and are quoted at exhibitions and competitions.

Miniature Schnauzers have a playful disposition, they are sociable and intelligent, but at the same time, Miniature Schnauzers are extremely reasonable and relaxed. They are very loyal to their owners and love the company of children.

This breed was originally bred as farm guards and hunters. They do an excellent job of catching rats and other small rodents.

Later, another very interesting use was found for them: they ran in front of or next to carriages, accompanying them on their journey. This was done so that the dogs could sense danger and notify the driver about it - at that time there were a huge number of robbers and scammers on the roads.

Today they are an excellent companion dog; they are often kept in apartments and are never kept on a chain. Miniature Schnauzers serve on borders, in the police and other government agencies, as they are excellent guards.

Giant Schnauzer

The Giant Schnauzer is the largest representative of the Schnauzer breed.

The name of the breed is translated from German as “giant face”, which is why they are often called giant schnauzers.

Giant Schnauzers are native to Württemberg and Bavaria and are descended from herding dogs. However, there is an opinion that the real ancestors of schnauzers are hunting dogs.

Giant Schnauzer

There is a theory that the real ancestor of the Giant Schnauzer is none other than the Wirehaired Pinscher, but there is no exact data.

They have a calm character, love outdoor games and faithfully serve their owner. Giant Schnauzers are easily assimilated in different conditions and situations and are unpretentious in care.

There are two standard colors of Giant Schnauzers:

• Black with black undercoat.
• Pepper and salt.

Risen are large, tall dogs with a large head, long neck and paws. At the withers they reach up to 70 cm and weigh up to 47 kg.

This breed was bred for use in the fields as cattle drivers, but later Giant Schnauzers became popular as guard dogs and companion dogs.

The Giant Schnauzer cannot live without active games and systematic walks, as it is a strong and active dog. They winter well provided they have warm clothing.

They are not intended to be kept outdoors or chained.

Miniature Schnauzer

Just like its brothers, this type of schnauzer was bred in Germany as a guard dog. Translated from German, the name of the miniature schnauzer breed consists of two parts: gnome and barbel, which fully reflects the main feature of the breed - the presence of a beard and mustache and its small size.

This is the smallest representative of schnauzers - at the withers they reach 38 cm and weigh only up to 8 kg. It is thanks to such compact sizes that it fits perfectly in apartments and small houses.

Miniature Schnauzer

There are four standard colors for this breed:

• Pure black with black undercoat.
• Pepper and salt.
• Black with silver.
• Pure white with white undercoat.

Today, the so-called chocolate and tan color is becoming increasingly popular, but it is not yet officially recognized.

This is a cautious and balanced dog. But sometimes the Miniature Schnauzer can show stubbornness and character. Schnauzers are excellent companions, they love active games, are loyal to their owners and do not trust strangers.