Schnauzers World Wide

The original schnauzer was the "standard" schnauzer. From this stock, some breeders fancied smaller dogs & developed the mini schnauzer, and others liked bigger dogs and developed the giant schnauzer.

Nordic Serenade (left) & Mollerhouse Snowstorm (right) are standard schnauzers belonging to Maj-Lis Zopes.

The giant Schnauzer was used by the troops in the two world wars. They have also been used as police dogs. They are trainable and make good watch dogs.

Schnauzers originated in Germany where they were bred to help on farms with rounding up sheep and other livestock. They also helped to keep the rat population down. Today they come in three sizes: standard, miniature, and giant.

There were dogs in Germany BEFORE the schnauzer became a breed of course! See origins of dogs to read how breeds develop.


Above, Gus, a giant schnauzer, has a tail. He is a real dog! (Some breeders cut the tail off) Gus belongs to Graeme & Diane Hutchison

Schnauzers have wiry coats. Their beard and long eyebrows need a little trimming. A docked, stubby tail gives the mini schnauzer's body a square appearance. The most common colors are a mix of black, gray and white, salt and pepper.

Height: giant - males 65 - 70 cms at shoulder, females 60 -65 cms. Class: Working

Giant schnauzers are classified as a working breed. Standard & mini schnauzers are classified as a utility breed. To my mind, utility means they are cute, but they are not working dogs. They are not herders that herd sheep, they are not gun dogs, they don't retrieve, they don't fit in any of the working categories.

I think I'd rather be a working dog. The Bible says, "Make it your ambition to mind your own business and to work with your hands, so that your life may win the respect of others, and so that you will not be dependent on anybody."

1 Thessalonians chapter 4, 11