Schnauzers: breed description, types and nuances of content

There are so many universal breeds of dogs that are able to become a faithful companion for a person, and also perform many important functions. Among the available list is the German Schnauzer, which today is represented by three interesting and popular subspecies.

Homeland Schnauzer is considered to be Germany. Dated the first mention of animals with such an exterior of the XVIII century. These dogs were previously used by farmers to protect their households from the invasion of moles and rats. It is believed that the ancestors of modern four-legged pets of this breed were pinschers. However, in the process of interaction with humans, it became clear that schnauzers are not only excellent rat catchers, but can also perform other useful functions, which was the impetus for the selection of dogs.

Schnauzer from German translates as "muzzle", one glance at the dog will be enough to understand why he was called so. After man began to engage in animal breeding, large dogs were bred, which could be used to transport medium-sized luggage, as well as small dogs acting as a faithful companion for humans.

Despite the fact that today there are three types of schnauzers, they share common characteristics. First of all it concerns the muzzle. It will be a rectangular elongated shape, with a well-visible transition from the frontal part, while the nose of the dogs also remains rectangular. The eyes and lips of animals should be dark. Two types of ears are allowed:

• cropped;
• ordinary.

The first option will provide a standing position for the auricles, when at natural sizes they will be half-hanging. The body of the schnauzer resembles a square, while the limbs are strong, do not stand out for their size. Tail docked.

Usually they shorten the coat on the head and neck, as well as the hair on the thighs. With the help of various tools, dogs make expressive beards, mustaches, eyebrows. Soft wool is considered a deviation from the established characteristics of the breed.

The standard coat color for animals will be black and white, and dogs are also salt-and-pepper. For schnauzers, it is considered acceptable to have a mask, but the presence of light spots will be considered as culling. According to the standards established in 1979, the height and weight of the four-legged pets of this breed should be as follows:

• at the withers, giant schnauzers will be from 60 to 70 centimeters with a body weight of 35 to 47 kilograms;
• the average view grows to 45-50 centimeters, with a weight varying between 14-20 kilograms;
• Dwarf dogs should be at the withers at the 35-centimeter mark, with an adult weight of about 4-8 kilograms.

Animals of this breed are distinguished by good health, rarely suffer from colds. These pets are considered long-lived. However, they may have such genetic abnormalities as hind leg dysplasia, diseases of the visual organs, diabetes, oncology, and torsion of the stomach.

Dogs are characterized by high intellectual abilities, curiosity and activity. Schnauzers have a balanced psyche, remain faithful to their breeder in any situation. An outsider is unlikely to be able to lure the schnauzer to his side, even with the help of a treat. Breed is considered suitable for guarding functions.

The dog of this breed has strengths and weaknesses that need to be studied by a potential breeder. The advantages of schnauzers include:

• developed intellect, in the light of which animals stand out with excellent learning ability;
• the dog gets along well with children;
• the breed is considered universal, so the dog can be used as a companion and watchman;
• animals rarely get sick and live long.

The characteristics of the environment that can be attributed to the weak sides of the breed, note:

• the need for constant special care for the pet's woolen coat;
• organization of regular active pastime for the pet.

Based on the features of the exterior, the schnauzers are divided into subspecies.

These are pets of small size with the shape of the muzzle characteristic of the breed. The animals have a pronounced transition from the forehead, there are thick eyebrows. Nose without a crotch, is in the same parallel with the forehead. Lips tightly closed, painted in a dark color. Dog bite is scissor-shaped, medium-sized oval eyes. The ears are set high, the upper part is flushed to the face, partial arrest is allowed. The second national name of animals with a similar exterior is the Cocker-Micro-Schnauzer.

The case of miniature schnauzers is like a square, the back is small with well-developed muscles. The croup is rounded, smoothly descending towards the tail. The chest is wide, the line of the abdomen is tucked up. Limbs are straight, paws of small size with close toes, black pads and claws. The tail is high, as well as the ears are sometimes stopped. Some puppies of this subspecies of breed are born with a small tail, which does not make sense to shorten.

The dog grows larger in size than the previous subspecies, has a well-developed muscular corset, a small but elongated head, characteristic of all schnauzers. Before on the face of the forehead is presented in the form of a wedge, the dog has a mustache, thick eyebrows and a beard. Scissor bite, oval-shaped eyes with dark color.

The body is square, the chest is wide, the back is a little sloping. Paws do not stand out for their size, but are developed correctly. The tail is high, docking is allowed, but the standards should be long.

The dogs have a rather massive skull and a wedge-shaped muzzle with a beard and eyebrows. Also, the jaws of the animal stand out with their power, the eyes repeat the shape of an oval, are located quite close to the nose bridge. Hanging ears, placed symmetrically, have a triangular shape. The back of the dogs of this subspecies is short, the line of the abdomen is taut, the chest is large, protrudes forward. The limbs are straight and long; the hind legs are usually slightly shorter than the front ones, with a slight incline.

When purchasing a schnauzer puppy, you need to be prepared for the fact that the animal will need regular physical exertion, therefore, when keeping a dog, you must provide it with daily long walks. Pastime should be shared. In addition to the usual trips on a pet leash, you should engage in various games so that he can warm up properly. This moment is extremely important for dogs that live in the apartment.

In addition to physical activity, the maintenance of schnauzers involves the constant care of the coat. It comes down to everyday brushing with a metal brush. Combing the animal is recommended in the direction of wool growth.

Trimming is carried out every six months, the dog’s head and hips are treated with a typewriter, otherwise it is possible to wield scissors. As schnauzer grows, it is necessary to shorten the hair in the eyes and mouth, you can simply wash the beard, leaving the length unchanged. Such procedures are best trusted by professionals, otherwise the dog will look extremely unkempt.

Attentions from the breeder will require the eyes and mouth of the dog. It is recommended to brush the teeth of the animal using a special brush and paste. You can replace the store composition with baking soda. Eyes are wiped with a damp cotton pad to prevent possible inflammation of the organs of vision, all secretions in the corners of the eyes must be promptly removed. As the schnauzer grows, you need to cut the claws, the dog is best taught to this procedure from childhood. It is recommended to begin with the hind limbs, removing only the inanimate extreme part of the nail.

The diet of dogs of this breed requires from the breeder compliance with some nuances. Since the animal most often enters the house as a puppy, it should properly arrange a place for eating. Pet food bowls should be placed on a special stand, the height of which can be adjusted to the height of the dog. Near it is necessary to arrange the water. You should not leave an uneaten portion until the next meal. Any food for the schnauzer is preheated to room temperature. The optimal time of feeding will be an hour before the planned walk or half an hour after arriving home.

The diet of the animal should consist of ¼ plant foods and ¾ components of animal origin. It is necessary to highlight the recommended foods that should be present in the diet of schnauzer:

• meat and offal;
• seafood;
• dairy products;
• porridges;
• crackers or rye flour;
• eggs;
• vegetables;
• greenery;
• fruits.

If the dog is begging food from the human table, such attempts should be stopped in a tough manner. Salting, smoking, fried foods are banned. The breed does not know the sense of proportion, so the amount of food eaten must be strictly controlled so as not to provoke problems with the gastrointestinal tract and obesity.

Schnauzers can be fed dry industrial feed or natural food. The daily rate is regulated depending on the age of the four-legged pet.

Dog handlers and experienced breeders of this breed of dogs recommend that you follow these rules when drawing up the menu.

• The first morning meal is more liquid. This will have a positive effect on digestion.
• Meat should be alternated with milk and dairy products. It is best to give it raw, avoiding fatty foods. In the summer, meat products and by-products are additionally boiled with boiling water to eliminate infection by worms.
• One meal should contain more vegetables. Their dog is offered pure and raw; for good absorption of root vegetables, they are crushed, and a teaspoon of vegetable oil is added. In addition, for the pet in the diet is important fresh greens, it is crushed and added to any dish. Some breeds are forbidden to use tomatoes, but the situation with the Schnauzer is the opposite - they can be given tomatoes, but after peeling.
• From 4 months it is necessary to temporarily remove solid ingredients from the dog’s menu until the teeth are changed.
• Fish is best pre-boil, remove small bones. Preferred options for the schnauzer will be sea varieties, pollack is banned.
• Among dairy and dairy products, cottage cheese, ryazhenka or kefir, hard cheeses will be a priority.Such products are important for dogs throughout life, because they are an indispensable source of calcium, important for bones and teeth.

If it is easier for the breeder to feed the pet with industrial feed, then the puppy’s familiarity with such products should be gradual. Feeding with dry feed, as well as a variety of pate and jelly is allowed. Selected options store feeds based on the type and size of the schnauzer, the priority is premium products. If the animal has any allergic reactions or diseases, the selection of the optimal feed should be carried out together with the veterinarian.

In the process of training and educating the growing schnauzer, the breeder is recommended to build all classes in a playful way. It will be possible to teach a dog to some fundamental teams simply by playing a ball with it. The animal has not lost its hunting instincts, so it is important for a pet to develop and maintain a search for objects with the help of smell. Allowed to use food promotion in the game-learning.

Dog experts recommend starting classes with a pet in 2-2.5 months. It is worth noting that the breed is easily trained in various circus tricks. In addition to rewards for a correctly executed team, the owner must establish clear boundaries for leadership, so that if he disobeys, he will indicate to the pet that he has a misconduct. Physical strength and screams to practice during the training is not recommended. Any increase in voice will be enough for a dog. You should not use the method of teaching teams with the help of mechanical learning, such options with a schnauzer will not bring positive results.

By resorting to additional courses with a dog handler, a first-class rescuer can be raised from a dog, animals very well follow the trail.

In the next video you will find additional information about the breed of dog Schnauzer.