Schnauzer
A medium-sized, bearded German all-rounder that is lively, clever and alert, with plenty of personality.
At a glance
- Size
- Medium
- Height at the withers
- 45–50 cm
- Weight
- 14–20 kg
- Life expectancy
- 12–14 years
- Exercise
- 60–90 min a day
- Grooming
- Regular trips to a groomer
- Coat
- Wire-haired, medium
- Colours
- Salt and pepper, Black
- Bred for
- Guarding, Terrier work, Companionship
- Country of origin
- Germany
- FCI
- Group 2, no. 182 · Pinschers, molossers & mountain dogs
Breeders on Kuldo
No breeders on Kuldo have this breed yet.
Living with the breed
| Affectionate with family | 5/5 – Very high |
|---|---|
| Good with children | 4/5 – High |
| Good with other dogs | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Good with cats | 2/5 – Low |
| Open to strangers | 2/5 – Low |
| Energy | 4/5 – High |
| Playfulness | 4/5 – High |
| Needs mental stimulation | 4/5 – High |
| Easy to train | 4/5 – High |
| Prey drive | 4/5 – High |
| Watchful and protective | 4/5 – High |
| Barking | 4/5 – High |
| Shedding | 2/5 – Low |
| Grooming effort | 4/5 – High |
| Drooling | 1/5 – Very low |
| Good for first-time owners | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Suits apartment living | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Adaptability | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Copes with being alone | 2/5 – Low |
| Copes with heat | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Copes with cold | 3/5 – Moderate |
Kuldo's own guidance from the breed's typical traits. Every dog is an individual, so talk to the breeder.
Is it the right breed for you?
Great if you …
- want a medium-sized, low-shedding dog
- enjoy training and activities
- want an alert watchdog
Think twice if you …
- want a quiet dog
- have small pets like rodents
- don't want regular grooming costs
Care
Temperament
Lively, intelligent and spirited, with a strong sense of its territory. Affectionate with family and usually good with children, while wary of strangers.
Exercise
Daily walks plus active play or training; agility, obedience, scent work and hiking suit it.
Grooming
The wiry coat needs brushing a few times a week and hand-stripping or clipping by a groomer every few months; the beard needs regular cleaning.
Training
Quick to learn but may test boundaries, so keep training varied, consistent and positive.
Health
Generally a healthy breed, though hip dysplasia and eye conditions such as cataracts can occur. Ask the breeder for the parents' hip and eye results.
Health tests breeders usually do
- Hips (HD)
- Eye examination
Ask the breeder to show you the parents' results.
About the breed
The Schnauzer, often called the Standard Schnauzer, is the original of the three schnauzer breeds. It was a German farm and stable dog, valued for catching rats, guarding the yard and travelling with carts. The breed was first shown as the Wire-haired Pinscher in the 1870s.
At home it is affectionate, playful and keenly aware of everything going on, which makes it a good watchdog. It needs daily activity and something to think about. It sheds little, but the coat must be stripped or clipped regularly.
Did you know?
Schnauzer-type dogs appear in paintings by Albrecht Dürer and Rembrandt, long before the breed was formally recognised.