history.htm

Origins

The Standard Schnauzer dates back to the fifteenth century. Schnauzer-like dogs appear in several art works of this early period. In Mecklenborg, Germany, there is a statue dating from the fourteenth century of a hunter with a Schnauzer crouching at his feet. The Schnauzer again appears in statuary in "The Night Watchman", dated 1620 in Stuttgard, Germany. In the fifteenth and sixteenth century, tradesmen used Schnauzers to protect their wagons as they traveled the countryside with carts laden with wares. These hardy, reliable guard dogs were of size not to take up too much space in the wagon, but were fierce enough to deter robbers.

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The Wired-haired Pinscher/Schnauzer

The word "Schnauzer" appeared in dog literature for the first time in 1842 when used as a synonym for the Wire-haired Pinscher. The Wire-haired Pinscher was accepted as a pure individual breed around 1850. Fitzinger, the Viennese zoologist (1802-1884), described the Wire-haired Pinscher as a cross between the Dog of Bologne and the Spitz. A subsequent cross of the German Black Poodle and the gray Wolf Spitz upon the old German Pinscher stock produced the type seen in his time. He described the face as furnished with shaggy hair which is longer and almost beard-like around the muzzle and said that not infrequently the ears and tail are cropped.

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The Wired-haired Pinscher Called Schnauzer

The oldest German Kennel Club was founded in 1878. This was the start of the German Stud Book and from this year forward regular shows were held. At the 3rd International Show in Hanover in 1879, Wire-haired Pinschers were exhibited for the first time on record. First prize winner was a Wired-haired Pinscher called "Schnauzer."

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The Standard Schnauzer in North America

The first Standard Schnauzer was imported into the U.S. around 1900. It was not until after World War I that the breed was brought to the United States in any significant numbers. Popularity of the Standard Schnauzer grew steadily as is indicated by the number of dogs registered with the American Kennel Club. The Standard Schnauzer was once a part of the terrier group but was reclassified to the working group in 1945 where it remains today.

The first Standard Schnauzers in Canada were bred in Montreal from the Kalenia line from the Eastern U.S. In the 1970's four Standard Schnauzer kennels were formed: Oberdorf Kennels, Kaiserbart Kennels, Silberfell Kennels and Rosehill Minature Schnauzers. Silberfell Kennels and Orberdorf Kennels still breed Standard Schnauzers today. The Standard Schnauzer Club of Eastern Canada was recognized by the Canadian Kennel Club in 1987. In 1993, it became the Standard Schnauzer Club of Canada.

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This page was created by Kevin B., Louis B. and Sonia O.