The Schnauzer is a German breed, which in the 15th & 16th centuries must have been in high favor as a household companion, for his portrait appears in many paintings of the period. A portrait of a Standard Schnauzer appears several times in the works of Albrecht Durer, an artist, between the years of 1492 and 1504.

As far as can be determined, the Schnauzer originated in the crossing of the black German Poodle and the gray wolf spitz upon wirehaired Pinscher stock. From the Pinscher element derives the tendency to fawn-colored undercoat, and from the wolf spitz is inherited the typical pepper and salt coat color with its harsh wire character. We do not know how many years of breeding were necessary to establish the Standard Schnauzer, but we do know at least 50 years passed before the breed was somewhat fixed. Solid black Schnauzers, although fairly common in Germany, are not as popular as the pepper and salt in the United States.

German breeders have always classified the Schnauzer as a working dog. By using the Schnauzer as a rat catcher, they were able to keep stable or farmyard clear of vermin. Before WWI, Germans used the Schnauzer to guard carts of farm produce in the market place while the farmers rested themselves and their teams at inns. The German tradesman particularly liked the Schnauzer because of its medium size: they wouldn't take up much space on the wagons, and yet was strong enough to do the job of guarding. Breeders in the land of their origin hold the Schnauzer second to none for sagacity and fearlessness. Owing these characteristics, "the dog with the human brain" (as their owners proudly call them) were used by the army during the war as dispatch carriers and Red Cross aides; they were also employed in Germany in police work.

The first Standard is said to have been shown at Westminster Kennel Club in 1899 and, after WWI, the Standard Schnauzer became widely known in this country. In 1994, the AKC registered 484 Standard Schnauzers ranking them 97th in popularity out of 137 AKC breeds.

Once a part of the terrier group, the Standard Schnauzer was reclassified to the working group in 1945, where it remains today.

In 1925 the Schnauzer Club of America, first called the Wirehaired Pinscher Club, was formed. In 1933 the Standard Schnauzer Club of America was organized and formed.

Like other breeds, the Standard Schnauzer has it's official breed standard. The Standard is judged to the Standard set by the Standard Schnauzer Club of America and, is judged from "head to toe" on appearance, size, proportion, and substance. You will also see the Standard in the obedience ring, agility, tracking and herding trials.

The Standard Schnauzer, being the original of the three breeds, is officially called just Schnauzer - in contrast to the defined by size Giant Schnauzer and the Miniature Schnauzer.

This INTRODUCTION is translated from the original German:

The Schnauzer is a valuable, universally useful breed with outstanding characteristics, it is the unsurpassable guardien of our homes and their viccinity.
The Schnauzer is robust, one of the weatherproof breeds with cast-iron health and a highly resistant nature. In severe weather the hard, roughhair proves its worth.
This ideal coat, which we aim at, makes it easy for the Schnauzer to shake off dirt and moisture and it affords it particularly good protection against the inclemency of the weather.
To quote the Old Master Jos Berta (founder of the German Pinscher Club, later to become Pinscher & Schnauzer Club) ..

"The Schnauzer takes his stand on the innermost traits of its nature and anyone who has understood him will remain faithful to him.
"His form corresponds to his character, both being completely matched to his professional purposes.
"Hence his body must be as follows and not otherwise.
- Sturdy, unpretentious and reduced to the simplest shape.
- Able to move sinuously under all conditions, constraint and pressure and with lightning mobility.
- Covered with a hard, dense coat which protects him against all the hostility of the weather and the attacks of enemies; with sharpened senses which form an indispensable tool for a sworn enemy of rats and mice.

"Thus he is greatly to be esteemed for the purposes and in the circumstances in which he lives.
"He is glad to belong to the household community and be their trusted friend.
"He is ever careful and attentive, faithful to his duties, showing a rare independency as regards his own affairs, resolute and energetic, not raising the alarm unnecessarily, discreet and not showing intemperate haste in matters that attract his attention; responsible and unassuming.
"The main aim of breeding should be to maintain him in his own natural type from which his form directly derives and to increase the same and no amount of fancy dressing-up can replace any reduction or loss of that nature."

Schnauzers have a stoical almost philosophical appearance on sight which however they can transform in a matter of seconds.
The expressive eyes indicate the character of this breed; crafty, dark and full of soul, they peer out of the growth of bush head hair. They are sparkling and bland when they behold a friend, the radiate wrath when they see an enemy.

The appearance of the Schnauzer as indicated by Jos Berta is primarily expressed by their customarily lively body movements, indicating that they are of the right stamp.
The combination of breeding and strength which guarantees their efficiency is a pleasure and a joy; both to our eyes and our senses. Provided we correctly comprehend the spiritual properties of our Schnauzers, maintain their nature and their bodily characteristics to fit Jos Berta's description and provided we do not sacrifice the wonderful characteristics of the dog to some passing fashion or fancy, then we shall never lose the Schnauzer's claim to go on existing and we will guarantee much joy to future generations.

The 'Schnauzer' (previously known in Germany as the Middle Schnauzer) comes from Central Europe and it is suggested that the Bouvier de Flandres, Cattle Dogs of Wurttemberg, Dog of Goulange/Fitzinger cross, black German Poodle, Wire Haired Pinscher and grey Wolf Spitz all played a part in his ancestry.
However, the 'Schnauzer' as we know him originated in the second half of the 19th century.
The first show report of the breed dates from 1879 at the Third German Interemberg Show, where a dog called "Schnauzer" won a first prize.
From this dog it is said the breed derives its name.
The first breed standard was published in Germany in 1880 and the first speciality show was held in Stuttgart in 1890.
The German Pinscher & Schnauzer Klub was formed in 1918.

There are three sizes of Schnauzer - the Miniature and the Giant being derived from the middle sized or Standard Schnauzer.
The 'Schnauzer' was originally a stable dog, a guard and a good ratter.

'Schnauzers came to England after World War I but it was not until 1928 that the first 'Schnauzer' foundation bitch was registered by the Duchess of Montrose - Busserl von Grunen Baum.
The Schnauzer Club of Great Britain was formed in 1929.
Other imports followed and the breed gained ground until World War II.
During the war, fortunately, most of the bloodlines were maintained and some of our present day 'Schnauzers' ancestors can be traced back to these dogs.

Although 'Schnauzers' have never become as popular in Britain as in Germany or the United States of America, they have had many devotees who have steadily brought them onto today's high standards and yet maintained their original qualities.

This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.
Australia: Legal restrictions vary from state to state. Restricted to veterinarians, for welfare, not cosmetic, purposes in most states as of 2004.
Austria: Banned since 1 January 2005 according to the "Bundestierschutzgesetz" §7.1
Belgium: Banned from 1 January 2006
Brazil: Unrestricted
Denmark: Banned as of 1 June 1996, with exceptions for five gundog breeds
Finland: Banned as of 1 January 2001
France: Unrestricted
Germany: Banned as of 1 June 1998, with exceptions for working gundogs
Greece: Unrestricted
Hungary: Banned
Ireland: Unrestricted for dogs, banned for horses unless deemed medically necessary by a veterinarian
Israel: Banned for cosmetic purposes.
Netherlands: Banned as of 1 September 2001
New Zealand: As of March 2004, restricted to veterinarians, for welfare, not cosmetic, purposes. [1]
Norway: Banned as of 1 January 2000
Portugal: Unrestricted
Spain: Unrestricted
South Africa : Unrestricted
Sweden: Banned as of 1 January 1989
United Kingdom: Restricted to certified veterinarians, subject to a restrictive code of practice
USA: Unrestricted
In Europe, the cropping of ears is prohibited in all countries that have ratified the European Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals.

In the UK ear cropping is illegal and no dog with cropped ears can take part in any Kennel Club event (including agility and other nonconformation events). Tail docking is legal, but only when carried out by a registered veterinary surgeon, although an amendment to the Animal Welfare Bill going through Parliament at the present would make it illegal, except for working dogs. See below for more information. The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS), the regulatory body for veterinary surgeons in the UK, has said that they consider tail docking to be "an unjustified mutilation and unethical unless done for therapeutic or acceptable prophylactic reasons". In 1995 a veterinary surgeon was brought before the RCVS disciplinary council for "disgraceful professional conduct" for carrying out cosmetic docking. The vet claimed that the docking was performed to prevent future injuries and the case was dismissed for lack of evidence otherwise. Although cosmetic docking is still considered unacceptable by the RCVS, no further disciplinary action has been taken against vets performing docking.

In March 2006, an amendment was made to the Animal Welfare Bill, mentioned above, which makes the docking of dogs' tails illegal, except for working dogs (such as those used by the police force, the military, rescue services, pest control and those used in connection with lawful animal shooting). Three options were presented to Parliament with Parliament opting for the second:

An outright ban on docking dogs' tails (opposed by a majority of 278 to 267)
A ban on docking dogs' tails with an exception for working dogs (supported by a majority of 476 to 63)
Retention of the status quo.
Those found guilty of unlawful docking would face a fine of up to £20,000, up to 51 weeks' imprisonment or both

Actually, there has been a long held misconception about "cropping being illegal in Great Britain".

Until very recently, when the EU Animal Welfare Act was integrated into the British law, cropping was never illegal and in the early days imported Schnauzers with cropped ears were exhibited at shows (and won!) but the British public did not like it and breeders soon realized where their priorities lie.