Standard schnauzer, << SHNOW zuhr, >> is a sturdily built dog with a wiry coat, bushy eyebrows, and whiskers and beard. It stands 17 to 20 inches (43 to 51 centimeters) tall at the shoulder. Standard schnauzers have coats that are either pepper-and-salt or black. In the pepper-and-salt coats, each hair is banded black, gray, black, blending to a silver-gray on the longer hair on the legs. The ears stand erect if cropped (cut). If left natural, the ears fold level with the top of the head.
Standard schnauzers originated during the 1400’s in Germany. Farmers used them to catch rats in barns and to guard the farmers’ produce carts in the marketplace. The dogs are excellent watchdogs and are loyal to their owners. They also are used in search and rescue efforts and as service dogs for people who are deaf.
See also Giant schnauzer; Miniature schnauzer.
