Overview
The Standard Schnauzer is the middle of the three Schnauzer sizes and the one the other two were bred from. It was a German farm dog that ratted, guarded the yard and went to market with the carts. It has the harsh wire coat and bushy beard of the family, and a more serious, watchful temperament than its miniature cousin.
They are quick thinkers and quick movers. A Standard notices everything and has an opinion about most of it: strangers at the gate, other dogs who come too close, the cat over the road. They bond hard to their people and can be aloof with everyone else until they decide you are worth knowing.
Exercise and walking needs
Around an hour and a quarter a day keeps an adult in good order, and it needs to involve the brain as much as the legs. Mix brisk lead walking with training games, scent work and some off-lead running once recall is proven.
Without enough stimulation the Standard turns into a barker and a fence patroller. A walk that includes a few minutes of heelwork, a search game or a new route pays off more than an extra mile.
On the walk
- Other dogs: Confident and sometimes pushy, particularly with dogs of the same sex. Read the body language early and keep the first meetings on a lead.
- Recall: Good when trained, because the breed is clever and attentive, but it will weigh up whether coming back is worth it. Make it worth it.
- Guarding: Strangers approaching fast or in the dark may be met with a bark and a stiff stance. Give the dog time to assess before they reach you.
- Pulling: Moderate and determined when excited. The breed is athletic and a harness avoids pressure on the neck during lunges at squirrels.
Tips for professional walkers
- Start every walk with a short training burst; it tells the dog you are in charge and burns off the first rush.
- Keep sessions of off-lead time in places with few surprises until you know how the dog reacts to joggers and cyclists.
- Brush out the beard and leg furnishings after muddy walks before the mud sets.
- Avoid letting the dog stare down other dogs on a narrow path; move it on with a cheerful cue instead.
What to ask the owner
- How does the dog react to strangers and to other dogs approaching head-on, and what do you do about it?
- Which cues does it know well, and which rewards does it actually work for?
- Is there any history of resource guarding or reactivity you should know about before group walks?