Schnauzer, Miniature

Short History of the Miniature Schnauzer

Although dogs similar to members of this breed are shown in artworks dating back to the Middle Ages, the earliest records surrounding development of the Standard Schnauzer in Germany come from the late 19th century. Schnauzers were originally bred to be multipurpose farm dogs that were equally suited for the tasks of killing vermin, herding livestock, and guarding property. As function was the main concern for members of this breed, a wider variety of coat colors was present in the past than is currently seen today.

Eventually, a downsized version of these dogs was created so that they would be more effective at killing rodents and other small pest. This was accomplished by adding Miniature Poodles and Affenpinschers to the existent bloodlines. These dogs were originally known as Wirehaired Pinschers but eventually took the name of their most famous ancestor, an individual that had won a German dog show in 1879. Nine years later, the Miniature Schnauzer had arrived on the scene.

Although the First World War briefly put a stop to most dog breeding programs, Miniature Schnauzers made their way to the States some years after the fighting had ceased and the breed was officially admitted to the American Kennel Club in 1926. The United Kennel Club followed suit in recognizing these dogs in 1948, once the Second World War had finished.

To this day, there remains some international confusion as to which class the Miniature Schnauzers belong in. Americans class the breed as terriers while Canadians put them with the working group of dogs. Folks in Australia and in the United Kingdom instead categorize these dogs as part of the Utility Group.

Temperament

Miniature Schnauzers are popular for good reason. Once trained, these intelligent dogs are relatively obedient. They generally exhibit good manners indoors and tend to enjoy the companionship of children. Members of this breed are also less aggressive towards other animals than most of their fellow terriers. Owners should nonetheless note that Miniature Schnauzers still enjoy chasing smaller animals and should not be left alone with small pets they might view as prey such as birds and rodents These dogs are additionally prone the stubbornness that is characteristic of all terrier breeds. Some individuals have been reported as being sly. Others may bark excessively but all it takes is proper training to keep this habit from becoming an irritant.