BEANARA

Schnauzers come in 3 sizes, known as Miniature Schnauzer, Schnauzer and Giant Schnauzer.

Here at Beanara we have the Miniature and the Giant sizes, while essentially the same breed there are more differences then size. From April 2007 tail docking will be banned and this will dramatically alter the look of the breed, this is especially true for the Giants.

The Miniature 

  The breed standard for the Miniature Schnauzer can be seen here http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/item/167

This is a robust breed of about 13 - 14 inches at the shoulder. Colours range from pepper and salt (unique to the breed), black (the other original colour), black & silver (recognised in 1985 by the Kennel Club) and the white (a colour not recognised in this country but is in many others). The coat is hand stripped for the show ring though most pets are clipped which will take off the harsh top coat leaving the dog the colour of his soft undercoat, clipping usually about every 8 weeks to keep them looking smart, as the coat doesn't moult. The longer hair on the face, legs and belly require regular and thorough brushing, done regularly this is a 5 minute job.

Here you can see a black puppy (Deco) and 3 pepper and salt puppies (Toby, Alexis & Crystal) showing the various shades they come in.

They have the looks of a terrier but in temperament the Miniature is more laid back and easier to live with. They make an excellant family dog but DON'T however expect them to put up with children tormenting them.

Miniatures have a reputation for yapping but this is not the case if you train your mini and keep him busy in body and mind. This is a very intelligent breed and they benefit from regular training in obedience and tricks to stop them finding their own fun. After they have finished growing many minis enjoy agility and some can even be seen doing flyball. A Miniature Schnauzer will become the dog you mould him into.

Miniatures are a healthy breed but should come from parents tested for hereditary cataract and progressive retinal atrophy. Puppies should be eye tested at 6 weeks for congential hereditary cataract. These tests need to be done by an eye specialist vet. Never buy a puppy from a breeder who won't do these basic health checks.

Miniatures enjoy their food which makes them easy to train but also makes it easy for them to put on weight. You may need to be careful where you store the food!!

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The Giant

The Giant Schnauzer breed standard can be seen here  http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/item/50

Usually seen in black and sometimes in pepper and salt, the breed ranges in height from 23 and 1/2 inches to 27 and 1/2 inches. They should have a harsh coat including the hair on the legs making them a practical dog to be work outside and remain resistant to the elements. They should be regularly brushed, especially the beard, pets can be clipped though this can sometimes soften the coat. Trimming should be done every 8 - 10 weeks to keep him looking like a schnauzer.

The Giant is an active breed that will benefit from regular off-lead exercise, ideally daily. He will not be happy left at home all day which could cause him to be anxious, bored and destructive. They benefit from firm (but not harsh) regular training from the time you take your puppy home as they grow up in size first and then take time to mature in brain!

Their size and activity levels would make them unsuitable for homes with young children who could be knocked over by accident by a young, happy, playful giant though once mature turn into gentle giants.

They are very intelligent, muscular and agile and have worked in disiplines ranging from working trials, obedience, agility down to the more sedate breed showing along with being police dogs. They have a natural instinct to guard the home and family, something which does not need to be encoraged to show itself. A young, adolescent giant can be hard work but if you continue with the training you will be rewarded with a great dog as he matures.

Giants should come from parents eye tested for Hereditary Cataract by an eye specialist vet. It is also a recommendation that Giants are now hip scored, the lower the score the better, this is done at maturity and before either parent is bred from. The ideal score is 0:0 each zero refering to the left or right hip, both numbers should be low and around the same number.