Some History of the Three Schnauzer Breeds

This article was originally published in Showsight Magazine, April 2013 issue.

Some History of the Three Schnauzer Breeds

There is lots of published information from around the world about the Schnauzers. Many good books and specialty breed-books. The original breed, the Standard Schnauzer, has been documented in paintings and statues as long ago as the fourteenth century. The Standard was a very useful dog, able to be a good ratter, herder and guard. He originated in Europe and eventually became known as a German breed, where he still is very popular as a family pet and guardian. In the late 19th century the miniature also appeared – many think from breeding the Affenpinscher to the Standard. There were probably other smaller breeds involved. Many colors started appearing – the first two Miniatures registered in Germany were a pepper/salt and a white mini.

The Giant Schnauzer also appeared in the latter part of the 19th century. There are many opinions about his ancestors but most likely the Bouvier de Flanders, the Poodle and the Great Dane were used to bring up the size. Living with the Giants for many years as well as dogs from these other breeds I can safely say there definitely are many characteristics the breeds share. They are definitely good guardians, the Giants love water like the Poodle and are good herders like the Bouvier. As late as after the Second World War breeders in Europe manipulated the gene pool of the Schnauzers, introducing and improving traits we all admire today. I worked in a Schnauzer kennel in Belgium in 1955 during my summer vacation. I was just a kid but I fell in love with the Standard Schnauzer and have had them ever since then. Mone De Pret who had van Stedeke Schnauzers was dedicated to saving the Schnauzers after World War II.

She went to Berlin and set traps in the ruins to rescue as many as she could. From these dogs she got Alex von Mansard a magnificent pepper/salt male, who I was told sired over 600 offspring. If you go back into any Standard Schnauzer pedigree you will find Alex and other van Stedeke dogs. You will have to go back 65+ years. When I traveled with Mone De Pret to all the big shows in Germany, France, Switzerland and Italy almost all Minis and Standards were pepper/salt; the blacks and black/silver minis came later. I did see some white minis, but they were not popular then. Times have changed and the white is now very popular in Europe and South America. The American Miniature Schnauzer Club does not approve of the white Miniature. I’m not sure why.

The white is approved in all other countries worldwide, and if you travel internationally you will see them with big entries at the world shows etc. I have personally judged them in 5 different countries. I predict it’s only a matter of time before Americans will join the rest of the world in approving this very attractive little Schnauzer. The Giant Schnauzer also spread around the world from coming in unlimited colors all the way from white and fawn to gray and black, black and tan, et cetera. Clubs have united on 2 colors. the black and the pepper/salt. As late as 40 years ago there were black/tan champions here in the U.S.A. The black/silver is a very popular, beautiful color in the Giant breed. Many breeders especially in Europe are trying to get this variety approved again. Regardless what color you prefer or what texture coat you prefer the Schnauzer like most breeds keep improving and changing in details. After all – the Mini and the Giant are only a little over 100 years old as per records still available. That is a drop in a bucket in evolution. The Standard has proved to be the one breed that has changed the least. We all still love our Schnauzers for their beauty, intelligence, great sense of being guardians of house and home and perhaps most of all for their loyalty to his owner.