Grooming
Standard Schnauzers’ hair would grow to the ground if you let it, but they’re considered non-shedders. Unless you enjoy working out tangles and mats daily, keeping your Standard Schnauzer clipped and trimmed is best, which means regular trips to the groomer. The Standard Schnauzer’s coat is worn tight to the body, and experts recommend they get a complete grooming, including a haircut, bath, clip and cut, and nail trimming, every six to eight weeks. Show dogs have an even more intense regimen, as they are hand stripped with a special grooming tool (meaning hairs are actually plucked so new hairs can grow), but most dog parents don’t go to these lengths.
In between regular trips to the groomer, you should brush your Standard Schnauzer with a pin brush or slicker brush once a week so hair doesn’t get matted, which can cause painful skin lesions underneath. You may need to wash their trademark beard, too, if it gets dirty between grooming appointments.
Because they will be spending so much time at the groomers, and each grooming session takes 1 ½ to 2 hours, it’s important that Standard Schnauzers are exposed to grooming early on, particularly in terms of having their facial hair cut. Puppies should get used to being around clippers and scissors and having their paws handled.
Also, make sure to begin brushing their teeth early. Do it daily. Additionally, they should have a veterinary teeth cleaning annually, as should all dogs, no matter the breed.
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Training
Positive reinforcement training for Standard Schnauzers sets the foundation early to ensure they know the family rules and structure. Positive reinforcement rewards dogs with treats, praise and toys for doing a good job. Teach your puppy the basics of obedience with commands like sit, stay and come, and how to walk nicely on a leash. Standard Schnauzers will need continued training and frequent mental stimulation throughout their lives to stay content.
Clicker training, in which a clicker noise indicates to the dog that they did what you asked and will receive a reward, is also effective with the Standard Schnauzer breed. This is an excellent way to shape good behavior over time. Remember, Standard Schnauzers can get bored easily, so keep training varied!
Start socializing your puppy while they’re young to help them get used to interactions with other dogs and people outside the family. Take them on walks to let them meet (and sniff!) neighbors and other dogs, and enroll them in puppy school. At puppy school, they’ll learn how to play nicely with other puppies and mix and mingle with other adults.
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Diet
Standard Schnauzers typically do well on a high-quality commercial dog food. Factor in your dog’s age and choose a formula that fits their stage in life (puppy, adult, senior). Your veterinarian can help you select the best food for your dog’s lifestyle and guide you on how much and how often to feed your dog based on their diet.
Active Standard Schnauzers need a nutrient-rich diet to maintain their coat color and energy. But again, consult with your veterinarian, as they are in the best position to help you pick the right food for your dog based on their individual needs.
Dog treats or a few pieces of their regular kibble make great snacks (and great rewards for training), but remember, treats equal calories, and you should account for them in your dog’s total daily intake.
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Exercise
The high energy level of Standard Schnauzers means they need plenty of exercise. Their hearty frames are built for endurance and activity, and staying active and engaged is good for their mental health. To keep them happy and healthy, an hour of vigorous exercise every day is best for Standard Schnauzers.
That doesn’t mean an hour doing step aerobics. (Unless that’s you and your Standard Schnauzer’s thing.) These working dogs enjoy playing with balls and can be good running partners with conditioning and practice (even for pet parents with a fast pace—the Standard Schnauzer’s speed is often underestimated!). A long hike with their favorite people is a perfect choice for these dogs. They also love dog sports like herding and agility. Keep them adequately exercised, and you and your Standard Schnauzer will live happily and rest soundly.
Activities where they can use that large schnauze (German for “snout”), like nose work and sniffing out certain scents in the home or on walks, make them most happy. Feeding time is a prime opportunity for scent tracking. Present your Standard Schnauzer’s meal in a feeder or puzzle toys or hide treats and kibble around the house so they have to go on a “treasure hunt” to find it.
Bred to hunt vermin, Standard Schnauzers also enjoy an activity that is increasingly available throughout the country: barn hunting. Pet parents can take their dog to farms where rats are hid in hay bales in an aerated cylindrical tube, and the dogs have to find them. (No rats are harmed in the process.)
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Environment
Standard Schnauzers are not the type of dogs who will put up with children poking at them and invading their space, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be good family dogs. Schnauzers and kids can get along well if a Schnauzer puppy is welcomed into a home at a young age and has positive interactions with children from the get-go. All parties—Schnauzers and humans alike—should be taught to respect each other’s boundaries. The same goes for interactions with other animals. It’s important that you introduce Standard Schnauzers to other animals in a positive way when they’re young.
Standard Schnauzers love having a yard to explore, but they are equally at home in the city as long as you, their pet parent, take them out for frequent walks and scent work. The most important lifestyle factor for them is to have a human companion who can take the time to train them appropriately and incorporate the dog into an active lifestyle. Couch potatoes need not apply.
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