Schnauzer

A medium-sized working breed, the Standard Schnauzer is sturdy and athletic, known for his arched eyebrows and bristly mustache and whiskers, the hallmark of the breed. Today, he can be seen in the performance rings and also serving as a therapy, service and search and rescue dog. The breed has a harsh, wiry coat. The oldest of the three schnauzer breeds (and the prototype for the Giant and Miniature versions), the Standard Schnauzer originated in Germany. He guarded the family and livestock, rid the farmyard of vermin, and protected his owners as they traveled to market. The breed’s name comes from the beard and moustache on his muzzle ("schnauze" in German).