Official ICCF Breed Description
Brief Historical Overview
The Standard Schnauzer is the medium representative of the ancient German Schnauzer group, descended from the wiry-haired rat catchers of southern Germany. The breed was formed in the Württemberg and Bavaria regions in the 19th century, where it served as a stable guard and protector. Due to its versatility, endurance, and intelligence, the Standard Schnauzer quickly gained recognition as a reliable companion and working dog. Today, the breed retains its best qualities — loyalty, activity, and robust health.
General Appearance
The Standard Schnauzer is a medium-sized, compact, strong, and harmoniously built dog with well-developed muscles and a solid bone structure. The body proportions are almost square: height at the withers is approximately equal to the length of the body, giving the breed a balanced and stable appearance. The head is elongated, with a characteristic dense beard and pronounced eyebrows emphasizing the alert and lively expression of the eyes. The neck is dry and muscular, smoothly blending into strong shoulders. The back is short and straight, the chest deep, and the abdomen moderately tucked up. The tail is usually docked or carried in a saber-like shape. The coat is harsh, dense, with a thick undercoat protecting the dog from harsh weather. In movement, the Standard Schnauzer demonstrates energy, springiness, and confidence.
Important Proportions
The Standard Schnauzer has an almost square body format: height at the withers equals the body length, providing balance and stability. The length of the head is about half the length of the back from the withers to the base of the tail. The chest depth is approximately half the height at the withers. The muzzle is slightly shorter than the skull, with a distinct but not abrupt stop. The ratio of head width to length gives an impression of strength without coarseness. The limbs are proportional to the body, ensuring lightness and endurance in movement. All lines of the Standard Schnauzer must be harmonious, emphasizing compactness, energy, and strong construction.
Behavior and Temperament
The Standard Schnauzer is an intelligent, alert, and balanced dog with a pronounced sense of dignity. It possesses a lively temperament without excessive excitability. Its natural vigilance makes it an excellent guard and family protector. The breed is highly trainable, clever, and devoted to its owner. The Standard Schnauzer enjoys activity, play, and long walks, gets along well with children, but requires consistent training. Independent yet people-oriented, it combines intelligence and discipline, being equally successful as a companion, guard, and sporting dog.
Head
The head of the Standard Schnauzer is proportional to the body, elongated, with clean lines and a flat forehead. The skull is moderately broad between the ears and tapers smoothly toward the muzzle. The stop is distinct but not abrupt. The muzzle is powerful, wedge-shaped, with a straight nasal bridge and a square outline due to the dense beard. The lips are dry and close-fitting. The nose is large, black, with well-developed nostrils. The jaws are strong with a complete scissor bite. Cheeks are moderately defined, not coarse. The overall expression of the head gives the breed a determined, balanced, and intelligent look, reflecting its typical type.
Facial Part
The facial part of the Standard Schnauzer expresses strength and clarity. The muzzle is strong, straight, slightly tapering toward the nose but not pointed. The nose is always black with large nostrils. The lips are dry, dark, and tight-fitting. The jaws are powerful and equal in length, with a firm scissor bite. Cheeks are dry, muscular, not protruding. A distinctive feature of the breed is the thick beard and whiskers that give the muzzle its square shape and determined expression. The eyebrows are bushy and pronounced, but not covering the eyes, emphasizing an alert and perceptive look. The entire facial part reflects strength, balance, and the expressive character of the breed.
Eyes
The eyes of the Standard Schnauzer are oval, medium-sized, set straight and moderately deep. The iris is dark, harmonizing with the coat color, giving the expression intelligence and alertness. The gaze is lively, focused, and confident, reflecting the dog’s intelligence and loyalty. Eyelids are dry, tight-fitting, and without sagging. The thick eyebrows, characteristically arched, emphasize the attentive and concentrated expression of the face without obscuring the eyes. The eyes of the Standard Schnauzer convey its energetic yet balanced temperament and keen awareness of its surroundings.
Ears
The ears of the Standard Schnauzer are set high, triangular in shape, and fall forward, lying close to the cheeks. The front edges are directed toward the temples, fitting tightly to the head, enhancing the alert appearance. When attentive, the ears lift slightly at the base, giving the dog a lively and expressive look. Cropped ears in erect form are permitted in countries where docking is allowed, provided they are symmetrical and proportionate to the head. Regardless of form, the ears must emphasize the breed’s type and balanced character.
Neck
The neck of the Standard Schnauzer is of medium length, dry, muscular, with a noble arch of the topline. It smoothly merges into the withers, emphasizing the dog’s strength and harmony. The skin on the neck is tight, without folds or dewlap. The neck should be sufficiently long to give the dog a proud and confident carriage, but not overly stretched. Well-developed muscles ensure stability and ease of head movement. Overall, the neck of the Standard Schnauzer combines power and elegance, highlighting the breed’s balance and endurance.
Body
The body of the Standard Schnauzer is strong, compact, and almost square in outline, emphasizing harmony and power. The withers are well defined and flow into a short, firm back. The loin is muscular, slightly arched, giving stability. The croup is short, slightly rounded, not sloping. The chest is deep, oval in cross-section, reaching the elbows, with moderately curved ribs providing ample lung capacity. The underline is moderately tucked up, giving a light and athletic silhouette. Shoulders are strong, forechest broad, and back firm. The body of the Standard Schnauzer conveys balance, endurance, and confident movement.
Tail
The tail of the Standard Schnauzer is set high and carried energetically and cheerfully, without excessive curvature. In countries where docking is allowed, it is shortened to stand vertically or slightly forward. In undocked dogs, the tail remains natural, carried in a saber or sickle shape without curling over the back. At rest, the tail is lowered; when alert, it rises, reflecting the breed’s lively temperament and confidence. It should be proportionate to the body, with dense, harsh hair, harmoniously completing the overall silhouette.
Forelimbs
The forelimbs of the Standard Schnauzer are straight, strong, parallel, and well placed. The shoulder blades are long, slanted, closely fitting to the body, forming an angle of about 100–110° with the upper arm, providing wide range of movement. The shoulders are muscular, dry, and well defined. Elbows are directed straight backward, not turned in or out. Forearms are straight, with solid bone and well-developed muscles. Pasterns are short, firm, and slightly slanted. Feet are compact, round, with arched, tight toes and black, hard nails. Pads are thick and resilient. The front limbs ensure stability, drive, and lightness of movement in all gaits.
Hind Limbs
The hind limbs are powerful, muscular, and balanced with the front assembly. Thighs are long and well muscled; lower thighs are strong and dry, providing powerful propulsion. Stifles are well defined with moderate angulation. Hocks are strong, low set, and parallel when viewed from behind, without inward or outward deviation. Metatarsi are short and vertical. Feet are compact, round, with arched toes and firm pads. The hind limbs give the breed springiness, endurance, and drive, completing the harmonious, athletic outline.
Gait and Movement
The movement of the Standard Schnauzer is energetic, free, and springy, with good reach in the forelimbs and strong drive from the hindquarters. The back remains firm and level, without rolling or sagging. The stride is smooth and rhythmic, with elasticity emphasizing the dog’s compact strength and balance. From both front and rear views, the limbs move parallel without crossing. The gait is confident, enduring, and well-coordinated — demonstrating the breed’s active yet steady working style.
Coat
The coat is harsh, dense, and close-lying with a thick undercoat that provides protection from weather. The outer coat is rough to the touch, neither woolly nor soft, lying close to the body. The ideal coat forms a natural, wiry texture, especially pronounced on the muzzle and legs. Regular hand-stripping is required to maintain texture and color clarity.
Acceptable Colors
Two coat colors are recognized for the Standard Schnauzer: black, and pepper and salt. Black must be rich, even, and solid throughout, without brown or gray tones, with a dense dark undercoat. Pepper and salt ranges from light silver to dark steel gray, each hair banded in dark and light shades, creating the characteristic peppered effect. Slight dark shading on the back and a lighter tone on the chest, neck, underside, and inner limbs are acceptable. Pigmentation of nose, lips, eyelids, and nails must be dark. White markings, uneven coloring, or rusty shades are undesirable.
Size
The Standard Schnauzer is a medium-sized, well-proportioned and strong dog. Height at the withers for both males and females is 45–50 cm, with a tolerance of ±1 cm. Weight corresponds to height and ranges from 14 to 20 kg. The structure must remain compact and well balanced — neither heavy nor light. The dog should appear powerful yet flexible, with well-developed muscles and solid bone. The breed’s size represents the ideal compromise between working capability, agility, and manageability.
Faults
Faults include any deviations from the standard that disrupt the breed’s balance, proportions, or expression without impairing health. Examples: overly light or coarse build, elongated body, weak musculature, short neck, low-set or widely spaced ears, light or round eyes, weak bite, sparse teeth, soft or wavy coat, uneven color, weak pigmentation of nose or eyelids, curled tail, limited angulation, sluggish or overexcited movement. Behavioral instability, excessive nervousness, or timidity are also considered faults.
Disqualifications
Disqualifying faults include serious deviations from the standard that affect health, structure, or temperament: aggression or shyness, unstable psyche, incorrect bite (overshot, undershot, asymmetrical jaws), missing more than two teeth (except P1), blue or yellow eyes, heterochromia, depigmentation of eyelids, nose, or lips, cropped ears or tails in countries where prohibited by law, white markings on chest, paws, or abdomen, brown or reddish shades, any color other than black or pepper and salt, soft or curly coat, absence of characteristic beard or eyebrows, albinism, deformities, mutilations, or clear signs of crossbreeding.
Important Notes
The Standard Schnauzer is a versatile working and companion breed combining endurance, intelligence, and loyalty. Evaluation must consider overall impression: the dog should appear strong, balanced, and harmonious, without signs of coarseness or fragility. Sexual dimorphism is clear — males more massive and confident, females lighter and more refined yet equally active. Maintaining breed type requires regular trimming and coat care. Any deviations affecting balance, proportions, or temperament are judged by degree. Priority is always given to health, stable temperament, and breed type.
Conclusion
The Standard Schnauzer embodies strength, intelligence, and equilibrium in a compact, harmonious form. The breed combines working ability and devotion, serving as a reliable protector and active family member. With its wiry coat, sturdy body, and lively temperament, the Standard Schnauzer adapts easily to various environments and tasks. It requires attentive grooming, consistent training, and respectful handling. In return, it offers complete trust, loyalty, and boundless energy — representing the perfect balance of elegance and working reliability.
