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Early History

The Standard Schnauzer was a German breed first imported to the United States in significant numbers after World War I. Its roots can be traced back to 15th Century Bavaria where it was primarily a farm dog and useful companion of the working classes. This hearty, medium sized dog kept the rats out of the barn, guarded the farmyard and peddlers' wagons and helped drive livestock to market. Though in existence for hundreds of years, it was not developed as a pure breed until the mid 1800s in Germany. It was referred to simply as the Schnauzer or Wirehaired Pinscher in Germany as it was the original from which were developed the Miniature Schnauzer and later, the Giant Schnauzer. Standard Schnauzers received outside attention during World War I when they were used as guard dogs by the German Army and dispatch carriers by the Red Cross.

As Schnauzers were imported into the U.S. in the 1920s, pressure built for establishing an American Kennel Club (AKC) recognized breed club devoted to them. The Wirehaired Pinscher Club of America was founded in 1925 and included fanciers of both Standard and Miniature Schnauzers. Their first national specialty show was held in 1927, the day before the Westminster Kennel Club show. It is interesting that the winner at that first national specialty was a Standard Schnauzer from California. He was multiple Best in Show winner, Ch. Claus v Furstenwall, imported from Germany by Mrs. Nion Tucker.

An AKC ruling that clubs may represent only one breed dictated the 1933 split of the national Schnauzer club into the Standard Schnauzer Club of America (SSCA) and the American Miniature Schnauzer Club. Though the SSCA was a national club, in its early years it had few members and its activities were primarily centered in the Midwest. Nevertheless, a small, dedicated core of members wrote a new Breed Standard (1938) and pressured the AKC to move the breed from the Terrier Group to the Working Group (1945) where it remains today.

Gradually, SSCA membership increased and SSCA affiliated local Standard Schnauzer clubs formed in areas across the U...more