HISTORY OF STANDARD SCHNAUZERS IN AMERICA
In Terriers, the humerus is shorter than the scapula, so front angulation is steeper and the chest is flatter as a result. Once a good front (defined as correct equality in length of scapula and humerus) is lost, it takes generations to repair the damage enough to get a decent front to return. The biggest issue that Standard Schnauzer people would like to convey to judges is that the Standard Schanuzer is NOT a big Terrier and shouldn’t be judged as a Terrier. He’s a Working Dog and should be judged as such. A MAJOR CONFLICT In 1929, troubles were brewing in Schnauzer- dom. The last Specialty was in 1927. Anti-cropping laws had become a major conflict in the Schnauzer Club of America (combined Miniatures and Stan- dards). Entries at the shows were down. Those in power favored the English position against crop- ping ears, while many others, especially in the Midwest and in California, preferred the German tradition of cropping. In 1931, the AKC canceled the wins of all cropped dogs born after September 1, 1929. Bad feelings ran rampant in the club, dividing it into two camps—those who preferred to crop and not show versus those who preferred to show and not crop. In 1933, a rule change allowed cropped and uncropped dogs to be shown equally in accordance with state laws, and titles were restored. But the bickering so unsettled exhibitors that the breed’s prominence in the Group and Best in Show rings was lost. A LEGACY CONTINUES A new day dawned in Schnauzerdom in 1933 when the AKC ruled that a specialty club could list only one breed, which brought about the dis- solution of The Schnauzer Club and the forma- tion of the Standard Schnauzer Club of America (SSCA) and the American Miniature Schnauzer Club. With the establishment of the separate breed clubs came separate registration as well. The Standard Schnauzer had finally had come into its own. The old Standard Schnauzers of half a mil- lennium ago may have vanished into the mists of time, but their legacy continues to burn bright even today.
left to right: Ch. Sgr. Mampe v Hohenstein, Ch. Sgr. Prinz Schnurl of Wurzburg, Ch. Sgr. Rigo v Schnauzerlust
EARLY SIRES & DAMS Four important matings are behind the modern Schnauzer, both in America and Europe, and most of today’s Schnauzers reach back to all four. The first was Sgr. Rex v Gunthersburg to Jette v d Enz, which produced Sgrs. Rigo v Schnauzerlust and Rex von Eglesee. The second mating was of Sgr. Prinz Schurl of Würzburg to Jette v d Enz, producing Hanna, Hexe, and Hummel v d Enz (1912). Next was Sgr. Prinz Schurl of Würzburg to Russi, producing Lore v Würzburg (1913). Last was Sgr. Prinz Schurl of Würzburg to Fanny 750, from which came Friederle (1914). When serious efforts were made to establish Schnauzers in America (1924- 1927), there were 61 males used at stud with 102 producing bitches. Of the males, 42 were sons or grandsons of three great sires: Ch. Sgr. Rigo v Schnauzerlust, Ch. Sgr. Rex von Eglesee, and Ch. Sgr. Mampe v Hohenstein. Fifty-two of the produc- ing bitches were male-line descendents of these three influential males. AMERICAN FIRSTS The Schnauzer Club of America (first known as the Wire-Haired Pinscher Club) formed in 1925 for both Standard and Miniature Schnauzer fanciers. George D. Sloane was the club’s first President. Both breeds were exhibited as Working Dogs, and it was not unusual to see a Miniature take Best of Breed one week and a Standard win BOB the next, both often placing in the Working Group. Schnauzers did well in the Working Group ring. In 1925, Group wins went to Chs. Clea Gamundia (first SS Group win on record), Bella v St. Johanntor, Fred Gamundia, Butz Saldan, and Claus v Furstenwall. (Claus was the first National Specialty winner). Fred, Claus, and Butz also went on to win Best in Show. A WORKING DOG In 1926, Standard Schnauzers changed from the Working Group to the Ter- rier Group, but confusion in Schnauzer records show Schnauzers winning in both Groups. Why the Schnauzer moved from the Working to Terrier is an unsolved mystery. The move caused type changes in the breed that concerned breeders. Not the least worrisome issue was that Terrier structure is significantly different from Working Dog structure, particularly shoulder assembly: the shoulder blade (scapula) and the upper arm (humerus) should be equal in length, and front angula- tion (the angle between the scapula and the humerus) is 45-degrees. This produces the prominent breastbone, or post sternum, located in the middle of the chest. In most Working, Sporting, and Herding Dogs, a protruding post sternum is desir- able, indicating a large chest cavity that will allow the heart and lungs plenty of room to expand.
BIO Suzanne T. Smith, a former Los Alamos National Laboratory research scientist, has bred and shown Standard Schnauzers since 1967. She edited The Standard Schnauzer in America: Sourcebook II (1973), is an AKC Breeder of Merit, an active member of the Standard Schnauzer Club of America, and an active or past member of a dozen other dog clubs. She writes the quarterly Standard Schnauzer breed column for the AKC Gazette. SSCA awarded her and her husband, Ron, the AKC’s Outstanding Sportsmanship Award in 2009. Suzanne grooms their Standard Schnauzers, who love to travel and grudgingly consent to Ron’s handling them at random dog shows and performance trials.
SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, FEBRUARY 2022 | 255
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