The Spanish Mastiff or Mastín Español is a large breed of dog originating in Spain originally bred to be a Livestock guardian dog and a guard dog whose purpose is to defend livestock from Gray wolf and other predators. The Mountain dog type has a heavier coat, and is more commonly exhibited at dog shows.

The Spanish Water Dog (Spanish language: Perro de Agua Español) is a breed of dog developed by shepherds in Spain as a multi-purpose herding dog. It was also used sometimes as a gundog, as well as an assistant to fishermen.

History

There are many different theories as to its origin and history. Records suggest water dogs have been around the main wetlands of the Iberian Peninsula since ancient times. Portuguese and Spanish water dogs are clearly related and have a common ancestor. The SWD was also known by many other names such as, "Perro Turco", "Laneto", "Perro Patero", "Perro Rizado", "Churro", "Barbeta" and most recently "Perro de Agua Español". In Southern Spain (Andalusia) the SWD was often called the "Andalusian Turk" and some thought the breed came with Turkish sheep boats, but this is very unlikely since originally there were three separated populations of SWD in Spain with somewhat different phenotypes and sizes. One of these populations was found in Northern Spain, in Asturias and Cantabria, these dogs were usually smaller and of lighter colour, becoming a new breed 22 March 2011, the Cantabrian Water Dog. The other group could be found in the marshes of western Andalusia, this type of dogs had coats made of long and thin cords. And finally the largest group came from the southern Andalusian sierras, this type of dogs were the largest and strongest since were mainly used for herding. Today the breed is well mixed and most SWD are well rounded and have a balanced of traits.Regardless of its exact origin, it is documented that there was a woolly coated Shepherd Dog on the Iberian Peninsula around 1100 AD. What is then for sure is that this a very ancient and rustic breed, very well adapted to the climate and terrain conditions found in the wetlands and coastal mountains of the Spanish shores.Historically, the SWD were primarily used as Herding dogs to move the flocks of sheep and goats from one pasture to another. The dogs were also called upon to work wherever a dog was required. For example, they were taught to work with fishermen as well as being taught to retrieve when hunting with the farmers.

Revival of the breed

In about 1975, two enthusiasts, Antonio García Pérez and Santiago Montesinos travelled around the countryside of Southern Spain, through the remote villages and farms of the mountainous region of Andalusia and bought or borrowed a number of dogs from the shepherds that they felt most fit the type they were looking for to establish a breeding program.In 1980 the Spanish Water Dog Club (Spain) was formed in order to promote the breed and help get it recognized in its own country.In 1985, after a lot of hard work and displaying the breed at various venues and dog shows the Spanish Kennel Club accepted it and gave it official status. It was provisionally recognized by Fédération Cynologique Internationale until 1999, when it was permanently recognized. The SWD was officially recognized in the United States by the United Kennel Club in 2001 and fully accepted for conformation events in 2004. Jerry and Ken Mann were instrumental in facilitating recognition in UKC. They presented the first SWD to be shown in an AKC Rare Breed Conformation venue in Inverness, Florida in January 2000. They presented an Introduction Seminar at a UKC venue in South Carolina in 2001 and showed the first SWD at a UKC Mult-Breed show in the Summer of 2004. They spearheaded the first International SWD discussion list and were the first owners to use their SWD for herding in the United States. They brought the natural ability and historic value of herding to the fore. As of July 1, 2013, the Spanish Water Dog will move into the Herding Group in the UKC.The Foundation Stock Service Program recognized the breed in 2005 through the efforts of the Spanish Water Dog Club, Inc. The AKC approved the breed to begin competition in AKC herding, in dog agility trials, obedience training, and tracking beginning January 1, 2008. In June of 2012, the SWD moved into the Miscellaneous Group. Eventually, the breed will join the Herding Group. Herding instincts and trainability can be measured at noncompetitive herding tests. Spanish Water Dogs that exhibit basic herding instincts can be trained to compete in herding trials. Additionally, the breed was recognized by the American Herding Breed Association in 2007.The Canadian Kennel Clubs Listed and Miscellaneous Breeds was amended to include the Spanish Water Dog as a listed breed effective September 1, 2008.

Health

The breed's life expectancy is thought to be about 14 years. Recent health testing has uncovered the following issues:

• Hip dysplasia
• Progressive retinal atrophy (prcd-PRA)
• Hypothyroidism
• Addison's disease
• Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency
• Allergies
• Cataracts
• Congenital hypothyroidism with goitre (CHG)
• Distichia
• Cherry eye

The Spinone Italiano is an Italian dog breed. It was originally bred as a pointing breed. To this day, the breed still masters that purpose. The Spinone is a loyal, friendly and alert dog with a close lying, wiry coat. It is an ancient breed that can be traced back to approximately 500 BC.It is traditionally used for hunting, pointing, and retrieving game (HPR), but, in addition to that purpose, the intelligent and strong Spinone may be practically anything ranging from a companion dog to an assistance dog.

History

The breed is believed to have been developed in the Piedmont region of Italy. As the Spinone is a very ancient breed (it is believed to be one of the oldest gun dogs in existence), it is not known exactly what the origins of the breed are; there are many different theories. Some of these claim that the Spinone could have originated in Italy, France, Spain, Russia, Greece or Celtic Ireland.Some people familiar with the history of the breed claim that the Spinone descended from the now-extinct Spanish Pointer, whilst others claim that it was the ancient Russian Setter that is responsible for the breed we know today. An even more popular theory is that Greek traders brought coarse-haired setters to Italy during the height of the Roman empire, where the dogs were then crossed with various others and the modern Spinone eventually emerged.The French claim that the Spinone has descended from crosses of several French pointing breeds, whilst the Italians believe the Spinone is the ancestor of the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, the German Wirehaired Pointer, and the Pudelpointer. Any one of these claims could be true; perhaps several of them are correct. During the Second World War, the Spinone became close to extinct. Both the war and the fact that Italian hunters had begun using other breeds (such as setters, pointing breed, and spaniels) in the hunt, whereas before it was primarily the Spinone. Many breeders had to resort to crossing the Spinone with other wire-haired breeds, such as the Boulet, Wirehaired Pointing Griffon and German Wirehaired Pointer.The breed was not officially known as "Spinone" until the early 19th century. Before then, some areas knew the breed as the "Spinoso". The breed may have been named after an Italian thorn bush, the spino, which was a favorite hiding place for small game because for larger animals it was practically impenetrable. Only thick-skinned, coarse-haired animals could fight through the branches unharmed to locate the game. The Spinone was the breed most capable of doing so, and, perhaps, therefore the name was formed.Today the Bracco Italiano is the most popular hunting dog in Italy, although the Spinone is still common. The Bracco is a racier, higher energy dog, while the Spinone excels at hunting close or in dense cover, and in retrieving from water.The Jane Percy, Duchess of Northumberland has a spinone, called Fuzzy.

Health

Like all purebred dogs, it has its share of health problems, but careful breeding is helping the situation cease.

Life expectancy

In 2004, The Kennel Club in the United Kingdom conducted a breed health survey which found the average life expectancy of Italian Spinone to be 8.7 years.

Known medical issues

*Cerebellar ataxia: Cerebellar ataxia (CA) is a deadly hereditary condition that is known to affect Spinone puppies. It is a recessive gene; therefore, both sire and dam must have been carriers for any pup in a litter to have this condition. No puppy with CA has lived past the age of 12 months to date. Most puppies that have been diagnosed with the condition are euthanised at 10–11 months. However, the AHT (UK) has developed a test for this condition. Carriers can now be identified to a 95% certainty.

*Hip dysplasia (canine): Like most large breeds, the Spinone can suffer hip dysplasia. This is when the hip bones develop abnormally. Abnormal joint motion causes early onset arthritis and makes it difficult and painful to do any exercise. If caught before 16 weeks hip dysplasia can often be surgically corrected. Dogs diagnosed with severe hip dysplasia later in life can have their ball and socket joint replaced surgically with an artificial joint.

The Sporting Lucas Terrier is a small breed of dog of the terrier type. The breed is named for Jocelyn Lucas.

History

The Sporting Lucas Terrier was developed in Scotland (firstly in Mey, Caithness and later in Abington, South Lanarkshire) from the Lucas Terrier, the Jack Russell Terrier, and various Fell terrier by Brian Plummer in the 1990s, in an effort to create a good working terrier. In 1999 the Lucas Terrier Club de-listed all of Brian Plummer's dogs as they "did not want infusions of other terrier types introduced into their bloodlines". Breed clubs were then set up for Plummer's dog, and it became the Sporting Lucas Terrier, despite the fact that the connection to the original Lucas terrier is tenuous.The Lucas Terrier was created by Major Jocelyn Lucas in the late 1940s, in an effort to breed a Sealyham Terrier that could Working terrier, from Sealyhams and Norfolk Terriers. Today it has returned to being primarily a pet and showdog.Another breed of terrier developed by Brian Plummer is the Plummer Terrier. It is similar, but bull terrier was also used, and the dog developed a reputation for quarrelsomeness.

The St. Bernard or St Bernard (/ˈbɜrnərd/ or /bərˈnɑrd/) is a breed of very large working dog from the Italian and Swiss Alps, originally bred for rescue. The breed has become famous through tales of alpine rescues, as well as for its enormous size.

History

The ancestors of the St. Bernard share a history with the Sennenhunds, also called Swiss Mountain Dogs or Swiss Cattle Dogs, the large farm dogs of the farmers and dairymen of the livestock guardians, herding dogs, and draft dogs as well as hunting dogs, search and rescue dogs, and watchdogs. These dogs are thought to be descendants of molosser type dogs brought into the Alps by the ancient Romans, and the St. Bernard is recognized internationally today as one of the Molossoid breeds.

The earliest written records of the St. Bernard breed are from monks at the hospice at the Great St. Bernard Pass in 1707, with paintings and drawings of the dog dating even earlier.

The most famous St. Bernard to save people at the pass was Barry (sometimes spelled Berry), who reportedly saved somewhere between 40 and 100 lives. There is a monument to Barry in the Cimetière des Chiens, and his body was preserved in the Natural History Museum in Berne.

The classic St. Bernard looked very different from the St. Bernard of today because of cross-breeding. Severe winters from 1816 to 1818 led to increased numbers of avalanches, killing many of the dogs used for breeding while they were performing rescues. In an attempt to preserve the breed, the remaining St. Bernards were crossed with Newfoundlands brought from the Colony of Newfoundland in the 1850s, and so lost much of their use as rescue dogs in the snowy climate of the alps because the long fur they inherited would freeze and weigh them down.

The dogs never received any special training from the monks. Instead, younger dogs would learn how to perform search and rescue operations from older dogs.

The Swiss St. Bernard Club was founded in Basel on March 15, 1884. The St. Bernard was the very first breed entered into the Swiss Stud Book in 1884, and the breed standard was finally approved in 1888. Since then, the breed has been a Swiss national dog.

Naming

The name "St. Bernard" originates from the Great St. Bernard Hospice, a traveler's hospice on the often treacherous Great St. Bernard Pass in the Western Alps between Switzerland and Italy. The pass, the lodge, and the dogs are named for Bernard of Menthon, the 11th century monk who established the station.

"St. Bernard" wasn't in widespread use until the middle of the 19th century. The dogs were called "Saint Dogs", "Noble Steeds", "Alpenmastiff", or "Barry Dogs" before that time.

Related breeds

The breed is strikingly similar to the English Mastiff and Newfoundland. This can be attributed to a common shared ancestry with the Alpine Mastiff and the Tibetan Mastiff. It is suspected that these breeds were used to redevelop each other to combat the threat of their extinction after World War II.

The four Sennenhund breeds, the Grosser Schweizer Sennenhund (Greater Swiss Mountain Dog), the Berner Sennenhund, (Bernese Mountain Dog), the Appenzeller Sennenhund, (Appenzeller), and the Entlebucher Sennenhund (Entlebucher Mountain Dog) are similar in appearance and share the same location and history, but are tricolor rather than red and white.

St. Bernards share many characteristics of many Mountain dog breeds.

Kennel Club recognition

The St. Bernard is recognised internationally by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale as a Molosser in Group 2, Section 2. The breed is recognised by The Kennel Club (UK), the Canadian Kennel Club, and the American Kennel Club in the Working Dog breed group. The United Kennel Club in the United States places the breed in the Guardian Dog Group. The New Zealand Kennel Club and the Australian National Kennel Council place the breed in the Utility Group

Health

The very fast growth rate and the weight of a St. Bernard can lead to very serious deterioration of the bones if the dog does not get proper food and exercise. Many dogs are genetically affected by hip dysplasia or elbow dysplasia. Osteosarcoma (bone cancer) has been shown to be hereditary in the breed. They are susceptible to eye disorders called entropion and ectropion, in which the eyelid turns in or out. The breed standard indicates that this is a major fault. The breed is also susceptible to epilepsy and seizures, a heart disease called dilated cardiomyopathy, and eczema.

US and UK breed clubs put the average lifespan for a St. Bernard at 8–10 years. A 2003 Danish breed survey (35 dogs) puts the median lifespan at 9.5 years while a UK breed survey in 2004 (53 dogs) puts the median lifespan at 7 years. In the UK survey about one in five lived to >10 years with the longest lived dog at 12 years and 9 months.

Famous St. Bernards

• Bamse, a Norwegian dog honoured for exploits during World War II memorial statue in Montrose, Scotland where he died in 1944
• Barry, famous Alpine rescue dog
• Bernie, mascot of the Colorado Avalanche
• Bernie "Saint" Bernard, mascot of the Siena Saints
• Bernie, mascot of the Northampton Saints
• Gumbo, team mascot for the New Orleans Saints
• Porthos, J.M. Barrie's dog
• Schnorbitz, on-stage partner of British comedian Bernie Winters during his later career
• Schotzie & Schotzie "02", beloved pets and mascots of Cincinnati Reds' owner Marge Schott
• Scipio Saint Bernard of Orville Wright
• Shirley Temple and a St. Bernard friend
• Wallace (currently Wallace VI), mascot of The Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary's)

Fictional dogs

• Båtsman, a St. Bernard in Astrid Lindgren's story Vi på Saltkråkan
• Beethoven (from the movie series of the same name) The 1992 comedy film Beethoven features a large, friendly but troublesome St. Bernard and, in later sequels, his mate and their brood of unruly pups. According to the producers of the sequel Beethoven's 2nd, the St. Bernards used in the film grew so fast during filming that over 100 St. Bernard puppies were cast to portray the sequel's four puppies (Tchaikovsky, Chubby, Dolly, and Mo) and a mother St. Bernard named Missy.
• Bolivar a/k/a Bornworthy and Bernie, Donald Duck's non-anthropomorphic pet, and Bolivar's son, Behemoth
• Buck, from Jack London's novel, The Call of the Wild, is described as half St. Bernard and half "Scotch shepherd dog", but was rendered as full St. Bernard in at least one of the six movie versions.
• Cujo, a dog who contracts rabies and becomes crazed, terrorizing the residents of the fictional town of Castle Rock, Maine from the 1981 Stephen King novel Cujo and the 1983 film of the same name.
• George, from the 1971 movie George! and its 1972–74 spinoff television series.
• Nana, in the Disney and Columbia Pictures Peter Pan movies (but a Newfoundland in J.M. Barrie's original play and novel)
• Neil, the martini-slurping St. Bernard of George and Marion Kerby in the 1950s television series Topper. This was a follow up to Topper, Topper Takes a Trip, and Topper Returns.

Legends

The famous Barry found a small boy in the snow and persuaded the boy to climb on his back, and then carried the boy to safety.

A St Bernard named Major is often credited with being the dog that helped save Manchester United, currently one of the world's largest football clubs, from financial ruin. The legend goes that in 1902 when the club owed sizable debts, the then captain Harry Stafford was showing off his prized St Bernard at a fund-raiser for the club when he was approached by a wealthy brewery owner, J.H.Davis, who enquired to buy the dog. Harry Stafford refused the offer but managed to convince him to buy the club thus saving Manchester United from going bankrupt.

The St. John's water dog, also known as the St. John’s dog or the lesser Newfoundland, was a landrace (naturally occurring variety) of domestic dog from Newfoundland. Little is known of the types that went into its Genetics, although it was probably a random-bred mix of old English, Irish and Portuguese working dogs. The number of St. John's water dogs started declining by the start of the 20th century. By the early 1980s, the breed was extinct.

History

The St. John's water dog was the ancestor of the modern retrievers, including the Flat Coated Retriever, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever, the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, the Golden Retriever, and the Labrador Retriever. The St. John’s dog was also an ancestor to the large and gentle Newfoundland, probably through breeding with Rafeiro do Alentejos brought to the island by the generations of Portuguese fishermen who had been fishing offshore since the 15th century.During the 19th and early 20th centuries, St. John's dogs were exported from Newfoundland to England. These dogs were cross-bred with other breeds to create the retrievers.

The Stabyhoun or Stabij is a rare dog breed that just like the Wetterhoun originates from Friesland, a province in the North of the Netherlands. The first part of the name is probably from the Dutch: "sta me bij" (stand by me). The last part is simply Frisian, meaning dog, which is pronounced "hoon". There are only approximately 3507 Stabyhouns in existence today.

History

The Stabyhoun is a gundog that is first described in the early 1800s. In earlier days it was used for hunting foxes, small game, and birds. While on farms, Stabyhouns exhibited fine skills as a mole-catcher. During the hunting season, it was used as an all-round gundog. Today, the Stabyhoun remains a competent hunter, although United Kingdom and Germany breeds are more popular. It is a fine pointer, an excellent tracker, and also a good guard dog. It has also been used as a draught dog.Historically, these dogs were nearly exclusively owned by farmers, whose limited financial means dictated the need for an all-around working and hunting breed. Due to their versatility, Stabyhouns have been used as a guard dog on farms despite their origins as a gundog.The breed's appearance and purpose have not changed in decades. In earlier days the Stabyhoun was often mixed with another Friesian breed, the Wetterhoun, in order to optimize the traits of these working dogs. However, in 1942 the Stabyhoun received official breed recognition, and crossbreeding between the Stabyhoun and Wetterhoun has ceased.Today the Stabyhoun enjoys a small but thoroughly devoted following among Dutch sportsmen and homeowners. Its numbers are increasing slowly but steadily. This breed has caught the attention of dog lovers in the United Kingdom, Scandinavia and North America.

Health

The average life span of a Stabyhoun is 13–14 years.The Stabyhoun is a healthy dog. In the past the breed experienced some congenital issues, but with careful breeding, most of these problems were eliminated. Epilepsy occurred in the past, but is no longer a common genetic inheritance.

Care

The Stabyhoun does not require special care apart from regular brushing to minimize tangling. The dogs moult (shed) twice a year, and thorough brushing helps the process of shedding. Without brushing, Stabyhoun hair can get tangled and matted in the manner of dreadlocks. The hair behind the ears is particularly susceptible to tangling and matting. Washing with soap should be avoided when possible because soap strips the coat of its natural oils and shine. The Stabyhoun coat will naturally rid itself of dirt and mud. After a swim the dog is usually clean and dry in a matter of hours.

Breeding

Due to the limited size of the Stabyhoun population, careful breeding is essential. The Dutch Association for Stabyhouns and Wetterhouns has breed advisors. In an effort to prevent inbreeding, the Association keeps breeding at a minimum and carefully considers prospective matings. Despite there being small populations of Stabyhouns outside of the Netherlands, the breeding stock is small and the greatest genetic diversity remains in the Netherlands. Since Stabyhouns are viewed as part of the Dutch national heritage, breeders keep puppy and dog prices affordable; Stabyhoun breeders are commonly hobby breeders as a result. The average Stabyhoun litter size is seven. Bitches are limited to delivering no more than 5 litters in their lifetime.The bitch may only reproduce when she reaches a minimum age of 18 months, and cannot breed once she reaches the age of 9. At least one year should elapse between litters. The hips of prospective mating pair have to be x-rayed (not over FCI-C result), and the match between bitch and stud has to be approved by the Dutch Club's breeding committee. A stud must be 18 months of age or older to breed, and it must have with the same show and hip results as its female mate. A single pair of Stabyhouns may not produce over 8 litters in their lifetime. Stud dogs should not sire more than three litters a year. Stud-owners are expected to appear on breeders' days so that the dogs may be evaluated and paired with potentially suitable mates.

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier (informally: Staffie, Stafford, Staffy or Staff) is a medium-sized, short-coated breed of dog. It is an English people dog, the fifth most popular breed, and related to the Bull Terrier. Descended from bull baiting ancestors, it is muscular and loyal.

History

Before the 19th century, bloodsports such as bull baiting, bear baiting and cock fighting were common. Bulls brought to market were set upon by dogs as a way of tenderizing the meat and providing entertainment for the spectators; and dog fights with bears, bulls and other animals were often organised as entertainment for both royalty and commoners.Early Bull and Terriers were not bred to resemble the companion animals of today, but for the characteristic known as Game, with the pitting of dogs against bear or bull and exotic animals testing this attribute along with the strength and skill of the dog. Landrace working dogs crossbreeding with Old English Bulldog provided the ancestral foundation stock for the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, the Bull Terrier, the American Pit Bull Terrier and American Staffordshire Terrier. This ancestor is traditionally known as a "Bull Terrier", believed to be around 200 years old by the time of the early 21st century, and is rather a class of races than a particular breed .These bloodsports were officially eliminated in 1835 as Britain began to introduce animal welfare laws. Since Dog fighting were cheaper to organise and far easier to conceal from the law than bull or bear baits, bloodsport proponents turned to pitting their dogs against each other instead. Dog fighting was used as both a bloodsport (often involving gambling) and a way to continue to test the quality of their stock. For decades afterward, dog fighting clandestinely took place in pockets of Britain and America. Dogs were released into a pit, and the last dog still fighting (or occasionally, the last dog surviving) was recognised as the winner. The quality of pluckiness or "gameness" was still highly prized, and dogs that gave up during a fight were reviled as "curs." Despite being trained to be aggressive towards fellow dogs, they had to be of good temperament with people as the handler would have to bring the dog back to scratch for each round.As time went on the modern breed has become one with a temperament suitable for a pet and companion. It gained respectability, becoming a dog worthy to show, and was accepted by The Kennel Club of the United Kingdom as the Staffordshire bull terrier in 1935. Examples of the breed currently found in the United States have no local fighting history, being descendants of the later show dogs who migrated over the Atlantic from the United Kingdom.

Health

Staffordshire Bull Terriers are known to suffer from Hereditary Cataracts (HC) and L-2-hydroxyglutaric aciduria (L2HGA)—a metabolic disorder resulting in behavioural changes and dementia-like symptoms—both of which are detectable via DNA tests.Distichiasis (commonly known as “double eyelash”) and Persistent Hyperplastic Primary Vitreous (or PHPV)—a condition whereby the blood supply to the ocular lens fails to regress and fibrovascular tissue forms causing hazy vision—both of which are checked by way of an ocular examination throughout the life of a breeding stud or brood-bitch to minimise the transfer and spread of these conditions.The breed is known to be at a higher risk from mastocytoma (mast cell tumours) than the general population of dogs.A UK Kennel Club survey puts the median lifespan at 12.75 years.

The Standard Schnauzer is the original breed of the three breeds of Schnauzer, and despite its wiry coat and general appearance, is not related to the British terriers. Rather, its origins are in old herding and guard breeds of Europe. Generally classified as a working or utility dog, this versatile breed is a robust, squarely built, medium-sized dog with aristocratic bearing. It has been claimed that it was a popular subject of painters Sir Joshua Reynolds, Albrecht Dürer and Rembrandt, but actual proof remains elusive.

Standard Schnauzers are either salt-and-pepper or black in color, and are known for exhibiting many of the "ideal" traits of any breed. These include high intelligence, agility, alertness, reliability, strength and endurance. This breed of dog has been very popular in Europe, specifically Germany where it originated. The breed was first exhibited at a show in Hanover in 1879, and since then have taken top honors in many shows including the prestigious "Best in Show at Westminster Kennel Club" in the United States in 1997.

Health

Grooming

Twice a year, when most other breeds of dog are shedding their coat, a Schnauzer’s coat will become dull and relatively easy to pull out and is said to have ‘blown’. At this point the coat can be stripped or pulled out by hand and a new wire coat will re-grow in its place. Stripping is not painful for the dog and can be performed at any stage of hair growth although it is easier to do when the coat is ‘blown’.

Alternatively, the coat can be regularly clipped with shears. Clipping as opposed to stripping results in a loss of the wiry texture and some of the fullness of the coat. Dogs with clipped fur no longer ‘blow’ their coat but the coat loses its wiry texture and becomes soft. The fur of clipped dogs tends to be more prone to tangling and knots, particularly when long, and is duller in color than that of stripped coats. In the case of the salt and pepper Schnauzers, the characteristic banded color of the hair is completely lost when maintained through clipping; each shaft of hair becomes entirely gray rather than being banded with multiple shades of gray, white, and black.

Clipping is most common in the U.S. as it can be difficult to locate a professional willing to hand strip (the process is quite labor-intensive). In Europe, it is very uncommon to see a wire-coated dog which is clipped. It may not be possible to hand strip a poor quality coat, i.e. one that is soft in texture, but soft coats (while relatively common in pet quality Miniature Schnauzers), are not a widespread problem in Standards.

Regardless of whether the body of the coat is stripped or clipped the 'furnishings' or longer hair on the legs and face must be scissored or clipped regularly and require daily brushing to remain free of potentially painful mats. Whether a Schnauzer is stripped or clipped, his coat requires a great deal of grooming. In most cases this means an owner must either take care to learn the required grooming - for which the dog's breeder should be a great resource - or the owner must take their dog in for regular, often expensive, trips to a grooming salon.

Docking and cropping

Inside the U.S. and Canada, ears and tail and dewclaws are typically docked as a puppy. Veterinarians or experienced breeders will cut tails and dewclaws between 3 and 7 days of age. Tails are traditionally docked to around three vertebrae. Ear cropping is usually performed at about 10 weeks of age in a veterinary clinic. Many breeders inside North America have begun to crop only those puppies retained for show purposes, or those puppies whose owners request it. There is still somewhat of a bias against natural ears in the North American show ring. However, there is a growing sentiment among breeders and judges that both ear types are equally show-worthy, and many North American show breeders enjoy both cropped and natural eared dogs in their kennels. However, unlike in Europe, the majority of North American breeders believe that the choice of whether to cut ears and/or tails should continue to remain with the breeders and owners. Outside of North America, most Standard Schnauzers retain both their natural ears and tail as docking is now prohibited by law in many countries.

Overall, the Standard Schnauzer is a very healthy breed. The 2008 health survey done by the Standard Schnauzer Club of America revealed that roughly only 1% of dogs surveyed had serious health issues. The final, full report can be found here but a general summary is as follows:

• Data was collected for 10-15% of eligible dogs;
• Median life span was 12.9 years
• Only a few serious diseases were noted;
• Potentially serious conditions affect less than 1% of dogs
• Apparent progress has been made in reducing the incidence of hip dysplasia

The two major hereditary within the breed are: hip dysplasia and hereditary eye disease. Both problems can be tested for and identified in breeding stock before they pass the trait onto the next generation, so the Standard Schnauzer Club of America recommends that every kennel test their breeding stock for hip and eye problems before breeding and to breed only healthy animals.

However, it is entirely up to breeders whether they choose to health test their animals and whether they choose use animals for breeding despite knowing they have tested positive for carrying a genetic disease. The SSCA also encourages all potential buyers to ask their breeder for up to date OFA and CERF certifications of the parent dogs before buying a puppy.

The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals found at www.offa.org keeps a record of purebred animals that have passed an x-ray screening for hip dysplasia. Dogs must be a minimum of two years old to be OFA tested.

The cost of OFA testing is relatively high (about 150-200 USD per dog per year) and borne directly by breeders. OFA testing is not required for AKC registration of breeding stock or their offspring so the benefits of a good OFA test scores are more indirect and long range for individual breeders while a poor results represent a direct negative impact. Responsible buyers looking to buy from responsible breeders should only choose puppies from a litter where both parents have current OFA test certificates and scores of "excellent", "good", "fair".

The Canine Eye Registration Foundation is a registry for purebred breeding stock who have been certified free of any hereditary eye disease: results for this test can also be found at the OFA website. Dogs must be examined by an approved veterinarian who checks for the presence of heritable eye diseases. Testing is less inexpensive (about 20-40 USD) than OFA examinations but, like OFA testing, must be done annually to remain valid.

In popular culture

• From the AKC: "Rembrandt painted several Schnauzers, Lucas Cranach the Elder shows one in a tapestry dated 1501, and in the 18th century one appears in a canvas of the English painter Sir Joshua Reynolds. In the marketplace of Mechlinburg, Germany, is a statue of a hunter dating from the 14th century, with a Schnauzer crouching at his feet which conforms very closely to the present-day show Standard."
• "George, the cancer-sniffing Schnauzer, has received much acclaim. "

• Blu, Franklin's pet blue dog in Monica's Gang

• Colin, dog in the UK comedy series Spaced, became a regular feature in the middle of the first series.

• Shunaemon. dog from Fortune Dogs

• Asta, the dog belonging to Nick and Nora Charles, in the Dashiell Hammett novel The Thin Man, was a female Schnauzer (presumably a Standard, based on the size she's indicated to be). In the subsequent film series based on the novel, she was depicted as a male Fox Terrier.

• Junkers talkin schnauzer from Junkers Come Here

Registered office 

Article 1:

The association shall be called: “EUROPEAN PET NETWORK”, abbreviated to EUROPETNET or EPN

Article 2:

Its registered office is established in 4877 OLNE. It may be transferred to any other place in this town by way of a decision by the General Assembly. It is currently established at 4877 OLNE, RIESSONSART, 91, administrative district of Liège. Any change in the registered office should be published in the Belgian Monitor during the same month as the date when it takes place.

Object

Article 3:

The association shall be politically and philosophically neutral.

The object of the association shall be:

• to promote the mandatory and proper identification and madatory and proper registration of companion animals in Europe 
• to provide a central european reference registry of data pertaining to microchipped pets where anybody can search to see on which database the data of an individual transponder is stored
• to promote and organise and identify companion animals in Europe. 
• to create, develop and organise a PAN-European communications system between databases, to identify companion animals and to participate in any activity which is likely to achieve this objective. 
• to collaborate with similar bodies or associations in Europe and throughout the world within the framework of its object.

It may carry out any activities which directly or indirectly relate to its object.

In particular, it may lend its support and become involved in any activity that is similar to its object. 

Members and associates

Admission

Article 4:

The number of members of the association shall not be limited.

The minimum shall be 3.

The first members shall be the undersigned founders.

Article 5:

Any association or person who is pursuing a similar goal or one which is connected to that of the association or which might improve the necessary means of carrying out the activities for pursuing this objective may become a member.

Persons who want to help the association to achieve its goal may, if they fulfil the conditions defined in the association’s regulations (Set of Rules), which have been adopted by the constituent General Assembly, put themselves forward as a candidate in writing to the board of directors, which shall then pass this on to the General Assembly, once the “Protocol of member admission” enforced.

Admissions of new members shall be decided upon by the General Assembly by a two-thirds’ majority.  

In addition the Board of Directors could admit associated database/organization by a two-third majority. These associations would be those who did not comply with the conditions determined by the Set of Rules but whose activities corresponded to the object of the association. For their admission, the “Protocol for EPN associated database/organisation” must be followed.

Such associates :

• they can send their data, and/or a simple online research is also possible
• they can use the special EPN logo for associated database/organisation
• they would be convened to the General Assembly
• they would not be entitled to summon a General Assembly
• they would have no voting rights 
• they would have no right to examine the accounts 
• they would have no right to examine the accounts 
• their advisory capacity is not compulsory 
• they would have no powers with regard to the appointment of members of the Board of Directors 
• they could not be members of the Board of Directors 
• they have to pay the fees fixed by the GA and the Board
• their entrance fee is fixed individually by the Board 
• if they desire to become a member of EPN, they will have the same conditions as every other member applicant

Associates must display on the DB website in a prominent location the approved EPN membership badge.

Resignation, exclusion, suspension

Article 6:

Any member shall be free to withdraw from the association by submitting his resignation to the board

Any member and associated database/organisation shall be free to withdraw from the association by submitting his resignation to the board of directors in written form.

The exclusion of a member may be decided by the General Assembly by way of a majority of two-thirds of the votes if this member loses the necessary qualifications for membership as provided by article 5 or through any action or attitude which may be detrimental to the association’s object.

The “Protocol for EPN member exclusion” must be followed.

The exclusion of an associated database/organisation may be decided by the board of directors. The “Protocol for EPN associated database/organisation” must be followed. 

Any member/associated that does not pay the contributions which are being requested from him within the fixed time-limit (terms and conditions on the invoice) shall be deemed to be resigning.

Any member that does not adhere to the data transfer protocol of the association shall be deemed to be resigning.

Article 7:

In the event of the resignation, exclusion or suspension of a member/associated, the admission fees as well as the contributions received shall remain with the association.

The resigning suspended or excluded member/associated, as well as the heirs or beneficiaries of a deceased member/associated, shall not be entitled to the association’s funds.

They may neither claim nor request a financial statement or a rendering of the accounts, or any appendices or an inventory.

Contributions

Article 8:

There are two classes of fees; 

Once-Off Admission fees payable by members after the General Assembly approves their membership and by Associates after the Board approves their Associateship; and an Annual contribution payable by both Members and Associates.

The fees are: admission fee and annual contribution.

The admission fee may not be more than 1.000 Euros.

The annual contributions may not be more than 5.000 Euros.

The member admission fees and the member annual contributions shall be established by the ordinary General Assembly which shall approve the financial statement and the budget.

The board of directors shall establish the associate admission fee. The Board, under supervision of the General Assembly, shall establish the annual contribution.

General  Assembly

Article 9:

The General Assembly shall consist of all the members who have fulfilled their obligations with regard to the association.

Article 10:

The General Assembly shall be the sovereign power.

The association shall possess powers which are expressly recognised as being its powers by the law or by the present articles and memorandum of association.

In particular, the following shall be reserved for its competence:

• amendments to the association’s articles and memorandum of association 
• the appointment and dismissal of the directors 
• the approval of budgets and financial statements 
• the voluntary dissolution of the association 
• the admission of members
• the exclusion of members 
• the re-establishment of the association’s regulations (set of rules)
• discharge granted to administrators and commissioners 
• all cases where the statutes so require

Article 11:

At least one General Assembly should be held each year. 

The association may call an extraordinary General Assembly at any time by way of a decision by the board of directors or at the request of at least a fifth of its members.

Article 12:

The General Assembly shall be convened by the board of directors by way of a registered letter or any other equivalent means at least one month prior to the meeting.

The agenda shall be mentioned on the notice of the meeting.

Article 13:

Each member shall have the right to attend the meeting. He may be represented by a proxy. Each member may only be the holder of one proxy. 

All the members shall have the right to an equal vote, whereby each one shall have one vote.

Article 14:

A meeting should be called by the board of directors where a fifth of the members have requested this. Similarly, any proposal signed by a twentieth of the members should be entered on the agenda.

Article 15:

The General Assembly shall be presided over by the President of the Association . 

Article 16:

The resolutions shall be passed by way of a simple majority of the votes presented or represented, apart from in cases where it is decided otherwise by the law or by the present articles and memorandum of association. 

In the case of a tie vote, that of the Chairman or of the director who is replacing him shall be the casting vote.

Article 17:

The members may receive a copy of all of the minutes of the meetings of the ordinary or extraordinary General Assembly. 

Third parties may request extracts concerning the points which concern them. The motion should be proposed in writing to the board of directors. The costs which result from this shall be exclusively borne by those who are proposing the motion. 

Any amendment to the articles and memorandum of association should be published in the Belgian Monitor.

Administration and management

Administration

Article 18:

The association shall be administered by a board consisting of at least 4 members, which has been appointed from among the members by the General Assembly for a term of five years, and may be dismissed by it at any time. 

The mandate shall be gratuitous. 

However, the General Assembly will be able to grant the directors fixed or variable remuneration. 

It is absolutely necessary for the directors to be natural persons.

Article 19:

The directors may be re-elected.

In the event of a vacancy during the course of a mandate, a temporary director may be appointed by the board of directors. 

In this case, he shall complete the mandate of the director whom he is replacing until the next General Assembly.

Article 20:

The board shall appoint the President, the Vice-President, the Secretary, the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Technical Officer from among its members.

In the event of the President being unable to fulfil his duties, these shall be assumed by the Vice-President, in the first instance, or by the longest serving director present.

Article 21:

The board shall meet upon being called to a meeting by the President of the Association and/or the secretary. It may only decide if the majority of its members are present. These decisions shall be taken by way of a simple majority of the votes. 

In the event of the votes being equal, the President of the Association’s vote or that of his replacement shall be the casting vote. 

The President of the Association may delegate his powers to one of the members at the meeting or even to a third party with its consent, for which he shall be liable.

Article 22:

The board of directors shall have the most extensive powers to administer and manage the association. 

Only actions reserved by the law or by the present articles and memorandum of association shall be excluded from the competence of the General Assembly. The association shall be legitimately bound by the joint signature of three directors.

Article 23:

The board of directors shall manage the association’s affairs and shall represent it in all its actions in civilian life and in its relationships with the authorities and third parties.

Management 

Article 24:

The expenses and commitments undertaken and/or incurred by the board of directors may never exceed the total amount of the sums possessed in cash by the association, except with the unanimous consent of the members of the association. 

The board of directors shall not be entitled to commit the association to any credit with a third party nor to discount, pledge, mortgage one of its assets in any manner whatsoever, except with the unanimous consent of the members of the association .

Article 25:

The association’s financial year shall commence on 1 January and shall end on 31 December.

Exceptionally, the first financial year shall commence on the date of approval of the articles and memorandum of association by the constituent meeting so that it ends on 31 December of this year.

Article 26:

The status of the association’s receipts and expenses should be checked by two auditors. The General Assembly can appoint four persons for this task for a duration of three years. 

The members of the board of directors shall not be eligible for this post. 

The outgoing auditors may be re-elected.

Various provisions 

Article 27:

The present articles and memorandum of association may be amended.

Article 28:

Dissolution: 

The General Assembly may dissolve the association if at least two-thirds of its members are present. The dissolution shall only be accepted if it is voted on by four-fifths of the members present

After any possible liabilities have been discharged, its capital shall be allocated according to the law’s wishes.

Article 29:

All situations not covered by these statutes shall be resolved in compliance with the law in force on Non-Profit Making Associations.