Standard Wire Hair Snauzer

28-32 lbs
17-20"
Unknown
Standard Schnauzer
Wire Fox Terrier

The Standard Wire Hair Snauzer is a designer dog, the intentional mix between the bearded farm dog from Germany known as the Schnauzer, and an English dog developed to chase foxes from their dens and bolt holes, the Wire Fox Terrier. The result is a squarely-shape, medium-sized dog with a classic silhouette and an prominent double layer coat with a wiry outer layer. Their dark eyes typically reveal this hybrid’s keenly intelligent and curious nature, and while these dogs are likely to be pleasant companions if kept suitably busy, they can become destructive, manipulative, and hyper-vigilant if not given appropriate physical and mental outlets for their energy. 

purpose Purpose
Companion Animal and Earth Dog
history Date of Origin
Unknown
ancestry Ancestry
Standard Schnauzer and Wire Fox Terrier

Standard Wire Hair Snauzer Health

Average Size
Male Standard Wire Hair Snauzer size stats
Height: 17-20 inches Weight: 28-32 lbs
Female Standard Wire Hair Snauzer size stats
Height: 17-20 inches Weight: 28-32 lbs
Major Concerns
  • Cataracts
  • Canine Hip Dysplasia (Chd)
Minor Concerns
  • Pulmonic Stenosis
  • Follicular Dermatitis
  • Glaucoma
  • Lens Luxation
  • Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease
  • Wobbler's Syndrome
  • Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca (Dry Eye)
  • Atopy
Occasional Diagnoses
  • Epilepsy
  • Tetralogy of Fallot
  • Megaesophagus
  • Retinal Dysplasia
Occasional Tests
  • Skin Evaluation
  • Eye Examinations
  • X-rays or other radiographic imaging
  • Electrocardiograph (ECG - measures rate and rhythm)
  • Myelography (Dye And X-Ray to Assess The Spinal Cord)

Standard Wire Hair Snauzer Breed History

The Standard Wire Hair Snauzer is a deliberate crossbreed, the combination of the Schnauzer, an overall farm dog from Germany, and the Wire Fox Terrier, a hunting dog from England that specializes in bolting foxes from their dens. Dogs very similar to the modern Standard Schnauzer have been working German farms since the Middle Ages, ably providing both protection and pest elimination services both at home and on the road. In the mid-1800s dog fanciers began to take notice of these medium-sized, rough-coated dogs and began breeding them with black Poodles and grey Wolfspitz dogs, enhancing their rough coat and giving them the characteristic black or salt & pepper colored coats that we see today. Although they were known originally as Wire-Haired Pinschers, they eventually were given the name Schnauzers, from the German word schnauz, meaning nose, in reference to their distinctive large, bearded muzzles. Although the Wire Fox Terrier was registered and shown alongside the Smooth Fox Terrier for over a century in the United States, it is now believed by most experts that the two had very different ancestries. Although the Smooth Fox Terrier was a blend of several dogs, including Beagles, Greyhounds, Bull Terriers and the Smooth Coated Black and Tan Terrier, the Wire Fox Terrier was more directly descended from the now extinct Rough-coated Black and Tan Terriers from the Derbyshire, Durham, and Wales area. In 1866 a dog named Old Tip became the first officially recorded Wire Fox Terrier, and most modern Wire Fox Terriers can trace their heritage back to him in one way or another. Smooth Fox Terriers were frequently infused into the Wire Fox Terrier heritage, however, giving it a lighter coat, a more classical outline, and a cleaner-cut head.  

Standard Wire Hair Snauzer Breed Appearance

This crossbreed is a medium-sized dog with a square build that is sturdy but not stocky, although those that more closely resemble the Wire Fox Terrier will be a bit more slender than those that take after the Standard Schnauzer. The Standard Wire Hair Snauzer has a long, rectangular head shape with a flat top and a long broad muzzle that is usually adorned with a beard of some sort, either the distinguished shorter beard of the Wire Fox Terrier or the profuse and stately beard of the Schnauzer, with dark brown eyes that are either round or slightly oval in shape and V-shaped or triangular ears that break and fold forward either halfway down the ear or at the level of the skull. Some dogs may hold their ears erect or partially erect when at attention. This dog will have a thick, strong tail that is held straight up from the body or slightly curled over the back, although many Schnauzer and Wire Fox Terrier breeders still choose to have their dogs tails docked at an early age in countries where this practice has not yet been banned.   

Eye Color Possibilities
brown Standard Wire Hair Snauzer eyes
Brown
Nose Color Possibilities
black Standard Wire Hair Snauzer nose
Black
Coat Color Possibilities
black Standard Wire Hair Snauzer coat
Black
gray Standard Wire Hair Snauzer coat
Gray
white Standard Wire Hair Snauzer coat
White
brown Standard Wire Hair Snauzer coat
Brown
Coat Length
coat
Short Medium Long
Coat Density
coat density
pin
Sparse Normal Dense
Coat Texture
coat texture
Standard Wire Hair Snauzer wiry coat texture
Straight Wiry Wavy Curly Corded

Standard Wire Hair Snauzer Breed Maintenance

The Standard Wire Hair Snauzer has a distinctive double layered coat with a short, soft undercoat protected by a wiry or coarse outer layer which will require stripping at least twice a year. Stripping can be done by hand or by using a stripping knife, and many groomers offer this service for owners who do not have the time, knowledge, or ability to perform this process themselves. Those Snauzers that have a coat that is more like the Standard Schnauzer typically require more grooming time and effort than those that have the coat of the Wire Fox Terrier and may require a professional grooming and clipping every five to eight weeks. Brushing for this thick coat is needed several times a week, and daily grooming around the face and feet will help to prevent tangles, remove food particles, and eliminate road debris. Those whose coats are more representative of the Wire Fox Terrier have less intensive grooming needs; their shorter, wavier coats still need brushing to prevent tangles and mats, but weekly or twice weekly sessions will typically suffice, and clipping this type of coat may change not only the texture of the new growth, it may also change the color. 

Brushes for Standard Wire Hair Snauzer
Pin Brush
Pin Brush
Comb
Comb
Scissors
Scissors
Nail Clipper
Nail Clipper
Brushing Frequency
fur daily fur weekly fur monthly
Standard Wire Hair Snauzer requires daily brushing
Daily Weekly Monthly

Standard Wire Hair Snauzer Temperament

Both of the parent breeds are high-spirited and can be rather scrappy with other dogs, particularly those of the same sex. The Wire Fox Terrier has a rather peppery personality but the Schnauzer, while sometimes aloof, also has a typically reliable and discriminating demeanor which may moderate the impulsive behavior of the Standard Wire Hair Snauzer, particularly if the dog is properly socialized. Both breeds are highly intelligent and mentally agile as well, with impressive problem-solving abilities, however, trainability for the Standard Wire Hair Snauzer can vary somewhat from dog to dog. Many Standard Schnauzers are extremely eager to please their owners and exceptionally easy to train, but some can be a bit stubborn and most have a mischievous streak and the Wire Fox Terrier contributes the Terrier tenacity as well as an intense prey drive to this hybrid. It is important to keep the Standard Wire Hair Snauzer’s mind busy with toys and activities as they will find their own toys and activities, which may not meet with your approval. The urge to chase cats and other animals may be overwhelming for this crossbreed, but they will be more likely to get along with them if they are raised in the same household. 

Standard Wire Hair Snauzer Activity Requirements

The Standard Wire Hair Snauzer is likely to have a great deal of energy and curiosity, fortunately, they only require a moderate amount of vigorous exercise to keep them happy and healthy and are usually quite content with an hour's worth of vigorous activity each day, preferably broken down into several smaller sessions throughout the day. They will certainly enjoy long walks, short jogs, and endless games of fetch, but may also enjoy more mentally taxing exercises as well, including agility training, freestyle dance routines, tracking exercises, and rally competitions. While this dog can make an excellent roommate even in small spaces like apartments, this is best achieved with extra exercise, both mental and physical. 

Activity Level
low activity medium activity high activity
Low Medium High
Rec. Walk Mileage Per Week
10 miles
walk mileage
Minutes of Activity Per Day
60 minutes
activity minutes

Standard Wire Hair Snauzer Food Consumption

Cups Per Day
2 cups
cup per day cost cup per day cost
Daily Cost
$1.20 - $1.40
food bowls daily cost
Monthly Cost
$34.00 - $45.00
food bag monthly cost

Standard Wire Hair Snauzer Height & Weight

6 Months
Male Standard Wire Hair Snauzer size stats at six months
Height: 15.5 inches Weight: 20.5 lbs
Female Standard Wire Hair Snauzer size stats at six months
Height: 15.5 inches Weight: 20.5 lbs
12 Months
Male Standard Wire Hair Snauzer size stats at 12 months
Height: 17.5 inches Weight: 27.0 lbs
Female Standard Wire Hair Snauzer size stats at 12 months
Height: 17.5 inches Weight: 27.0 lbs
18 Months
Male Standard Wire Hair Snauzer size stats at 18 months
Height: 18.5 inches Weight: 30.0 lbs
Female Standard Wire Hair Snauzer size stats at 18 months
Height: 18.5 inches Weight: 30.0 lbs

Standard Wire Hair Snauzer Owner Experiences

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