Wauzer

The Wauzer is a rather new hybrid, which resulted from crossing a West Highland Terrier with a Schnauzer. Although these dogs have become very popular, little is known about their origin. The West Highland Terrier (or Westie) is related to the Scottish, Skye, Dandie Dinmont, and Cairn Terriers. The Westie comes from Scotland, where these dogs were used for hunting and for killings pests, like rats. It is believed that the Westie’s origins go as far as the 17^th century, and that they are linked to a breed of small dogs that were given to the king of France during that period. During the 19^th century, an accident occurred with a Westie’s ancestor; during a hunting session, Colonel Malcolm of Poltalloch confused one of his Cairns with a fox, and shot him dead. The Colonel suffered greatly from this accident, and decided to breed only white dogs to avoid confusing them with foxes again, thus the Westie’s color. Previously known as the Poltalloch Terrier and the Roseneath Terrier, the breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club as the West Highland White Terrier in 1908. On the other hand, the Schnauzer originated in Germany. Their ancestors appeared on Renaissance paintings made by artists like Rembrandt and Albrecht Durer, and also in tapestry from 1501. Schnauzers were guardian dogs; they would protect farm families and their livestock, and they also helped in getting rid of rats and other vermin. In the mid 1800s, German breeders started to work towards standardizing the breed. Dogs like the Wolfspitz and the black German Poodle, took their part in this breed’s development. During the same period, breeders also worked on developing the Miniature Schnauzer, and the Giant Schnauzer a while later. Schnauzers were first called Wirehaired Pinschers, and a breed standard was established in 1880. In 1879 a dog called “Schnauzer” won the first prize at the Third German International Show in Hanover. By 1900 the breed was well-known as the Schnauzer, also as reference to these breed’s particular muzzle (schnauze in German). During WWI Schnauzers were used for carrying communication, aiding the Red Cross, and for police work. The breed was first brought to America in the early 1900s by immigrant families. The Standard Schnauzer was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1904, and the Miniature Schnauzer in 1926.