Today is Mahatma Ghandi’s (2 October 1869 – 30 January 1948) birthday. Ghandi who spent 21 years in South Africa, was a practice of non-violence and a vegetarian (thus super animal-friendly). He is a world icon that left a lasting impact on society.
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In honour of International Homeless Animals Day, The Wet Nose Animal Rescue Centre will be hosting a fun day. You can adopt a dog for the day and take it for a walk. This is a good option for those of us that want to adopt animals, but can’t. It’s not as good as giving a doggy a new home, but at least you will gave a homeless dog one wonderful day filled with love. Wes Nose is just outside of Pretoria .(View the programme)
I for one am a firm believer in pet adoption. There are so many abandoned and abused animals that just need good homes. There should definitely be strict control on dog breeding and the sale of dogs. However if you do prefer to buy instead of adopt, play close attention to where the dogs come from (refer to the Dog Advice section). Dogs a sentient beings and loving pets that should not be treated as cash cows.
(Refer to my post on pet adoption.)
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Standard Schnauzer
The Standard Schnauzer was originally bred in Germany originally during the Middle Ages and was developed from herding, ratting and guard dog breeds. Both the Miniature Schnauzer and Giant Schnauzer originated from this breed. They fall into the terrier class.
The Schnauzer reportedly got its name from a dog show winner (of the same breed) by that name, “Schnauzer”, at the 1879 Hanover Show in Germany. The term Schnauzer comes from “Schnauze,” the German word for snout, and is applicable because of the dog’s distinct beard.
They make excellent working dogs. The Red Cross used the dogs for guard duty during First World War. Both American and German Police departments have used them for things like drug and bomb detection, and also as search-and-rescue dogs.
Their colours usually vary from black and silver, salt and pepper and pure black. Schnauzers require very specific grooming and are very high maintenance. They are known for the distinctive furry snouts, which give them a wise and noble appearance. They do not shed a lot of hair, which makes them suitable for people with pet hair allergies.
The Standard Schnauzer is a medium sized square built dog. Males are about 18-20 inches (45.7 – 50.8 cm) in height and females are about 17-19 inches (43.2 – 48.3) high at the shoulders. Males weigh about 35-50 pounds (15.9 -22.7 kg) and females 30-45 pounds (13.6 – 20.4 kg).
Their tails are usually docked when they are puppies and some dogs also have their ears cropped. They are generally healthy dogs, but like other medium and large dogs they can develop Hypdisplasia. They can also develop eye problems.
They are very trainable, alert, energetic, dominant and highly intelligent. They are very friendly and make good companion dogs. They make excellent guard dogs and will bark at intruders, but do not bark incessantly. They are very territorial, so they do well in homes where they are only pets. They can learn to get along with other pets if they are properly socialized as puppies, but should rather be kept away from rodents as the were originally bred to hunt them.
These dogs don’t need a particularly big yard (although that is always better for dogs) but they should be taken on daily walks. The Schnauzer is adaptable and is a good choice if you want a companion as well as a guardian.
As always buying a dog is a serious choice. Before you start looking for dogs for sale seriously consider if you are ready for the responsibility.
See also: Miniature Schnauzer
Sources:
Wikipedia
Dog breed info
Related Websites ” I like pigs. Dogs look up to us. Cats look down on us. Pigs treat us as equals. ”
~ Winston Churchill
“We give dogs time we can spare, space we can spare and love we can spare. And in return, dogs give us their all. It’s the best deal man has ever made.”
~M. Facklam“If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you. This is the principal difference between a dog and a man..”
~ Mark Twain
“When a man’s best friend is his dog, that dog has a problem.”"
~ Edward Abbey
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