History and Origins
Country of Origin: Germany
The Schnauzer has been a working farm dog in Germany since at least the 14th century where it took the role of a fearless terrier largely employed to kill vermin but could also turn their paw to flock-guarding, property guarding and cattle driving.
The ancestry of the Miniature Schnauzer is not quite so clear although we know it dates from the end of the 19th century – with some saying that the Schnauzer was crossed with the Affenpinscher to create this miniaturisation, while other claim that Miniature Poodles, Pomeranians, Scottish Terriers and Miniature Pinchers could have contributed to the breed.
The original idea was to produce a smaller vermin killer but they soon became far better known as companion dogs.
