HiCotn Std Schnauzers

Hello and welcome to HiCotn.com! My name is CarolAnn Worsham and I hope you enjoy your visit today. In the south when you are in high cotton, you're in good times. Thus the name.

The Standard Schnauzer is the only dog of its size that has the temperament, stamina and characteristics to be grouped among the working dogs. The poor German farmers and peddlers needed a dog bred with the ability to guard and also do work around the farm without the tremendous size to eat them out of house and farm and I believe that is still part of the attraction with the Standard Schnauzer today…compact body, temperament and cleanliness. Guarding is part of the Standard's work, but his innate reasoning ability lets him assess each situation and come up with how much force is needed to stop an intruder…not bite or attack them…just hold them at bay.

Although the Mini, Standard and Giant all look similar, each were bred from totally different dogs. The Standard was bred from the black German Poodle and gray Wolfspitz with wirehaired Pinscher stock.

I'm not quite sure why I am drawn to the oldest Schnauzer. Maybe it's my German ancestry; maybe it's the fact that the Schnauzer was used as a farm dog and it's the country coming out in me; and maybe it's just the fact that the Standard Schnauzer is one of the most lovable and friendliest dogs in the world. I know I admired the Standards at dog shows for years before actually becoming a Standard Schnauzer owner. From that day on, I knew the Standard would occupy most of my thoughts. I have now quit my job to be a stay at home mom to all my Standards…and it totally monopolizes my time and energy. My pack seems to wake in the morning full of energy and playfulness. I’ve found Standards to be the easiest puppy to housebreak that I've ever had. Socializing puppies has been sheer delight, as they are so outgoing and love every single person they see. It seems that every single person they see also loves them right back and wants to know how they would go about getting a dog like a Standard. Standard Schnauzers are the least bred Schnauzer (Mini, Standard and Giant) and sometimes it can be quite a challenge to find a breeder.

There are many opinions as to the origin of the Standard Schnauzer. One of the most popular theories is that relating to the 14th Century tradesmen who traveled the countryside with carts laden with wares. To protect these carts the tradesmen sought and bred in Germany a guard dog of medium size which would not take up much space on the wagon, yet be strong enough to do the job required.

To develop this Schnauzer, the tradesmen crossed the black German Poodle and gray Wolfspitz with wirehaired Pinscher stock. Just how many years of breeding were necessary to establish the Standard Schnauzer is not known, but at least 50 years passed before the breed was somewhat fixed.

The Standard Schnauzers were used by the Red Cross for guard duty during World War I and also by the German Army as dispatch carriers. Their dependability, a leading characteristic of the breed, made them favorites of both groups. [Ask about this story of Grey!]

The first recorded importation of the Standard Schnauzer into the US was in 1905. It was not until WWI, though, that the breed was brought to the US in any significant numbers.

Once American dog fanciers and breeders were "introduced" to the Standard Schnauzer, the breed took root and began to grow quite rapidly. By 1925 the Standard Schnauzer Club of America was formed, and now there are numerous local clubs developed in several sections of the US.