Yes, I am interested in at least taking a look. Thanks

I don’t personally know of anyone doing SAR work with Standard Schnauzers, but there are links off of the website I gave showing SAR work. I in no way mean to suggest that any standard schnauzer can do the work, as with any breed one has to pick a pup with the right temperament, lineage, combined with the proper training to succeed. I was reading this thread and noticed someone mentioned there next SAR dog was going to be around 40 lbs. The Standard has been considered a working dog in its homeland of Germany since its inception. Although in the U.S. it was listed as a terrier at first it was then later moved in to the working group around 1945. When most people think of Schnauzers they think of minis which are more terrier like, whereas the Standard has terrier traits they’re much calmer and not yappy. Generally this breed is very high drive (ball drive, play drive, food drive) combined with a sturdy, strong build with great agility and endurance. I know a lot of people don’t like the way they look, especially in pictures (I know I didn’t at first), but like a parent with an ugly child, once they’re yours they’re the cutest thing on earth. But seriously, one of the best things about them is they don’t shed if groomed properly. That doesn’t mean they don’t lose some hair, they don’t blow a coat like most dogs and they have very little doggy odor. I currently own a 22 mo 43lb salt & pepper male that just got his CD in July and is ready to try for his CDX. I also have a 1 yr 47lb solid black female who is getting very close to try for her CD. I know these titles are not nearly as demanding as most of the others on here are trying for, such as schutzhund etc., but my guys do have to deal with a little extra stress, for I am disabled and do all of my training from a power wheel chair.

Had someone suggest a Giant Schnauzer, also. Like what I have read in both breeds. No shedding would be a good thing since most of the larger breeds shed. That is our turn off with a Lab. Ours seemed like they shed continually. We take our dogs everywhere we go & get tired of cleaning up the hair. Will take a serious look at this breed. We happened to be watching a show last night & they were showing a Standard Schnauzer trained in detecting cancer cells. It was amazing. Do they have an aggressive nature?

just to agree with the other reply Eds Video bite training puppies has an excelent section on the selection of puppies, its worth every penny/ sorry cent

Blondie,

Giants and Mini's both shed. It is a little different than some other breeds in that it is not a lot of short hairs that get into everything. They don't dumpa majority of hair all at once like many other breeds. They do lose hair all the time. It is usually longer hair. The breeds maintain their coat by constantly shedding hair. This leads to hair falling out all the time. I don't know of a breed that doesn't shed, just some breeds that aren't as noticable.

Oh yes, I don’t mean to say they don’t lose some hair but compared to most breeds I’ve had the privilege of owning and being around they do lose significantly less hair. I personally have owned two Siberian Huskeys, two Golden Retrievers, one German Shepherd, one Rotti, and a few mixed breeds thrown in. Wow, talk about some heavy shedders in there! It’s my understanding the Giants and Mini’s here in America more commonly have an American coat, which is softer in feel and has more profuse furnishings as opposed to the German coat. But the standard is only acceptable in a German coat even here in America, which is a wire coat with not as much furnishings. And yes if you let the coat go too long in between stripping or clipping hair will start to die and fall out. Personally I choose to clip mine every 3 to 4 months and I prefer the European working clip. Which simply put, I do not leave any of the body furnishings just a neatly trimmed Schnauzer face, beard, eyebrows etc. I’m constantly working my dogs out in fields and wooded areas and taking them swimming and I don’t want to be bothered with brushing out burs and tangles in all that furnishings. And I think they look better. As I look down at my clothing after playing and working both dogs today, I literally see no hair. That would not be the case with any of the other dogs I have owned. As far as aggression goes, I don’t have any problems, especially my male. He is very, very social, loves people and dogs. My female is a little less outgoing, but no serious character flaws as of yet. But as with any breed, one has to take the time and trouble to search out a proper breeder with good stable parents. Look the litter over carefully, perform the proper puppy personality test for whatever your needs are. If you’re not sure how to do this, there are articles on this site and others that are very good, or if you know someone you trust that knows working dogs it’s best to take them along for backup. Most important after you choose your pup, socialize, socialize, socialize. I usually own two dogs at one time and I’ve been fortunate my dogs usually live along time, so it’s usually 12 plus years in between puppies. I will usually start honing up my puppy picking techniques through articles and books, but with the internet and sites like this one, I did most of my homework right here for my latest two Schnauzers. I also purchased Ed’s puppy tapes 8 Weeks to 8 Months and then his Basic Obedience tape and followed them very closely. And it’s paid off. My boy has been in the obedience ring 4 times and took two first place and two second place finishes. A lot thanks to Ed’s tapes and information off of this website. Thanks Ed! Good luck Blondie! Whatever breed you choose I’m sure you’ll wind up with a great pup.
PS: You mentioned George the cancer sniffer, I never got to meet George, but I’ve read a lot about him and have seen the show you watched, amazing! This summer I met a professional handler at a dog show and he told me the most famous thing he ever done was show George in the breed ring to his championship. He told me once he was visiting George and his owner and got to go along to a training session out in the field with the Tallahasee police dept. and watched George do area searches. He said he was an amazing working dog.

Have decided on either a Standard or Giant Schnauzer. Have heard so many good things about them. My husband thinks this is my best choice. Will have to travel quite a distance to get a pup but will be worth it. Have found a few Giant breeders with working stock but haven't found any Standards yet. If you could help me with that I would appreciate it. Someone emailed me privately that has Giants & told me how great they are so decided to give the 2 breeds a look. Tried to get into the website you gave me but couldn't open it.
Yes, George was the dog! He is simply amazing! Dogs are remarkable creatures.

Blondie,

I have owned Giants for the last 19 years. A few things you should know. They are loves out in public. My current Giant is a therapy dog in a local hospital. They tend to be air scenters when working on scent. They are very defensive, protective of home, car, and their family. If you do not want to protection train still teach an "out". They are very territorial and fairly dominant. "Out" helps with this. Definitely socialize and obedience train early and a lot. The males will often challange their owner and may guard food, get them in the habit of giving things up early. In the last few years the Giants have started having problems with thyroid disease.

There are 3 coats currently in the US. The Hard (German), Soft (American), and a Medium that is about half way in between. I would look for either the Hard or Medium coat for your purpose. The most common grooming schedual is evey 5-8 weeks to keep the coat in easier shape to manage.

It is a great breed if you can find good ones. Even the "show lines" have maintained good working chacteristics for the most part. They are often very hard and stubborn. They do not react well to physical corrections and will often react in kind. I have had much better luck using obedience and tone of voice to control their behavior. I don't know that you can hit one hard enough to hurt them, I've tried, but they will fold if you raise your voice to them. Mine have always gotten along well with other dogs, unless they are attacked by the other dog. They will then get right into it with the other dog. Mine plays with everything from Yorkies to Bloodhounds. They do seem to have a sense for people's moods and are very sensitive to them. If you are sick or upset they can become a pest trying to cheer you up. If I could have found what I wanted in the breed I would probably have another one now.

OH yeah, doing ears sucks. The thing we found that works the best is to use Coban instead of tape as it comes off easier and isn't as painful for the dogs.

As a person who owns dobes that work I will honestly say that I.M.O. they dont make good sar. dogs. they tend to air scent. Good working dobes are very hard to find .We breed just for work dont care about conformation.

Nothing wrong with air scenting. Just teach the dogs area search instead of tracking. There is no requirement that I know of that a SAR dog be able to track; it is a common misconception that this is how SAR dogs are trained, when in fact, area search is much much more common. Area search is no worse than tracking, as a matter of fact, it is applicable in situations where tracking is not, and vice versa, and it is much easier to train. Often, by the time the "subject" is reported missing, area search is the fastest way to find them.