Rasene

The Breeds

Here follows a short presentation of the breeds.
To read the FCI standard to the various breeds, click the photographs.

We must inform you that the Club's breeds used to be "docking breeds" - ie. the tail and / or ears were docked. Regarding Norwegian law, ear- and tail docking is illegal in Norway.

Miniature
schnauzer

Schnauzer

Giant Schnauzer

Bouvier des
Flandres

Schnauzer variants

There are 3 different sizes of Schnauzers; Giant Schnauzer, Schnauzer and Miniature Schnauzer. The breed are all placed in FCI's Group 2, and country of origin is German. Common for all 3 are coat structure, exterior and in many ways temperament. A Schnauzer is, regardless of size, lively, "has a glimpse in the eye" and a mind of it's own. The coat is wire-haired and harsh with dense under wool who needs trimming to maintain structure and color. The structure makes the coat water repellent and easy to comb through. All Schnauzers are recognized by their beard, moustache and eyebrows, who still gives you a glimpse of an alert and courageous look. They all have longer coat on their legs than the rest of the body. IF you trim and care for the coat correctly, there is a minimum of shedding of the coat.
The appearance of the Schnauzers are square, solid, but still elegang dogs, moving with elastisity, elegance and earth winning, without being extreme.
The background to the 3 variants are different, though. The Schnauzer is the orignial dog who later on gave the Miniature Schnauzer. The Giant Schnauzers has a more uncertain background.

Miniature schnauzer

The breed is a er en smaller copy of the Schnauzer, without showing any undesired "dwarf-look". The breed was approved approximately in 1903, and one assume that both pinscher and affenpinscher was involved with creating this breed togeter with the Schnauzer. The Miniature Schnauzer is found in 4 approved color variants; black, salt / pepper, black / silver and white. The Miniature schnauzer is an active, alert, persevering and fearless breed that is excellent as a combined guard- and family dog. It is a wonderful companion and enjoys activities like obediende and agility. "A large dog in a small size"
Size: 30 - 35 cm

Giant Schnauzer

This variants origin is unclear. Some assume it used to be at cattle dog, not a rat hunter as the other dogs. Others lean towards the theory that large individuals of Schnauzer was bred and there are black Great Danes and shepherd dogs from the South of Germany mixed in from the beginning. It was first shown in Germany in 1909 under the name "Mźnchenschnauzer", and was approved as a breed in 1923.
The working abilities as courage and will combined with speed and endurance makes it an excellent working dog and they thrive when being activated through training within obedience, tracking and other works where they can use their natural senses. Their body shape makes it super for packing and pulling.
The Giant Schnauzer is a stable working dog when it has finished its "education", but it needs some more time when trained and sometimes likes to give their own opionion about things and has it own will and needs a firm, but friendly hand. If you're being consistend while raising one is rewarded with an wonderful family and working dog. The breed is found in 2 colour variants; black and salt / pepper, but unfortunately there are only a few dogs with the salt / pepper colour in Norway today.
Size: 60-70 cm

Schnauzer

The Schnauzeris more or less the original ancestor of the other Schnauzer variants. It has it's origin in Southern Germany where the foundation was farm dogs that was kept as guarians for house and home and partially to catch rats. Their former name was Rattlerpinscher. In earlier days one docked the ear and tail to prevent the dogs for bites during the hunt. Beard and moustaches were problably kept from the same reason. The breed was approved as a breed in Germany about 1850. Already at the 1400 cenury there was found notes and drawings of Schnauzer look-alike farm dogs who was later named Wire-haired Pinscher. It was simple, courageous and vigilant dogs that quickly became popular amongst farmers and landlords in Bayern. The name Schnauzer probably comes from the word Schnauz, meaning beard or moustache in German. In 1880 the first breed standard came, and the dogs were then smaller that what they are today, otherwise there isn't much difference in this and todays description of the breed.
Today's Schnauzer is a noble, compact, medium-sized dog with a square frame. The breed is robust, alert and an outgoing and active temperament. It is excellent for packing when going hiking and also obedience and agility. The typical Schnauzer temperament takes a firm and consistent hand, but in return is a wonderful family dog. The Schnauzer is found in two color variants; salt / pepper and black, where the first is the most popular.
Size: 45 - 50 cm

Bouvier des Flandres

Bouvier des Flandres, or Bouvier to make it easier belongs to Group 1 - Utility dogs / shepherds.
The Bouvier is a medium sized, strong, square shaped dog with a "rough" appearance due to the prominent beard and moustache. The breed doesn't belong to either the Schnauzer or the Pinscher family as it's origin is France and Belgium, but the Netherlands has also shaped it's appearance. The first Bouvier was shown in 1910, and was after that very popular, but wasn't recognized by the FCI until 1965.
The Bouvier was called Koehund, Vuilbaard (skittenskjegg), og chien de vacher (shepherd's dog), due to their important role as a shepherd primarily for cattle and as a farm- and guard dog. They work without commands from the shepherd and this takes both courage, strength and not to forget an ability to quickly move away stubborn cattle.
After World War I there were few specimens left, and the tasks were changed as railway and cars took over the transport of cattle. The Bouvier has shown to handle the taskt for a working-, guard- and police dog to perfection. It is most comfortable being given tasks to solve, but is a dog with their own mind and meaning and needs more training than some other breeds.
The harsh over coat and dense under wool makes it well dressed for all kinds of weather. The coat should preferably be trimmed, and kept at a length of approximately 6 cm on the body. By taking good care in trimmng the coat, the dog sheds very little. The colour is a range from light gray to almost black, but can also have a yellowish brown tint. Most lighter dogs grow darker by the years. In Norway there are registrered between 30 - 50 dogs every year. The breed is a devoted family dog who with their short, solid body is an excellent trekk- and pack dog and normally handles in an excellent manner what's expected of a family member.
Size: Bitches 59 - 65 cm Dogs: 62 - 68 cm