Cimarron Valley Ranch

EARLY HISTORY
The Standard Schnauzer (SS) is the oldest (and original prototype) of the three Schnauzer breeds. Since the Middle Ages, dogs very like today's Standard Schnauzer performed household and farm duties in Germany: guarding the family and livestock, ridding the farmyard of vermin, and protecting their owners as they traveled to market. These rough-haired, medium-sized dogs were descended from early European herding and guardian breeds and were not related to the superficially similar terriers of Britain.

In the mid-19th century, German dog fanciers began to take an interest in this useful native breed. Crosses were made with gray Wolfspitz and black German Poodle to produce the distinctive pepper and salt and black colors. At this time, the medium-sized dogs were also being crossed with other breeds to develop the Miniature and, later, the Giant Schnauzer.

Wire-haired Pinschers, as the breed was originally known, were first exhibited in Germany in the 1870s. The official German breed standard of that era describes a dog remarkably similar to the Standard Schnauzer of today.

By the turn of the century, the breed was becoming universally known as the Schnauzer, a reference to the breed's hallmark a muzzle (German: schnauze) sporting a bristly beard and moustache, as well as to an early show winner of that name. 

Our History with Standard Schnauzers started in the early 90's.  I feel  still today the two strongest traits in the Standard Schnauzer are Watch Dog and Herding/prey drive.  We lived in the city with our Standards for many years and with lot's of exercise and activity they make fine city dogs. But the active intelligent Standard still makes a great farm dog also especially when brought up around livestock as puppies.   I think they were born to it and am thrilled to live with 3 Standard Schnauzers on a working farm.

We have been involved in herding for many years living in the city originally and traveling 3 hours round trip to herding lessons, it was not easy and took a long time. I do well in conformation/rally/obedience/agility but Herding is a whole new language and I stumbled a lot. Now on my second herding dog, it isn't as difficult, but still Greek.  Blu was my first and we earned two herding Titles a PT & JHD. Now is 18 mth old Daughter "Sassi" in her first exposure with Goats at 18 mths showed so much potential I was in awe.  So hopefully I can continue with Sassi.

Our dogs are pictured below.

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