Parti Schnauzers have a unique parti pattern which distinguishes them from standard Schnauzers. The parti pattern is the pigmentation of white overlaying the base color. If the parti pattern extends from the dog’s head to the tail, it is called blanket parti. Often, the parti pattern will be covered with the growth of white hair in the base coat.
Table of Contents
Parti Schnauzer Pros and Cons
Pros
Cons
Low Maintenance
Good Health
Hypoallergenic
High Prey Drive
Parti Schnauzer Basic Information
Name: Parti Schnauzer
Height: 12 to 26 inches
Weight: 20 to 70 pounds
Color: White and Black, Black and Silver, Liver and Tan, Liver and Grey
Pinscher-Schnauzer Klub of Germany published the breed standards for Schnauzers in 1880. According to that breed standard, parti pattern was also accepted, and there were no issues raised against Parti Schnauzers until 1933. The 1880 breed standard of PKC didn’t register any particular parti schnauzer, and the first parti schnauzer was registered in 1929. Parti Schnauzers are bred for the first time by the Countess Kanitz at Abbagamba Kennel.
In 1933, the Pinscher-Schnauzer Klub banned Parti Schnauzers and their breeding in Germany. The Parti pattern was listed under penalized in their next breed standard. So fearing penalties and penalization, the German breeders got rid of all the Parti Schnauzers by various ways such as drowning and stoning them.
Many personalities like the countess, Joseph Berta, the former chairman of PSK, and Richard Strebel petitioned for the re-recognition and permission to breed Parti Schnauzers. PSK registered their petition based on two claims. The first claim is that there is no scientific proof for the countess’ parti schnauzers to be purebred dogs. The second claim made by the PSK for rejecting parti schnauzers was that the parti pattern would be confused with Wire Haired Fox Terrier. The PSK also added that this confusion between the two breeds – Wire Haired Fox Terrier and Parti Schnauzer would affect the breeding of Miniature Schnauzers.
The real reason is the sales competition between Salt and Pepper colored Schnauzers and Wire-Haired Fox Terriers during the economic depression in Germany between 1929 and 1935. During this time, the population of the salt and pepper coat schnauzers was higher than the human population. As a result, the breeders struggled to sell these while the fast-selling Fox Terriers were in demand more than the population. Retaining the Schnauzers puppies would further affect the sales and the club, so the ban was declared.
The countess, after knowing the real motive, accused the board of PKC. As a result, PKC promised to recognize Parti Schnauzers as a distinct breed which was never fulfilled because of the onset of World War II. Even today, Parti Schnauzers are discriminated against and disqualified from show rings because of their coat color.
Parti Schnauzer Personality
Parti Schnauzers and classic schnauzers are similar except for the pigmentation pattern on their coats. The parti gene is recessive, and so it has to be inherited from both parents. Parti pigmentation is available in all the schnauzer varieties, such as Miniature, Standard, and Giant. The parti pattern is unique for each dog, and no two Parti Schnauzers will have the same patterns. Even though the Parti Schnauzers are recognized as pure breeds, their coat pattern is not acceptable in showrings according to the breed standards of AKC.
Friendliness Overview
Affection Level
Medium
Family-Friendly
Medium to High
Kid-Friendly
Medium to High
Pet-Friendly
Low to Medium
Strangers-Friendly
Low
Adaptability Overview
Good for New Pet Owners
Low to Medium
Good for Apartment Living
Medium to High
Sensitivity Level
Medium to High
Tolerates being alone
Low to Medium
Cold Tolerance
Medium to High
Heat Tolerance
Medium to High
Parti Schnauzer Temperament
Parti Schnauzer temperament is similar to classic Schnauzers. They love to spend time with their family and get along well with children and older people. They may exhibit their prey drive when they are with other pets. Even though their prey drive is high, Parti Schnauzers are non-aggressive breeds. They might leap or chase after potential prey, so it is safe to keep them on leash in public places.
Parti Schnauzer Training
Parti Schnauzers are easy to train as they are always ready to please their owners. They learn quickly, and so they can be bored with the repetition of the same training. You can introduce Parti Schnauzers to obedience training, agility training, and rallies. Consistent training and positive reinforcement will make training sessions more enjoyable and interesting for them.
Trainability Overview
Easy to Train
Medium
Intelligence
High
Prey Drive
High
Tendency to Chew, Nip & Play-bite
Medium
Tendency to Bark or Howl
Low to Medium
Wanderlust Ability
High
Parti Schnauzer Exercise Needs
Regular everyday exercises, including walking, are sufficient to meet the medium energy level of Parti Schnauzer. You can also include playtime in the backyard by letting the parti schnauzer chase balls or run around in a fenced area. Their prey drive can be directed positively through the stimulation of body and mind.
Exercise Needs Overview
Energy Level
Medium
Exercise Needs
High
Playfulness
High
Intensity
Medium
Parti Schnauzer Grooming
The double-coated parti schnauzers need minimal grooming. Their coat has to be brushed regularly to maintain the wiry topcoat and soft undercoat in good condition. The coat can either be groomed at home or by a professional groomer.
Like other Schnauzers, parti schnauzers need a bath once a month or when necessary. In addition, it is vital to include teeth brushing, nail trimming, and ear cleaning in the grooming sessions.
Grooming Overview
Amount of Shedding
Low
Tendency to Drool
Low
Tendency to Snore
Low
Easy to Groom
Medium
Parti Schnauzer Health
Parti Schnauzers are generally healthy, but they are prone to certain diseases that are common in schnauzers. Regular health checkups can help identify and cure any disease at an early stage.
Health Overview
Basic Health
High
Weight Gain Possibilities
Low
Size
Medium
Parti Schnauzers are prone to the following health conditions:
Hip Dysplasia: Hip dysplasia, a genetic condition in which the thigh bone doesn’t fit properly in the hip joint. While some dogs exhibit pain and lameness on one or both rear legs, you may not notice any indications of discomfort in most dogs with hip dysplasia. As the dog gets older, arthritis can develop.
Cataracts: Cataracts create a cloudy and opaque layer over the eye lens and can lead to blindness.
Pancreatitis: The inflammation of the pancreas, an organ that produces digestive enzymes and insulin, causes pancreatitis. Symptoms include diarrhea, fever, lethargy, vomiting, belly pain, and dehydration.
Liver Shunts: Liver shunt is a condition in which the liver does not get sufficient blood supply to purify it. As the name suggests, blood flow to the liver will be shunted. This condition can be cured through surgery.
Hyperlipidemia: Hyperlipidemia is common in dogs and can result from various disorders like obesity, cholestasis, endocrine disorders.
Urinary Stones: Some symptoms such as straining to urinate, blood in pee, foul-smelling pee, or frequent urination can indicate urinary stones in parti schnauzers. Even though small stones can pass on their own, it is vital to consult a veterinarian. Making changes to the diet may not eliminate the existing bladder stones, but the diet change can prevent the further formation of stones.
Entropion: The condition in which the eyelids are inward and rub against the eye causing eye irritation is entropion. The affected dog might need surgery to correct the eyelash.
Von Willebrand’s Disease: This is an inherited condition caused by the disorder in blood’s ability to clot. Symptoms include extreme bleeding after surgery or injury, bleeding gums, nosebleeds, or bleeding in the stomach or intestines. There is no proper cure for this disease, and a blood transfusion from a healthy dog is the only treatment available.
Parti Schnauzer Diet and Nutrition
Parti Schnauzer can eat homemade food or good-quality dog food. It is advisable to consult a vet before forming a diet plan to avoid missing any necessary nutrients. You can also give snacks and fruit treats to Parti Schnauzer. Treats can be helpful during training but be mindful of the quantity of food to avoid obesity.
Parti Schnauzer Living Condition
Parti Schnauzers can adapt to country living as well as living in cities. They can do well and enjoy a short playtime if there is a backyard. If you have small pets like ferrets, rabbits, cats, birds, which can be potential prey, it is better to avoid Parti Schnauzers.
