Schnauzers

Question
Wonderful! I wanted to inquire about schnauzers, and it seems I found a schnauzer expert! I can't believe how fortunate I am!

Okay, so I am serious right now. I want a standard schnauzer (You are an expert in miniature schnauzer, so I thought that maybe you could offer advice with the standard schnauzer). He totally fits my personality. I greatly appreciate the fact that he is energetic, lively, and loyal. I also think he is "just right" in size, and not too big or too small. I also think his "beard/moustache" is the cutest thing I've every seen. However, I want to know all about them before I decide to buy them from a local breeder.

Are schnauzers good as a first dog? I never owned a dog before. Please don't just say that the schnauzer is not a good dog for the first-time dog owner. Instead, please explain if it is possible at all to keep a schnauzer as a first dog, and wether it will be very difficult. Also, if the standard schnauzer is almost impossible as a first dog (I hope not), what other dog breeds do you recommend as a first dog?

What is the general temperament of the schnauzer? I understand that the "personality" of the dog is different in every dog, but at the least, what is the "general" temperament? Are schnauzers docile? Brave? Mean? Stubborn?

Are standard schnauzers suited for indoor life?

Do standard schnauzers bark a lot? What I mean is, an occasional bark won't hurt me, because I know that he is excited. However, I don't want him to bark nonstop every time the doorbell rings, sees another dog, sees a cat, or sees a stranger. Also, are his barks loud enough to wake up a neighbor?

Is the schnauzer easy to train? Is it obedient? Is it intelligent?

It doesn't make sense to me that I should "housebreak" my schnauzer. I don't find reason in making them hold their waste until I am at home. Is it possible to litter box train a standard schnauzer?

Do standard schnauzers bite their owners without a very good reason?

Do they consume a lot of food?

What is the standard price for a standard schnauzer?

I would very much appreciate it if you would answer these questions, for no person I contacted answered these questions for me to understand well. Please, I really want to know the answers to these questions. I'm desperate!  

Answer
Are schnauzers good as a first dog?***That depends on the person. They require firmness, consistency, and a fair amount of training.

What is the general temperament of the schnauzer?***Extremely intelligent, fun-loving, stubborn, protective, WORKING dog... these are not couch potatoes.

Are standard schnauzers suited for indoor life?***Yes, they MUST be with their people, and do not do well shut away from them. They are, however, an extremely active breed and require a fair amount of exercise.

Do standard schnauzers bark a lot?***Not as much as a miniature, but this is generally a training issue. Yes, they can wake a neighbor.

Is the schnauzer easy to train? Is it obedient? Is it intelligent?***Yes, they are extremely smart; obedient only if they have been trained; ease of training depends on the owner. I always say one has to be more intelligent than the dog in order to train it successfully... and, unfortunately, many schnauzers are smarter than their owners! LOL! I've spent forty years trying to stay two steps ahead of my minis, and I am usually one step behind<GGGG>

Is it possible to litter box train a standard schnauzer?***They don't make litter boxes that large. Do you *really* want a dog that large peeing and pooping in your house?

Do standard schnauzers bite their owners without a very good reason?***"Without good reason?" What do you plan on doing to it?! No, they should not bite their owner AT ALL if they have been properly trained... nor should they bite anyone else.

Do they consume a lot of food?***More than my mini! Actually, it all depends on what is fed. A dog on a high-quality premium food requires less than one on a poor-quality grocery store brand.

What is the standard price for a standard schnauzer?***That will vary depending on the area of the country. East and west coast dogs probably cost more. Price could be anywhere from $850-$1500. Cropped dogs will cost more than uncropped.