The Miniature Schnauzer arrived in America in 1924. When four dogs, the champion Amsel v.d. Cyriaksburg, her two puppy daughters, and a male "Mack v.d. Goldbachhohe" were sent by Rudolph Krappatsch to Marie Slattery at a small railway station near Boston in a wicker basket. You can imagine the sensation caused among the "Proper" Bostonians because of the dogs' bearded, bewhiskered "schnauzers" and snapping dark eyes, peering at their new home from within the basket. Unfortunately, the male died two years later, and another was sent from Germany, "Cuno v.Burgstadt". It is safe to say that there is NO American Champion today that is not descending from them thousands of times over. Cuno sired 14 champions, a record that only stood a few years before broken by his great-grandson Ch. T.M.G. of Marienhof. Although Cuno gained his American Title, his record as a show dog was undistinguished. He was described as a dark salt/pepper with cream markings. Before his true value was realized, he was killed in a dog fight with a setter. Shortly after that in 1930 Leda Martin imported the breeds' next significant sire, "Flieger Heinzelmannchen", another from Germany, described as small gray sale / pepper which was highly desired when the majority of dogs were cinnamon, black / tan or black/silver or a rather unpleasant combination of all three. He also was very short backed which at the time was not a common attribute. Like Mach and Cuno, Flieger's short life span allowed a limited return. He left only 8 litters, from which came 5 champions.
Amsel was the first Miniature to be shown in America, but the breed, as yet, was not recognized here. At the first Boston show she attended, the judge, so the story goes, tested for temperament - by using his cane!! -- and Amsel broke her leash. Despite this show of "temperament", she managed to win third prize.
After the breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1926. The first specialty show was held in 1927 and 27 dogs were shown. One of the early champions was named "Moses Taylor". He was named after an old man who loved dogs and tended the stables on the farm where the Miniature was born. (Amsel v.d. Cyriaksburg was know here as "Old Betty", rather than by her more formal name).
As in Germany, a combined Schnauzer club sponsored all the Schnauzer types for a while, but in 1933 a separate Miniature Schnauzer Club was founded, headed by Mrs. Isaac W. Jeanes. One of Mrs. Jeane's dogs, Ch. Urian Thuringia, imported from Germany, was twice winner at Westminster.
We must note that Breeds of dogs didn't just "grow", dog owners liked certain types of dogs for certain reasons and because of this, purebreds were encouraged. In this way they could be assured of traits and appearance. Although the first "terriers" were used as "ratters", the moden Schnauzer spends most of his time as a guardian of home and companion to his family, while sniffing out the ocassional mouse...... |
