The Standard Schnauzer has been around since about the 14th century.  The breed was first depicted in paintings around that time period, the most recognized one being "Madonna With the Many Animals", painted in 1492 by Albrecht Durer (1471-1528). There have been several theories that refer to the origin of the breed but the one that seems to be most accepted is the one that relates them to being bred for the German tradesmen and farmers who traveled the country-side and sold their wares from a cart.  They were in need of a guard dog that was compact and of medium build that would not take up too much space.  They wanted the dog to be strong, protective and be a good companion.  They crossed a black German Poodle with the gray Wolfspitz and the Wire-Haired Pinscher.  It is stated that it took about 50 years of breeding to perfect and come up with the fixed breed. The Standard Schnauzers were used during WWI as guard dogs for the Red Cross and as dispatch carriers for the German Army.  The breed first came to the United States in 1905 and by 1925 the Standard Schnauzer Club of America was formed.