Breed Comparison: Chinook Versus Standard Schnauzer

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Chinook Versus Standard Schnauzer: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Chinook and the Standard Schnauzer? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Chinook and the Standard Schnauzer better suits you.

We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Chinook and the Standard Schnauzer.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Chinook and the Standard Schnauzer is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.

Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Chinook and for the Standard Schnauzer. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Chinook and the Standard Schnauzer.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Chinook or the Standard Schnauzer.

Chinook versus Standard Schnauzer: Overview

A very important difference between the Chinook and the Standard Schnauzer is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Chinook is a large-sized dog while the Standard Schnauzer is a medium-sized dog.

Furthermore, both the Chinook and the Standard Schnauzer are Working Dogs. This means both the Chinook and the Standard Schnauzer were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.

Chinook versus Standard Schnauzer: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Chinook to the Standard Schnauzer based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.

When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets

Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.

However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Chinook and the Standard Schnauzer

Factor Chinook Standard Schnauzer
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 2/5
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 2/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 13 to 16 years
Easy To Groom 2/5 2/5
Low Prey Drive 4/5 1/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 1/5
Height 21 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder 1 foot, 5 inches to 1 foot, 8 inches tall at the s
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 5/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 1/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 1/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 4/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 2/5
General Health 4/5 5/5
Easy To Train 4/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 5/5
Easygoing 1/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 1/5 5/5
Intelligence 5/5 5/5
Weight 55 to 70 pounds 30 to 50 pounds
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 14.5 years
Price Range No Data $1200 – $2150
Average Price No Data $1710
Temperament Score 77.8 percent 71.1 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Clear By Parentage
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM)
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination- minimum age 24 months, recommend every other year until age 7
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 177 90

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Chinook in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Standard Schnauzer. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.

    The Better-Pet score for the Chinook is 87 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Standard Schnauzer is 80 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Chinook is a better pet than the Standard Schnauzer. So, you should get the Chinook!

    Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

    Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the Chinook and the Standard Schnauzer so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Chinook and the Standard Schnauzer

    Below is a list of where the Chinook and the Standard Schnauzer are most different:

  • Chinooks have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets. However, Standard Schnauzers have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Chinooks do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them. However, Standard Schnauzers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Chinooks shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies. However, Standard Schnauzers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • The Similarities Between the Chinook and the Standard Schnauzer

    The Chinook and the Standard Schnauzer are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Chinook and the Standard Schnauzer are most similar:

  • Both the Chinook and the Standard Schnauzer are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Chinook and the Standard Schnauzer do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Chinook and the Standard Schnauzer do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Chinook and the Standard Schnauzer require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Both the Chinook and the Standard Schnauzer are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Chinook and the Standard Schnauzer adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Chinook and the Standard Schnauzer can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Chinook and the Standard Schnauzer are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Chinook and the Standard Schnauzer are very easy to train.
  • Both the Chinook and the Standard Schnauzer are very playful.
  • Both the Chinook and the Standard Schnauzer are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
  • Both the Chinook and the Standard Schnauzer can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Chinook and the Standard Schnauzer are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Chinook and the Standard Schnauzer get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Chinook and the Standard Schnauzer are highly intelligent.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Chinook versus Standard Schnauzer

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Chinook and the Standard Schnauzer.

    Chinooks weigh 55 to 70 pounds when fully grown. Chinooks are 21 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Standard Schnauzers weigh 30 to 50 pounds when fully grown. Standard Schnauzers are 1 foot, 5 inches to 1 foot, 8 inches tall at the s when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Chinook versus Standard Schnauzer

    The lifespan of Chinooks is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Chinooks is 13.5 years.

    The lifespan of Standard Schnauzers is between 13 to 16 years. The average lifespan of Standard Schnauzers is 14.5 years.

    Standard Schnauzers live longer than Chinooks.

    Temperament of the Standard Schnauzer Versus the Chinook

    The Chinook has a better temperament than the Standard Schnauzer.

    This is because the temperament score for the Chinook is 77.8 percent while the temperament score for the Standard Schnauzer is 71.1 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).

    The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.

    Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.

    The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.

    With its temperament score of 77.8 percent, the Chinook has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 71.1 percent, the Standard Schnauzer has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Chinook and the Standard Schnauzer by measuring the temperaments of 9 Chinooks and 76 Standard Schnauzers.

    The Popularity of Chinook versus Popularity of Standard Schnauzer

    Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).

    The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Chinook and the Standard Schnauzer over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Standard Schnauzer is more popular with dog owners than the Chinook. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Standard Schnauzer is 90 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Chinook is 177 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Chinook

    Popularity of Chinook

    Popularity of Standard Schnauzer

    Popularity of Standard Schnauzer

    Year Chinook Popularity Rank Standard Schnauzer Popularity Rank
    2013 156 90
    2014 171 90
    2015 177 91
    2016 175 85
    2017 179 90
    2018 190 89
    2019 184 97
    2020 186 92

    Health Problems of Chinook versus Health Problems of Standard Schnauzer

    Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.

    Both the Chinook and the Standard Schnauzer are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.

    The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.

    Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Standard Schnauzer is prone to more genetic health problems than the Chinook.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Standard Schnauzer than for the Chinook.

    3 health tests are recommended for Chinook while 6 tests are recommended for the Standard Schnauzer.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Chinooks and in Standard Schnauzers.

    Chinook Health Problems

    Chinooks are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Chinook puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Chinook puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Chinook breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Chinooks for:

  • Clear By Parentage
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Chinooks here.

    Standard Schnauzer Health Problems

    Standard Schnauzers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Standard Schnauzer puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Standard Schnauzer puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Standard Schnauzer breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Standard Schnauzers for:

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM)
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination- minimum age 24 months, recommend every other year until age 7
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Standard Schnauzers here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Chinooks and Standard Schnauzers

    Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Chinook Breed is Patella problems.

    This is because the Chinook ranks 5 out of 145 dog breeds for Patella problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 52 Chinooks, 5 of them had Patella problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Chinooks, and how common these diseases are in Chinooks relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Patella problems: Rank 5 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 63 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 82 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Standard Schnauzer Breed is Dilated Cardiomyopathy problems.

    This is because the Standard Schnauzer ranks 2 out of 3 dog breeds for Dilated Cardiomyopathy problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 1749 Standard Schnauzers, 8 of them had Dilated Cardiomyopathy problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Standard Schnauzers, and how common these diseases are in Standard Schnauzers relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Dilated Cardiomyopathy problems: Rank 2 out of 3 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 40 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 54 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 103 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 128 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in Chinook and in Standard Schnauzer and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Chinook and the Standard Schnauzer:

    Disease Chinook Rank Standard Schnauzer Rank
    Patella problems 5 out of 145 dog breeds Not Common
    Hips problems 63 out of 198 dog breeds 128 out of 198 dog breeds
    Eyes problems 82 out of 182 dog breeds 103 out of 182 dog breeds
    Dilated Cardiomyopathy problems Not Common 2 out of 3 dog breeds
    Thyroid problems Not Common 40 out of 115 dog breeds
    Elbow problems Not Common 54 out of 144 dog breeds

    *To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.

    Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Chinook versus Standard Schnauzer

    Chinooks do not like to be left alone.

    Standard Schnauzers do not like to be left alone.

    Do Chinooks shed more than Standard Schnauzers?

    Chinooks shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Standard Schnauzers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Chinook or the Standard Schnauzer

    Chinooks do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Standard Schnauzers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Chinook or the Standard Schnauzer?

    Chinooks require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Standard Schnauzers require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Does the Chinook Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Standard Schnauzer?

    Chinooks have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.

    Standard Schnauzers have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Do Chinooks Bark and Howl? What about Standard Schnauzers?

    Chinooks are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Standard Schnauzers are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Can Chinooks Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Standard Schnauzers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Chinooks can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Standard Schnauzers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Chinook vs. Standard Schnauzer

    Chinooks do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    Standard Schnauzers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Chinooks Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Standard Schnauzers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Chinooks can tolerate hot weather.

    Standard Schnauzers can tolerate hot weather.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Chinook or the Standard Schnauzer?

    Chinooks get along very well with other dogs.

    Standard Schnauzers get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Are Chinooks good family dogs? What about Standard Schnauzers?

    Chinooks are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Standard Schnauzers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Chinooks and Standard Schnauzers?

    Chinooks get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Standard Schnauzers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Chinook Easier to Train than the Standard Schnauzer?

    Chinooks are very easy to train.

    Standard Schnauzers are fairly easy to train.

    Is the Chinook Better for Apartment Owners than the Standard Schnauzer?

    Chinooks adapt very well to apartment living.

    Standard Schnauzers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Chinook or the Standard Schnauzer?

    Chinooks are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Standard Schnauzers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Chinook

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Chinook that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Chinook:

  • Keeshond (76 percent match with Chinook). Here is our comparison of the Standard Schnauzer vs Keeshond.
  • King Shepherd (75 percent match with Chinook). Here is our comparison of the Standard Schnauzer vs King Shepherd.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Standard Schnauzer

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Standard Schnauzer that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Standard Schnauzer:

  • Polish Lowland Sheepdog (77 percent match with Standard Schnauzer). Here is our comparison of the Chinook vs Polish Lowland Sheepdog.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Chinook and how the Standard Schnauzer compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Chinook and of the Standard Schnauzer to other breeds:

    Chinook Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Chinook versus Akita     Chinook versus Alaskan Klee Kai     Chinook versus Rhodesian Ridgeback     Chinook versus Berger Picard     Chinook versus Dachshund     Chinook versus Westiepoo     Chinook versus Cairn Terrier     Chinook versus Japanese Spitz     Chinook versus Sealyham Terrier     Chinook versus Mountain Cur     Chinook versus Sealyham Terrier     Chinook versus Borzoi     Chinook versus Frenchton     Chinook versus Akita Chow     Chinook versus Lhasa Apso     Chinook versus Australian Shepherd     Chinook versus Shichon     Chinook versus Saluki     Chinook versus Xoloitzcuintli     Chinook versus Scottish Deerhound     Chinook versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon     Chinook versus Stabyhoun     Chinook versus Portuguese Pointer     Chinook versus Valley Bulldog     

    Standard Schnauzer Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Standard Schnauzer versus Silky Terrier     Standard Schnauzer versus Clumber Spaniel     Standard Schnauzer versus Havanese     Standard Schnauzer versus Cocker Spaniel     Standard Schnauzer versus King Shepherd     Standard Schnauzer versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog     Standard Schnauzer versus Lhasa Apso     Standard Schnauzer versus Japanese Spitz     Standard Schnauzer versus Canaan Dog     Standard Schnauzer versus American Foxhound     Standard Schnauzer versus Chorkie     Standard Schnauzer versus Lagotto Romagnolo     Standard Schnauzer versus Scottish Terrier     Standard Schnauzer versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier     Standard Schnauzer versus West Highland White Terrier     Standard Schnauzer versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon     Standard Schnauzer versus Bolognese     Standard Schnauzer versus Kuvasz     Standard Schnauzer versus Chinook     Standard Schnauzer versus Carolina Dog     Standard Schnauzer versus English Toy Spaniel     Standard Schnauzer versus Labrador Retriever     Standard Schnauzer versus Catahoula Leopard Dog     Standard Schnauzer versus Saint Bernard     Standard Schnauzer versus Pug     

    Conclusion: Chinook versus Standard Schnauzer. Which One is a Better Pet?

    In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Chinook and the Standard Schnauzer better suits you and your family.