schnauzer
UK[ˈʃnaʊzə]US[ˈʃnaʊzər]
n
a breed of dog of german origin that has a wiry coat, a square build, and a distinctive beard and eyebrows.
Etymology
the word "schnauzer" entered english directly from german in the early 20th century, named for the breed's characteristic bearded snout. the german term "schnauze" (snout, muzzle) itself has origins in middle high german "snūze", which is likely onomatopoeic, imitating the sound of snorting or sniffing. this highlights how the breed's most prominent physical feature provided its name. the word's journey from a descriptive german term for a facial feature to the standardized name for a specific dog breed in english exemplifies the direct borrowing of animal nomenclature.
Analysis
this is a loanword from german. it is not productively segmented using english morphemes. the german word "schnauzer" is derived from "schnauze" meaning "snout" or "muzzle", referring to the dog's distinctive facial hair.
Examples
the miniature schnauzer is a popular and spirited companion dog.
his schnauzer's wiry coat requires regular grooming to stay tidy.
the breed standard calls for a schnauzer to have a harsh, wiry outer coat.