Wowzers, look at all these Schnauzers

But there’s a group in Brighton which definitely disagrees with the verdict on the ITV programme Britain’s Favourite Dogs.

Schnauzer Wowzer is a group of more than 400 dog-owners from across Sussex who meet up once a month to walk and talk about their furry friends.

Founder Debbie Crush, from Fiveways in Brighton, said: “This has escalated far beyond what I expected, I thought it would just be 20 people but it’s gone bananas.

“We have had people trying to join the group from America, Vietnam and Australia.”

Debbie has two miniature schnauzers of her own, four-and-a-half-year-old Daisy Belle and Jambo, two.

She said: “I started Schnauzer Wowzer about three and a half years ago.

“At the time I had friends who owned dachshunds, westies and pugs and they used to meet in Preston Park.

“When Daisy Belle came along I was looking for a schnauzer meet-up group but couldn’t find one.

“Friends urged me to start one but I had never done anything like this before. I waited for someone else to start one but nothing happened, so I did it myself.”

Debbie said the popularity of schnauzers has grown enormously in the past few years. She said: “At the time there were not many schnauzers around. They’re definitely more popular in Brighton than they were.”

Debbie also revealed why she thought the breed deserved the top spot.

She said: “We know that schnauzers are the number one really.

“I just think they are lovely dogs, they have great personalities and their faces are full of character.”

The group used to meet at Preston Park, which hosts several other dog groups.

Debbie said: “One time there were pugs by the cafe, dachshunds by the gardens and schnauzers as well.”

Schnauzer Wowzer has now switched to nearby Stanmer Park, meeting on the second Sunday of every month for owners to walk together.

Schnauzers are so called after their distinctive whiskers.

The name comes from the German word for snout, schnauze, which is also a slang term for moustache.