Miniature Schnauzer

-the breed originated in the late 1800's in Germany as a smaller version of the Standard Schnauzer that could live more easily as a house pet but still hunt vermin.

-you will find that the typical well-bred Miniature Schnauzer is relatively small in size but in no way toyish or delicate. When you pick him up you will discover he is sturdy, heavy, and muscular... a ruggedness combined with the elegance and beauty of a pure-bred. He makes an excellent companion because he is extremely obedient and quick to learn, is devoted, playful and affectionate. His alertness makes him an excellent guard dog. He is spunky and fearless but not aggressive so that he can run with other dogs. And, like other terriers, he will go to ground to attack vermin of all kinds. In the suburbs he should be fenced in or walked on a leash.

-he is as much at home in the city with a small amount of exercise as he is in the country where he appears tireless. And, he easily adapts to any change of condition or climate. His deepest need, however, is to live as a part of the family, going where they go, doing what they do. Sleeping on the bed, or in his own, beside his owner is his great joy. The Miniature Schnauzer does not shed, so he often can be enjoyed by persons who are allergic to other breeds of dogs. In return, the owner must keep him groomed to maintain his handsome appearance.

-the Miniature Schnauzer has a stocky build, wiry outer coat and fairly thick whiskers and leg furnishings.

-the Miniature, Standard, and Giant Schnauzers are distinct breeds though their conformation is very similar. The Standard Schnauzer was bred to keep the vermin population down on the farm, herd and guard the farm. The Giant Schnauzer was bred to do all those things plus pull carts and also has been used for police work. The Miniature, Standard, and Giant Schnauzers have similar but distinct personalities. There is no recognized breed named the Toy Schnauzer.

-the standard says it all: "The typical Miniature Schnauzer is alert and spirited, yet obedient to command. He is friendly, intelligent and willing to please. He should never be overaggressive or timid." The Miniature Schnauzer is generally sweet, loving and loyal. They often have a favorite person, even though they will love the whole family. They will bark when someone comes to the door. Properly trained, though, they will stop when the owner indicates that the person at the door is welcome and not a threat. Schnauzers are generally intelligent and learn quickly. Many have excelled in formal obedience trials. They are seen more and more in agility competitions also. Though the breed was not originally bred to 'go-to-ground' for prey, he will gladly chase rodents wherever they go, including under ground. Miniature Schnauzers are eligible to participate in Earthdog Trials and some excel at them.

-Schnauzers shed very little. They tend to cause fewer and less severe reactions in people allergic to dogs than breeds that shed more. Of course, anyone allergic to dogs should spend time around the breed before buying a Schnauzer because individual reactions vary widely.

-Miniature Schnauzers should be groomed every five to eight weeks to look their best. This is something most people choose to let a professional do, but some choose to learn to do it themselves. The equipment needed - clippers and scissors - will pay for itself after just a few groomings. They do need to have at least a weekly brushing out of the beard and leg furnishings and may be bathed as often as weekly. Most people choose to machine clipper pets as this is the most convenient way to keep them looking sharp. The breed is double coated with a wiry top coat so for the show ring, the dog needs to be hand stripped or plucked.

-the US breed standard recognizes 3 colors: Salt & Pepper, Solid Black, and Black & Silver. No other colors are allowed under the breed standard. Whites and parti-colors are specifically disqualified. Salt & Pepper and Black & silver are bicolor patterns. In the Salt & Pepper, the eyebrows, beard and legs will be light gray or silver white. When stripped for the show ring, the body hair is banded in various shades of black, white, gray and tan. Black & Silvers follow essentially the same pattern as the Salt & Peppers except the top coat and undercoat color are solid black. The beard and legs tend to be more silver than white and the dark hair may extend farther down the legs. Solid Blacks are entirely black with a black undercoat, except they may have a small white patch on the chest. When the Salt & Peppers are machine clipped, the characteristic banded hairs disappear and they become a solid shade of gray, which can vary from a very light gray to dark slate gray. Some people will refer to dogs who have a very light gray undercoat as 'Silver', but they are 'officially' Salt & Pepper. As they age, many solid Blacks and Black & Silvers fade from black to gray. Salt & Peppers will often fade to lighter shades of gray.

-the Breed Standard calls for the height at the withers or shoulder blades to be at least 12" and no more than 14". It does not specify any particular weight for the breed. That will depend on size and bone structure but a dog measuring 12" to 14" will be 11 to 20 lbs. Some breeders are producing Miniature Schnauzers that are under 10" tall. This is a disqualification according to the breed standard.

Salt-and-pepper includes all shades, from light to very dark. The standard states no preference, nor does it penalize the tan shading that can appear with this colour. The important factor is the distinct bands of colour found on the wire hairs. These may be any combination of black, grey, white or tan. (Clippering removes the wire coat and with it, the colour bands. The dog will eventually become the solid colour of its undercoat, but whether almost white or black, it is still a salt-and-pepper).

The black-and-silver grows solid black wire on the body. Dogs of good colour will also carry a black overlay into the leg furnishings and masking on the face. A black undercoat is essential.

Likewise with solid blacks. This colour presents the most difficulty for the exhibitor, as the colour intensity of the wire jacket is usually superior to that of the clippered areas and leg furnishings, which are scissored. It is by no means certain that a black coat will also have a black undercoat to go with it! A black coat with a light grey undercoat (thus light grey legs!) really presents a challenge to the groomer.

Black-and-silver is recessive to the other colours. To be of this colour, a puppy must receive the gene from each parent. When black-and-silver parents are mated together, the result is 100 percent black-and-silver offspring.

Salt-and-pepper is dominant to black-and-silver. A salt-and-pepper may carry the gene for black-and-silver and produce the colour when mated to another carrier. There is a marker trait that often identifies theses carriers - a small white spot of white directly above the nose!

Black is dominant over the other colours. To be black, a puppy must have at least one black parent. A homozygous black will produce only black puppies, regardless of the colour of its mate.

Who determines breed standard?


I did further research as to who determines each breed standard, and here are my findings.

Typically, the breed standard is drawn up by a national parent club, ( The American Miniature Schnauzer Club), not the AKC. The AKC then has to acknowledge what the parent club decides as standard to the breed.

Incidently, it was the Germans who originally set the breed standard, and in europe, partis and toys aren't accepted either...

The parent club can at times, update the standard, but to this date, they only recognize the pepper & salt, black and silver, and solid black. All other colors, such as yellow, cream, or wheaten are not accepted. Parti colored dogs, with various colored patches are also not approved of according to the standard.

Also there is no such thing as a "toy" schnauzer. What we have here is runts bred to runts, until the desired weight and size are achieved. Downsize breeding is called bantamizing.

So if anyone tells you they sell parti or toy schnauzers, they are wrong, there is no such breed. The multi colors come from cross breeding other terrier breeds into the schnauzer bloodline, and they charge pedigree prices for lower quality dogs...don't be taken in....

The AKC can't say that is a breed or breed standard. Only the parent club can do that.

What the AKC can do is take your money for registration when it's not necessary if you are having your schnauzer as a pet, that is spayed/neutered....

The AKC keeps track of breeders, (which they don't check, nor have the time to), and bloodlines. So if you don't breed, or plan on showing your schnauzer, why give them your money?

These parti schnauzers are what is becoming the new fad of "Designer dogs."...mixed and of poor quality. Also bear in mind, the smaller of a dog you buy, (under 10 pounds), the more health problems you have in the future, as in breeding smaller, the so called breeders have bred out the good qualities needed to maintain a healthy dog.

Also, according to the German standard, the ideal size is between 20 - 25 pounds. Anything smaller does not fit the profile...