(AKC Terrier Group)
Known for his distinguished, handsome appearance, the Miniature
Schnauzer is characterized by its whiskers and double coat, which has a
hard, wiry outer coat and close, soft undercoat. Coat colors can be
salt and pepper, black and silver and solid black. Despite his small
stature, the Miniature Schnauzer can give an alarm just as well as a
larger dog. That, combined with his naturally protective nature, makes
him an excellent watchdog. He is also the most popular of the three
Schnauzer breeds, which include the Giant and the Standard.
The Miniature Schnauzer is one of the first breeds the wife and I, considered after finding out that our youngest son, was found to be allergic to dog dander. I dove deep into research about this breed finding out its "hypoallergenic" tendencies, breed standards and temperament, but after looking over multiple species in the terrier group, we decided the best fit for our son and family was a Yorkshire Terrier.
General Appearance
The Miniature Schnauzer is a robust, active dog of terrier type, resembling his larger cousin, the Standard Schnauzer, in general appearance, and of an alert, active disposition. Faults - Type - Toyishness, ranginess or coarseness.
Size, Proportion, Substance
Size - From 12 to 14 inches. He is sturdily built, nearly square in proportion of body length to height with plenty of bone, and without any suggestion of toyishness. Disqualifications - Dogs or bitches under 12 inches or over 14 inches.
Head
Eyes - Small, dark brown and deep-set. They are oval in appearance and keen in expression. Faults - Eyes light and/or large and prominent in appearance. Ears - When cropped, the ears are identical in shape and length, with pointed tips. They are in balance with the head and not exaggerated in length. They are set high on the skull and carried perpendicularly at the inner edges, with as little bell as possible along the outer edges. When uncropped, the ears are small and V-shaped, folding close to the skull.
Head strong and rectangular, its width diminishing slightly
from ears to eyes, and again to the tip of the nose. The forehead is unwrinkled.
The topskull is flat and fairly long. The foreface is parallel
to the topskull, with a slight stop, and it is at least as long as the topskull.
The muzzle is strong in proportion to the skull; it ends
in a moderately blunt manner, with thick whiskers which accentuate the rectangular
shape of the head. Faults - Head coarse and cheeky. The
teeth meet in a scissors bite. That is,
the upper front teeth overlap the lower front teeth in such a manner that
the inner surface of the upper incisors barely touches the outer surface
of the lower incisors when the mouth is closed. Faults -
Bite - Undershot or overshot jaw. Level bite.
Neck, Topline, Body
Neck - strong and well arched, blending into the shoulders, and with the skin fitting tightly at the throat. Body short and deep, with the brisket extending at least to the elbows. Ribs are well sprung and deep, extending well back to a short loin. The underbody does not present a tucked up appearance at the flank. The backline is straight; it declines slightly from the withers to the base of the tail. The withers form the highest point of the body. The overall length from chest to buttocks appears to equal the height at the withers. Faults - Chest too broad or shallow in brisket. Hollow or roach back.
Tail set high and carried erect. It is docked only long enough to be clearly visible over the backline of the body when the dog is in proper length of coat. Fault - Tail set too low.
Forequarters
Forelegs are straight and parallel when viewed from all sides. They have strong pasterns and good bone. They are separated by a fairly deep brisket which precludes a pinched front. The elbows are close, and the ribs spread gradually from the first rib so as to allow space for the elbows to move close to the body. Fault - Loose elbows.
The sloping shoulders are muscled, yet flat and clean. They are well laid back, so that from the side the tips of the shoulder blades are in a nearly vertical line above the elbow. The tips of the blades are placed closely together. They slope forward and downward at an angulation which permits the maximum forward extension of the forelegs without binding or effort. Both the shoulder blades and upper arms are long, permitting depth of chest at the brisket.
Feet short and round (cat feet) with thick, black pads. The toes are arched and compact.
Hindquarters
The hindquarters have strong-muscled, slanting thighs. They are well bent at the stifles. There is sufficient angulation so that, in stance, the hocks extend beyond the tail. The hindquarters never appear overbuilt or higher than the shoulders. The rear pasterns are short and, in stance, perpendicular to the ground and, when viewed from the rear, are parallel to each other. Faults - Sickle hocks, cow hocks, open hocks or bowed hindquarters.
Coat
Double, with hard, wiry, outer coat and close undercoat. The head, neck, ears, chest, tail, and body coat must be plucked. When in show condition, the body coat should be of sufficient length to determine texture. Close covering on neck, ears and skull. Furnishings are fairly thick but not silky. Faults - Coat too soft or too smooth and slick in appearance.
Color
The recognized colors are salt and pepper, black and silver and solid black. All colors have uniform skin pigmentation, i.e. no white or pink skin patches shall appear anywhere on the dog.
Salt and Pepper - The typical salt and pepper color of the
topcoat results from the combination of black and white banded hairs and
solid black and white unbanded hairs, with the banded hairs predominating.
Acceptable are all shades of salt and pepper, from light to dark mixtures
with tan shadings permissible in the banded or unbanded hair of the topcoat.
In salt and pepper dogs, the salt and pepper mixture fades out to light
gray or silver white in the eyebrows, whiskers, cheeks, under throat, inside
ears, across chest, under tail, leg furnishings, and inside hind legs. It
may or may not also fade out on the underbody. However, if so, the lighter
underbody hair is not to rise higher on the sides of the body than the front
elbows.
Black and Silver - The black and silver generally follows the same pattern as the salt and pepper. The entire salt and pepper section must be black. The black color in the topcoat of the black and silver is a true rich color with black undercoat. The stripped portion is free from any fading or brown tinge and the underbody should be dark.
Black - Black is the only solid color allowed. Ideally, the black color in the topcoat is a true rich glossy solid color with the undercoat being less intense, a soft matting shade of black. This is natural and should not be penalized in any way. The stripped portion is free from any fading or brown tinge. The scissored and clippered areas have lighter shades of black. A small white spot on the chest is permitted, as is an occasional single white hair elsewhere on the body. Disqualifications - Color solid white or white striping, patching, or spotting on the colored areas of the dog, except for the small white spot permitted on the chest of the black.
The body coat color in salt and pepper and black and silver dogs fades out to light gray or silver white under the throat and across the chest. Between them there exists a natural body coat color. Any irregular or connecting blaze or white mark in this section is considered a white patch on the body, which is also a disqualification.
Gait
The trot is the gait at which movement is judged. When approaching, the forelegs, with elbows close to the body, move straight forward, neither too close nor too far apart. Going away, the hind legs are straight and travel in the same planes as the forelegs.
Note - It is generally accepted that when a full trot is achieved, the rear legs continue to move in the same planes as the forelegs, but a very slight inward inclination will occur. It begins at the point of the shoulder in front and at the hip joint in the rear. Viewed from the front or rear, the legs are straight from these points to the pads. The degree of inward inclination is almost imperceptible in a Miniature Schnauzer that has correct movement. It does not justify moving close, toeing in, crossing, or moving out at the elbows.
Viewed from the side, the forelegs have good reach, while the hind legs have strong drive, with good pickup of hocks. The feet turn neither inward nor outward.
Faults - Single tracking, sidegaiting, paddling in front, or hackney action. Weak rear action.
Disqualifications
Dogs or bitches under 12 inches or over 14 inches.
Color solid white or white striping, patching, or spotting on the colored areas of the dog, except for the small white spot permitted on the chest of the black. The body coat color in salt and pepper and black and silver dogs fades out to light gray or silver white under the throat and across the chest. Between them there exists a natural body coat color. Any irregular or connecting blaze or white mark in this section is considered a white patch on the body, which is also a disqualification.
Approved January 15, 1991
Effective February 27, 1991
While generally a healthy breed, Miniature Schnauzers may suffer
health problems associated with high fat levels. Such problems include hyperlipidemia, which may increase the possibility of pancreatitis, though either may form independently. Other issues which may affect this breed are diabetes, bladder stones and eye problems. Feeding the dog low- or non-fatty and unsweetened foods may help avoid these problems. Miniature Schnauzers are also prone to comedone syndrome, a condition that produces pus filled bumps, usually on their backs, which can be treated with a variety of protocols. Miniature Schnauzers should have their ears dried after swimming due to
a risk of infection, especially those with uncropped ears; ear
examinations should be part of the regular annual check up.
The other two common diseases observed in Miniature Schnauzers are hip dysplasia and von Willebrand disease in dogs is an inherited bleeding disorder that occurs due to qualitative or quantitative deficiency of von Willebrand factor, a multimeric protein that is required for platelet adhesion.
The Miniature Schnauzer has the typical terrier temperament: relentless,
energetic, brave, alert, curious, scrappy, bossy, and feisty. He's also
friendly and willing to please you. Even though he's small in size he's
very sturdy and tough. He's quick to argue with other dogs and won't
back down from a confrontation (even if the other dog is much bigger and
meaner than him!). He's highly intelligent and quick to learn, one of
the easiest breeds to train. He loves it when you play with him. His
chasing instinct is very strong so he will chase any small creature that
catches his eye. He won't put up with abuse from disrespectful children
and might snap at them if they tease him. But he's good with respectful
children. He gives lots of love to his family and is very affectionate.
He wants to participate in all family activities! He will follow you
wherever you go and do whatever you do. He loves to sleep with you on
your bed. He likes to dig in the yard. He's highly alert and quick to
bark at anything out of place, so he makes an excellent watch dog. He's
one of the top 20 most popular breeds in the United States. (See Training Tips)
The Schnauzer is of German origin, said to be recognizable in pictures of the 15th century. The Miniature Schnauzer is derived from the Standard Schnauzer and is said to have come from mixing of Affenpinschers and Poodles with small Standards. The Miniature Schnauzer was exhibited as a distinct breed as early as 1899.
Today's Miniature Schnauzer in the United States is an elegant dog of the Terrier Group. While the breed resembles other dogs in this group, almost all of which were bred in the British Isles to "go to ground" to attack vermin of all kinds, his origin and blood are quite different, giving the Miniature Schnauzer a naturally happy temperament.
The breed is characterized by its stocky build, wiry coat, and abundant whiskers and leg furnishings. A Miniature Schnauzer may be of several colors with salt-and-pepper (gray) being the most common, although blacks and black-and-silvers are now seen in increasing numbers. The salt-and-pepper color is the result of unique light and dark banding of each hair instead of mixing of light and dark hairs. The correct coat can be retained only by stripping and is lost when the coat is clipped. The breed has a soft undercoat which can range from black and dark gray, to very light gray, or beige. If the animal is clipped, in time only the undercoat will remain.
The breed is hardy, healthy, intelligent, and fond of children. It was developed as a small farm dog, used as a ratter. His size (12-14 inches at the withers) has permitted him to adapt easily to small city quarters. On the other hand, he is still at home in the country and can cover a substantial amount of ground without tiring. As a rule a Miniature Schnauzer is not a fighter, although he will stand up for himself if necessary.
The Miniature Schnauzer is now viewed primarily as a charming and attractive companion. He is seldom addicted to wandering. He is devoted to his home and family, and functions very well as a guard dog in that he can give an alarm as well as a larger dog. His good health, good temperament, and attractive appearance combine to fit him admirably for his role as family pet.
Miniature Schnauzers have been bred in the United States since 1925 and have gained steadily in popular favor. The American Miniature Schnauzer Club began its independent operation in August 1933.
Known for his distinguished, handsome appearance, the Miniature
Schnauzer is characterized by its whiskers and double coat, which has a
hard, wiry outer coat and close, soft undercoat. Coat colors can be
salt and pepper, black and silver and solid black. Despite his small
stature, the Miniature Schnauzer can give an alarm just as well as a
larger dog. That, combined with his naturally protective nature, makes
him an excellent watchdog. He is also the most popular of the three
Schnauzer breeds, which include the Giant and the Standard.The Miniature Schnauzer is one of the first breeds the wife and I, considered after finding out that our youngest son, was found to be allergic to dog dander. I dove deep into research about this breed finding out its "hypoallergenic" tendencies, breed standards and temperament, but after looking over multiple species in the terrier group, we decided the best fit for our son and family was a Yorkshire Terrier.
Miniature Schnauzer AKC Breed Standards
General Appearance
The Miniature Schnauzer is a robust, active dog of terrier type, resembling his larger cousin, the Standard Schnauzer, in general appearance, and of an alert, active disposition. Faults - Type - Toyishness, ranginess or coarseness.
Size, Proportion, Substance
Size - From 12 to 14 inches. He is sturdily built, nearly square in proportion of body length to height with plenty of bone, and without any suggestion of toyishness. Disqualifications - Dogs or bitches under 12 inches or over 14 inches.
Head
Eyes - Small, dark brown and deep-set. They are oval in appearance and keen in expression. Faults - Eyes light and/or large and prominent in appearance. Ears - When cropped, the ears are identical in shape and length, with pointed tips. They are in balance with the head and not exaggerated in length. They are set high on the skull and carried perpendicularly at the inner edges, with as little bell as possible along the outer edges. When uncropped, the ears are small and V-shaped, folding close to the skull.
Head strong and rectangular, its width diminishing slightly
from ears to eyes, and again to the tip of the nose. The forehead is unwrinkled.
The topskull is flat and fairly long. The foreface is parallel
to the topskull, with a slight stop, and it is at least as long as the topskull.
The muzzle is strong in proportion to the skull; it ends
in a moderately blunt manner, with thick whiskers which accentuate the rectangular
shape of the head. Faults - Head coarse and cheeky. The
teeth meet in a scissors bite. That is,
the upper front teeth overlap the lower front teeth in such a manner that
the inner surface of the upper incisors barely touches the outer surface
of the lower incisors when the mouth is closed. Faults -
Bite - Undershot or overshot jaw. Level bite.Neck, Topline, Body
Neck - strong and well arched, blending into the shoulders, and with the skin fitting tightly at the throat. Body short and deep, with the brisket extending at least to the elbows. Ribs are well sprung and deep, extending well back to a short loin. The underbody does not present a tucked up appearance at the flank. The backline is straight; it declines slightly from the withers to the base of the tail. The withers form the highest point of the body. The overall length from chest to buttocks appears to equal the height at the withers. Faults - Chest too broad or shallow in brisket. Hollow or roach back.
Tail set high and carried erect. It is docked only long enough to be clearly visible over the backline of the body when the dog is in proper length of coat. Fault - Tail set too low.
Forequarters
Forelegs are straight and parallel when viewed from all sides. They have strong pasterns and good bone. They are separated by a fairly deep brisket which precludes a pinched front. The elbows are close, and the ribs spread gradually from the first rib so as to allow space for the elbows to move close to the body. Fault - Loose elbows.
The sloping shoulders are muscled, yet flat and clean. They are well laid back, so that from the side the tips of the shoulder blades are in a nearly vertical line above the elbow. The tips of the blades are placed closely together. They slope forward and downward at an angulation which permits the maximum forward extension of the forelegs without binding or effort. Both the shoulder blades and upper arms are long, permitting depth of chest at the brisket.
Feet short and round (cat feet) with thick, black pads. The toes are arched and compact.
Hindquarters
The hindquarters have strong-muscled, slanting thighs. They are well bent at the stifles. There is sufficient angulation so that, in stance, the hocks extend beyond the tail. The hindquarters never appear overbuilt or higher than the shoulders. The rear pasterns are short and, in stance, perpendicular to the ground and, when viewed from the rear, are parallel to each other. Faults - Sickle hocks, cow hocks, open hocks or bowed hindquarters.
Coat
Double, with hard, wiry, outer coat and close undercoat. The head, neck, ears, chest, tail, and body coat must be plucked. When in show condition, the body coat should be of sufficient length to determine texture. Close covering on neck, ears and skull. Furnishings are fairly thick but not silky. Faults - Coat too soft or too smooth and slick in appearance.
Color
The recognized colors are salt and pepper, black and silver and solid black. All colors have uniform skin pigmentation, i.e. no white or pink skin patches shall appear anywhere on the dog.
Black and Silver - The black and silver generally follows the same pattern as the salt and pepper. The entire salt and pepper section must be black. The black color in the topcoat of the black and silver is a true rich color with black undercoat. The stripped portion is free from any fading or brown tinge and the underbody should be dark.
Black - Black is the only solid color allowed. Ideally, the black color in the topcoat is a true rich glossy solid color with the undercoat being less intense, a soft matting shade of black. This is natural and should not be penalized in any way. The stripped portion is free from any fading or brown tinge. The scissored and clippered areas have lighter shades of black. A small white spot on the chest is permitted, as is an occasional single white hair elsewhere on the body. Disqualifications - Color solid white or white striping, patching, or spotting on the colored areas of the dog, except for the small white spot permitted on the chest of the black.
The body coat color in salt and pepper and black and silver dogs fades out to light gray or silver white under the throat and across the chest. Between them there exists a natural body coat color. Any irregular or connecting blaze or white mark in this section is considered a white patch on the body, which is also a disqualification.
Gait
The trot is the gait at which movement is judged. When approaching, the forelegs, with elbows close to the body, move straight forward, neither too close nor too far apart. Going away, the hind legs are straight and travel in the same planes as the forelegs.
Note - It is generally accepted that when a full trot is achieved, the rear legs continue to move in the same planes as the forelegs, but a very slight inward inclination will occur. It begins at the point of the shoulder in front and at the hip joint in the rear. Viewed from the front or rear, the legs are straight from these points to the pads. The degree of inward inclination is almost imperceptible in a Miniature Schnauzer that has correct movement. It does not justify moving close, toeing in, crossing, or moving out at the elbows.
Viewed from the side, the forelegs have good reach, while the hind legs have strong drive, with good pickup of hocks. The feet turn neither inward nor outward.
Faults - Single tracking, sidegaiting, paddling in front, or hackney action. Weak rear action.
Disqualifications
Dogs or bitches under 12 inches or over 14 inches.
Color solid white or white striping, patching, or spotting on the colored areas of the dog, except for the small white spot permitted on the chest of the black. The body coat color in salt and pepper and black and silver dogs fades out to light gray or silver white under the throat and across the chest. Between them there exists a natural body coat color. Any irregular or connecting blaze or white mark in this section is considered a white patch on the body, which is also a disqualification.
Approved January 15, 1991
Effective February 27, 1991
Miniature Schnauzer Health Issues
 |
| Von Willebrand Disease |
The other two common diseases observed in Miniature Schnauzers are hip dysplasia and von Willebrand disease in dogs is an inherited bleeding disorder that occurs due to qualitative or quantitative deficiency of von Willebrand factor, a multimeric protein that is required for platelet adhesion.
Miniature Schnauzer Temperament
The Miniature Schnauzer has the typical terrier temperament: relentless,
energetic, brave, alert, curious, scrappy, bossy, and feisty. He's also
friendly and willing to please you. Even though he's small in size he's
very sturdy and tough. He's quick to argue with other dogs and won't
back down from a confrontation (even if the other dog is much bigger and
meaner than him!). He's highly intelligent and quick to learn, one of
the easiest breeds to train. He loves it when you play with him. His
chasing instinct is very strong so he will chase any small creature that
catches his eye. He won't put up with abuse from disrespectful children
and might snap at them if they tease him. But he's good with respectful
children. He gives lots of love to his family and is very affectionate.
He wants to participate in all family activities! He will follow you
wherever you go and do whatever you do. He loves to sleep with you on
your bed. He likes to dig in the yard. He's highly alert and quick to
bark at anything out of place, so he makes an excellent watch dog. He's
one of the top 20 most popular breeds in the United States. (See Training Tips) Did You Know?
- The Miniature Schnauzer is the most popular of the three Schnauzer breeds.
- Senators Bob and Elizabeth Dole, actress Mary Tyler Moore, actor Bill Cosby, and actor/martial artist Bruce Lee have all owned Miniature Schnauzers.
- The Miniature Schnauzer has a double coat that requires hand stripping for the show ring. Most pet owners prefer to clip the outer coat of their dogs to avoid the extensive grooming required to keep this breed in show condition.
- The Schnauzer is of German origin, said to be recognizable in pictures of the 15th century.
- The Miniature Schnauzer is derived from the Standard Schnauzer and is said to have come from mixing of Affenpinschers and Poodles with small Standard Schnauzers. The breed was exhibited as a distinct breed as early as 1899.
- The Miniature Schnauzer was originally bred to be a small farm dog, able to go to ground for all kinds of vermin.
Miniature Schnauzer History
The Schnauzer is of German origin, said to be recognizable in pictures of the 15th century. The Miniature Schnauzer is derived from the Standard Schnauzer and is said to have come from mixing of Affenpinschers and Poodles with small Standards. The Miniature Schnauzer was exhibited as a distinct breed as early as 1899.
Today's Miniature Schnauzer in the United States is an elegant dog of the Terrier Group. While the breed resembles other dogs in this group, almost all of which were bred in the British Isles to "go to ground" to attack vermin of all kinds, his origin and blood are quite different, giving the Miniature Schnauzer a naturally happy temperament.
The breed is characterized by its stocky build, wiry coat, and abundant whiskers and leg furnishings. A Miniature Schnauzer may be of several colors with salt-and-pepper (gray) being the most common, although blacks and black-and-silvers are now seen in increasing numbers. The salt-and-pepper color is the result of unique light and dark banding of each hair instead of mixing of light and dark hairs. The correct coat can be retained only by stripping and is lost when the coat is clipped. The breed has a soft undercoat which can range from black and dark gray, to very light gray, or beige. If the animal is clipped, in time only the undercoat will remain.
The breed is hardy, healthy, intelligent, and fond of children. It was developed as a small farm dog, used as a ratter. His size (12-14 inches at the withers) has permitted him to adapt easily to small city quarters. On the other hand, he is still at home in the country and can cover a substantial amount of ground without tiring. As a rule a Miniature Schnauzer is not a fighter, although he will stand up for himself if necessary.
The Miniature Schnauzer is now viewed primarily as a charming and attractive companion. He is seldom addicted to wandering. He is devoted to his home and family, and functions very well as a guard dog in that he can give an alarm as well as a larger dog. His good health, good temperament, and attractive appearance combine to fit him admirably for his role as family pet.
Miniature Schnauzers have been bred in the United States since 1925 and have gained steadily in popular favor. The American Miniature Schnauzer Club began its independent operation in August 1933.
Miniature Schnauzer Suggested Food Choices
Chicken & Brown Rice,
- ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Whole Ground Brown Rice, Whole Ground
Barley.
Our
Royal Canin® MINI Canine Health Nutrition™ Miniature Schnauzer 25 is a
wholesome food with vitamins and minerals recommended for adult
Miniature Schnauzers over 10 months of age. Miniature Schnauzer features
a patented complex of B vitamins, amino acids and chelated minerals
that can reinforce the skin barrier while essential fatty acids may
reduce skin inflammation. This ideal weight formula is lower in fat and
supplemented with L-Carnitine, which may help to reduce the amount of
fats in the bloodstream. In addition, we've specially formulated our
food to optimize the body's ability to manufacture melanin, the pigment
responsible for the coloration of skin and coat. Resealable bag keeps
food fresh and tasty.
Miniature Schnauzer Pics
Miniature Schnauzer
Parent Club: American Miniature Schnauzer Club
Breeder Referral: June Shanklin; CST (815) 464-1174
Breeder Directory: website
Regional Clubs: website
Mentors: website
Parent Club: American Miniature Schnauzer Club
Breeder Referral: June Shanklin; CST (815) 464-1174
Breeder Directory: website
Regional Clubs: website
Mentors: website
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