All About Schnauzers

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Basic Information on the Miniature Schnauzer

Miniature Schnauzers, reportedly a cross between the Standard Schnauzer and the Affenpincher, were originally bred to catch vermin. They are robust, alert, happy dogs, and make excellent companions because they are playful, affectionate and intelligent. They do not shed and generally cause fewer symptoms in people allergic to dogs than do most other breeds.

There are three accepted colors for Mini Schnauzers: 1) salt & pepper (any combination of black and white banded hairs and solid black and white unbanded hairs, with the banded hairs predominating; all mixtures from light to dark with tan shadings are permissible), 2) black & silver, and 3) solid black. White Mini Schnauzers cannot be shown in AKC conformation shows or in Canadian Kennel Club conformation shows. (See more on whites below) Mini Schnauzers are double-coated. They have a wiry outer coat and a fine undercoat. (The two coats tend to blend when the animals are clipped.)

The breed must be between 12" and 14" tall, measured at the shoulder, to be shown in the U.S. and Canada. Miniature Schnauzers should be sturdily built, nearly square in proportion of body length to height, with plenty of bone and without any suggestion of toyishness.

There are only 3 sizes of Schnauzers, Miniature, Standard and Giant.

We are only discussing the Miniature.

There is no such thing as a Toy, Midsize, Teacup or any other adjective describing the name Miniature Schnauzer except “Miniature.”

Breeding to obtain any other size is unacceptable to responsible persons who breed by the standard written by the American Miniature Schnauzer Club.

There are many breeders who advertise “AKC” registered Miniature Schnauzers in various colors such as White, Tan, Rust, Phantom, Party, Chocolate and Speckled. It is debatable that these dogs are pure Miniature Schnauzers, although their breeders will try their hardest to convince you they are. As it is stated in the following article concerning white Miniature Schnauzers, The validity of the AKC registration depends on the integrity of the person doing the registering.

If you are researching finding a reputable breeder and see any of the above-mentioned traits on Schnauzer web sites you must consider the persons to be uninformed and therefore not responsible.

White Schnauzers

Why are whites so bad?

By Marcia Feld
(Used with permission)

"First please understand that any AKC registration means only that the parents of the dog were also registered with AKC and the validity of that registration depends on the integrity of the persons doing the registering. For instance, a woman in the hospital with a new baby can name any male as the father of that infant. The integrity of the birth certificate depends on her, not the registry. Any dog may be registered with the AKC as long as both of its parents were also AKC registered. This registration says nothing about the quality of the dog.

You ask a legitimate question, why are whites so bad? There is a written definition of what each breed shall be. That definition dates back to the origin of the breed and is on paper for anyone interested to read. The definition is what makes the Great Dane a Great Dane, a Poodle a Poodle, a Dalmatian a Dalmatian, etc. Etc. Etc. It is not up to each of us to decide that we would like to change each of these breeds because we "like it" or "find it appealing." Adhering to these definitions is what retains the individuality of the breed. Breeding to the definition is the challenge for the breeder. A brown Dalmatian might be cute - but he is no longer a Dalmatian. A tiny Great Dane would be more easily kept - but he is no longer a Great Dane, and a hard-coated Poodle would be easier to groom, but he wouldn't be a poodle. In the same light, a White Schnauzer is no longer a Schnauzer; he is disqualified because he does not meet the definition of that breed.

The little white Schnauzer is not "bad"; he is simply not a good specimen of the breed. I would suggest that the person who likes a small white terrier seriously consider the purchase of a Westie. By the way, the Westie wouldn't be a Westie if he were any other color than white."

Sources of Reliable Information Regarding Miniature Schnauzers

Books:

The New Miniature Schnauzer, 2nd Edition
by Dan Kiedrowski P.O. Drawer A LaHonda, CA 94020

The Book of the Miniature Schnauzer by Anna Katherine Nicholas TFH Publications, Inc 211 West Sylvania Avenue Neptune, NJ 07753

Booklet

You and Your Miniature Schnauzer by Dan Kiedrowski
(see address above)

Magazine

Schnauzer Shorts
Published by Dan Kiedrowski
(see address above)

Videotape

AKC Miniature Schnauzer Videocassette

American Kennel Club 5580 Centerview Drive Raleigh, NC 27690
or online at http://www.akc.org

American Miniature Schnauzer Club publications
Amy Gordon P.O. Box 17493, West Palm Beach, FL 33416
e-mail: aragonms@worldnet.att.net

AMSC Publication: http://amsc.us/pubs.html