Page 24 - ShowSight Presents The Miniature Schnauzer

executed in 1492. In a tapestry made around 1501, a representation of the Schnauzer appears.
The Schnauzer (the breed with a beard on the muzzle, the German word for muzzle being schnauze) was used extensively in Germany as a drover’s dog, used to pull carts with produce from the farms to the towns and guard them while there. He per- formed all the duties of a farm dog. He was also used extensively as a rat catcher. The Miniature is an especially good ratter!
Miniatures have been bred in the United States since 1925 and the Ameri- can Miniature Schnauzer Club was formed in August 1933. The AKC offi- cially recognized the Miniature Schnau- zer in 1926.
Why is this breed so incredibly popular? 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 overaggres- sive or timid.” They are hardy, sweet, smart, loving and loyal. Their alertness and sometimes vocal nature makes them an excellent watchdog. They are as much at home in the city with a mod- erate amount of exercise as they are in the country where they appear tireless. They need to live as part of the family, going where they go. They do not shed, so people who are allergic to other breeds can often enjoy them.
The AKC Miniature Schnauzer breed standard recognizes three col- ors: salt and pepper, solid black and black and silver. Salt and pepper and black and silver are bi-color patterns. No other colors are allowed under the
breed standard. White color, parti- color, liver and merle are specifically disqualified.
In the salt and pepper, the eyebrows, beard and legs will be light gray or sil- ver white. When stripped for the show ring, the body hair is banded in various shades of black, white and gray. The hairs of the harsh topcoat are banded, alternating black and white and then back to black again. Salt and peppers come in various shades of gray—from almost silver-white to almost black.
Black and silvers follow essentially the same pattern as the salt and pep- pers, except the body coat color is solid black. The beard and legs tend to be silver or 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.
The Miniature Schnauzer is a dou- ble-coated breed that has a wiry topcoat and a soft undercoat. The topcoat is maintained by hand stripping or rolling the coat and is required for the show ring. The pet trim calls for the same out- line, but it is maintained using clippers.
Because of their intelligence and willingness to please, many of them excel in competitive Obedience, Agility, Fly Ball, Barn Hunt, Tracking, Earthdog and Fast Cat.
While the Miniature Schnauzer is generally a healthy breed, dedicat- ed breeders work to avoid potential health issues by using health histories, health screenings or even genetic test- ing. Some of the health issues include cataracts, hyperlipidemia, pancreatitis, portosystemic shunts and urolithiasis (“stones” in the urinary tract).
266 • SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, JULY 2017