Page 32 - ShowSight Presents The Miniature Schnauzer
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as is an occasional single white hair elsewhere on the body. Disqualifications—Dogs not of an allowed color 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 connect- ing blaze or white mark in this section is considered a white patch on the body, which is also a disqualification. Nose any color other than solid black.
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 Minia- ture Schnauzer that has correct movement. It does not jus- tify 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, side gaiting, paddling in front or hackney action. Weak rear action.
Temperament: The typical Miniature Schnauzer is alert and spirited, yet obedient to command. He is friendly, intel- ligent and willing to please. He should never be overaggres- sive or timid.
Disqualifications: Dogs or bitches under 12 inches or over 14 inches. Dogs not of an allowed color or white strip- ing, 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 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. Nose any color other than solid black.
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fairly long’, muzzle ‘at least as long as the top skull’, with clean flat cheeks, high set cropped ears or small and fold- ed if uncropped, scissors bite only. Neck well arched and blending into topline. Built right, he’ll have the good reach and strong drive of a square-built dog in profile, parallel tracking, true coming and going.
SIZE
Size is critical to maintain one of our differences from our larger cousin, the Standard Schnauzer. Miniature Schnau- zers must be disqualified from conformation competition if under 12" or over 14" at the withers, regardless of age or sex. Please measure if you question size—this is important.
COAT
Miniature Schnauzers in the conformation ring must have a coat that has been stripped or rolled to achieve the required hard, wiry texture of the outer coat, with a close undercoat. We don’t stipulate a length; it just needs to be sufficient to determine the characteristic hard wiry texture.
The conformation dogs will be groomed to the nines for their elegant ‘Tuxedo’ look in the show ring; our compan- ion event dogs, retired conformation dogs and our pets are usually clippered, but they will maintain their distinctive look by using the same pattern as for the show ring.
COLOR
We have three allowed colors: Salt and Pepper, Black and Silver and solid Black, judged without preference among the three colors, black nose required. Salt and Pep- per refers to a mixture of black and white banded hairs and solid black and solid white unbanded hairs, with band- ed hairs predominating. All shades of salt & pepper from light to dark mixtures are permissible, undercoat color may vary. The black of a Black and Silver will be a true rich black and basically will follow the same pattern as the Salt and Pepper. Black, a rich glossy black with a softer black undercoat, is the only solid color allowed. A small white spot on the chest of a Black or a random single white hair elsewhere on the body is permitted.
Judges must disqualify from conformation competition any Miniature Schnauzer not of an allowed color, or with white striping, patching or spotting on the colored areas of the dog, except for a small white spot permitted on the chest of the Black.
SHAPE
Square body, robust.
SIZE
Size is 12"–14".
COAT & COLOR
Hard and wiry. Three approved colors. Black nose.
TEMPERAMENT
Add an alert and intelligent temperament, an affection- ate personality full of life, he’s super smart and fun, some- times a little stubborn, mostly willing to please. From the beginning to the present day, our Miniature Schnauzers are the best!
