Page 33 - ShowSight Presents The Miniature Schnauzer

JUDGING THE
MINIATURE SCHNAUZER M by WYOMA CLOUSS, AMSC Judges Education
iniature Schnauzers neither overdone. They should have unbanded hairs, with banded hairs pre- were developed in a short deep body, well sprung ribs dominating. All shades of salt & pepper the late 1800s from a (neither slab-sided nor barrel-chested), from light to dark mixtures are permis- background of German straight slightly sloping backline, flat sible, undercoat color may vary. The
farm dogs known as Pinschers. These croup, high tailset. A square outline black of a Black and Silver will be a true
breeds became Affenpinscher, Minia- ture Pinscher and Standard Schnauzer. Schnauzers were imported into the US and shown in AKC shows in the 1920s, but the AKC Miniature Schnauzer breed standard was approved in 1934, mark- ing the official separation from the Stan- dard Schnauzer. Yes, we’re related and we resemble one another, but read the breed standards carefully. The Minia- ture is not just a small Standard!
The Miniature Schnauzer has never forgotten his roots as a companion that would keep the household pantry and barnyard free from vermin. Ears were cropped, tails docked to protect them from injury while killing rats and mice; Trademark eyebrows and beard served to protect the face, furnishings the legs. With modest updates to clarify our breed standard, our breed carries on its history of being a watchdog, a perfect house-size ratter and a fantastic family companion.
The Miniature Schnauzers remain amazingly versatile dogs, belonging to the “Can Do (Almost) Anything” club, successful in Conformation, Obedi- ence, Agility, Earthdog, Therapy dog and even Coursing Ability titles. Great problem solvers that they are, if allowed to watch Earthdog trials ahead of time, they may just head for the caged rat at the finish line, skipping the tunnels altogether! They love Flyball, and now Barnhunt is the perfect event to show off what Miniature Schnauzers were bred to do.
When judging a Miniature Schnauzer in the conformation ring, look for out- line, balance and proportion, with hall- marks of Shape, Size, Coat, and Color.
Shape: Our breed standard calls for a square outline, chest to buttock appears equal to height at withers. Min Schnauzers should be robust and active, sturdily built (well conditioned mus- cle, not fat), front balanced with rear,
with substance. The standard describes an erect docked tail of a proper length, including the expansion which reads “A properly presented Miniature Schnau- zer will have a docked tail as described; all others should be severely penalized.” No long tails rewarded in an AKC ring. The head should be strong and rect- angular, ‘topskull flat and fairly long’, muzzle ‘at least as long as the topskull’, with clean flat cheeks, high set cropped ears or small and folded 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 cous- in, the Standard Schnauzer. Miniature Schnauzers must be disqualified from conformation competition if under 12" or over 14" at the withers, regardless of age or sex. Please measure if you ques- tion 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 charac- teristic hard wiry texture.
The conformation dogs will be groomed to the nines for their elegant ‘Tuxedo’ look in the show ring; our companion event dogs, retired confor- mation dogs and our pets are usually clippered, but they will maintain their distinctive look by using the same pat- tern as for the show ring.
Color: We have three allowed col- ors: Salt and Pepper, Black and Silver and solid Black, judged without pref- erence among the three colors, black nose required. Salt and Pepper refers to a mixture of black and white banded hairs and solid black and solid white
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 con- formation competition any Miniature Schnauzer not of an allowed color, or with white striping, patching or spot- ting 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: 12"–14". Coat: Hard, Wiry. Color: 3 approved colors. Black nose.
Add an alert and intelligent tempera- ment, an affectionate personality full of life, he’s super smart and fun, some- times a little stubborn, mostly willing to please. From the beginning to the pres- ent day, our Miniature Schnauzers are the best!
We hope you’ll join us at the Mini- palooza, March 30–April 3, 2016 at Purina Farms in Missouri, for our 2016 National, including conformation, obedi- ence, agility and barn hunt! We will offer judges education, with hands-on and ringside mentoring. We will also have Specialties with Great Western in June and Montgomery County in October.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Owen & Wyoma Clouss bought their first Miniature Schnauzer in 1974. After using a professional handler for their first dogs, they enjoyed showing their dogs themselves. Currently AMSC President and member of AMSC Judg- es Education, Wyoma is approved to judge the Terrier Group, four Working breeds and is provisional for the bal- ance of the Toy Group. She has judged five AMSC Nationals and has enjoyed assignments in China, Taiwan, Fin- land, Australia and Mexico.
254 • SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, AUGUST 2015