COLOUR: The recognized colours are salt and pepper, black and silver, and
solid black. The typical colour is salt and pepper in shades of
grey; tan shading is permissible. The salt and pepper mixture
fades out to light grey or silver white in the eyebrows, whiskers
cheeks, under throat, across chest, under tail, leg furnishings,
under body, and inside legs. The light underbody hair is not to
rise higher on the sides of the body than the front elbows. The
black and silvers follow the same pattern as the salt and peppers.
The entire salt and pepper section must be black. Black is the
only solid colour allowed. It must be a true black with no grey
hairs and no brown tinge except where the whiskers may have become discoloured. A small
white spot on the chest is permitted, not to
exceed one inch in diameter.
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 top skull is flat and fairly long. The fore face is parallel
to the top skull, with a slight stop, and it is at least as long as
the top skull. 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.
Teeth: 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.
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 or
excessively small.
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
perpendicular at the inner edges, with as little bell as possible
along the outer edges. When uncropped, the areas are small and v-
shaped, folding close to the skull.
NECK: Strong and well arched, blending into the shoulders, and
with the skin fitting tightly at the throat.
FOREQUARTERS: The forequarters have flat, somewhat sloping shoulders and high
withers. 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 to allow space for the elbows to move close to the body.
Faults: Loose elbows.
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 top line is straight; it declines slightly from
the withers to the base of the tail. The over-all length from the
chest to stern bone appears to equal the height at the withers.
Faults: Chest too broad or shallow in brisket. Sway or roach
back.
HINDQUARTERS: The hindquarters have strong-muscled, slanting thighs; they are
well bent at the stifles and straight from hock to so-called heel.
There is sufficient angulation so that, in stance, the hocks extend
beyond the tail. The hindquarters never appear overbuilt or higher
than the shoulders. Feet short and round (cat feet) with thick,
black pads. The toes are arched and compact.
Faults: Bowed or cow-hocked hindquarters.
TAIL: Set high and carried erect. It is docked only long enough to be
clearly visible over the top line of the body when the dog is in
proper length of coat.
Faults: Tail-set low.
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 front and at the hip joint in
the rear. Viewed from the font 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,
of 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: Side gaiting, Paddling in front, or high hackney knee
action. Weak rear action.
SUMMARY OF FAULTS: Toyishness, raciness, or coarseness. Shyness
or viciousness. Coat too soft or too smooth and slick in
appearance. Head coarse and cheeky. Undershot or overshot jaw.
Level bite. Eyes light and/or large and prominent in appearance or
excessively small. Loose elbows. Chest too broad or shallow in
brisket. Sway or roach back. Bowed or cow-hocked hindquarters.
Tail-set low. Side gaiting, Paddling in front, or high hackney
knee action. Weak rear action.
DISQUALIFICATIONS:
Dogs or bitches under 12 inches. (30 cm) or over 14 inches (36 cm).
Colour solid white or white patches on the body.
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Updated January 2021 - All rights reserved
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