Page 41 - ShowSight Presents The Miniature Schnauzer

WHY DO
WE SHOW
OUR DOGS?
By Susi Atherton
As breeders we show our dogs because we are proud of what we have created. When we breed, we do so with great expectations after having spent many years study- ing and learning just what the breed should be according to our standard. It seems there are three different types of exhibitors who show the Miniature Schnauzers. Bearing in mind that dog shows were created for people to show their breed- ing stock and sharing information, let’s consider the different reasons we show our dogs today.
First, there are the serious breeders who truly care about the quality of what they are breeding and are willing to take the test of showing against top competition at a major show like Montgom- ery County. Second, there are those who have not been in the breed very many years that finish a handful of dogs in their own area and become “instant experts”. Lastly, there are those who just enjoy the social aspects of showing dogs. There is great pride in taking an exhibit to a national spe- cialty and letting others see what you have bred and seeing for yourself if, in fact, you are truly competitive. Another advantage of going to the big shows is being able to look at the dogs that you might consider for breeding, looking at what some of the stud dogs have produced that are being exhibited and sharing information with the other breeders and exhibitors. Winning at those types of shows is a wonderful reward for your dedication to the breed.
For people who are thinking about showing a Miniature Schnauzer, going to Montgomery County as an observer is paramount. It is a perfect opportunity to see the best Miniature Schnauzers in the world, to meet all the breeders and exhibi- tors and to learn what all is involved in showing a Miniature Schnauzer.
Colors
Allowed colors are salt & pepper, black & silver, solid black. DQ dogs not of an allowed color. The Salt & Pepper coat consists of a mixture of solid black, solid white and banded black/grey/silver white hairs, with the overall mixture varying from light to dark, tan shading permitted. Underbody furnishings may be light or dark. The Black & Silver coat is the same bi-color pattern, except solid black where the ‘pepper’ would be and with the difference that the underbody furnishings below the chest & ribcage should be dark. Watch for any white, even a narrow blaze, in colored area mid-forechest between the silvery white “bow tie” and lighter area of the throat—it’s a DQ. Black is the only solid color allowed, a small white spot on the chest is permitted.
Judge movement at the trot. Look for the good reach and drive extension of a square-built dog. No mincing, no prancing, no chin tapping front— high kicking rear. True double tracking coming and going. At a full trot, there will be a slight inward inclination beginning at the shoulder in front, the hip in the rear, but no excuse for moving closely or crossing over.
Temperament
“Alert, spirited, yet obedient to command... friendly, intelligent and willing to please... never over aggressive or timid.” Sparring (bringing dogs together to look at each other, pull themselves together) usually works best with the Specials class. Puppies and bitches may just look at each other since Miniature Schnauzers usually live together peacefully at home. But show a Miniature Schnauzer a rat, a squirrel, or some other varmint and their Terrier function is alive and deadly!
Show Grooming
Coats are either stage stripped out starting 8-10 weeks prior to the first shows on a circuit, or rolled, worked constantly. Specials dogs usually have a rolled coat so they can stay in the ring. Stripped out coats may be shown for maybe 8-12 weeks, the coat gradually “blows”, the tight Terrier jacket is lost, the dog goes home for several months to start all over again on coat work. It makes no sense for a judge to say something like ‘this coat is a little short, bring him back when he has more length. Just check texture, as there is no minimum length required, as it is doubtful you’ll see that dog again on that particular coat. Prior to the shows, the exhibitor will do the finish work—scissor furnishings, clipper throat, cheeks, ears, bottom and tummy. Show day, the exhibitor will bathe the beard & furnishings, chalk the furnishings on salt & peppers and black and silvers, use a mousse or gel on the furnishings of the blacks, then brush out and blow dry, followed by a light hair spray. Grooming should be done with a relatively light touch—no cloud of flying chalk when the dog does the big shake. Show grooming of furnishings is a presentation issue—Miniature Schnauzer exhibitors tend to be perfectionists, wanting to bring you a dog with every hair in place in that typically tailored tuxedo look of a properly groomed Miniature Schnauzer.
Then It’s Up to You: Keep in Mind— Size, Shape, Coat & Color
• Square, sturdy outline
• Short, deep body
• Straight backline, declines slightly
• Flat croup with a Docked erect tail
• Rectangular head, clean cheeks,
scissors bite
• Hard wiry coat in allowed colors* • Ears cropped or not;
• Size 12"-14" *
• Proper reach & drive
• Alert, active temperament
224 • SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, JULY 2014
* disqualification