Page 148 - Showsight April 2013

M iniature Schnauzers
were developed in the
late 1800s from a back-
ground of German
farm dogs known as
Pinschers, breeds that
became Affenpinscher, Miniature Pin-
scher and Standard Schnauzer. There are
even records of early litters being divided
by color, size and coat type. Schnauzers
were imported into the US and shown
in AKC shows in the 20s, but the AKC
Miniature Schnauzer breed standard was
approved in 1934, completing its official
separation from the Standard Schnauzer.
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 fighting and killing
rats and mice; 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 fantastic family companion, a
watchdog, and a perfect house-size ratter.
Our Miniature Schnauzers remain
amazingly versatile dogs, belonging to
the “Can Do (Almost) Anything” club.
Records show that in 2011, our exhibi-
tors finished 180 Championships, 47
Grand Ch, 34 CDs and CDXs, 9 UDs
and above, 70 some Rally titles, 370 some
Agility titles, 2 Earthdog titles, 16 Thera-
py Dog titles and even 3 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 the
new Barnhunt comes as the perfect event
to show off what Miniature Schnauzers
were bred for. They are already starting
to earn qualifying Barnhunt scores, some
may be titled by the time this is published!
The conformation dogs will be
groomed to the nines for their ‘tuxedo’
look in the show ring—our companion
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.
When judging a Miniature Schnauzer
in the conformation ring, keep the fol-
lowing in mind: Shape, Size, Coat and
Color. Our breed standard calls for a
square outline, robust and active, stur-
dily built, short deep body, straight back-
line, high tailset. The standard already
described an erect docked tail of a proper
length, but a 2012 clarification reads, “A
properly presented Miniature Schnau-
zer will have a docked tail as described;
all others should be severely penalized.”
The head should be strong and rectan-
gular with clean cheeks, ears cropped or
THE MINIATURE SCHNAUZER
By Wyoma Clouss
AMSC Judges Education
148 • ShowSight Magazine, April 2013