Miniature Schnauzer (Detailed Introduction)

　　The ideal height of an adult Miniature Schnauzer is 30-35cm, weighing 4-7kg. Males are slightly larger than females, with height and body length approximately equal, forming a square shape. The body is sturdy with sufficient bone mass, and there should be no toy-like tendencies.
　　Appearance Features
　　Miniature Schnauzer (Miniature Schnauzer) Standards (AKC)
　　The Miniature Schnauzer's appearance is very distinctive; they are sturdy, strong, and "square" (body length equal to the height from feet to shoulders). Miniature Schnauzers have long mustaches, eyebrows, feathered hair on the legs, and ears sometimes cropped to stand erect in a V shape, with a high ear set folded forward, and a very short tail (traditionally docked within one week after birth). The tail set is high and held above horizontal; they have long and dense hair, giving them the appearance of a well-kept pet dog. The American Kennel Club recognizes only three colors for Miniature Schnauzers: black, salt and pepper, and black & silver.
　　Overall Appearance
　　Miniature Schnauzers are robust, lively terriers similar in overall structure to their close relative, the Standard Schnauzer, and share a keen, active temperament.
　Head
　　The head is strong and rectangular, tapering in width from the ears to the eyes and then further narrowing to the tip of the nose. The forehead is flat. The skull is flat and as long as the muzzle. The muzzle is sturdy, proportional to the skull, slightly tapered at the end, with thick whiskers enhancing the rectangular shape of the head.
　　Head Defects
　　A coarse head with round, thick, and protruding cheeks. Scissor bite. Scissor bite index: when the mouth is closed, the upper front teeth overlap the lower front teeth, with the inner surface of the upper incisors just touching the outer surface of the lower incisors. Protruding lower jaw, underbite, or overbite; level bite.
　Eyes
　　Deep brown, deeply set, oval-shaped, with expressive look.
　　Eye Defects
　　Eyes too large or too round. Eyes too narrow and small.
　　Ears
　　Both ears have the same shape and length, pointed tips. Balanced with the head, length not excessive. Positioned on top of the skull, inner edges upright, outer edges forming the smallest possible bell shape. For cropped ears, both ears must be symmetrical, equal in size and shape with pointed tips proportional to the head, ear roots above the skull.
　　When ears are not cropped, small V-shaped ears fold forward toward the skull.
　　Ear Defects
　　Ears too long in proportion to the head.
　　Neck, Backline, Body
　　The neck is strong, well arched, blending into the shoulders, with tight skin on the throat. The body is short and deep, the chest extending at least to the elbows. Ribs are well curved with good extension toward the rear; the loin is short and well extended. The underside of the body at the flank is not tucked up. The topline is straight, slanting slightly downward from the shoulders to the tail base. The shoulders are the highest point of the body. The overall length from chest to rump equals the height at the shoulders.
　　Neck, Backline, Body Defects
　　Chest too high or too narrow, sway back or roach back.
　　The tail set is high and erect. When the coat length is appropriate, the tail length should be distinguishable above the topline. Tail set too low.
　　Forequarters
　　From all angles, the front legs are straight and parallel. The metacarpal bones are strong with good bone substance. The chest is deep, separating the front legs to prevent a pinched front appearance. Elbows are close to the body, ribs gradually extend from the first rib allowing the elbows to stay close to the body during movement.
　　Shoulders are sloped, muscular yet flat and balanced. The shoulder blades are set well back; in side view, the top of the shoulder blade is vertically above the elbow. The shoulder blades lie close together. The scapula angles forward and downward to allow full extension of the forelegs without stiffness. The scapula and upper arm length provide enough chest depth. Feet are short and round, cat-like, with black, thick pads. Toes are arched and compact.
　　Forequarter Defects
　　Loose elbows.
　　Hindquarters
　　The rear half is muscular with angled thighs. The knees are well bent. Good angulation with the hock extending beyond the tail. The hindquarters should not be exaggeratedly high or higher than the shoulders.
　　Hindquarter Defects
　　Coat too soft, too smooth, silky texture.
　　Colors
　　Recognized colors are salt and pepper, black & silver, and solid black. There is no so-called silver; white is a genetic mutation and disqualified color. All three colors share the same skin pigmentation, meaning no white or pink skin patches anywhere on the dog.
　　Salt and Pepper
　　Typical salt and pepper coloring consists of black and white banded hairs (color changing from dark at the root to light in the middle and dark again at the tip) combined with black and white non-banded hairs, with banded hairs dominant. All shades of salt and pepper are acceptable; in the topcoat, both banded and non-banded hairs can be mixed from light to dark tones (brownish undercoat is also accepted). In salt and pepper dogs, the banded pattern fades to light gray or silver-white on the eyebrows, mustache, cheeks, under the throat, inside ears, chest, under the tail base, leg furnishings, and the inside of the rear legs. The underbelly may also lighten but not extending beyond one side of the body to above the elbows.
　　Black & Silver
　　Black & silver coloring has the same color changes as salt and pepper. All salt and pepper parts must be black. The black topcoat of a black & silver dog is very thick black, with black undercoat. Areas of plucked hair do not fade and show no brown tones; the underbody coat remains dark.
　　Black
　　Black is the only accepted solid color Schnauzer. Ideal black should have a thick, glossy black topcoat, with a slightly sparse undercoat and matte black color, which is natural and not penalized. Areas of plucked hair do not fade or show brown tones. Clipped and stripped areas may appear lighter black. Small white spots on the chest are acceptable, as are individual white hairs on other body parts.
　　Disqualifying Faults
　　Pure white or white stripes, mottled spots or white dots on colored body areas; black Schnauzers may have small white chest spots. In salt and pepper, black & silver, and solid black dogs, fading to gray or silver-white under the throat and on the chest is allowed, but these faded areas should show a natural transition in coat color. Any uneven, connected white stripes or white spots in these areas are considered white mottling and disqualify the dog. Dogs larger than the standard size as adults are also disqualified.
　　Gait
　　The Miniature Schnauzer’s gait is primarily evaluated at a brisk walk. Viewed from the front using the shoulder points as a reference, the front legs are straight. Elbows are close to the body. The legs move straight forward, neither outward nor inward; from behind using the hip joints as a reference, the hind legs move straight and in the same plane as the corresponding front legs; viewed from the side, the front legs reach well forward, with powerful drive from the rear, and paws neither turn in nor out. When accelerating, paws may bias toward the body’s centerline. Following the brisk walk, the hind legs continue moving in the same plane as the front legs but slightly incline inward.