Body Size Introduction

　　The shoulder height ranges from 30.5 cm to 35.5 cm. The body structure is solid, with a nearly square body, meaning height and body length are roughly equal, with sufficient bone mass and no toy-like appearance anywhere. Faults: height below 12 inches or above 14 inches (30-36 cm converted). Shoulder height equals body length.

　　Head

　　Eyes are small, dark brown, and deep-set. The eyes are oval and have a sharp expression. Faults: light-colored eyes, large eyes, or bulging eyes are defects. Ears, if cropped, should have consistent shape and length with upward pointed tips. Their length is proportional to the size of the head, and exaggerated length is not allowed.

　　Ears are positioned relatively high on the head, with the inner edges vertical and the outer edges slightly bell-shaped. If ears are uncropped, they are small, V-shaped, folding over the top of the head (button ears).

　　The head is solid and rectangular, with the width gradually narrowing from ears to eyes to nose. The forehead is flat, wrinkle-free, and quite long. The muzzle runs parallel to the forehead, with a slight stop and muzzle length equal to the forehead. The muzzle is solid and in proportion to the entire head; the muzzle’s end has a moderate blunt angle with a dense beard forming the rectangular head contour. Faults: rough head lines, thick face.

Bite is scissor bite. Faults: prognathous upper jaw bite, prognathous lower jaw bite, level bite.

　Neck, Topline, and Body

　　The neck is sturdy and slightly arched, perfectly blending with the shoulders, with tight skin wrapping the throat snugly. The body is short and deep, with chest depth at least reaching the elbows. The ribs are well sprung with appropriate depth, connecting backward to the short loin. The topline is straight; from the withers to the base of the tail it slightly slopes downward. The withers are the highest point of the body. The length from chest to croup equals the height at the withers. Faults: chest too wide or chest not deep enough. A back that is too thick, concave, or arched.

　　The base of the tail is high, tail carried erect. Tail docking is required, retaining length such that when the coat length is appropriate, it just exceeds the topline. Fault: low tail set.

　　Forequarters: Viewed from any angle, forelegs are straight and parallel to each other. They have firm wrists and sufficient bone. The moderately deep chest lies between the two forelegs. Elbows are held close to the body. Fault: loose elbows.

　　The shoulder is sloping, muscular, flat, and neat. They integrate well with the back, so that the side of the shoulder blade aligns directly above the elbow. The tops of the shoulder blades are close together. Shoulders slope forward and downward at an appropriate angle, allowing maximum forward reach of the forelegs without restriction. Both shoulder blades and forearms are long, allowing for adequate chest depth. Paws are short and round (cat feet), pads thick and black. Toes are arched and compact.

　　Hindquarters: The hindquarters have muscular, sloping thighs with appropriate angulation at the stifle joint. When standing in standard pose, the angles are sufficient for the hocks to extend beyond the tail. The hindquarters do not appear larger or higher than the shoulders. Hocks are short, vertical to the ground when viewed from behind, and parallel to each other. Faults: sickle hocks, cow hocks, O-shaped legs, or bowed hind legs.

　　Coat　

　　Double coat, harsh outer coat and dense undercoat. The hair on the head, neck, ears, chest, tail, and body requires stripping. Under competition conditions, the body coat must be sufficiently long to show hair texture. The neck, ears, and head are fully covered. The texture is quite dense but not silky. Faults: coat too soft or short, or too smooth in appearance.

Tightly fitting, coarse, harsh outer coat and as dense as possible; soft and dense undercoat; rough coat; when observed against the hair grain, hair grows backward, neither smooth nor flat. The coat (body hair) is trimmed (clearly visible) but only emphasizes the body’s contours.

　　Color　

　　Recognized colors are salt and pepper, black and silver, and solid black. Regardless of color, skin pigmentation must be very even, meaning no white or pink patches are allowed anywhere on the skin.

　　Salt and Pepper: Typical salt and pepper has a mix of black and white hairs, pure black, and pure white hairs, with black and white hairs predominating. All shades of salt and pepper are accepted from light to darker shades with brownish hues. The hair color in salt and pepper dogs gradually transitions to light gray or silver-white in the following areas: eyebrows, beard, cheeks, under the throat, inside ears, chest, under the tail, lower legs, and inner hind legs. Also, the belly may become lighter. However, lighter areas should not extend to the body sides above the elbows.

　　Black and Silver: Black and silver pattern is the same as salt and pepper, but the salt and pepper areas must be pure black. The black and silver coat should have a black undercoat. Brown faded hairs must be stripped, and the belly hair should also be dark.

　　Solid Black: Solid black is the only accepted single color. The ideal color is very dense black outer coat with slightly lighter, soft undercoat, perfectly ideal everywhere. Brown or faded hairs should be stripped. Areas clipped with scissors or electric clippers will lighten. Small white spots on the chest or occasional white hairs elsewhere on the body are allowed.

　　Disqualified: Dogs that are pure white or have white stripes, white markings, or white patches (except small white spots on black dogs’ chest). Salt and pepper or black and silver dogs gradually fading to light gray or silver-white below the throat and front chest. All other natural colors.

　Gait

　　Gait is primarily evaluated at a fast walk. Viewed from the front, forelegs are held close to the body, moving straight forward, neither outward nor inward. Viewed from behind, hind legs move straight and in the same plane as the corresponding forelegs. Usually, after completing the fast walk, the hind legs continue moving in the same plane as the front legs, but with slight inward inclination, which is allowed. From the front, the shoulder point is the reference; from behind, the hip joint is the reference. Whether viewed from front or rear, forelegs and hind legs are vertical from the reference points to the ground. Miniature Schnauzers have a minimal inward angle of legs during walking, almost imperceptible to the naked eye. Toes should not cross; elbows must not turn outwards. Viewed from the side, forelegs extend maximally, hindquarters provide strong drive. Paws neither turn inward nor outward. Faults: single-tracking, side-stepping, high stepping of forelegs, overreaching, insufficient hind leg drive.

　　Temperament

　　Typical Miniature Schnauzers are brave, alert, and also obedient. They are very friendly, intelligent, and eager to please the owner. Neither aggressive nor overly timid.

Average lifespan: 12-15 years.