The lineage of the Miniature Schnauzer evolved about the turn of the century. For breeding the European people would choose the smallest representative of a litter of Standard Schnauzer to a small specimen of the Affenpinscher. The Affenpinscher is a small black, European breed. He has a undershot jaw and a pushed in monkey-like face. So by the 1920’s people were continuing breeding the process until a smaller size version of the original Standard Schnauzer was achieved. It is suspect that the Miniature Pinscher figured in the crosses that achieved this great breed –the Miniature Schnauzer. Today we continue to breed the smallest of our Miniature Schnauzer litters to produce what we now call the Toy Schnauzer. Even thou there are some Clubs that recognize and support breeding of Toys, American Kennel Club does not. Therefore, if you should adopt a Schnauzer that is less than 12lbs your pup will still be considered a Miniature.
Through years of breeding, several consistent characteristics came to distinguish the breed. After size, which is the most notable feature, Miniatures typically have dark brown eyes, elongated eyebrows, a hard dense or wiry coat along the back and thighs, soft leg hair or furnishings, and of course, a beard or whiskers that extends from under the eyes past the nose. Most Miniatures will have docked tails, typically removed shortly after birth, and either cropped or natural ears. Ear cropping is not allowed by law in some countries (for that matter some countries do not dock tails either) and is increasingly questioned in the United States. Natural ears have a soft fold that frames the head creating a gentle appearance; cropped ears stand up on either side of the head and make for an alert, "stand at attention" appearance. There is some personal preference on this subject, but any prospective owner of a Mini should ask the breeder about ears and what is recommended or to be expected upon receipt of the new pet. The greatest variety in the breed is color. The most common and popular Miniature color is salt and pepper, a gray and white mixture, but solid black and black and silver also exist. In other cases, Minis may be light gray or white, but the latter is not recognized as a true Miniature Schnauzer color in some countries. A light fawn or brownish color appears in most coats, which harks back to the influence of other breeds in the bloodlines. Color choice, however, should not be the sole factor in your selection of Mini, for the personality and temperament are more enduring and actually of far greater importance.
The Miniature Schnauzer or "Mini" is one of the most popular canines and certainly the best known among the three Schnauzer breeds, four if you count the Toy. It's small stature, generally between 12 and 14 inches in height makes the breed a good size for many households. But don't be misled by the size, the Miniature Schnauzer packs a lively punch in any environment and you will never miss it's Terrier bark and loving personality.
