Questions of Color

by Catherine McMillan

As responsible Miniature Schnauzer breeders, we endeavor to be stewards of the breed, to respect its historic origins and protect its future.

For this reason, we place great emphasis on preserving that unique combination of traits, both visual and behavioral, that set this wonderful breed apart from all others. We understand that any compromise of these traits undermines the history and essence of the breed, transforming it into something other than a true “schnauzer”.

The Miniature Schnauzer breed has a very small gene pool. In fact, all of our dogs descend from three founding sires who were born in Germany at around the turn of the last century – Peter v. Westerberg (black), Lord v. Dornbusch (salt and pepper), and Prinz v. Rheinstein, who was “bicolor” (the color we refer to today as black and silver). These three colors continue to be the only ones accepted under our breed standard.

In recent years we have witnessed a regrettable proliferation of kennels, aided by the advertising power of the internet, offering dogs that are of colors that draw into question the purity of their breeding.

Brown dilution (sometimes called chocolate or liver), particolor, sable, and even merle dogs are being represented as purebred Schnauzers. While whites have more recently been granted admission to the show ring in some countries, the color remains a disqualification in the USA.

That a high percentage of those who offer these questionable colors also advertise dogs of uncharacteristically small size is evidence that they may be derived, not from long buried recessives of a hundred years ago (as some attempt to claim), but from more recent cross-breedings with toy breeds.

Unfortunately, American Kennel Club registration papers do little to alleviate these concerns. AKC registration is governed by the “honor system”. Scores of breeding kennels have their registration privilages revoked by the AKC each year due to fraudulent and/or substandard breeding practices. However, in the classic example of the barn door being closed after the pony has departed, the damage is done, and descendants of fraudulently registered crossbreds remain in the registry where they continue to be exploited by others for their “rare” color traits.

Whether the source of these undesirable colors is historic or modern, one fact is beyond dispute – no Miniature Schnauzer sold as a companion should command a premium price because of its color.

The price of a well bred companion puppy varies according to region, but is generally governed by the same factors – cost of local veterinary services, health screening and eye certifications, whether or not ears have been cropped, the puppy’s age and training level, and so forth. In addition to the time and expense invested in each litter, responsible breeders are available for advice and guidance long after the sale of their puppies.

Color is a matter of personal preference, not of enhanced value. There is no such thing as a “rare” color in this breed, only those that are accepted, and those that are inappropriate for the breed.

Reputable breeders strive to ensure that the puppies they produce are healthy and long lived. A typical Miniature Schnauzer is a robust dog, with strong bone and a sturdy body – truly a “big dog in a small package”. While small, healthy puppies are sometimes born to normal litters, knowledgable breeders are rightfully suspicious of those with stunted growth, for this is often a signal of serious health problems.

Ethical breeders do not use undersized Schnauzers for breeding purposes, nor do they market them as “toys”, for no such thing exists.

The goal of the American Miniature Schnauzer Club is to ensure that our breed is passed on to future generations of breeders and owners uncorrupted by exploitive breeding practices.

We ask that you assist us in this goal by ensuring that your puppy is responsibly bred, from health and eye tested parents that conform to the breed standard.

Should you desire a puppy that is of a size or colour not specified in our breed standard, we will be happy to direct you to a more appropriate breed.

Start here to contact an AMSC member-breeder in your area. Those who do not have puppies available are often able to recommend others who do.