In Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, the Miniature Schnauzer is classified in the Utility Group. Although Miniature Schnauzers do resemble the terriers in character and type, they also carry a dash of working temperament and their "big dog attitude" is a definite asset to any potential owner.

A good one is, by nature, alert, friendly, highly intelligent, vigorous and long lived. They excel in obedience work by virtue of their responsiveness and willingness to please and can be taught almost anything with kindness, repetition, firmness and patience.

Miniature schnauzers are devoted companions, non-allergenic to many people and have a fearless territorial instinct. They make discriminating and intelligent guard dogs and will defend your home, vocally rather than physically, against anyone who appears to be a threat.

For all his boldness, the Miniature Schnauzer will display kindness and charm for those who show themselves as friends. Children, who are taught to handle them properly, will enjoy their whimsical and fun-loving character.


The Official Standard for the Miniature Schnauzer
Group: Group 6 (Utility)
General Appearance: Sturdily built, robust, sinewy, nearly square, (length of body equal to height at shoulders). Expression keen and attitude alert. Correct conformation is of more importance than colour or other purely 'beauty' points.
Characteristics: Well balanced, smart, stylish and adaptable.
Temperament: Alert, reliable and intelligent. Primarily a companion dog.
Head And Skull: Head strong and of good length, narrowing from ears to eyes and then gradually forward toward end of nose. Upper part of the head (occiput to the base of forehead) moderately broad between ears. Flat, creaseless forehead; well muscled but not too strongly developed cheeks. Medium stop to accentuate prominent eyebrows. Powerful muzzle ending in a moderately blunt line, with bristly, stubby moustache and chin whiskers. Ridge of nose straight and running almost parallel to extension of forehead. Nose black with wide nostrils. Lips tight but not overlapping.
Eyes: Medium sized, dark, oval, set forward, with arched bushy eyebrows.
Ears: Neat, V-shaped, set high and dropping forward to temple.
Mouth: Jaws strong with perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. the upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaws.
Neck: Moderately long, strong and slightly arched; skin close to throat; neck set cleanly on shoulders.
Forequarters: Shoulders flat and well laid. Forelegs straight viewed from any angle. Muscles smooth and lithe rather than prominent; bone strong, straight and carried well down to feet; elbows close to body and pointing directly backwards.
Body: Chest moderately broad, deep with visible strong breastbone reaching at least to height of elbow rising slightly backward to loins. Back strong and straight, slightly higher at shoulder than at hindquarters, with short, well developed loins. Ribs well sprung. Length of body equal to height from top of withers to ground.
Hindquarters: Thighs slanting and flat but strongly muscled. Hindlegs (upper and lower thighs) at first vertical to the stifle; from stifle to hock, in line with the extension of the upper neck line; from hock, vertical to ground.
Feet: Short, round, cat-like, compact with closely arched toes, dark nails, firm black pads, feet pointing forward.
Tail: Set on and carried high, preferably docked to three joints.
Gait/Movement: Free, balanced and vigorous, with good reach in forequarters and good driving power in hindquarters. Topline remains level in action.
Coat: Harsh, wiry and short enough for smartness, dense undercoat. Clean on neck and shoulders, ears and skull. Harsh hair on legs. Furnishings fairly thick but not silky.
Colour: All pepper and salt colours in even proportions, or pure black, or black and silver. That is, solid black with silver markings on eyebrow, muzzle, chest and brisket and on the forelegs below the point of elbow, on inside of hindlegs below the stifle joint, on vent and under tail.
Sizes: Ideal height: Dogs 35.6 cms (14 ins) Bitches 33 cms (13 ins) Too small, toyish appearing dogs are not typical and undesirable
Faults: Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.
Notes: Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.