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Miniature Schnauzer History

To talk about the origins of the Schnauzer we must make reference to Pincher and Terrrier; these three types of dogs, so apparently different from each other, show in their structure and in some characteristics their common origins.

The word Terrier became commonly used to indicate dogs, generally of small size, with a natural instinct and physical characteristics which enabled them to work underground in lairs, and to chase and catch wild animals, such as foxes, vixens, and rats which would go to ground. The exact translation of the German word "Pincher" is Terrier.It seems that all pinchers and terriers descend from "CANIS PALUSTRIS", a dog of medium-small size, which lived back in the time of the stilt houses. The miniature schnauzer, zwergschnauzer, while a smaller version of the standard schnauzer, still retains all the characteristics and qualities of the larger breed; its size is not to exeed 35 cm.

It's courage, it's temperament, makes a dog of unique personality, and not at all similar to a drawing-room toy.The breeding goal in the 1800's was to reduce the size of the standard schanuzer without producing dwarf animals, while retaining all of their physical qualites. In the early days, the truly beautiful examples were rare: the size limits between zwergschnauzer(miniature) and the medium schnauzer(standard) were not clearly established, and the colours also varied greatly and went from black, to red-yellow, yellow-gray, gray, and salt and pepper. These characteristics were found aslo in the champions of the time, PETER v.WESTERBERG(black), PRINZv.RHEINSTEIN(black-yellow), and in the respective sons CITOv.WERNERBURG(dark grey) and WOCH and GIFT(black-brown). The extent of the size was closely related to a well-structured dog, free from dwarf characteristics: in fact, with the 28cm maximum height requirement of the standard of 1923, it was not absolutely possible to produce healthy, well-constructed dogs; for this purpose the limit maximum passed at first to 30cm then to 33cm, in order to catch up finally the 35cm, the minimal height came limited to 30cm.In 1956, the impure colours previously accepted were no longer tolerated, and the standard of that year accepted the salt and pepper as the only recognized colours, and the black colour as the only alternative. It speaks well for the black and silver colour variety that it was recognized officially in Germany in 1976. Puppies of recessive black and silver colour had continued to be born in litters of salt and peppers, but since they were not used for breeding, there were many demands for this colour from America even before 1935. In 1965, Switzerland decided to accept this colour(importing also some studs from Canada), with the approval in 1968 of the SWISS SCHNAUZER CLUB officially recognized the black and silver colour.

The F.C.I in june 1976 accepted the black and silver as pure breed colour, and it was able to receive the C.A.C.I.B. for first time.