Life Span:	12-14 years; though they do not show their age until much later on in years.
Litter Size:	3-6 puppies
Group:	Terrier Group
Recognized By:	CKC, FCI, AKC, UKC, ANKC, NKC, NZKC, APRI, ACR
Color:	Salt and Pepper, Black and Silver, and Black. The following colors are not recognized, and are disqualified in the ring: White, Chocolate, and Parti-Colored, as it is believed other breeds were mixed in to achieve these colors.
Hair Length:	Medium
Size:	Toy/Small
Shedding:	Lite Shed
Male Height:	from 12-14 inches at the withers
Male Weight:	11-20 lbs
Female Height:	from 12-14 inches at the withers
Female Weight:	11-20 lbs
Living Area:	The Miniature Schnauzer adapts easy to city living, though it is also at home in the country. They should never be allowed off leash, as they can travel a fair distance without tiring. A fenced- in yard is ideal. Though they can live easily outside in temperate climates, they emotionally need to be inside with their family.

About this Breed

The Miniature Schnauzer is a small robust dog, nearly square in proportion. This dog is literally made up of rectangles. The head is rectangular in shape, which is accentuated by the long, thick beard, and heavy eyebrows. The muzzle is parallel to, and as long as, the topskull and ending in a blunt wedge. His teeth should meet in a scissors bite, with no signs of an overbite. The eyes should be deep-set, small, dark brown, and oval shaped. Ears can either be cropped, or left natural. If cropped, they should be identical in appearance, set high up on the skull. When left natural, they should be small, v-shaped and folded close to the skull. In the UK, it is illegal to crop ears and dock tails, making for a complete opposite appearance than what is normally found in the US. The body should be sturdily built, with a strong arched neck that blends seamlessly into the shoulders. The shoulders themselves should be well muscled, yet well laid back to make a vertical line from the tip of the shoulder to the elbows. The ribs are well sprung, extending well back to the loin; the belly should not be tucked up. The backline is straight, slighting declining from the withers to the tail. The tail is usually docked around the third vertebrae. It must be tall enough to be seen over the backline; it is to be carried high and erect. Height at the withers should equal in length from chest to buttocks. Any suggestion of toyishness will be disqualified in the ring; this breed is meant to be small and compact, not frail. The front legs should be straight, long, and muscular, with elbows held close to the body; there should also be long heavy feathering on the legs. The hindquarters are also well-muscular. There should be enough angulation for the hocks to extend well beyond the tail. The feet are small and round, with arched toes. Dewclaws are removed at 2-3 days of age.