Breed standard (FCI)

General Appearance: The Miniature Schnauzer is a powerfully built, robust, sinewy, nearly square dog (length of body equal to height at shoulders). His temperament combines high spirits, reliability, strength, endurance and vigour. Expression keen and attitude alert. Correct conformation is of more importance than colour or other purely "beauty" points.

Head and Skull: Head strong and elongated, gradually narrowing from the ears to the eyes and thence forward toward the tip of the nose. Upper part of the head (occiput to the base of the forehead) moderately broad between the ears - with flat, creaseless forehead and well muscled, but not too strongly developed cheeks. Medium stop to accentuate prominent eyebrows. The powerful muzzle formed by the upper and lower jaws (base of forehead to the tip of the nose) should end in a moderately blunt line, with bristly, stubby moustache and chin whiskers. Ridge of the nose straight and running almost parallel to the extension of the forehead. The nose is black and full. Lips tight and not overlapping.

Eyes: Medium sized, dark, oval, set forward, with arched busy eyebrows.

Ears: Neat and V-shaped, set high and dropping forward to temple.

Mouth: Scissor teeth, slightly overlapping from the top; with strongly developed fangs; healthy and pure white.

Neck: Moderately long, nape strong and slightly arched, skin close to throat, neck set cleanly on shoulders.

Forequarters: Shoulders flat and sloping. Forelegs straight viewed from any position. Muscles smooth and lithe rather than prominent; bone strong, straight and carried well down to the feet; elbows set close to the body and pointing directly backward.

Body: Chest moderately broad, deep, with visible strong breast bone reaching down to at least the height of elbow and slightly rising backward to loins. Back strong and straight, slightly higher at the shoulder than at the 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. Hind legs (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, extremely compact with close-arched toes (cat's paws), dark nails and hard soles. The feet also deep or thickly padded, pointing forward.

Tail: Set on and carried high, cut down to three joints.

Coat: Hard and wiry and just short enough for smartness, clean on neck, shoulder, ears and skull, plenty of good hard hair on front legs. Good undercoat is essential.

Colour: All pepper and salt colours in even proportions, or pure black, and black and silver.

Height: The ideal height for bitches shall be 33 cm (13 in) and for dogs 35.6 cm (14 in). Too small, toyish-appearing dogs are not typical and should be penalized.

Faults: Too heavy or too light; too low or high on the leg. Head too heavy or round, creased forehead, sticking-out or badly carried ears, light eye with yellow or light gray rings, strongly protruding cheek-bones, flabby throat skin, undershot or overshot jaw. Muzzle too pointed or too small. Back too long, sunken or roached; barrel-shaped ribs; slanting crupper; elbows turned out; heels turned in; hindpart overbuilt (too steep). Toes spread open; paws long and flat (hare). Coat too short and sleek, or too long, soft or curled. All white, spotty, tigered or red colours. Small white breast spot or marking is not a fault. Among other serious faults are cow-hocks, sunken pasterns, or any weakness of joint, bones or muscular development.

Note: Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.