Showing a Schnauzer
Learning the breed
General Appearance
The Miniature Schnauzer is a robust, active dog of terrier type, resembling his larger cousin, the Standard Schnauzer, in general appearance, and of an alert, active disposition.
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Faults: Type – toyishness,
ranginess or coarseness.
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Size, Proportion, Substance
Size – From 12 to 14 inches. He is sturdily built, nearly square in proportion of body length to height with plenty of bone, and without any suggestion of toyishness. Disqualifications: dogs or bitches under 12 inches or over 14 inches.
LINK:
https://amsc.us/all-about-miniature-schnauzers/breed-standard/
Groom a schnauzer
Entering and showing a dog
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Prep Your Dog – and Yourself
A conformation class will prepare you and your dog for your first experience – and for your best chances at winning. Classes are often conveniently held on weeknights and focus on how to handle your dog in the show ring. Contact a local AKC Club to ask about training opportunities.
We belong to our National Miniature Schnauzer Club: www.amsc.us and two Oregon Clubs: Southern Oregon Terrier Association www.soterrier.com and The Portland Miniature Schnauzer Club - www.pmsc2.org
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Good sportsmanship
“Without ethics, man has no future,” and the same can be said of dog shows.
Conformation shows and other dog sport events are exciting occasions for both dogs and handlers. But they can also be stressful. Emotions do run high, but it’s important that everyone involved in dog sports demonstrates good sportsmanship. Unsportsmanlike behavior is not only unpleasant, but it also compromises the integrity of the sport as a whole.
It’s important for unsportsmanlike conduct to be monitored and reported immediately. For anyone new to the world of dogs, that process might feel unclear or overwhelming. Thankfully, there are procedures and supports in place in case anything ever happens.
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/advice/identifying-and-addressing-misconduct/
The Miniature Schnauzer is a double-coated breed that has a wiry topcoat and a soft undercoat.
The topcoat is maintained by hand stripping or rolling the coat and is required for the show ring. The pet trim calls for the same outline but it is maintained using clippers. The wiry topcoat will disappear with clipping, but this is the easiest way to maintain a great looking Mini. The best hands-on resource for learning to groom your Miniature Schnauzer is from your breeder.
For more complete instructions and charts, including stripping patterns, please order the.
“Miniature Schnauzer Grooming Charts”
from the AMSC Store.
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Learn the Basics
First things first: The official term for dog shows is conformation — as in, the act of conforming or producing conformity. While a dog show may look like a beauty pageant, it’s not: Dogs are not being compared to each other; they’re being measured by how closely they conform to the standard of their particular breed. Why? Because the closer a dog’s appearance is to the breed’s standard, the better that dog’s ability will be to produce puppies that meet the standard. It’s also the reason why mixed breeds and spayed or neutered purebreds are ineligible to compete.