Toy Schnauzer, Teacup Schnauzers or Miniature Schnauzers? Size Matters!

The Toy Schnauzer and Teacup Schnauzers: Are they really Miniature Schnauzers at all?

Are they undesirable – as some dog experts say?

If so, why are they so popular?

Toy and Teacup Schnauzers – The Official View

Breed Standards set out the ideal conformation of every recognized breed – from the length and shape of every bit of their body to their temperament and the way they walk.

Conformation of the perfect Miniature Schnauzer

Registered Dog Breeders must officially accept – as a condition of registration – a commitment to breed only for the purpose of improving the quality of the breed.

This means aiming to breed dogs that conform as closely to the prevailing “Breed Standard” for their breed as possible. And those most successful at achieving this are recognized by winning the most ribbons at dog shows.

That’s really what the Breed Standards are for – to give show breeders an ideal to aim for whereby they can assess the quality of their stock.

According to Australian Breed Standards the ideal height for the Miniature Schnauzer is 35.6 cm (14 inches) for dogs, and 33 cm (13 inches) for bitches.

The Standards state that “Too small, toyish appearing dogs are not typical, and are undesirable.”

So you can’t (presently) win shows with Toy or Teacup sized dogs, no matter how great their overall conformation!

Some breeders go so far as to say that there is no such thing as the Toy or Teacup Schnauzer and that anyone deliberately breeding smaller Miniature Schnauzers should be considered “uninformed and therefore not responsible”.

So, what’s all the fuss about?

Check these links for more info and make up your own mind!

• More Info on the Miniature Schnauzer

• More Info on the Toy Schnauzer

• More Info on the Teacup Schnauzer

And, what about the BIG end of town?

Coming soon…

• More Info on the Standard Schnauzer

• More Info on the Giant Schnauzer

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