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AKC Requirements For Miniature Schnauzers
AKC Requirements For Miniature Schnauzers
By John P Jackson
The American Kennel Club or AKC, has certain requirements for every breed of dog, which states what they have to look like and how they must perform in a show environment. A Schnauzer first became a recognized breed in the United States in 1924, and two years later was accepted as a registered breed by the AKC. The AKC put them into the same grouping as terriers because of their similarities to breeds of this family from Ireland and Britain.
A Miniature Schnauzer stands between 12-14 inches in length and an almost square build that should be in equal proportion between length and height. They do not resemble a toy breed in any way because they cannot be under 12 inches or over 14 inches in height.
The eyes of a Miniature Schnauzer should be oval shaped and deeply set in the head and dark brown in coloration. They may not be lighter in color or larger sized. The ears, if they are cropped need to be identical in length and shape, and they must have a pointed tip on each one. The ears also need to be set high up on the skull and perpendicular, if the ears uncropped they should be in a V-shape, small and close to the head, which is strong and rectangle shaped. From the ears to the eyes, the width should lessen and again from the eyes and back to the nose. The head may not be coarse, this may result in the Miniature Schnauzer being disqualified. The teeth must be in a perfect scissor bite and any type of under or overbite would also be grounds for disqualification.
The front legs of a Miniature Schnauzer must be straight and parallel in appearance, no matter which angle they are viewed from. The legs should showcase excellent bone structure with the elbows being close to the body. The ribcage is spread in a way that lets the elbows continue moving close to the body. The shoulders should be muscular and slope downward, but be in vertical alignment with the elbows. The hindquarters of the dog must consist of strong, muscular thighs that angle so that the hocks are located behind the tail, which should be set high and always carried in an erect manner. The tail can be docked but should be visible over the back of the body. Sickle hocks, cow hocks or open hocks are also grounds for being disqualified from show events. The feet should be short and rounded with sturdy black colored pads and have arched toes.
The coat color may only be in a solid black, black and silver or salt and pepper, consisting of a hard wiry over coat and a close undercoating. The body should be plucked over the head, neck, tail, ears, body and chest so that it is the proper length, and so the judges may see the texture. Texture of the coat is extremely important in the Miniature Schnauzer, the coat should not be too smooth or too soft. Black is the only solid coloring that is accepted by the American Kennel Club. Many breeders have tried to breed the Miniature Schnauzer with other breeds to get new coloring, but the resulting colors are not accepted or recognized by the AKC or other Schnauzer clubs.
The Miniature Schnauzer is a dog breed that uses trotting as their main gait and there is also a gait used at AKC judging events. The gait used for show purposes must be performed in a flawless manner.
Did this article help you? Find many more on Miniature Schnauzers or other dog breeds at GreatDogSite!
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Schnauzer Dog Grooming - A Few Grooming Tips to Keep Your Dog Healthy and Happy
Schnauzer Dog Grooming - A Few Grooming Tips to Keep Your Dog Healthy and Happy
By Joseph W
One of my favorite breed of dogs is the Schnauzer. With their long snout, full beard, and arched brows, they truly have a unique look unlike any other breed. Maintaining your pooches unique appeal can be a time consuming task, however Schnauzer dog grooming can be a rewarding experience and an opportunity to strengthen the bond between you and your pet.
The Schnauzer has a very soft under coat and a thick, wiry top coat. The combination of these two coats can make bathing and clipping a bit challenging. The soft under coat will mat and tangle if left uncombed. They need frequent brushing, usually once a day to keep their fur free of mats. The best brush to use is a metal comb with large spacing between the teeth. A pin brush also works well for working tangles out of the under coat. If your dogs hair breaks easily, a brushing conditioner may be used to prevent damage to her coat.
If your dog likes to roll in the grass and dirt, you may want to give her a puppy cut. The shorter cut makes bathing and combing quicker and helps to keep dirt from embedding deep into their fur where it is unseen. A short coat will also help to spot ticks and other pests when combing your dog.
Depending on how dirty your dog gets, bathing may need to be frequent. If she is generally neat and clean, a monthly bath will be enough to keep her looking and feeling good. You should shampoo and condition your dog with a quality Schnauzer dog grooming shampoo, formulated specifically for their fur and skin type. Many of the oatmeal shampoos work well with this breed.
Part of your grooming routine should also include cleaning the ears, eyes, and the teeth. The ears and teeth are especially important because they are prone to infection when left uncleaned. The Schnauzers nails will need to be cut every four to six weeks.
Following these simple tips will help you to keep your dog looking and feeling great.
Learning to groom your dog is a great way to bond with your pet and to save money on your pet care costs. Schnauzer dog grooming tips can be found on my home page. If you are interested in learning how to do your own dog grooming at home, investing in a good book or guide is the first step.
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The Many Colors of the Cocker Spaniel Rainbow
The Many Colors of the Cocker Spaniel Rainbow
By John P Jackson
Cocker Spaniels are known for being many different colors. From reds to golds to black, often with white or tan accents, every Cocker Spaniel looks a little different. This adds to the interesting and glamorous look of this particular breed. Unfortunately, only some of these colors are accepted on show dogs. If you are interested in showing your new Cocker Spaniel, you will have to be careful of which color or color combination you pick in your new puppy!
The coloring of the Cocker Spaniel coat is separated into three categories. Black, the first category, implies that the dog's coat is completely black. Dogs with brown shading anywhere on the coat would be disqualified from this category, however, there are some variations that are allowed. A white patch on the chest is considered acceptable, but nowhere else in the coat, including paws, which are common for discoloration. "Tan points" are considered acceptable as well. Tan points are similar to the coloring of a Rottweiler or Doberman. If present, they will be on each "eyebrow", along the jawline, beneath the ears, beneath the tail, and on the feet. Tan points can also appear on the chest or throat, but are not necessary to consider a dog as having tan points.
The second category of colors is "any solid color other than black," often abbreviated as ASCOB. This is where the real rainbow of Cocker Spaniels comes into play. ASCOB Cockers can range from cream to gold to auburn to dark red and brown, with the brown being the only variation in which the aforementioned tan points are acceptable. As with the black category of Cocker Spaniels, a small white patch on the front of the dog is permissible, but would result in disqualification if found anywhere else on the coat.
The final category, parti-color, possesses some of the most beautiful version of this breed. Parti-color implied that the spaniel in question has a coat comprised of two distinct colors, one of which must always be white. The secondary or accent color must make up at least ten percent of the coat coloration to be considered parti-color. Acceptable accent colors to white are all included in the ASCOB category. Within the parti-color category, tan points are acceptable on any variety of fur colors.
While they are still beautiful dogs, the American Kennel Club does not recognize Cocker Spaniels with sable or merle coloring. Sable Cocker Spaniels can still be shown in Canada, but it is widely assumed that merle-coated Cocker Spaniels were cross-bred with other dogs to achieve their rare coat color, disqualifying them from pure breed competition. If planning on showing your Cocker, it is best to steer clear of sable or merle-coated dogs. However, if you are only searching for a pet, they are both beautiful options that may be less expensive than a show-quality Cocker puppy.
If you are looking to show your new pup, you must be very thorough when research a breeder. Never purchase your pet from a pet shop, even with proper documentation. Pet shops are notorious for utilizing puppy mills, and the popularity of the Cocker Spaniel in the United States has them falling victim to this despicable practice quite often. Always examine the coat of your potential new puppy thoroughly - even small signs of discoloration can grow into larger patches that will disqualify your dog from competition.
This article is a part of the Cocker Spaniel collection at GreatDogSite. Check it out for more information on dogs!
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