SVCC Red Mini Schnauzer Puppies - Delivery Available in the US or Visit Us in Haverford, PA

Q&A About Red Mini Schnauzers

What is a Red Mini Schnauzer?

In our YouTube video we answer this question showing examples:
https://youtu.be/7Nr3G6AEgWo

The early German breeders of Standard Schnauzers wanted a smaller version schnauzer for the purpose of ridding their property of small animals like rats and rodents. They wanted the appearance, temperament, markings, and colors.

To reach their goal of a smaller version of the Schnauzer, breeders crossed their smallest Standard Schnauzers with little Poodles and Affenpinschers of all colors. When they did this, new colors resulted in the Mini Schnauzer lines. Red Schnauzers are the rarest color available today and come from the red Poodle and red Affenpinscher colors bred into the Schnauzer lines over 100 years ago.

When they are born, black & silver Miniature Schnauzers look so much like salt and pepper; the early breeders thought them to be a salt & pepper variety and therefore accepted them immediately. Later, with the understanding that DNA tests provide, it became clear that black & silver Schnauzers are a separate color. At that point, the newer black & silver color was already widely accepted so no further consideration or controversy arose around the color differences.

Unfortunately, the German breeders did not understand DNA the way we do today. It was assumed by these early breeders that light colored (red and white) Miniature Schnauzers were defective for their purposes of killing vermin. Most of the puppies that were born these light colors were killed after birth because of their color. This color in DNA is known as “recessive red” or “ee.”

AKC's own history is fascinating: the first German standard in 1884 permitted a wide variety of colors including red. By 1907, the German standard specifically listed red as a “fault.” The 1934 American standard permitted “salt-and-pepper dogs.” Color preferences evolve! Today's solid-red Miniature Schnauzers are simply a preserved original Schnauzer color from the 1884 first standard in Germany.

The recessive red Schnauzer can be AKC registered and shown in obedience and agility. However, at this time, red schnauzers are not accepted for conformation showing by two well-known breed clubs: the American Kennel Club and Canadian Kennel Club.  

Currently red is not one of the three colors accepted under the AKC Miniature Schnauzer breed standard for the conformation showing. This is different from AKC registration eligibility; a color that is not accepted in the beauty pageant style show-ring does not, by itself, mean a schnauzer cannot be AKC registered.

All Miniature Schnauzer colors — salt & pepper, black, black & silver, liver and tan, liver, wheaton, and white (recessive reds) — can be registered with all the major registries. Not all registries, including the American Kennel Club (AKC) and the Canadian Kennel Club (CKC), allow these recessive red dogs to be shown in their beauty-focused conformation shows. This causes controversy and confusion for light colored Schnauzer lovers. All Miniature Schnauzers colors can be shown in events such as Agility, AKC Canine Good Citizen, Obedience, or Earthdog trials, just not in confirmation competitions.

Once you understand how the DNA works in this breed it becomes clear that the light recessive red schnauzers “ee” is not a genetic fault! It is time to recognize the rare red Mini Schnauzer is as beautiful as all the other colors!

What is the difference between a red schnauzer and a wheaten schnauzer?

There is no difference between the terms “wheaten” colored schnauzer and a red one. Both are describing the same genetic colors described above.

What health challenges do Red Schnauzers have and how can these be avoided?

At SVCC Toys LLC, we do Embark DNA tests on all our breeding dogs so we understand and know what to expect from our puppies. Mini Schnauzers are very healthy dogs. Please keep them on a low fat diet as high fat diets can cause health issues such as diabetes, pancreatitis, bladder stones, schnauzer bumps and weight gain. Our puppies do not have or carry the three Embark identified DNA issues in mini schnauzers.

What is the Mini Schnauzer temperament?

Miniature Schnauzers are easy to train and very intelligent. It is important that owners learn how to train their dogs as puppies. Mini Schnauzers love to learn so they are obedient dogs for owners who know how to train them. Schnauzers are extremely loyal and loving to their family. When they are well socialized at a young age they will get along with people, dogs, and cats. We provide step by step guidance in our YouTube videos showing how to care for and train your mini schnauzer puppy. We also offer puppy manners and socialization classes to help you and your family create a great companion.

Do schnauzers get along with other pets and family members?

This breed does very well with children, teenagers and adults as long as they are socialized when they are young. Miniature Schnauzers who were raised as puppies with small children from the beginning do well with children. No breed, including the Miniature Schnauzer, does well with very young children pulling and jumping on them so supervision will be needed with young children and any dog.  

Schnauzers get along very well with dogs and cats. They were bred to kill rats and vermin. So if you have hamsters, Guinea pigs, or rabbits, your Schnauzer should not be able to play with them.

What are the grooming needs of Miniature Schnauzers?

They have hair not fur! As a result, they will need to be combed or brushed daily. A bath every 3 - 4 weeks with shampoo and conditioner is also good for them. You can also learn to groom your Mini Schnauzer yourself or go to a professional dog groomer.

How much exercise do Toy and Miniature Schnauzers need?

The toy variety does not need long walks. The larger the size the more the need for exercise outside. A twenty pound schnauzer will need frequent walks and opportunities to run and play outside. A six to ten pound mini schnauzer can be very happy indoors playing with you and their toys. Our Mini sizes can enjoy long walks and even go for a run outside.

Which is better a male or female schnauzer?

When you have a male neutered and a female spayed (Pets, not breeding dogs) the differences between them are not significant. Both will be loving, quick to want to please you and a beloved family pet. Let’s talk about the temperament you are looking for in a pet so we ensure we match you to the right dog - that is more important than the gender of your schnauzer. For example, do you want a relaxed, easy going lap dog or do you want a dog that will enjoy long walks and hikes with you? The only noticeable difference is a male will lift his leg to do his potty business and a female will squat.

If you are part of our SVCC Guardian Program and we co-own a breeding dog, we will discuss how that works with breeding for a stud male or having a female come back to live with us to whelp her puppies and care for them in our home.

Is the Miniature Schnauzer good with apartment living?

Yes! The toy sizes do especially well in apartments and living arrangements where they use potty pads instead of going outside. We have several of our puppies that live in this lifestyle and they are thriving.

I heard Mini Schnauzers bark too much – is that a problem?

At SVCC Toys LLC ours do not bark too much because they have been taught to bark to alert us. When we acknowledge what they are wanting us to see, then they stop barking. We say, “Thank you. I can handle this!”

We make it clear whatever is happening we can handle it - we are the pack leaders and don’t need them to be responsible for us. They will be great alert dogs and if you behave as the pack leader they will be calm and easy going.

Do I need AKC papers to ensure I have a red Mini Schnauzer?

At SVCC Toys LLC, our breeding dogs are AKC registered. AKC registration papers are a record to show who was bred to whom, and they do not say anything about the health or wellbeing of the dog.

In addition to pedigree records, we use Embark DNA testing to provide additional information about breed ancestry, inherited health risks and coat-color genetics before breeding. You will know you are getting a healthy, well-bred dog because we use Embark DNA science before breeding.

If you want AKC breeding rights on your puppy, please understand you will be paying more for the breeding rights. Also, if you buy a puppy from us that is a pet and not to be bred we will not provide AKC papers unless you make that known to us that it is important to you when you join our SVCC Puppy Priority Reservation List.

Where is SVCC Schnauzers located?

We are in Haverford, PA which is part of the Main Line Philadelphia, PA area. We are local to PA, NJ, NY, MD, and we can deliver puppies to anywhere in the US, United States with flight nanny services.

If you are looking for a well-bred, DNA tested, mini or toy Schnauzer, we are in Haverford, PA and at www.SVCCToys.com!