Colors And Color History
Alpats Kennel is home to the original colored Miniature Schnauzers as they were found in the beginning of the breed in Germany. Here you will see photos of these nearly lost colors. All are eligible for registration with the AKC but are not allowed to be shown in conformation. These disallowed colors can be shown in Jr. showmanship and all activites such as obedience.
It is my intention to breed these colors into show lines to improve on the conformation and make these colors the same as the 3 allowed colors. I am presently working on this and would encourage any other breeder currently breeding these colors to work on improving them also.
The Abbagamba Kennel in Germany was producing 'Parti' colors in 1929, first appearing from a pair of 'Blacks' and in the U.S. from a pair of 'Salt/Peppers'. 'Red', 'Yellow', and 'Brown' were the prominante colors in the early days of the breed. Many of the first ones imported and bred here in the U.S. were shades of these colors.
I will give a brief description of these colors.
This is not a genetics chart or a lesson.
Alpats Kennel is home to the original colored Miniature Schnauzers as they were found in the beginning of the breed in Germany. Here you will see photos of these nearly lost colors. All are eligible for registration with the AKC but are not allowed to be shown in conformation. These disallowed colors can be shown in Jr. showmanship and all activites such as obedience.
It is my intention to breed these colors into show lines to improve on the conformation and make these colors the same as the 3 allowed colors. I am presently working on this and would encourage any other breeder currently breeding these colors to work on improving them also.
The Abbagamba Kennel in Germany was producing 'Parti' colors in 1929, first appearing from a pair of 'Blacks' and in the U.S. from a pair of 'Salt/Peppers'. 'Red', 'Yellow', and 'Brown' were the prominante colors in the early days of the breed. Many of the first ones imported and bred here in the U.S. were shades of these colors.
I will give a brief description of these colors.
This is not a genetics chart or a lesson.
Black
'Black' is self explanatory. It can have a little white marking on the chest or toes but if more than 1" will be disqualified in a show.
Salt/Pepper
'Salt/Pepper'
'Salt/Pepper' is the most common of all colors in this breed here in the USA. 'Salt/Pepper' is banded hairs in shades of gray to black with lighter silver markings. Usually the hair tips are black but not always. This color ranges from a very dark nearly black dog to what is commonly called 'Silver'. The undercoat can be any shade and is inherited separately. If the dog has a dark undercoat when it's clipped it remains dark. If it has a light undercoat after clipping, the dog appears light. Clipping destroys the outer guard coat, so on most pet dogs you will only see the undercoat and not the actual dog's color. Below are examples of 'Salt/Pepper' ranging from nearly black to the palest silver white after clipping.
And finally for those of you who have the SILVER dogs. There's no such thing as a genetic 'Silver'. The 'Salt/Pepper' looses it's guard coat after repeated clippings and all you see left is the undercoat which is a Silver color. If this dog's coat was stripped a time or two it would grow the 'Salt/Pepper' once again. Most pet owners will call their light colored 'Salt/Pepper's Silvers.
'Salt/Pepper' is the most common of all colors in this breed here in the USA. 'Salt/Pepper' is banded hairs in shades of gray to black with lighter silver markings. Usually the hair tips are black but not always. This color ranges from a very dark nearly black dog to what is commonly called 'Silver'. The undercoat can be any shade and is inherited separately. If the dog has a dark undercoat when it's clipped it remains dark. If it has a light undercoat after clipping, the dog appears light. Clipping destroys the outer guard coat, so on most pet dogs you will only see the undercoat and not the actual dog's color. Below are examples of 'Salt/Pepper' ranging from nearly black to the palest silver white after clipping.
And finally for those of you who have the SILVER dogs. There's no such thing as a genetic 'Silver'. The 'Salt/Pepper' looses it's guard coat after repeated clippings and all you see left is the undercoat which is a Silver color. If this dog's coat was stripped a time or two it would grow the 'Salt/Pepper' once again. Most pet owners will call their light colored 'Salt/Pepper's Silvers.
Black/Silver
'Black/Silver'
'Black/Silver' is the same as a black doberman, solid black with silver to nearly white markings. The 'Black/Silver' with white markings is NOT a phantom. That is a term some breeders use to extract more money from the buyers pockets. Many times the "Black and Silver" with white markings will fade quicker and become even lighter till it looks like a pale silver color. When looking at a litter of 'Salt/Pepper' and 'Black/Silver' pups check behind the ears and around the hocks for light hair or a brownish color. These are 'Salt/Pepper', not 'Black/Silver', no matter how dark they appear!!!
For those who have one of those RARE "PHANTOM" colored minis. There is NO such color. The gene is a 'Black/Silver'. 'Black/Silver' is 'Black' marked with a dark 'Silver' to nearly pure 'White'. Just like 'Salt/Pepper' the marking vary in shade intensity. This does not make it a new gene.
'Black/Silver' is the same as a black doberman, solid black with silver to nearly white markings. The 'Black/Silver' with white markings is NOT a phantom. That is a term some breeders use to extract more money from the buyers pockets. Many times the "Black and Silver" with white markings will fade quicker and become even lighter till it looks like a pale silver color. When looking at a litter of 'Salt/Pepper' and 'Black/Silver' pups check behind the ears and around the hocks for light hair or a brownish color. These are 'Salt/Pepper', not 'Black/Silver', no matter how dark they appear!!!
For those who have one of those RARE "PHANTOM" colored minis. There is NO such color. The gene is a 'Black/Silver'. 'Black/Silver' is 'Black' marked with a dark 'Silver' to nearly pure 'White'. Just like 'Salt/Pepper' the marking vary in shade intensity. This does not make it a new gene.
Liver
'Liver'
All 'Livers' must have a 'Liver' nose, paw pads, lips and eye rims. NO exceptions! Eyes are usually a greenish Hazel. I have seen some that stay almost Blue. They should be Hazel. 'Liver' is a recessive to 'Black'. MS come in 'Liver', not 'Chocolate' because AKC has made this decision, therefore I will call it 'Liver'.
There are 3 'Liver' colors and 2 different patterns:
1 - 'Liver' - Recessive to 'Black'. This is a solid 'Liver' and can have white markings on the chest and toes just like 'Black'.
All 'Livers' must have a 'Liver' nose, paw pads, lips and eye rims. NO exceptions! Eyes are usually a greenish Hazel. I have seen some that stay almost Blue. They should be Hazel. 'Liver' is a recessive to 'Black'. MS come in 'Liver', not 'Chocolate' because AKC has made this decision, therefore I will call it 'Liver'.
There are 3 'Liver' colors and 2 different patterns:
1 - 'Liver' - Recessive to 'Black'. This is a solid 'Liver' and can have white markings on the chest and toes just like 'Black'.
Liver/Pepper
2 - 'Liver Pepper' - Recessive to 'Salt/Pepper'. The coloring is the same, banded hairs being shades of dark to light liver instead of black to gray as a on 'Salt/Pepper'.
Liver/Tan
3 - 'Liver/Tan' - Recessive to 'Black/Silver'. Solid 'Liver' body with tan to silver markings exactly like a 'Black/Silver'.
White Chocolate
'White'
With 'Liver' nose and points is a recessive to 'White' with 'Black' points. This color is a 'White' "masking" for 'Liver'. I add it here because it's an expression of the 'Liver' gene but actually should be under 'White'.
With 'Liver' nose and points is a recessive to 'White' with 'Black' points. This color is a 'White' "masking" for 'Liver'. I add it here because it's an expression of the 'Liver' gene but actually should be under 'White'.
Examples of partis.
'Parti' is a pattern and can be any color on 'White'. All three AKC accepted colors come in 'Parti' as well as all three 'Liver' colors. The pattern can be spots on a 'White' background or a colored jacket on a 'White' background. head can be any combination.
Ticking
Ticking
Small self colored spots found on 'Parti's' or 'Parti' carriers. Ticking is dominate over non ticking.
Small self colored spots found on 'Parti's' or 'Parti' carriers. Ticking is dominate over non ticking.
White
'White'
'White' is a recessive. 'White' is always born 'White' and never "turns" 'White'. 'White' is not pure 'White'. You can almost always find a yellow or cream hair or even a yellow stripe down the center of the back or yellow ears. There is NO pure 'White' like seen on a 'Parti' color. 'White' is an absence of color in the hair shafts but it's also a "masking" gene. Every 'White' is carrying the gene to make it produce exactly like the color it's "masking" or covering up. For instance, a white masking for 'Salt/Pepper' will sport the banded hair shafts in the guard coat. The absence of banded hairs tells you the dog is not a 'Salt/Pepper' and can be any other color. The only way to tell is to breed the dog. White masking for 'Black/Silver' bred to a 'Black/Silver' will produce 100% 'Black/Silver', unless the 'Black/Silver' is also carrying for 'White'. In other words, whatever the 'White' is masking for, it will produce in the same manner as that color. This is as far as I will go into the way the 'White' gene works.
'White' is a recessive. 'White' is always born 'White' and never "turns" 'White'. 'White' is not pure 'White'. You can almost always find a yellow or cream hair or even a yellow stripe down the center of the back or yellow ears. There is NO pure 'White' like seen on a 'Parti' color. 'White' is an absence of color in the hair shafts but it's also a "masking" gene. Every 'White' is carrying the gene to make it produce exactly like the color it's "masking" or covering up. For instance, a white masking for 'Salt/Pepper' will sport the banded hair shafts in the guard coat. The absence of banded hairs tells you the dog is not a 'Salt/Pepper' and can be any other color. The only way to tell is to breed the dog. White masking for 'Black/Silver' bred to a 'Black/Silver' will produce 100% 'Black/Silver', unless the 'Black/Silver' is also carrying for 'White'. In other words, whatever the 'White' is masking for, it will produce in the same manner as that color. This is as far as I will go into the way the 'White' gene works.
Colt
'Colt' Alpats Peace Maker International Champion Swedish Finch Norwegian Estonian Nordic Nordic Winner - 06 2003-2007
Contact: Jane Hagström
jane@bamburs.com
Another note about 'White'. It is not a Dapple Gene nor a Harliquin or Dalmation Spotting Gene. 'White' in Miniature Schnauzers is the exact gene as in the 'White' Poodle and does not carry genes for deafness or blindness.
Note for those who have what they call a turned 'White'. These are 'Salt/Peppers' expressing an extreme fading gene. They were born 'Salt/Pepper' and will be a genetic 'Salt/Pepper' their entire lives. A genetic 'White' bred to a like White will produce 100% 'White' every time. This turned 'White' color will breed like a 'Salt/Pepper'.
Note for those who have what they call a turned 'White'. These are 'Salt/Peppers' expressing an extreme fading gene. They were born 'Salt/Pepper' and will be a genetic 'Salt/Pepper' their entire lives. A genetic 'White' bred to a like White will produce 100% 'White' every time. This turned 'White' color will breed like a 'Salt/Pepper'.