How Big is my Dog?
Many people ask me, “How much do toys weigh?” They think toys and Minis are actually sized by weight. Nothing could be farther from the truth. If you read the breed standard, Miniature Schnauzers are measured in inches not pounds. The standard for a regular size mini is from 12" to 14" tall at the top of the shoulder blade, which is called withers. On a toy that would be up to 11" at the top of the withers. Within the toy there are very tiny adults that do not come near the 11" mark. Different breeders call some of these tiny toys or T-cups and even micro toys. There is no official name or size. It seems each breeder makes up their own mind on what is or is not a toy.
The best reason you cannot use weight to measure this breed's size is, especially in toys, there is so much difference in bone structure which equates to a big difference in dogs weights of the same height. I've seen a 10 # dog that's 12" to 13" tall. Some breeders call that a toy. It's no toy! That's a full size mini. I've seen 9" tall dogs weigh 12 # and they are obese usually with a large frame. Lets face it... dogs are skinny, overweight, heavy boned and light boned. The dog's framework will have a lot to do with it’s weight.
MEASURING SCHNAUZERS // Dogs are measured in inches not in pounds. They are not a side of meat at a butcher shop! The only relevance weight has is when you compare it to the height in inches. A 12" tall dog will average 12# if it's of average build.
Schnauzers should have their chest dropped at least to the top of the elbow, should have a fore chest that sticks out farther than the front joint of the shoulder sticks out. They should have medium/heavy bone and not fine bird legs. A dog built like this will weigh more than one without bone or depth of chest or one that's slab sided.
To measure the dog put it on a table or other flat surface. A grooming table is best. Make sure the surface is not slick. Stand the dog with it's legs at 90° angles to the table top. The rear legs are from hock joint down 90° to the table top. Put the dog's head at the normal angle for that dog.
The height is measured from the top of the shoulder bone, or withers to the floor. Then the length of the dog is from a line parallel to the top of the table. Measure the length from where the chest sticks out farthest to the point of the bone that's under the tail. Make sure you measure in a horizontal line and not slanted. Envision the dog in a square box with each point touching top, sides and bottom. That's a square dog.
Many people ask me, “How much do toys weigh?” They think toys and Minis are actually sized by weight. Nothing could be farther from the truth. If you read the breed standard, Miniature Schnauzers are measured in inches not pounds. The standard for a regular size mini is from 12" to 14" tall at the top of the shoulder blade, which is called withers. On a toy that would be up to 11" at the top of the withers. Within the toy there are very tiny adults that do not come near the 11" mark. Different breeders call some of these tiny toys or T-cups and even micro toys. There is no official name or size. It seems each breeder makes up their own mind on what is or is not a toy.
The best reason you cannot use weight to measure this breed's size is, especially in toys, there is so much difference in bone structure which equates to a big difference in dogs weights of the same height. I've seen a 10 # dog that's 12" to 13" tall. Some breeders call that a toy. It's no toy! That's a full size mini. I've seen 9" tall dogs weigh 12 # and they are obese usually with a large frame. Lets face it... dogs are skinny, overweight, heavy boned and light boned. The dog's framework will have a lot to do with it’s weight.
MEASURING SCHNAUZERS // Dogs are measured in inches not in pounds. They are not a side of meat at a butcher shop! The only relevance weight has is when you compare it to the height in inches. A 12" tall dog will average 12# if it's of average build.
Schnauzers should have their chest dropped at least to the top of the elbow, should have a fore chest that sticks out farther than the front joint of the shoulder sticks out. They should have medium/heavy bone and not fine bird legs. A dog built like this will weigh more than one without bone or depth of chest or one that's slab sided.
To measure the dog put it on a table or other flat surface. A grooming table is best. Make sure the surface is not slick. Stand the dog with it's legs at 90° angles to the table top. The rear legs are from hock joint down 90° to the table top. Put the dog's head at the normal angle for that dog.
The height is measured from the top of the shoulder bone, or withers to the floor. Then the length of the dog is from a line parallel to the top of the table. Measure the length from where the chest sticks out farthest to the point of the bone that's under the tail. Make sure you measure in a horizontal line and not slanted. Envision the dog in a square box with each point touching top, sides and bottom. That's a square dog.
My little Voodoo. She was my heart doggie. Here is an example of the short legs and a long body. The head is in proportion and the front legs are straight. The vet docked her tail way too long but that's not what this example is about.
In my early days of breeding toys I understood very little of the genetics for color or size. I soon found out when breeding any dogs with more than 2" difference in height, some or all of the pups could be long bodied and have short legs.
Long legs are a dominate trait so breeding the short legs to short legs will result in more short legs. Soon this trait is "set" and very difficult to correct. These dogs always have a long body similar to Voodoo above. Although this is liked by some it's not correct and should not be bred for. Breeders should strive to make their toys look like the regular size Mini.
Toy sized Miniature Schnauzers are just as active as the regular size ones. They will chew, dig, and bark with all the gusto any good Mini possesses. They are just as smart and enjoy doing tricks and obedience. There's nothing different but size. With the variety of colors and their smaller size, you may find you will want a whole "pack" of these lovely little "mini" Mini Schnauzers!!!
Long legs are a dominate trait so breeding the short legs to short legs will result in more short legs. Soon this trait is "set" and very difficult to correct. These dogs always have a long body similar to Voodoo above. Although this is liked by some it's not correct and should not be bred for. Breeders should strive to make their toys look like the regular size Mini.
Toy sized Miniature Schnauzers are just as active as the regular size ones. They will chew, dig, and bark with all the gusto any good Mini possesses. They are just as smart and enjoy doing tricks and obedience. There's nothing different but size. With the variety of colors and their smaller size, you may find you will want a whole "pack" of these lovely little "mini" Mini Schnauzers!!!