The miniature schnauzer comes in fourteen color variations – but not all breed organizations recognize every color.
Miniature Schnauzer Colors
The Fourteen Color Variations
Technically there are fourteen miniature schnauzer color variations. These include:
- Black
- Black parti
- Black and silver
- Black and silver parti
- White
- White chocolate
- Salt and pepper
- Salt and pepper parti
- Chocolate (Liver)
- Chocolate parti (Liver parti)
- Liver and tan
- Liver and tan parti
- Liver pepper
- Liver pepper parti
Black
The black miniature schnauzer is solid black when born and remains solid black as they mature. As black miniature schnauzers become seniors, they may be grey. Very rarely senior black miniature schnauzers will retain their black coloration.
Black Parti
The black parti miniature schnauzer has a white body, a black blanket or black spots, a black nose, and black paw pads. The black parti has brown eyes.
Black and Silver
The black and silver miniature schnauzer has coloration like the salt and pepper coat in young puppies. As black and silver miniature schnauzers mature, they will still have a black body, but the copper markings on the feet and face will lighten to platinum silver.
Black and Silver Parti
The black and silver parti miniature schnauzer can have a white body with a black blanket or a black blanket with white spots. Black and silver parti miniature schnauzers have brown eyes and white eyebrows. The eyelids, paw pads, and nose are solid black.
White
The white miniature schnauzer is pure white as a puppy and remains the same color in adulthood. White schnauzers are not cream, nor should they be confused with albino coloration.
White Chocolate
The white chocolate miniature schnauzer has a white body with chocolate-colored eyelids, paw pads, and a nose. The white chocolate coloration has green or hazel eyes.
Salt and Pepper
There are light and dark variations of salt and pepper miniature schnauzers. The salt and pepper schnauzer is identifiable by the three gray shades on each hair. Whether salt and pepper have a light or dark coat, they will mature to have silverish-colored skin as an adult.
Salt and Pepper Parti
The salt and pepper parti miniature schnauzer has a white body with a brown blanket or brown spots that later turn silver. The salt and pepper parti has brown eyes, a black nose, and paw pads.
Chocolate (Liver)
The chocolate (liver) miniature schnauzer has a deep chocolate coat as a puppy and adult. Chocolate miniature schnauzers should have green or hazel eyes. The miniature schnauzer should have a chocolate-colored nose, eyelids, and paw pads.
Chocolate Parti (Liver Parti)
The chocolate parti miniature schnauzer has a white body with a chocolate blanket or chocolate spots, nose, and paw pads. The chocolate parti has green or hazel eyes.
Liver and Tan
The liver and tan miniature schnauzer has a white body with a brown blanket or brown spots, brown paw pads, and a nose. The liver and tan parti coloration have hazel or green eyes, and the cheeks and eyebrows are tan in color.
Liver and Tan Parti
The liver and tan parti miniature schnauzer has a white body, a brown blanket or brown spots, brown paw pads, and a nose. The liver and tan parti coloration have hazel or green eyes, and the cheeks and eyebrows are either cream or white.
Liver Pepper
The liver pepper miniature schnauzer has coat coloration like the salt and pepper coloration, but the hairs of the coat have three chocolate shades instead of grey. The liver pepper miniature schnauzer has hazel or green eyes.
Liver Pepper Parti
The liver pepper parti miniature schnauzer has a white body with a brown blanket or spots. The liver pepper parti has hazel or green eyes, brown paw pads, and a brown nose. The cheeks and eyebrows of this coloration are cream-colored.
The American Miniature Schnauzer Club
The American Miniature Schnauzer Club recognizes just three coat colors:
- Salt and pepper
- Black and silver
- Solid black
Federation Cynologique Internationale (AISBL)
The Federation Cynologique Internationale recognizes just four coat colors:
- Black with black undercoat
- Pepper and salt
- Black and Silver
- White with white undercoat
The United Kennel Club (UKC)
The United Kennel Club recognizes just four coat colors:
- Salt and pepper
- Black and silver
- Black
- White
American Kennel Club (AKC)
The American Kennel Club recognizes just three coat colors:
- Black
- Black and silver
- Salt and pepper
Conclusion / Summary
The miniature schnauzer has fourteen color variations, but professional organizations only recognize a maximum of four. The other coat colors are due to dilution genes and are a reason for disqualification in professional circles.
