Miniature Schnauzer

Hand-stripping maintains the coat’s harsh texture, essential for show standards. Use a stripping stone for better control over coat removal.

The Schnauzer’s coat should be short for smartness, with extra care given to maintaining a slightly longer, dense undercoat for protection.

The Miniature Schnauzer has a slightly sloping top line, with the withers being higher than the rear. Strip the top line tighter at the rear, leaving more hair towards the withers for a smooth transition.

Ensure the underline emphasises depth in the chest and is neatly blended into the coat, without creating a skirt.

Use a #15 blade for the face, ears, and neck. The schnauzer’s head should have a flat, clean appearance with no lumps or bumps.

Strip the top of the head, and blend the clipper work into the stripped areas with thinning shears for a neat finish.

Column-like legs are essential for a proper Schnauzer profile. Keep the hair on the front legs tight to emphasise the chest while ensuring the legs appear straight down from the shoulder.

Use chalking techniques to add volume to the legs, especially if the dog lacks dense furnishings.

Blending clipped areas with stripped sections requires careful use of thinning shears to avoid visible lines. Pay attention to areas like the head, legs, and body for a natural flow.

If a Schnauzer lacks key breed features like a prominent chest or well-bent stifle, use hand-stripping to create the illusion of stronger angles and proportions.

For dogs lacking furnishings, especially in the legs, use chalk and cholesterol cream to add volume and achieve the desired full-legged appearance.