The Genetics of the White Colored Schnauzer

White is a recessive trait in the color gene for the Miniature Schnauzer. There is some disagreement among the experts as to whether it was in the genetic pool from the beginning of the breed, or not.  Because it is a recessive trait, it is somewhat uncommon to have an all-white litter of Miniature Schnauzer puppies unless you plan for it.  

Dixie had her first litter of puppies in the Winter of 2007, with her first owner.  She was bred to a Salt n' Pepper at that time.  The resulting litter had 3 blacks, 3 Salt n' Peppers and 1 white puppy.  The number of 1:7 seems to be a common ratio for whites in a litter when bred to a non-white.  Salt and Pepper appears to be the most common Schnauzer color.

We adopted Dixie at 18mths, shortly after her litter was sold. We waited till the spring of 2009 before we bred her to a White Schnauzer. The resulting litter was completely white because her Stud also carried the double recessive gene for white.

There is an interesting website all about the genetics of color in the Miniature Schnauzer.  It says the following,
"The true white Miniature Schnauzer is genetically a dog with the color turned 'off' so that it has white hair and pink skin...The 'true' white Miniature Schnauzer will also show cream and beige.  In this color schnauzer, white is masking over the real genetic color of the dog."  If you want to read more about it visit the following website:  

http://www.max-the-schnauzer.com/white-schnauzer.html

About the Stud for our Litter

While we are still waiting on Dixie...I thought it would be of interest to tell you that after a lot of research and interviews, I have settled on the Stud dog for this litter.  His name is Toby and he is a small Schnauzer (under 20lbs).  He is AKC registered. His coat is a very light silver color, with white markings.  His owner has been breeding Schnauzers for 20 years, and knows Toby's lineage for several generations.  He has a lot of white in his lineage.   He has fathered many litters and often throws white puppies.  When bred with white females the result has been all white litters.  Nonetheless,  I should note that other colors are still a possibility!  But most importantly, Toby has a lovely disposition, a gorgeous coat and has every desirable trait to make a great match for Dixie!

It is worth noting at this time, that although the father is AKC registered, since Dixie is ACA registered, the resulting litter will have papers to be ACA registered.

I have talked with Toby's owner and all the arrangements are in place so that when Dixie is ready, the breeder will be ready for Dixie's visit.  I have also lined up some summer help to be here with the pups when I cannot.  So I have done my part, and we are ready to breed Dixie even if she waits until the end of April to go into heat.

8 weeks

 

This is Snowy (Casper) He was the last of the puppies to leave us.  We enjoyed our last few days together very much.  We felt happy for him and all the puppies as they had found such happy families to live with.

Nibbler's going to his home today. We're going to miss him so much!

Snowy and Nibbler's last few days with us. (8 weeks old)

Puppy Identification

Ok, so it is a little confusing trying to identify all the puppies in the pictures.  So I will give you the color code that we used while they puppies were little.

Color/gender      Collar Color           Nursery Name       Family Given Name  
Beige female       none- beige fur         Crystal                    Madison
White female       pink collar                La La                      Leila
White Male         Green collar             Teddy                       J.J.
White Male         Purple collar             Buddy                    Charlie
White Male         Light blue                 Frosty                     
White Male         Yellow                     Coconut                  Nibbler
White Male         Dark Blue                Snowy                     Casper