Schnauzer Colors



Two small dogs: a gray schnauzer close-up and two black-and-white dogs sitting together on chairs

The AKC now accepts a range of colors for schnauzer registration! You can contact the AKC for more information regarding schnauzer color and registration.


Loyal Luv's Schnauzers is very proud of the wide range of colors and patterns our puppies are bred with! From the standard to the newly accepted, you will find the classic good looks and big personalities in every one!


Pictured below are examples of schnauzer coloring.


Black


One of the more common colors you will see on schnauzer breeds, black is a classic favorite. Black schnauzers are solid black. It is acceptable to find some white on the chin, toes, or chest. They will have black pads and a black nose.

Two small black dogs, in side-by-side photo, one with a yellow polka-dot bow, side by side outdoors.

Black & Silver


Black & Silver is another of the more standard colors you will find on a Schnauzer. With solid black bodies and copper markings. The typically pattern starts at the eyebrows, inside of the ears, across the chest, down the legs to their feet, and on the underside of their tail. Often, these copper markings lighten significantly as they age turning into the silver coloring in adulthood.


Schnauzer coloring described as "Phantom" simply refers to how brightly the markings are at birth. Black & Silver Phantoms are not any different than Black & Silvers.

Two small black-and-gray dogs in side-by-side photos, one standing on grass and one lying on a wooden deck.

Left: Black & Silver | Right: Black & Silver Phantom

Black & Tan


Black & Tan is a gorgeous new Schnauzer color. With solid black bodies and copper markings at the eyebrows, inside of the ears, across the chest, down the legs to their feet and on the underside of their tail.


Schnauzer coloring described as "Phantom" simply refers to how brightly the markings are at birth. Black & Tan Phantoms are not any different than Black & Tans.

Small black-and-tan puppy sitting on a wooden chair in a home interior

Platinum


Platinums are beautiful, light silver Schnauzers that usually change over time from a light Salt & Pepper or a light Liver Pepper to a Platinum.

Small dog indoors, gray and white with a long beard, sitting beside a brown teddy bear with a white flower collar.

Salt & Pepper


Salt & Pepper can vary greatly. They can be so dark as to resemble a Black & Silver or so light, they could be mistaken for a White at a distance. The one true factor that determines a Salt & Pepper is the banded hairs! Each strand of hair will have three shades of gray. Dark Salt & Peppers are predominantly darker on birth. Lighter Salt & Peppers are often called Platinum Silvers. For all Salt & Pepper schnauzers, age gives the beautiful silver color we love!

Fluffy white dog with a black nose standing on a wooden deck outdoors

Liver (Chocolate)


Liver, or Chocolate, is the brown version of the classic black schnauzer. They have solid brown bodies, possibly with some white on the chest, toes, or chin. Liver Schnauzers will have a chocolate nose and toes.

Brown puppy portrait with “Teddy” text on a white background

Liver & Tan


Liver & Tan is the chocolate counterpart to the Black & Silver Schnauzers. With liver/chocolate bodies and cream/tan markings on their eyebrows, snout, inside their ears, across the chest, down their legs, and underneath their tails. Liver & Tan Schnauzers will have a chocolate nose and pads.


Schnauzer coloring described as "Phantom" simply refers to how brightly the markings are at birth. Liver & Tan Phantoms are not any different than Liver & Tans.

Two small fluffy puppies, in a side-by-side photo, one standing indoors and one lying on its back in a hand outdoors.

Left: Liver & Tan | Right: Liver & Tan Phantom

Liver Pepper


Liver Pepper is the chocolate counterpart to Salt & Pepper Schnauzers. They can range from a very dark liver to a very light liver color at birth. Liver Pepper will have the characteristic banded hairs, same as Salt & Pepper. The banded hairs will be in shades of brown/chocolate. Liver Peppers tend to fade in color into adulthood. Liver Pepper Schnauzers will have a chocolate nose and pads.

Small fluffy gray dog standing outdoors with tongue out

White


White Schnauzers are elegantly beautiful! Born White, these Schnauzer puppies remain white their entire lives. These are not cream-colored Schnauzer puppies that age White, either! They are not albino. A White Schnauzer will have a black nose and pads.

Small white fluffy dog in an outfit in a side-by-side photo with the other dog beside a tan teddy bear on a couch

White Chocolate


A White Chocolate Schnauzer has a solid white coat. They will have a chocolate nose, pads, and eyelids.

Side-by-side photo of two small white dogs.

Cream


Cream is a newer color for the Schnauzer breed. They are a beautiful, light, creamy color that may have a light red tint or what some people may call a "Wheaton." They can have a black nose or chocolate nose.

Small fluffy tan puppy looking at the camera indoors

Red


Red Schnauzers are a beautiful, amazing new color that is a darkened version of the cream with a red tone. They can have a black nose or chocolate nose.

Small tan dog sitting on a gray rug beside a white stuffed animal toy

Sable


Sable Schnauzers have black-tipped hairs. The rest of the hair coloring can be Gold to Yellow, Silver, Grey, or Tan. The darkness of the coat depends on how much of each hair is black versus the lighter color. Totally clear Sable Schnauzers might only have black in their whiskers. As with any color Schnauzer, they can also be Parti.

Two tiny brown-and-white puppies lying on blankets in a side-by-side collage

Left: Sable | Right: Sable Parti

Parti Markings


A parti patterned Schnauzer is a bases color covered in patches of white. A solid Black Schnauzer with white markings is a Black Parti. A Black & Silver Parti will have the distinct white eyebrows and snout as well as additional white patches throughout. Parti pattern can be found in nearly all the Schnauzer colors. Salt & Pepper Parti, Liver Parti, Liver & Tan Parti, Liver Pepper Parti, and even a White Schnauzer can be carrying a Parti coat. A White Parti will only display as White since the Parti masks the base coat.

Three small black-and-white puppies posing on chairs and by a pool, each wearing a colorful bandana.

Ticking Markings


Ticking is often called speckled or flecked. It is a pattern of small spots found only in the white patches of a dog's coat! Ticking reveals the base coat of the dog underneath the white patches. Ticking is not visible at birth. The coloring appears as the puppy grows. An example of this can be seen with Dalmation pups.


Typically, ticking appears heaviest on the snout and legs. If the dog displays as ticking, we see it here first. The ticking pattern can range from just a few spots to an all over pattern. A very closely pattern ticking is often called roan or mottled.

Small black-and-gray puppy sitting on a red textured blanket, facing forward.

Merle Markings


Merle coats are mottled patches of color in the solid or parti base coat. This often comes with blue or odd-colored eyes. The effect is absolutely beautiful in Schnauzers.


This pattern can affect all base colors! The colors on paws and noses may be a mottled pink and black, giving them additional charming merle accents!

Two fluffy black-and-white dogs being held up side by side indoors



Located in Mississippi


601.569.3788


Loyal Luv’s Schnauzers logo with gray Schnauzer emblem, brown text, and phone number 601.569.3788

Serving Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Kansas, Kentucky and the remaining United States of America.