Red Flag

Red Flags to Watch for in a Dog Breeder
Red flags from a breeder often signal backyard breeding practices or puppy-mill operations where profit is placed above the health and welfare of the dogs. A reputable, ethical breeder prioritizes health, temperament, structure, and proper placement. If you encounter any of the following, proceed with caution:
Breeding for Non-Standard Traits
Any breeder who focuses on sizes or colors not recognized by AKC (American Kennel Club) or CKC (Canadian Kennel Club) breed standards is a major concern.
Producing “rare” colors or exaggerated sizes often indicates:
• Crossbreeding
• very close Inbreeding
• Poor genetic selection
• Higher risk of long-term health issues
Examples of Problematic Marketing Terms:
• Exotic
• Teacup
• Micro
• Rare
• Mega coat
Blue eyes
Merle (in breeds that do NOT naturally come in Merle)
• Designer Breeds
• “Hypoallergenic” claims used as a sales gimmick
• Designer or off-color varieties that suggest mixed breeding or genetic instability
Breeding Practices That Are Red Flags:
• No written contract
• No health testing or proof of testing
• Releasing puppies before 8 weeks of age. ( ideal age should be at least 10 weeks of age. The small/medium breeds should be kept longer with the breeder.)
• Offering discounts for purchasing two puppies
• unproven quality
• Breeding dogs under 2 years old
• Breeding dogs with poor conformation or obvious faults (Example: ears that stand straight up naturally)
• Charging extra for so-called “rare” colors
• Always having puppies available (high-volume breeding)
• Not asking buyers any questions about lifestyle, experience, or suitability
• Poor or no socialization for puppies
• Won't take puppies back at any time of their life.

Choosing an ethical breeder helps protect the breed, supports responsible breeding practices, and ensures you bring home a healthy, well-raised puppy.

Pushy On asking for money
Asking for gift cards for payment
Will not speak to you. Their only communicate is by email or text messages.
Registration CKC (Continental kennel club)
Registration APRI ( American Pet registration Inc)
When they say they have traditional color schnauzer puppies. But their pedigree says it all. When their pedigree is NOT traditional color. (always check pedigree)

NOTICE: Canadian Kennel Club does recognize the WHITE (black nose) ! They do not recognize the White liver (Sales term is white chocolate. They are all white, with liver nose, pads and hazel eyes) miniature schnauzer. American Kennel Club does not recognize the white miniature schnauzer. You can still register them with AKC, but can not compete in the breed class. They can compete in Obedience and other sports activities.

Merle and Roan Schnauzer

Merle Miniature/Toy Schnauzers – What You Need to Know
How the “Merle Schnauzer” Appeared
The Merle pattern is not natural to the Miniature Schnauzer breed. The merle gene does not exist in the original Schnauzer gene pool.
So how did it show up?
It was introduced by crossbreeding Schnauzers with merle-patterned breeds, most commonly breeds like:
• Australian Shepherd
• Pomeranian
After several generations of breeding back to Schnauzers, the dogs may look like “purebred” Schnauzers, but genetically they are mixed-breed dogs, not true Miniature Schnauzers.
Why Kennel Clubs Do NOT Recognize Merle Schnauzers
The major kennel clubs do not recognize or accept merle coloring in Miniature Schnauzers:
✅ AKC (American Kennel Club)
✅ CKC (Canadian Kennel Club)
✅ FCI (International Federation of Cynology)
✅ UK Kennel Club
Merle is considered a disqualifying fault because:
• It is not part of the breed’s genetic foundation
• It was introduced through crossbreeding
• It brings serious health risks
Only fake, online, or unregulated registries will “register” merle Schnauzers. These registries exist to make the dogs sound rare or valuable, but they do not protect breed integrity or health.
Serious Health Problems Linked to the Merle Gene
The merle gene is not just a color — it is a genetic mutation affecting pigment and nerve development.
Health risks commonly linked to the merle gene include:
• Congenital deafness
• Vision defects and blindness
• Microphthalmia (abnormally small eyes)
• Colobomas (holes in eye structures)
• Missing or malformed eyes
• Neurological issues
• Weak immune systems
• Increased risk of skin cancer due to lack of pigment
“Double Merle” Risk (MM)
When two merle dogs are bred together, puppies have a high chance of being:
• Blind
• Deaf
• Both blind and deaf
This is why ethical breeders avoid merle entirely in breeds that were never meant to carry it.
Merle vs. Roan – They Are NOT the Same
These two patterns are often confused by backyard breeders.
Merle Pattern
• Patchy, marbled look
• Diluted areas mixed with darker base color
• Random splotches
• Caused by a genetic mutation (M gene)
Merle is genetically harmful and not natural in Schnauzers.
Roan Pattern
• Evenly mixed white and colored hairs across the coat
• Looks more “ticked” or speckled, especially on solid areas
• Seen in breeds like Cocker Spaniels and German Shorthaired Pointers
Roan also does not exist naturally in Miniature Schnauzers and appears only through crossbreeding, just like merle.
Even though roan does not cause the same level of health problems as merle, it is still not a recognized or acceptable color/pattern in the breed standard.
Bottom Line
Merle and roan Miniature Schnauzers are:
• ❌ Not purebred by genetic standard
• ❌ Not accepted by legitimate kennel clubs
• ❌ Produced through crossbreeding
• ❌ Often promoted through “rare color” marketing
Ethical breeders focus on preserving:
✅ Health
✅ Temperament
✅ Correct structure
✅ Breed standard colors only
If you’d like, I can rewrite this in a shorter version for Facebook or turn it into a polished website section for you.

Sun Sensitivity in Merle Dogs

Dogs carrying the merle gene have large areas of diluted or missing pigment, especially on the nose, eyelids, ears, and skin. Because of this lack of protective pigment, merle dogs sunburn very easily.

Common problems caused by sun exposure include:

Painful skin burns on lightly pigmented areas

Nose and ear tip burns

Blistering and sores

Increased risk of skin infections

Much higher risk of skin cancer, including squamous cell carcinoma

This is why dogs with merle coloring must be kept out of direct sunlight or wear protective gear and pet-safe sunscreen. This is another reason the merle gene is considered unsafe and undesirable in breeds that were never meant to carry it.

A'Lord Miniature Schnauzer |Toy schnauzer

Warning about Toy Schnauzers.

Toy Schnauzers are especially prone to anxiety, most notably separation anxiety. Common signs include excessive barking, lip licking, destructive chewing, house soiling, clingy behavior, trembling, and vocalizing such as whining or howling. This anxiety is often linked to poor socialization, sensitivity to loud noises, or fear of being left alone.

Toy Schnauzers may also be predisposed to several health concerns, including pancreatitis, bladder stones, eye disorders and skin allergies. These conditions are often influenced by genetics and diet. Additional risks include hypothyroidism, liver shunts, dental disease, and obesity.

Toy” Schnauzers – Important Truth About Size.
According to every legitimate kennel club standard (AKC, CKC, FCI, KC):
There is no such thing as a “Toy Schnauzer” in any official Miniature Schnauzer breed standard.
Why “Toy Schnauzers” Are NOT Recognized
No legitimate kennel club in the world recognizes a “Toy Schnauzer”:
❌ American Kennel Club (AKC)
❌ Canadian Kennel Club (CKC)
❌ FCI (International Federation of Cynology)
❌ The Kennel Club (UK)
Dogs marketed as “Toy,” “Teacup,” or “Micro” Schnauzers are not a real breed or variety. These are marketing terms used to make puppies seem rare, trendy, or more valuable.
How “Toy Schnauzers” Were Created
Because the Schnauzer gene pool does not naturally produce a toy-sized dog, these dogs are created by:
• Breeding the smallest, often weakest dogs together
• Using runts repeatedly without regard to health
• Crossbreeding with actual toy breeds:
• Toy Poodles
• Pomeranians
After crossing, breeders breed back to Schnauzers so the dog “looks” like a Schnauzer, but genetically it is no longer pure.
The Real Reason They Exist: Profit
“Toy Schnauzers” are bred for money, not for improvement of the breed.
They are often advertised as:
• “Rare”
• “Exclusive”
• “Teacup”
• “Apartment perfect”
These terms are marketing tactics, not indicators of quality.
This kind of breeding:
• Does not preserve the breed
• Does not follow the standard
• Does not improve health or temperament
Instead, it destroys the true Miniature Schnauzer.
Health Problems Common in “Toy” Schnauzers
Out-of-standard tiny dogs frequently suffer from:
• Fragile bones and frequent fractures
• Heart defects (mitral valve disease)
• Liver shunts
• Hydrocephalus (fluid on the brain)
• Collapsing trachea
• Severe dental crowding
• Seizures
• Chronic digestive problems
• Shortened lifespan
This comes from shrinking dogs unnaturally instead of preserving strong, healthy structure.
Size and Color Gimmicks Harm the Breed
Unethical breeders often combine illegal sizing with illegal coloring such as:
• Merle
• Parti
• Blue/tan
• Liver
These “rare” colors do not exist in the correct Miniature Schnauzer standard and are only produced by mixing in other breeds.
This does not help the breed — it damages it.
Bottom Line
There is no such thing as a “Toy” Miniature Schnauzer.
They are:
• ❌ Not recognized by any real kennel club
• ❌ Created through crossbreeding and profit-driven breeding
• ❌ Genetically mixed
• ❌ Harmful to the breed’s future
Ethical breeders protect the standard, structure, health, and temperament of the true Miniature Schnauzer.

Mega Coated Schnauzer

The true about the mega coat

Mega-Coated” Schnauzers – Facts vs. Marketing
What Is a Correct Schnauzer Coat?
A true Miniature Schnauzer has a very specific coat type defined by all major kennel clubs (AKC, CKC, FCI, UK KC):
✅ Harsh, wiry outer coat
✅ Dense undercoat
✅ Weather-resistant texture
✅ Tight, clean outline
The coat is meant to be functional, not fluffy. The breed was developed as a working vermin dog, so the coat had purpose — protection, durability, and low maintenance in the field.
What Is a “Mega-Coated” Schnauzer?
A so-called “mega-coated” Schnauzer is a dog with:
• Extremely long, soft, fluffy fur
• Heavy feathering
• Excessive volume
• Hair that grows like a spaniel or poodle coat
This type of coat is not natural to the Schnauzer and is not part of the breed standard.
How the Mega Coat Appeared
The Miniature Schnauzer does not naturally produce this type of coat.
This exaggerated coat occurs through:
• Crossbreeding with long-haired breeds such as:
• Cocker Spaniels
• Poodles
• Maltese
Repeated breeding for soft, flowing hair instead of correct wire texture
After multiple generations, the dogs may visually resemble Schnauzers, but genetically they are no longer purebred.
Why It Is NOT Accepted by Breed Clubs
No legitimate breed organization accepts this coat type:
❌ American Kennel Club (AKC)
❌ Canadian Kennel Club (CKC)
❌ FCI (International Federation of Cynology)
❌ National Schnauzer clubs worldwide
The correct Schnauzer coat is harsh and functional, not soft and ornamental.
Schnauzers are not meant to look like Cocker Spaniels, Poodles, or designer mixes.
Non-Standard Colors: Reds and Other “Rare” Coat Colors
True Miniature Schnauzers only come in accepted colors such as:
✅ Black
✅ Salt & Pepper
✅ Black & Silver
Colors like:
❌ Red
❌ Chocolate
❌ Liver
❌ Blue
❌ Parti
❌ Merle
…are not recognized or accepted by legitimate kennel clubs. These colors only appear through mixing other breeds into the genetic line.
Why Backyard Breeders Promote “Mega Coats” and Rare Colors
These exaggerated traits are not about improving the breed.
They are marketing tools used to:
• Create the illusion of “rare”
• Charge inflated prices
• Attract inexperienced buyers
This kind of breeding:
• Ignores health
• Ignores correct structure
• Destroys the breed standard
Biggest Misconception
Schnauzers are not supposed to look like Cocker Spaniels.
If a “Schnauzer” has:
• A flowing, silky coat
• Feathering
• Spaniel-like appearance
…it is not a correct Schnauzer by any legitimate breed standard.
Bottom Line
So-called “mega-coated” Schnauzers are:
• ❌ Not part of the true breed standard
• ❌ Produced by crossbreeding
• ❌ Rejected by all legitimate breed clubs
• ❌ Promoted strictly for profit
Ethical breeders preserve the correct:
✅ Coat texture
✅ Structure
✅ Color
✅ Function

BEWARE OF SCAMMERS

Things to watch out for.

Puppy & Transport Scammers – What You Need to Know
Unfortunately, puppy and pet transport scams are becoming more common. These scammers prey on good-hearted people looking for a new puppy by using stolen photos and fake stories to make quick money.
Common Puppy Scammer Tactics:
• Stealing photos from real breeders’ websites and social media pages and using them to “sell” puppies they do not own.
• Advertising puppies at very low prices to grab your attention. If the price seems “too good to be true,” it usually is.
• Using emotional wording like “adoption,” “rehoming,” or “rescue” when they are actually trying to sell a dog for profit.
• Refusing to offer live video calls or in-person visits.
• Avoiding phone conversations and communicating only by email or text messages.
Transport Scammer Warning Signs:
• Claiming the puppy must be shipped immediately.
• Being pushy or aggressive about booking transport.
• Asking for extra “unexpected” fees such as special crates, climate-controlled shipping, insurance, or paperwork.
• Pressuring you to pay through gift cards, wire transfers, or apps like , Cash App and more.
Big Red Flags to Watch For:
• They will not talk on the phone and avoid video calls.
• They rush you to send a deposit.
• They won’t show live proof of the puppy or parents.
• They use poor grammar and copy-paste style messages.
• They claim to be “out of state” or “traveling” and can’t meet in person.
How to Protect Yourself:
• Always ask for a live video call showing the puppy.
• Ask for vet records and proof of ownership of the parents.
• Research the breeder’s website and social media history.
• Never send money without verifying the breeder is real.

Important Reminder:
Scammers rely on urgency, low prices, and emotional stories. A real breeder will be transparent, patient, and willing to answer your questions. Cheap puppies with shipping offers are almost always a scam.

Red Flag

Red Flag

Merle Colors

Merle and Roan Schnauzer

Warning about Toy Schnauzers.

Mega Coated Schnauzer

The true about the mega coat

BEWARE OF SCAMMERS

Things to watch out for.

This website uses cookies.