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Black
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A Standard Schnauzer with a black coat is solid black, with no stray tan or gray hairs, fading or discoloration. The undercoat typically is equally black. Exceptions to this are aging, prolonged sun exposure and scarring due to cuts or bites. A small "smudge" of white fur on the chest area sometimes occurs on black-coated Standard Schnauzers.
Pepper and Salt
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This color is made up of white and black individual hairs and white hairs with black bands. All shades of pepper and salt fall under this category, from dark iron gray to silver gray. Ideally, the undercoat is gray as well. However, fawn or tan undercoats can also occur. Breeders desire a darker "facial mask" that complements the particular shade. The pepper and salt color may also fade to silver or light gray in the eyebrows, cheeks and whiskers, across the chest, under and inside the legs, and under the body and tail
Faults
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Faults are imperfections in the ideal coat colors. They include any color other than black or pepper and salt, shading or mixtures in the topcoat such as brown, red, rust, tan or yellow, and striping or spotting. In pepper and salt colors, a black "saddle" with no pepper and salt coloring is considered a fault. In black colors, gray hairs in the coat and any undercoat color other than black are considered faults.
Coat Texture
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According to the American Kennel Club, "coat texture is of the greatest importance." Regardless of color, the coat should be wiry, tight, hard and as thick as possible. The undercoat should be close and soft. The outer coat is harsh and should stand up from the back when viewed against the grain, without lying flat or smooth.
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Standard Schnauzer Colors
The Standard Schnauzer is the oldest of the three Schnauzer breeds. (The other two are Miniature and Giant.) They are protective by nature, very intelligent, and love children. Like many purebred animals, the Schnauzer has certain coat colors specific to the breed. In the case of Standard Schnauzers, they are black and pepper and salt.