What Is the Correct Way to Trim the Face of a Miniature Schnauzer?

Miniature schnauzers are the smallest variety of schnauzers. The double, wiry coat of the mini schnauzer is typically shaved or hand-stripped a few weeks before a dog show. Obtain the show look by allowing the hair to grow sufficiently so that the texture is visible. The furnishings on the face should be left long to underline the strong, rectangular shape of the head. However, you should make small adjustments in the eyebrow and muzzle area to get the optimal show look.

  1. Tools You Need

    • Trim the dog's hair after a brushing and a bath so that the hair is tangle-free, soft and easy to work with. To remove the hair on the face, get ear powder or a large clipper and brushes. To trim the head furnishings you need a pair of blunt-nosed scissors, mini clippers and thinning shears. You'll also need a comb to style the hair on your miniature schnauzer's face.

    Remove Hair

    • Remove all hair above the eyebrows using a clipper or pull out the hair with your fingers. Clip the hair between the eyebrows and the ear on both sides of the face. Remove the hair from the eye corners and the ears, and then clip the hair on the cheeks and around the beard.

    Trim the Eyebrows

    • Remove a small triangle of hair starting in the middle point between the eyebrows and to the inside corners of the eyes. Comb the eyebrows toward the muzzle and cut them so they cover half of the muzzle. From the inside corner of each eye, trim the eyebrows at a sharp angle. The hair near the inside corner of the eye should be longer than the hair on the outside corner. Trim any loose hair from the eyebrow area.

    The Beard and Muzzle

    • The beard accentuates the rectangular shape of the head and shouldn't be removed. However, if the beard is very thick, you can trim it. Use thinning shears so you won't change the length of the beard but will remove some hair to thin it, making it less prone to tangles. Comb the beard down and check whether it's symmetric on both sides. When you remove the hair around the beard, always hold the muzzle and the beard so you don't accidentally cut in it. The top of the muzzle is not typically shaved or hand-stripped, but certain groomers and schnauzer owners clip a thin line in the middle, starting from the back of the nose.