Although the schnauzer is a German breed, the German breed standard is not recognised in all countries over the world. It is applicable only in those countries that are member countries of the Federation Cynologique International (FCI). In the US and UK, which both are not members of the FCI, schnauzers are breed and judged by the standard of the American Kennel Clubs (AKC) resp. the standard of the Kennel Clubs (KC).

• FCI Standard

• AKC Standard

• KC Standard

Fédération Cynologique Internationale  

The Fédération Cynologique Internationale is the World Canine Organisation. It includes 84 members and contract partners (one member per country) that each issue their own pedigrees and train their own judges. The FCI makes sure that the pedigrees and judges are mutually recognized by all the FCI members. 

The Fédération Cynologique Internationale was created on May 22nd, 1911 with the aim to promote and protect cynology and purebred dogs by any means it considers necessary.

The founding nations of the FCI are as follows:

* Germany (Kartell für das Deutsche Hundewesen en und Die Delegierten Kommission)
* Austria (Osterreichischer Kynologenverband)
* Belgium (Société Royale Saint-Hubert)
* France (Société Centrale Canine de France)
* Netherlands (Raad van Beheer op Kynologisch Gebied in Nederland)

The Federation disappeared due to the first World War and in 1921, the Société Centrale Canine de France and the Société Royale Saint-Hubert re-created it. The new articles of association were adopted on April 10th, 1921 and on March 5th, 1968, the FCI got the legal personality by decree. 

The FCI recognizes 339 breeds, Each of them is the 'property' of a specific country. The 'owner' countries of the breeds write the standard of these breeds (description of the ideal type of the breed), in co-operation with the Standards and Scientific Commissions of the FCI, and the translation and updating are carried out by the FCI. These standards are in fact the reference on which the judges base themselves when judging in shows held in the FCI member countries.

Every member country conducts international shows as well as working trials. results are sent to the FCI office where they are input into computers. When a dog has been awarded a certain number of awards, it can receive the title of International Beauty or Working Champion. These titles are confirmed by the FCI. 

Breed Groups:

The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a registry of purebred dog pedigrees in the United States. Beyond maintaining its pedigree registry, this kennel club also promotes events for purebred dogs, including the "Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show", an annual event which predates the official forming of the AKC, and the "AKC/Eukanuba National Championship". The AKC is not part of the International Canine Organisation, Fédération Cynologique Internationale, as most other countries' kennel clubs are. 

The AKC is not the only registry of purebred dogs, but it is the one with which most Americans are familiar. For a dog to be registered with the AKC, the dog's parents must be registered with the AKC as the same breed, and the litter in which the dog is born must be registered with the AKC. Once these criteria are met, the dog can be registered as purebred by the AKC.

As of April 2007, the AKC fully recognizes 157 breeds with 4 additional breeds granted partial status in the Miscellaneous class. Another 58 rare breeds can be registered in its Foundation Stock Service.

Breed Groups:

The Kennel Club is a kennel club based in London, England. It is the oldest of the world's all-breed kennel clubs and one of the most prestigious. It is also the largest in the United Kingdom. It was the first official registry of purebred dogs in the world , and its annual registrations in the early 2000s average 280.000 dogs. 

The club was founded on the 4th of April 1873. The KC is not part of the International Canine Organisation Fédération Cynologique Internationale, as most other countries kennel clubs are.

The Club's signature event is the prestigious and world famous "Crufts" dog conformation show, held annually since 1948, which attracts competitors from all over the world. It also holds much smaller Scruffts for cros breed gods and the dog event "Discover Dogs".

The Kennel Club's primary objective is to promote in every way the general improvement of dogs". It is able to offer dog owners an unparalleled source of information, experience and advice on dog welfare, health, training and breeding.

Breed Groups:

 Here your find more information about the Miniature Schnauzer breed: WIKIPEDIA