Racing stripes

[Schnauzerluv]

Why do some P&S mini schnauzers have a black racing stripe down their backs?

[zeta1454]

The darker stripe along the back in P&S minis is not uncommon and was a trait that was prized at one time in the past but then fell out of favour. I think it occurs quite naturally but not sure why. I have read of it being called a ‘tiger’ stripe and a ‘donkey’ stripe. When it was in favour, some breeders may have tried to retain the trait by breeding those dogs that showed it strongly but nowadays I think it just occurs naturally in certain dogs and is not a fault or a benefit in terms of showing, for example

[Schnauzerluv]

Thank you for your answer Leigh! It was just out of curiousity, I guess it's not known why it occurs. Maybe a trait from one of the other breeds to make the smaller version schnauzer.

[schnauzer]

My last girl had the stripe down her back, her groomer who had 40 yrs of Mini's from breeding to grooming called it the Donkey stripe, my boy who I now have doesnt have it glad to say

[Schnauzerluv]

Tiger stripe sounds nicer

I think it's pretty sick, I like it. Not your thing Christine? My two passed S&P pups didn't have it either. But my girl Chelsea was a complete dark dark grey almost black anyway. Although she lightened up when she got older like double digits.

[schnauzer]

Tiger stripe sounds nicer

I think it's pretty sick, I like it. Not your thing Christine? My two passed S&P pups didn't have it either. But my girl Chelsea was a complete dark dark grey almost black anyway. Although she lightened up when she got older like double digits.

Tiger stripe does sound better have to say I didn't like it on my last girl, think it was because her groomer called it the donkey stripe & she gave me the impression that it was something to do with her pedigree but she did have a good pedigree anyway I still loved her to bits just said she was different & unique with it.

[Schnauzerluv]

Ok yeah, she sounds so sweet!