Picking a haircut for your pup can be almost as hard as choosing one for yourself. Your miniature schnauzer is bound to look adorable no matter what grooming style you decide on, so go with one that best fits your needs and preferences.
Natural
If you love your mini schnauzer's shaggy coat, you could always keep him au naturel. Your dog should have a double coat, with a naturally hard and wiry outer coat and a softer undercoat. If you keep your pup's coat this way, be prepared for daily brushing, as the coat doesn't shed naturally. The dog needs some help getting the dead hairs out. The dog may occasionally need his hair trimmed from around the eyes; let a vet or professional groomer do this.
Puppy Cut
A puppy cut for your mini schnauzer will cut down on the amount of brushing you have to do. Plus, he'll look just as cute as a bug. This is when his coat is trimmed all over his body to a length of around 1 to 2 inches, much like his natural puppy coat. You may leave the hair on his legs slightly longer, if you desire, and you can choose how long or short to leave his facial furnishings -- his beard and eyebrows.
Schnauzer Clip
A schnauzer clip is the traditional grooming style for a miniature schnauzer. In this clip, the hair on your pup's neck, body and tail is clipped short, to between a quarter-inch and a half-inch in length. The hair on his legs is left long but is shaped around his feet to give a rounded appearance. His cheeks and skull are clipped short, his eyebrows are trimmed so he can see clearly, and any excess ear hair is also trimmed. His beard is left long but is carefully shaped.
Grooming for the Show Ring
If you plan to show your miniature schnauzer, American Kennel Club breed standards state that his coat must be hand-stripped, rather than mechanically trimmed. His head, ears, neck, chest and tail should all be stripped, in a similar fashion to a schnauzer clip. Hand-stripping is a specialized procedure, so let an experienced groomer do this work.