When we got our little Knosey (right of photo below), she was pitch black. Although she is a miniature schnauzer, she looked like a little Scottish Terrier. This is our Knosey at about 3-4 months old.

The breeder told us that she may very well turn platinum. “Platinum?”, we asked. He tried to explain himself, and looking at our little baby, we just couldn’t see that happening. He said that, “Although she is solid black now, because of a couple things I notice in her undercoat, it is possible that she will turn a platinum color. Now, if she turns platinum, she will be very unique and beautiful.” He told us she would look like she is a platinum/silver color. Frankly, just looking at how black she was, we didn’t believe it.
Now, remember, I had a Cock-A-Poo for 18 yrs, and he was black and gradually over many years turned a silver-grey color. This did not happen over the first year he was alive. He was only slightly grey when he was about 7 or 8 yrs old, and he was very silver when he was 18 yrs old. So, I wondered if this wasn’t what the breeder was speaking of.
Here is a photo of Knosey (right hand side below) at about 9 months old and, as you can see, she is still very black in color. However, her chest started to turn slightly platinum/grayish.

(This is Kurious, Kaptain & Knosey, our little miniature schnauzers. This photo was taken just before they got their spring haircuts, and just after a good bath. For some reason, they all look like they are in trouble (they don’t love baths). They are too cute to us, and we just couldn’t resist a photo opportunity. We lived in Canada this past winter, and they needed those coats. They look extremely different with their schnauzer cuts. We love the way they look both ways.)

Now, bear in mind that when your little black terrier is ready for their first haircut, they may very well come home from the groomer’s as a platinum dog. Be ready for a huge change. We were flabbergasted when we saw her come out from the groomer’s. We couldn’t stop looking at her! Not only was she not the “chubby” looking, curly-haired puppy we were used to through the winter, she now was a little, grown-up and slick-looking platinum princess. It was such a huge transformation. We were sad and ecstatic all at the same time. We just couldn’t believe it!
Here is a photo the day after Knosey got her Spring haircut. As you can see, she is visibly platinum. She is no longer the little black puppy we adopted. Underneath all of that winter hair, she had turned into a platinum princess!

As you can see in this photo, her legs, chest (and belly) are almost completely whitish platinum. She was just a few days older than 1 yr old. Knosey gets more and more platinum everyday. We have to eat our words. She did turn platinum! Now, we understand what that breeder meant.

* Check out the final comparison above. On the left, Knosey is 3-4 months old, and on the right, she is 1 yr old.
Everyday, Knosey gets more and more platinum in color. In the sunlight and from a small distance, she looks so similar in color to Kurious, who is greyish silver.
She is very unique and beautiful! We just love her…whether she is black or platinum, or a combination of the two, we are ecstatic to have her as a part of our little family!
We hope you enjoyed this installment of the Terrier Lover blog.
Cherish Your Terrier,
Kimberly Edwards
P.S. Did Your Black Terrier Turn Platinum? If you have photos of your Platinum Prince or Princess, feel free to contact me or send me a photo so that I can show your baby off too! LOL
P.P.S. If you are a new miniature schnauzer owner, this book has fabulous information for you on your new baby! Most of all, have fun and enjoy those puppy months! They go by so quickly!
If you would like to keep our little pooches busy & happy while I am diligently working on TerrierLover.com, buy them some new toys or delicious treats! Click Here!