Choosing a puppy

by Anon

Hi,
A while back we lost our 13 yr old Mini Schnauzer and now are now considering a new puppy. Riley was our first Schnauzer and we were fortunate to find a very reputable local breeder who happened to have the pick of the litter for sale. They were elderly and had originally wanted to keep him, but the husband became ill and they opted to sell him when he was a little older so we didn't see him as a young puppy.
I have learned quite a bit about the breed standard as an adult and have some idea of what to look for in a puppy, but would really appreciate some more guidance in how to determine the conformation of a puppy. We would like a black and silver. I know how to determine that the dog will be a s&p but how do I know for sure that it will be a black and silver?
Also, what type of ears do I look for in a puppy. We will leave them natural. Is there a way to determine the quality of their gait or movement as a puppy?
Thanks