any advice for a prospective schnauzer owner?

[emster79]

Hi Everyone,

after deliberating for over a year on the best breed for me, I have decided to get a mini schnauzer in October. I really want a puppy, but in the past have always had rescue dogs so have no idea what to look out for (apart from the basics - do NOT buy from anything that resembles a puppy farm). I'm based in the Peak District, so can anyone recommend good breeders in the north or midlands area (I don't mind going extra distance to find the right pup, however)? The dog I get doesn't have to have perfect show qualities, the most important things to me are health and temperament.

I think my questions are; should you always make sure a pup is raised in the home rather than in a kennel outside (I think the answer's yes, but am just interested to know what other owners think of this)? How far in advance should you contact breeders - do the most reputable ones have waiting lists? How many times should you visit the puppies and how old should they be when you get them?

Also we already have an Old English in the house (Henry) - does anyone keep a big dog and a mini togther? I'd be interested to speculate how they might get on together.

Thanks for reading,

Em

[Tulip]

I'd say yes - just because if you take a pup from being raised inside, it's already desensitized and comfortable with very important things we often overlook, such as toasters, people talking, TV, etc. Seeing your pup at five or six weeks before picking it up at eight weeks is the norm, but some are lucky enough to see the pup from birth to when they pick it up! Big dogs and Minis get on fine, so I hear - Minis are pretty robust and as long as they're supervised so Henry doesn't squash her accidentally, then you should be fine!

Can't WAIT to meet your pup!

[emster79]

Thanks for your advice. In an ideal world I'd like to get one rasied in a house with children so it's socialised a bit with them too - not that I have any, but for me reliability with kids is essential for when friends and neighbours come round, plus cute dogs arelike magnets for children when out on walks!

It did cross my mind that Henry may squash a smaller dog. He's not that bouncy apart from at walk times, but his tail is very strong at full wag and he can't feel that when it whips people so I doubt he'd notice if he accidently trod on another animal during times of excitement. Having said that I'm sure I'm just worrying about nothing, they probably just naturally get out of each other's way. He regularly goes on walks with a westie and there haven't been any problems as yet.

I can't wait to get my puppy. I'd prefer a female because in my experience they tend to be more independant, but I can't speak for schnauzers. What are the differences in dogs/bitches characters in this breed?

Em

[Stacey100]

Hi there

Welcome! (wave)

In answer to your questions, it may be considered better to get a puppy that has been home reared for the obvious reasons such as socialisation etc but don't rule out a puppy from a kennels, as long as it is a good reputable breeder and you take the dog young enough and socialise it from the very beginning then I don't really think it can be too different. It's all in the socialisation and exposure from a young age, crucial time between 8 weeks and 12 weeks.

I have a 10 year old Mini dog who I got from a Kennels at approx 4 months, he had missed out on socialisation in the crucial time due to the fact he was older when I got him as the breeder had held him back (long story) but he took instantly to being in the house and car and was house trained within a week so there you go. But, he was a little more difficult to be social around other dogs, which is the only time he reacted, as he had been kept away from them, anything else, cars etc he accepted because I did.

I also have an 11 month old mini Bitch who I got from a home reared breeder and was lucky enough to keep tabs on from birth, I travelled a long way for her, from Notts to Wales.
I find with her that she is very well balanced and social and well tempered but that may be down to the breeder himself, does not guarantee every pup will be, depends on the home, the parentage etc, the breeder.
I would suggest doing your research on breeders now, don't rule out going further afield if necessary.

In regard to having a larger dog also, I don't really see a problem there, I know people who have Great Danes with Yorkies and they get along fine, in fact it is the Yorkies that rule the roost so to speak, as long as you are there to supervise the initial meeting and regulate it a bit in regard to first contact it should be fine.

Also, as I own one of each sex of the breed although I don't think the breed has a great deal to do with it, I would say, IMO, that a bitch tends to be more loyal and dependant where as a dog (if entire) tends to be more independant and a little more easily distracted but to be honest, they are no different from people really, each has their own character and personality that may differ from the stereotype.

For instance, my first Schnauzer (gone now sadly) was an entire male who was the most gentle,steady, quiet, sweet obedient soul that I have known, whereas my current dog, when in his prime, LOL, could be described as a hooligan if the mood took him and would (if he could) flick 2 fingers at me and do what he liked, other times, he was a nice, well mannered dog as usual.

I don't think there was anything more to that other than that is him, his personality. Liked to be wicked once in a while.

Anyway, hope that helped, think of contacting the Kennel club to find accredited breeders in the areas you want and then take it from there.

Hope that helped anyway.

Stacey

[Caramomo]

First puppy farms can be deceptive - they can put on a VERY respectable face. You must expect to see mum with the pups in the house, any other agult dogs is also a bonus - they are a very good guide to how pups will turn out, so you want to see happy, friendly adults including mum. Health requirements for a mini mean that both parents should be eye tested and you should expect to see copies of these certificates. All puppies should also be screened as a litter at 6 weeks. If anything doesn't feel right about a breeder, then just walk away - there are plenty of decent ones out there so you don't have to risk going with one your not happy about.

I would, personnally, always prefer a pup raised in the home, as Tulip says they are familiar with the sounds of daily life (washing machine, TV, doors, chatter etc) and in some cases have had a head start on their toilet training.

Start talking to breeders as soon as you get their details - it will probably start with an email or phone conversation and make sure you are not in a hurry - I have spent 2hours on the phone with a buyer. You should feel that the breeder asks as many questions as you do, they should care about the home their pups are going to. They should want to meet you, sometimes before pups are born and pups can normally be viewed from 4 weeks or so. You can visit pups as often as you and the breeder agree, I extended an open invitation to my buyers, but some breeders may have reasons to limit this so it is best to speak with them. Puppies should go to their new homes from 8 weeks, some breeders keep them to 10 or 12 weeks for various reasons and again this should be discussed with the breeders you contact.

Minis are often kept with larger dogs, Giant Schnauzers seems to be a popular choice with Mini's and they get on well together.

Here are some good threads to help your research;

http://www.schnauzer-forum.co.uk/viewto ... 776#p71776
http://www.schnauzer-forum.co.uk/viewto ... ying+puppy
http://www.schnauzer-forum.co.uk/viewto ... 038#p72038
http://www.schnauzer-forum.co.uk/viewto ... der#p75077
Advice on choosing a breeder;
http://www.schnauzer-forum.co.uk/viewto ... 258#p72258
A discussion about spaying for you to consider;
http://www.schnauzer-forum.co.uk/viewto ... =18&t=5059

Hope all this helps.

[schett]

I agree with Stacy we have our puppiers in the house till 4-5 weeks then move them out to a puppy room by the house so they get the use of out side space miniature schnauzers as a rule are all mostly out going and are easy going all of my lot would all come up and wont to play you do however get a few shyer ones in a litter which is not a bad thing like adults puppies do have a pecking order .
When we have puppies I like the new owners to come around the 4-5 week age for miniatures they are just about up on there feet and can be picked up and cuddled at this age it is good for us to have new owners come as oftan as they like one its good for my puppies to get all the extra fuss and also too for new owners to see how puppies grow it is amazing how they change in just one week.
We have all sizes of dogs here I would say to start with just keep an eye on your new puppy when you first bring it home as with all puppys when young if a big dog say would jump on it could do some damage but miniature schnazuers area tough breed and as the puppy get older would be fine my lot run with our giant schnauzer and are find .
In finding a good breeder it is good to look around you must feel safe with the breeder you pick and also ask to go over and meet there dogs this will also give you some idea of the temperment of there dogs by meeting them in there home/kennel.
You must also make sure that both parents have had a BVA eye test and was clear and that also the litter will be eye sreened/tested too and will they be kennel club reg,would they come with any vaccinations or microchipped also checked that they have be wormed on a reg basis .
There are sadly a lot of people out there breeding schnauzers who are not in it for the breed and do sale badly bred and reared puppies only by going and seeing for yourselfs you will know I have seen a lot of adverts that come across as rully good breeders but in fact thay are only in it for the money and know all the right words to put down on there adverts .

[Arbormalc]

I currently have three Mini's and have only had one from a pup. My last bitch Abby was sadly pts a few months back and we rescued/rehomed Ziva.

At 12 weeks Toby was playing with my cousins Leonberger - think little Mini pup and Horse and you're about right. We were staying there on and off for around two months - there were no issues size wise, other than Abby didn't seem to like him, but she didn't come ou of her shell until Toby was around 6 months.
Having had two of each i found no great difference in temperament - Abb's was as likely to ignore me (if she found something more interesting) as Oscar does now. Toby is very well behaved, doesn't stray too far when walking but is a bit 'grumpy' in his old age.

As Ziva has only been with us 9 weeks it's hard to tell, although I feel she'll be loyal, loving and well-behaved - eventually!!

As above - if getting a pup, knowing the background health etc... is vital.

Good luck with your choice and don't forget there are poor little Mini's needing new homes from time to time.

[emster79]

Wow, thank you all for that incredible advice, that really is helpful! I think the best thing to do is speak to as many breeders as possible and only go ahead once I'm 100% sure that it feels right. I'm generally quite sensible with these things and like to think I'd cotton on if any breeders were insincere. I watched "good dog bad dog" on channel 4 a while ago and one vet said that puppy farmers go as far as to set up a false home situation together with random adult dogs that are supposedly the parents in order to dupe people into buying. It's unbelievable! I certainly would feel more comfortable if the breeders were asking me lots of questions about where their puppies were going to - if they're just interested in making a sale then alarm bells will start to ring. I noticed that a few breeders answered my thread (thank you); is it acceptable to phone breeders listed by kc even if they don't have any litters advertised , and it wouldn't be seen as a nuisance?? Also, do good breeders actually advertise their litters online usually or is it more common for them to have waiting lists?

So many questions....! I will check out the links you have kindly posted in this thread.

Thanks again for all you comments!

[Stacey100]

You bother a breeder as much as you like whether they have litters ready or not, if the breeder comes across as reluctant or unhelpful to your questioning/enthusiasm then I would probably stay away from that breeder in my opinion.

You are the one investing a lot of money in a little living breathing creature so you should feel able clarify whatever you need to make the right decision and choice. (bigthumbs)

[Caramomo]

Yes, feel free to call them - they may have a litter planned that would be ideal for you, ones ready in October will be just about conceived around now, so may not be advertised yet. Most breeders (good 'uns anyway) agree that the best possible situation is to have every pup have a home before they arrive into the world. If they have nothing they may be able to pass you on to someone that has...

[Stacey100]

Sound advice Caramomo (bigthumbs)

[Tulip]

That's how I got Maisy - called a breeder that didn't have a litter, but had studded a bitch that had one pup left. Caramomo has given swell advice!

[dannie_kl]

Hi and welcome to the forum, i hope you get all the help you need here. My boss raises her pups in puppy rooms and not in the house from 7 days and they do very well so i did this with my litter of pups and they were every bit well adjusted, i invited the owners to come as often as they could and i made myself available to asnwer questions they may have. If some one found my details and called me up i would of course help them where i could but i would not appreciate someone repeatedly calling me asking 1 question at a time as my boss often gets. try and do as much research for yourself as you can because often this is the best way to learn find the answers where possible and they seem to stick in better. don't assume an accredited breeder is a good one-its been established thats not always the case! but i think you will know by gut instinct when you meet the right breeder that they are for you!

[summer46]

Yes good breeder's do advertise online just make sure like Dannie says do your homework and learn all you can about the breed and make sure that you see mum with pups . I actually saw Summer advertised online from a very good breeder.