minischnauzerhaus

New Blog!

2010-10-16T18:58:00.002-04:00

We have a new blog set up at minischnauzerhaus.com. It has some nifty new features. We look forward to seeing you there!

Miniature Schnauzer Survey

2009-06-08T18:02:00.002-04:00

I have generated a survey about Miniature Schnauzer ownership.

I would love your opinion.

I will post results once I receive them.

Thanks!

Click Here to take survey

Schnauzer Byte: Questions? Get Answers!

2008-04-23T15:38:00.004-04:00

Have a question about your miniature schnauzer (particularly, concerning grooming or obedience)? Go here.

Schnauzer Byte: In the car

2008-04-15T12:11:00.004-04:00

Does your Mini Schnau love to ride? A lot of minis love to get in the car and go, go go!

GW Little has some great pet seats and harnesses. Also, here are some at Drs. Foster and Smith.

Always remember to safely restrain your furbaby in your vehicle.
GW Little has a Dog Car Safety Video featuring their Lookout Car Seats.

(Pic from GW Little)

Funny for the Weekend

2008-02-08T13:59:00.000-05:00

see more cute puppies and funny loldog pictures

Have a great weekend, fellow mini schnauzer lovers.

Schnauzer Byte: Choosing a Breeder

2008-02-03T01:12:00.000-05:00

When choosing a miniature schnauzer breeder, be sure to take your time.

Do your research. Remember no puppy mills, no backyard breeders.

Two things (out of about 50) to look for in a mini schnauzer breeder:

1. A five year health guarantee against serious genetic defects.

(I'd run away from one-year guarantees, it can take three to five years for some mini schnauzer genetic disorders to present themselves.)

2. The breeder will take back the dog for any reason during its lifetime.

(A sign that the breeder cares about their dogs and not just the money they get for them)

Here are some good breeder criteria, though, they are not mini schnauzer specific.

For your viewing pleasure:

Flickr Pool of Mini Schnauzers

Missing Mini Schnauzer in Miami

2007-12-11T18:36:00.001-05:00

Have you see this fella? This is Kobe from Miami, FL. (Palm Springs north of Miami Lakes area) He is missing, last seen in his yard. His family misses him very much. Please leave a comment if you have any information. Thanks!!

Mini Schnauzer Travel: Link Rally

2007-11-20T16:46:00.000-05:00

'Tis the season to travel. Here are some pet travel-related links:

Pets Welcome
PetSmart's Pet Hotel
ASPCA's Car Travel Tips
ASPCA's Air Travel Tips
TakeYourPet.com
Dr. Connie's Travel Tips
TripsWithPets.com
DogFriendly.com
How to choose a boarding kennel
PetSitters.org
Pet Sitter Tips (scroll down to find)

Remember, miniature schnauzers are happiest when they are with the family.

Schnauzer Byte: House Breaking with Bells On

2007-11-17T16:08:00.000-05:00

If you are housetraining your Mini Schnauzer and don't have a pet door, check out these Dog Doorbells. Your Mini Schnauzer would ring the bells when they need to go potty, and you would simply let them out (or, if you don't have a fenced-in yard, grab the leash.)

Or the very crafty could probably make their own, since they seem to consist of sleigh bells and ribbon.

Schnauzer Byte: Cool food & water bowls

2007-11-16T12:05:00.000-05:00

Does you mini schnauzer like to soak you with their wet beard after drinking? Do they suck down their food like it's their last meal? G.W. Little has a neat solution for these problems. (But it isn't cheap.)

Food for a Miniature Schnauzer

2007-11-16T11:07:00.000-05:00

A miniature schnauzer's diet is very important in maintaining their health. Mini schnauzers can have endocrine and skin problems, they gain weight easily, and their bodies sometimes have problems digesting fats and certain grains. Although mini schnauzers love table scraps, these really need to be limited. Here is a list of great, really good, and good foods for your mini schnauzer. I compiled this list based on my own experience, vet suggestions, and research online, I'm sure there are more excellent brands out there that I am not familiar with. Choose one that both works for your pet's health and that they enjoy eating.

Great foods:
Eagle Pack
Prairie
Innova
Flint River

Really Good Foods:
Wellness (grain-free)
Chicken Soup for the Dog Lovers Soul
Avoderm (great for the itchy schnauzer)
Iams (some wet/soft products have been recalled in the past)
Eukanuba

Good Foods:
ProPlan Small Breed
Hill's Science Diet (I think might have been recalled in the past?)

There are lots of brands out there to choose from, this listing just selected a few that seem to work with our particular breed. Be sure to talk to your vet and breeder about choosing a food.

Also, if you are changing your mini schnauzers food, do it in increments by mixing in the new food with the old food and changing the ratio of new food to old food over the course of a few days. If you don't swap gradually, you may find yourself clean up "schnauzer urk" all day.

Here are some links concerning dog food:
Recalled Foods
AAFCO definitions of dog food ingredients
Food Pets Die From - article
How to Buy Dog Food
What Wy-O MS feeds their schnauzers

Q & A: Miniature Schnauzer

2007-11-13T22:35:00.002-05:00

Question:
I have recently acquired a one year old beautiful schnauzer and I lover her dearly already. However I have also have two young children ages 8 and 9 and if they approach her the wrong way she will snap at them. What is the proper way to address this issue?

Answer:
Congrats on getting a schnauzer!! Here's to many happy years with her as part of your family.
However, you first need to quickly address this very serious issue.

There are some questions I have
- how long have you had the dog?
- has the dog been through obedience training?
- was the pup taught bite inhibition (by 18 wks)
- was she properly socialized as a puppy (around 12 wks)?
- did she have any adverse experiences with children as a young pup?
- why did you choose this particular dog?
- is she exhibiting this behavior with anyone else?

However, I will base my answer on the information I have.

I think the answer is in your question: "if they approach her the wrong way she will snap at them" What is the “wrong way” in this case? Roughhousing and “aggravating” should really be avoided. Overexciting her will exacerbate the situation. Make sure the kids only approach her in the “right way”. (Which, of course, isn't the easiest thing for a kid to do, so keep an eye on them)

Dogs snap when they are frightened, and she is probably showing warning signs that she is frightened before she snaps. Does she suddenly become tense and stiff? Can you see the whites all around her eyes? Is she growling or are her ears laid back? These are all signs to back off and allow her to not feel threatened. Continuing to interact with her if she is exhibiting these warning signs or actually snaps is very dangerous for your kids.

Obedience training is needed in this situation. A trained dog is a happy dog, and the kids can learn the proper way to interact with her and create a great bond. Find a good trainer asap.

Most trainers emphasize never letting children play with dogs unsupervised. This will help you in that you will probably be able to read (faster than the kids) the dog's warning signs.

If she does snap again, maybe try employing a technique used in bite inhibition training. Step away, say Ouch!!!! and then give her your back or even leave the room for a few seconds. Since she is young, this may send the message that you don't like biting, and since she is probably feeling frightened or threatened, will allow her to calm down. Praise her for showing any submissive behavior during this.

Bite inhibition is crucial to teach a puppy, by 4 months. If she wasn't taught this, consult a trainer immediately to find out what to do. Also, make sure she has a safe "kid-free zone" she can retreat to, and make sure the children respect this zone.

Some of a dog's temperament is inherited, but good and consistent training can sometimes help improve their faults. And, with mini schnauzers, consistency in training is imperative.

Visit these links:
http://en.allexperts.com/q/Dogs
http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=0&cat=1495&articleid=628
http://wcco.com/petcorner/Anne.Hendrickson.Dogs.2.373904.html
http://dogplay.com/Behavior/growling.html
http://dogplay.com/youth.html#safety
http://www.webtrail.com/petbehavior/dec97.html
http://www.sspca.org/Dogs/ChildrenAndDogs.html
http://leerburg.com/corrections.htm

Also, here is a link to some helpful books.

Hope this helps—remember supervise your children when they are with the dog, teach them the proper way to interact with her, and be sure to get training as soon as possible.

disclaimer: I am in no way a certified expert on this subject. In situations as serious as this, a professional should be consulted for proper training. : )

Schnauzer Byte: Barking

2007-11-08T17:38:00.000-05:00

Miniature schnauzers are great watchdogs because they inherently bark at anything that moves!!

Be sure to teach your schnauzer to "be quiet" after acknowledging their alert. They learn any command fairly quickly, so this shouldn't be a problem if consistently enforced. A mini schnauzer that is not taught the "quiet" command will never shut up!

Genetic Disorders in Miniature Schnauzers

2007-11-06T14:23:00.000-05:00

Every breed of dog has one or more genetic defects that are particular to its breed. Miniature schnauzers are no different. Genetic defects are one of the main reasons someone interested in a mini schnauzer as a pet should do their research when selecting a breeder.

The most common problem with mini schnauzers is (inherited) eye problems: Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA), retinal dysplasia, cataracts, blindness

Be sure that your breeder does a CERF on the sire and the dam before breeding them. Also, the puppies should be examined. If the breeder hasn't CERF'ed the puppy, be sure to take the puppy to a veterinary opthamologist within the next 2 to 3 days and then 6 months after the first visit.

Another common problem is with the endocrine system: pancreatitis, diabetes, hypothyroidism, Cushings disease Addison's disease and liver problems, such as hepatic shunts. Kidney problems: bladder stones and UTIs. These diseases can sometimes be avoided (or, at least, are less exacerbated) by feeding your mini schnauzer a good diet and keeping treats, junk food and table scraps to a bare minimum. These guys put on weight very easily and their bodies don't do well processing fats, so a wholesome diet is mandatory. Also, be sure to brush their teeth regularly.

Skin problems are also fairly common with this breed: schnauzer bumps (schnauzer comedo syndrome), skin allergies and hot spots (usually the result of poor diet and little exercise) Mini schnauzers are frequently allergic to corn, wheat and low grade meat products. So, again, diet is very important.

Some very serious health problems in miniature schnauzers are:
Heart problems
mycobacterium avium infection
Myotonia congenita
Canine Neuronal Ceroid-Lipofuscinosis (NCL)

Other problems that happen, though seemingly not as frequently are:
Luxating patella (and ruptured ACL)
Cancer (spay or neuter your pet)
Epilepsy
Von Willebrand Disease - V.W.D.

This is an overwhelming list of issues, but you can still be the owner of a healthy schnauzer by 1) Selecting a great breeder 2) Using a vet familiar with schnauzer health 3) be disciplined in the care of your mini schnauzer: great diet, proper exercise, training and consistent grooming can prevent a lot of their health problems—don't love your pet to death by giving them a life so luxurious that it kills them.

Remember, a healthy miniature schnauzer can, and should, live from 12 to 18+ years.

The Miniature Schnauzer's Temperament

2007-10-30T21:12:00.000-04:00

A mini schnauzer's disposition is not dependent upon its color. Whether black, salt & pepper or black & silver, the mini schnauzer is intelligent, loving and mischievous.

To have a mini schnauzer with the idea temperament, one must be sure to train and socialize the dog. Socialization of a mini schnauzer puppy cannot be emphasized enough, without it the pup can be downright mean to children, strangers and other animals. Also, train your mini schnauzer and stick with the training. Since these little dogs are so intelligent, they are constantly looking for ways to become the alpha of the family. If you let up, and they become alpha, it's a hard road to get back into control of the situation.

When trained and socialized properly, mini schnauzers are the best family companion ever. They are sensitive to your feelings, love to play, love to snuggle, are great with kids, and keep an ear/nose/eye out for who's at the door. Be sure to play with and exercise your mini schnauzer frequently. (A bored mini schnauzer is a destructive mini schnauzer.)

Genetics also have a say in the mini schnauzer's disposition. Be sure to get your pup from a breeder that raised the puppies in their house, and breeds dogs that have good temperaments to start with.

Grieving the loss of your pet

2007-10-23T16:36:00.000-04:00

The loss of a pet, a furbaby, is an unfortunate, and inevitable, experience. If you have lost a pet, my deepest sympathies and big hugs from me.

Here are some resources I have found helpful in coping with my recent loss:
Sid's Garden of Memories
Chance's Spot
Pet Loss
Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement
Lightning Strike Pet Loss Support
Rainbow Bridge
Pet Grief Counseling Hotlines
Superdog Grief Counseling Resources
Pet Loss Books
Our Departed Pets

also, on the brighter side, when you need something cheerful:
Cute Overload
Icanhascheezburger
things that make you go ahhhh
world's cutest animals
Puppy Break

For those who know someone who has lost a pet:
If you have a friend or family member who has just lost a pet, please be there for them. Avoiding someone because their grief makes you uncomfortable, or you don't know what to do, is extremely selfish and inconsiderate. (Grief is something we will all experience and endure sometime in our life. And, sure, grief affects us all differently, and different things cause grief to different people.) Be there for that person, whether they need a shoulder to cry on, a hand to hold, someone to talk to, or maybe just know that someone is keeping watch over them at a distance. Let them know you are there, and, please, follow up with them periodically. (Grieving people can easily forget that you are available to them.) If you own a pet, maybe make them available to the grieving person. For me, interacting with other animals helps me endure the sadness I feel.

Click here for a relevant post (a woman coping with the death of her brother).

Friday Link Rally

2007-10-19T10:48:00.000-04:00

Karen Brittan's "Thinking of Buying a MS Puppy?"
Karen Brittan's "A Few Words about Breeding and Breeders"
Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test
Dogplay.com: Responsible Breeding
Dogplay.com: Guide to a Responsible Breeder
OMG! Who clipped this poor baby's ears??: So bad, they're cute.

Why the miniature schnauzer rocks

2007-10-16T10:05:00.000-04:00

Here's why I think mini schnaus are so great:
They are so freakin' intelligent
I like to watch the eyebrow action on a mini schnauzer deep in thought. And, training a mini schnauzer? They will test the limit to no end; tell them to "sit" and they will see if they can get a reward for "almost" sitting. Tell them to "fetch the ball" and they will try to see what will happen if they bring the bunny, instead.

They love to be little helpers—ever present where ever you are.
Trying to use the bathroom? They want to pass you the toilet paper. Trying to shower? They'll wash your feet. Trying to use the computer? They want to help type. Trying to read? They wanna know what you are reading. Trying to cook? They want to sample the dish, or "clean up" the kitchen floor. Trying to walk? They think it's easier for you if they walk between your feet.Trying to nap? Scoot over, you can't nap alone. My Nixie woke me up, told me when someone was at the door, kept track of mealtimes, let me know when it was time for a break, and when it was time for bed. She was my little personal assistant.

They are sensitive to your moods and emotions.
You can't cry without a beard in your face, trying to see what they can to to make it better. My hubby suddenly developed atrial fibrillation in his mid-thirties. Our mini schnau laid with her head on his chest the entire time, occasionally getting up to peer into his eyes or smell his breath. She would look at me as to say "Something is wrong with dad!".

The schnauzer dance.
No, really, it is worth having a mini schnauzer just to see the dance. They frequently like to use a sock as a prop.

The miniature schnauzer sense of humor.
Nothing wakes you up like a wet beard on the neck. Nothing surprises a guest more than you, naked, chasing down the pup who grabbed and ran with your underpants as you were trying to put them on. Bent over to put clothes in the dryer? Watch out for a push from behind.

Their energy.
I keep checking for the battery compartment, because they have the Duracell Bunny beat.

Their low-shed coat.
Less hair/shedding means less allergies.

Their willingness to please.
If you ain't happy, they ain't happy. A scolded schnauzer is a repentant schnauzer.

Proliferation of NuVet Vitamins

2007-10-15T12:22:00.000-04:00

If you start researching for a puppy, you are going to find a lot of breeders are promoting Nuvet vitamins.

After seeing the 40th breeder mentioning these miracle vitamins, I became suspicious. Then, I noticed every breeder has a special, exclusive "code" for the consumer to use to purchase the vitamins. (I smell kickbacks)

It gets worse—some breeders make this brand of vitamin mandatory for the life of their dog, or the health guarantee is void. (Some even stated that this is the only brand formulated for their specific breed.) This seems a bit unscrupulous to me. While I think breeders can, and should, recommend things like veterinarians, vitamins, toys and food brands, why would they demand that only a certain brand be used? Or make a contract contingent upon it? Especially a contract that concerns genetic health!?

(Notes: I can understand a breeder requiring you to give your pup a monthly supplement, but the brand should be your choice. I can understand a breeder requiring you to take your dog for a yearly exam and vaccinations, but the vet should be your choice. I even understand requiring that you feed your dog a premium food, again, the brand should be your choice.)

These vitamins likely are excellent, but that isn't an argument for making them exclusive. Nope—this could be a possible warning flag. Be sure to ask the breeder why they want you to exclusively use those vitamins, how many years their own dogs have been using them, how long is the health guarantee if you give your dog another brand of vitamin, and could they direct you to some articles or clinical studies to support the claims that the vitamins are essential to the dog's good health.

By the way, is anyone out there a fan of NuVet vitamins that isn't some kind of affiliate?

The Ubiquitous MS Breed Standard – AMSC

2007-10-14T23:45:00.000-04:00

GENERAL APPEARANCE
The Miniature Schnauzer is a robust, active dog of terrier type, resembling his larger cousin, the Standard Schnauzer, in general appearance, and of an alert, active disposition. Faults: Type - toyishness, ranginess or coarseness.

SIZE, PROPORTION, SUBSTANCE
Size - From 12 to 14 inches. He is sturdily built, nearly square in proportion of body length to height with plenty of bone, and without any suggestion of toyishness. Disqualifications - dogs or bitches under 12 inches or over 14 inches.

HEAD
Eyes - Small, dark brown and deepset. They are oval in appearance and keen in expression. Faults: - Eyes light and/or large and prominent in appearance.

Ears - When cropped, the ears are identical in shape and length with pointed tips. They are in balance with the head and not exaggerated in length. They are set high on the skull and carried perpendicularly at the inner edges, with as little bell as possible along the outer edges. When uncropped, the ears are small and V-shaped, folding close to the skull.

Head - Strong and rectangular, its width diminishing slightly from ears to eyes, and again to the tip of the nose. The forehead is unwrinkled. The topskull is flat and fairly long. The foreface is parallel to the topskull, with a slight stop, and it is at least as long as the topskull. The muzzle is strong in proportion to the skull; it ends in a moderately blunt manner, with thick whiskers which accentuate the rectangular shape of the head. Faults - Head coarse and cheeky. The teeth meet in a scissors bite. That is, the upper front teeth overlap the lower front teeth in such a manner that the inner surface of the upper incisors barely touch the outer surface of the lower incisors when the mouth is closed. Faults - Bite - Undershot or overshot jaw. Level bite.

NECK, TOPLINE, BODY
Neck - Strong and well arched, blending into the shoulders, and with the skin fitting tightly at the throat.

Body - Short and deep, with the brisket extending at least to the elbows. Ribs are well sprung and deep, extending well back to a short loin. The underbody does not present a tucked up appearance at the flank. The backline is straight; it declines slightly from the withers to the base of the tail. The withers form the highest point of the body. The overall length from chest to buttock appears to equal the height at the withers. Faults - Chest too broad or shallow in brisket. Hollow or roach back.

Tail - Set high and carried erect. It is docked only long enough to be clearly visible over the backline of the body when the dog is in proper length of coat. Fault - Tail set too low.

FOREQUARTERS
Forelegs are straight and parallel when viewed from all sides. They have strong pasterns and good bone. They are separated by a fairly deep brisket which precludes a pinched front. The elbows are close, and the ribs spread gradually from the first rib so as to allow space for the elbows to move close to the body. Fault - Loose elbows.

The sloping shoulders are muscled, yet flat and clean. They are well laid back, so that from the side the tips of the shoulder blades are in a nearly vertical line above the elbow. The tips of the blades are placed closely together. They slope forward and downward at an angulation which permits the maximum forward extension of the forelegs without binding or effort. Both the shoulder blades and upper arms are long, permitting depth of chest at the brisket.

Feet - Short and round (cat feet) with thick, black pads. The toes are arched and compact.

HINDQUARTERS
The hindquarters have strong-muscled, slanting thighs. They are well bent at the stifles. There is sufficient angulation so that, in stance, the hocks extend beyond the tail. The hindquarters never appear overbuilt or higher than the shoulders. The rear pasterns are short and, in stance, perpendicular to the ground and, when viewed from the rear, are parallel to each other. Faults - Sickle hocks, cow hocks, open hocks or bowed hindquarters.

COAT
Double, with hard, wiry, outer coat and close undercoat. The head, neck, ears, chest, tail, and body coat must be plucked. When in show condition, the body coat should be of sufficient length to determine texture. Close covering on neck, ears, and skull. Furnishings are fairly thick but not silky. Faults - Coat too soft or too smooth and slick in appearance.

COLOR
The recognized colors are salt and pepper, black and silver and solid black. All colors have uniform skin pigmentation, i.e. no white or pink skin patches shall appear anywhere on the dog.

Salt and Pepper - The typical salt and pepper color of the topcoat results from the combination of black and white banded hairs and solid black and white unbanded hairs, with the banded hairs predominating. Acceptable are all shades of salt and pepper, from the light to dark mixtures with tan shadings permissible in the banded or unbanded hair of the topcoat. In salt and pepper dogs, the salt and pepper mixture fades out to light gray or silver white in the eyebrows, whiskers, cheeks, under throat, inside ears, across chest, under tail, leg furnishings, and inside hind legs. It may or may not also fade out on the underbody. However, if so, the lighter underbody hair is not to rise higher on the sides of the body than the front elbows.

Black and Silver - The black and silver generally follows the same pattern as the salt and pepper. The entire salt and pepper section must be black. The black color in the topcoat of the black and silver is a true rich color with black undercoat. The stripped portion is free from any fading or brown tinge and the underbody should be dark.

Black - Black is the only solid color allowed. Ideally, the black color in the topcoat is a true rich glossy color with the undercoat being less intense, a soft matting shade of black. This is natural and should not be penalized in any way. The stripped portion is free from any fading or brown tinge. The scissored and clippered areas have lighter shades of black. A small white spot on the chest is permitted, as is an occasional single white hair elsewhere on the body. Disqualifications - Color solid white or white striping, patching, or spotting on the colored areas of the dog, except for the small white spot permitted on the chest of the black. The body coat color in salt and pepper and black and silver dogs fades out to light gray or silver white under the throat and across the chest. Between them there exists a natural body coat color. Any irregular or connecting blaze or white mark in this section is considered a white patch on the body, which is also a disqualification.

GAIT
The trot is the gait at which movement is judged. When approaching, the forelegs, with elbows close to the body, move straight forward, neither too close nor too far apart. Going away, the hind legs are straight and travel in the same planes as the forelegs. Note - It is generally accepted that when a full trot is achieved, the rear legs continue to move in the same planes as the forelegs, but a very slight inward inclination will occur. It begins at the point of the shoulder in front and at the hip joint in the rear. Viewed from the front or rear, the legs are straight from these points to the pads. The degree of inward inclination is almost imperceptible in a Miniature Schnauzer that has correct movement. It does not justify moving close, toeing in, crossing, or moving out at the elbows. Viewed from the side, the forelegs have good reach, while the hind legs have strong drive, with good pickup of hocks. The feet turn neither inward nor outward. Faults - Single tracking, sidegaiting, paddling in front, or hackney action. Weak rear action.

TEMPERAMENT
The typical Miniature Schnauzer is alert and spirited, yet obedient to command. He is friendly, intelligent and willing to please. He should never be overaggressive or timid.

DISQUALIFICATIONS
Dogs or bitches under 12 inches or over 14 inches. Color solid white or white striping, patching, or spotting on the colored areas of the dog, except for the small white spot permitted on the chest of the black. The body coat color in salt and pepper and black and silver fades out to light gray or silver white under the throat and across the chest. Between them there exists a natural body coat color. Any irregular or connecting blaze or white mark in this section is considered a white patch on the body, which is also a disqualification.

The above information is from the AMSC's official website and is copyright of the American Miniature Schnauzer Club. The image is from the AKC's official website and is copyright of the American Kennel Club.

To Summarize:
The miniature schnauzer is, well, a miniature schnauzer. Not a toy schnauzer, not a teeny-weeny, ittle-bitty schnauzer. Never a scrawny schnauzer. If you have an uber-small version of this breed, someone has been dicking with the breed standard. Not good, in my opinion.

According to AKC, the miniature schnauzer can be black, black and silver, or varying shades of salt and pepper. That's it.
Liver? Parti? White? White-Liver-Parti? Something strange could be lurking in that gene pool. (Or, not) Strange, in some cases, equals bad. Bad equals sad owner, or, worse, sad, sick or abandoned dog. (Sidenote: beautiful black schnauzers I have seen have had white/palest gray, light black, or brick highlights. Not blue. If you are dyeing your schnauzer to make it blacker—What the hell is wrong with you? Stop it! If you want to dye something, get into cosmetology or textiles.)

Potential (or novice) owners and breeders: Research, research, research. Do your pedigree and genetic research, and, for God's sake, do your genetic testing. All of it. If the defects are unmanageable, spay/neuter your dog, and love it just the same.

In Memoriam

2007-10-13T23:25:00.000-04:00

This is a blog all about Miniature Schnauzers. Miniature Schnauzers are the best breed of dog in the world—and I want to make sure we are all educated so that they will live long, healthy lives in caring, permanent homes.

I have owned 2 miniature schnauzers in my life. My first, was Lily, 1990-1999. And, most recently, Nixie, 2003-2007. Nixie recently died unexpectedly, and I will never be the same. She was our baby, our companion, and our friend. She was family. Even people who didn't like dogs, liked Nixie. Her spirit, personality, and unconditional love is sorely missed. She is my inspiration for this blog.

May this blog inspire you to be a loving, caring and responsible owner, breeder, individual.