Decent breeders are out there, you just need to do your homework.
I found Winnie's breeder by a chance telephone call to another breeder whose name I recognized from a prior Mini Schnauzer book I had. She did not have puppies at the time and handed the phone to Tom LaSalle of Sterling Miniature Schnauzers who was standing there. He has come to be the best breeder I could have asked for. He is a wealth of knowledge and does run a very discearning breeding program. Recently, he was at Westminister with Winnie's champion "aunt", CH Adamis Heartbreaker. Another great breeder is Werner Stamm of Brunnengaerten Miniature Schnauzers in Frankfurt Germany. Werner is the top breeder in Germany of black/silver Minis. His mother, Christa, breeds black Minis and is very successful also. Werner has become somewhat of a mentor to me as well as a wonderful friend. I love going to his home to play with all the schnauzers! It is especially wonderful when he has puppies!
Remember, the best person to buy from is NOT always the most popular. A breeder that has dozens of litters per year from several females, should raise a flag. How well will these babies be socialized and exactly what does that mean to you? One thing it does mean is that these babies will not be properly adjusted to the world and most probably will have temperment disfunctions. Health of the babies is always a prime concern, but mental health, an area probably not given much thought by new puppy buyers, is just as important.
Minis are a fiesty little breed. You must be sure you want to be 'owned' by one BEFORE purchasing one. They are mouthy, curious, and can have a downright "better than you" attitude. But they are devoted, funny, loving, and totally georgous! (I'm just a little bias)
Miniature Schnauzers are quite intelligent and being so, can become bored with a mundane life. To avoid destructive behavior, there are several training arenas that you can search out for your new baby. Obedience, agility, and conformation are just a few of the more popular areas.
There is also "Puppy Kindergarden"! It's probably as adorable as it sounds! If you're interested, check your local yellow pages. Many boarding kennels offer this class along with training.
To keep Winnie busy, I used to run a dog boarding service from my home. We got a nice variety of dogs here that range from Rottweilers to Yorkies! Of course, he was the boss and let all the visitors know exactly what they could and couldn't do! He got first choice of ALL doggie toys and treats and he was the only one that can jump on the sofa!
Since I no longer board, I have purchased another mini to keep Winnie company, Pan-Tau.
To Crate or Not to Crate
Many dog owners have difficultly with the idea of using a crate (kennel) with their dogs. Some view the crate as a jail and only used as punishment. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Using a crate can greatly reduce the time it takes to potty train your new puppy as well as provide a safe place for them to rest or just get away. Make sure that you purchase a crate that isn't too big for your puppy. Since your new pup will be growing, use a partition to make the inside of the crate smaller (a piece of plywood or plexiglas would be sturdy enough) so the puppy will not soil one part and be able to sleep in the other. Too much space in a crate will create this problem. The crate should be large enough for your dog to stand up and turn around comfortably.
Remember not to leave your dog or puppy in the crate too long and take him on frequent walks or let in the yard for exercise. If he does soil the crate, don't worry, it happens. Just take him outside, clean up well and try again. He'll eventually get the idea. Remember, he's just a baby! Not only are crates useful for the situations above, they also provide a safe place to put your pet while traveling in the car. If you must stop short, he won't end up on the floor or the dashboard! And if none of the suggestions I've listed convince you, this last one should.
German Club (PSK) Membership
Windsor and I were accepted as members of the German Pinscher-Schnauzer Klub (PSK). This is our second year as members! Our local chapter (Ortsgruppe Mannheim) trains each Friday. I have been extremely excited and have welcomed warmly!
Winnie just wants to play with the other dogs and perhaps beat up a certain giant schnauzer named "Ramos"! Windsor is the only Miniature Schnauzer so far, but his Giant-Schnauzer-personality has not hampered him! "He CAN hang with the big boys!"
