Steadfast Standard Schnauzers

Guarding skills

As a family pet in the yard, when visitors come onto your property Standard Schnauzers don’t typically meet them at the gate with a tail wagging open invitation to come play ball. Our dogs can be quite loud and obnoxious about letting visitors know that they are considered unwelcome trespassers. Or let’s say you drive up to the pump at a gas station and your dog launches a barrage of barking, growling, and showing of teeth to the stranger at the pump next to yours. Not okay!

Left untrained, the Standard Schnauzer might not understand to which threats she should react, and which should not be part of her responsibility. But keep in mind that she’s displaying some inherent guarding skills that you might appreciate if ever came an instance when her protection was truly needed.

I tell most of my would-be puppy owners the story of the time my dog, Zoey, “saved me” from a man that intended to push his way into my hotel room. It’s a longer story better told in person, but the short version is that the man’s wife had left him and taken the kids with her, and he was sure she was hiding out at the hotel in which I was staying. He told me this as he placed a hand on my door and began to push it open so he could come inside and presumably search my room for his missing wife and children.

Zoey had been laying quietly while the man spoke to me, but then suddenly she flew across the room toward the door with a snarling growl that sounded like it was coming from a Grizzly Bear. It caused the man to jump back from the door and I slammed it shut and hugged my savior-dog before shakily calling the front desk.

My point in this story is that Zoey was never trained to be a protection dog, and she didn’t passively wait for me to issue an “attack” command. Her natural guarding skills told her it was time to protect.

That little real-life lesson taught me that I don’t want to suppress guarding behaviors to a state in which the dog no longer has the confidence to act on it. Instead, I work toward helping them understand in which situations their guarding skills are not needed or are unacceptable. Training takes a lot of time, repetitive practice sessions, and patience, but it’s important to understand that the guarding trait is something that should be honed to suit your preferences and circumstances, not eliminated.

As I recall this incident, I can offer two additional pieces of advice: 1) don’t underestimate the Standard Schnauzer as a guard dog. They may not have the body mass of a large dog, but attitude-wise they’re all business. And 2) don’t open doors without checking first to see who’s on the other side!

Tips for acquiring your new Standard Schnauzer puppy

With our current Independence Day litter, we have had the opportunity to meet and interact with many, many people from all over the country, and even outside of the country who are trying so hard to find a Standard Schnauzer puppy. Some people try for years to get a puppy. It is expensive. It can be frustrating. And it can be heartbreaking for some. This blog posting is for all of you future Standard Schnauzer puppy parents who are trying so hard to find your new fur baby.

One of the really hard things we have to deal with as a breeder is having only X number of puppies available, and then having many, many times that number of applicants trying to get a puppy. We have to say No to say many really nice people who would make really good puppy parents; not because there’s anything wrong with them, but because there are others out there that for various reasons were just a little better fit for the puppies we had at the time. So, I’m going to offer some, hopefully, helpful input to help increase your odds of getting one of these very rare, but amazing puppies.

First, even though you may not have a Standard Schnauzer yet, I would highly encourage you to join your local Standard Schnauzer club if there happens to be one in your state/region. These are regional clubs that are associated with the National Standard Schnauzer Club of America, and the AKC. By joining one of these clubs, you will get the opportunity to meet many of the reputable breeders in your region/state. You will also get to meet and know professional and amateur handlers, and owners of dogs that are involved in all kinds of sanctioned competitive sports and breed certifications. And then of course you can get to know others that are just pet owners and do not compete in formal events with their dogs. In a local sense, these clubs are the most “inside, in-the-know” group of fellow Schnauzer people that you will probably get the opportunity to meet and associate with. They are such a valuable resource on so many different levels when it comes to this breed. You’ll have the opportunity to learn, and share: grooming tips, nutrition and vaccination information, behavioral issues, and all the fun stuff associated with owning this wonderful and challenging breed.

To find out if you have one of these clubs in your region/state go to the Standard Schnauzer Club of America at this link: http://www.standardschnauzer.org/regional_clubs.htm For those of you who are in Texas, we are currently in the process of forming our own regional Standard Schnauzer Club; the Red River Standard Schnauzer Club of Texas. Here is a link to the website which is currently in draft form: http://www.rrssc.org If you live in Texas and are interested in getting plugged-in with the state wide Standard Schnauzer community, then I would very much encourage you to reach out to myself or Darcy here for more information. We would be happy to help you.

Second, if you do not have a Standard Schnauzer Club in your region/state, then consider joining the national Standard Schnauzer Club of America. Although not as tightly knit as your local Schnauzer club would be, it is again a great resource for information, events, and access to other members across the nation. Here is a link to their home page: http://www.standardschnauzer.org/

Third, when you fill out a breeder’s application for a puppy, try and be as truthful and forthcoming as you can. Beyond just answering the breeder’s questions, your answers are an opportunity for the breeder to get a better sense of you. Applying for a Standard Schnauzer puppy should be harder than applying for a job. You are filling out an application that is the equivalent to a job application, but even more so. You want to have the best “resume” so that you can hopefully move on to the interview phase. Trust me when I tell you that when you apply for a breeder’s puppy, you are competing against a lot of other applicants who want the very same special and rare puppy that you’re after. When a breeder reads an application and gets responses like “Yes”, “No”, or unanswered questions; it is uninspiring to say the least. Don’t write a novel but be honest and tell them about you. Tell them about why you want one of their puppies. Let them know that you have a good understanding of this breed in particular, and of working dogs in general. (And actually know this stuff). The breeder is doing their best to match the temperament, characteristics, and activity level of the puppy to the applicants – so take some time to assess your normal environment, expectations of the puppy/dog, and then be truthful in your conveyance of those details. As advocates for the breed, and their puppies in particular, breeders want to hear about what you’re bringing to the table for their pups. Don’t just focus on your needs/wants of the dog. How is your lifestyle going to mesh with the dog’s needs? Standard Schnauzers are highly intelligent and energetic dogs. They need to be stimulated both mentally and physically constantly. These are working dogs, not couch potatoes. They are purpose driven dogs. If you do not give them a purpose, then they just may give themselves one….one that you may not be particularly happy about.

Fourth, know what you are getting for your money – and get your money’s worth. Standard Schnauzers are not an inexpensive breed, so know what you’re buying.

All reputable preservation breeders will have had the Sire and Dams of their pups tested for DCM, eyes, and hips as a minimum. Some will do more. You should always expect a reputable breeder to have the results of those tests documented on www.OFA.org . If a breeder cannot prove those three tests have been done and/or is evasive in their answers, do not walk, run away. Understand that breeders that show their dogs in AKC conformation are putting their dogs up in front of expert judges that are evaluating how well the dog represents the breed. When a breeder chooses to only mate those dogs that have reached at least Championship status within AKC and done all of the genetic testing recommended by SSCA, that is a breeder that is endeavoring to improve the breed.

Also, when it comes to getting your money’s worth, be suspicious of a breeder that is selling Standard Schnauzer pups for less than market value. Be suspicious of their validity as a reputable breeder and/or the quality of their dogs and investigate. Do not just let a breeder tell you that the puppies have had their shots and the vet has checked them out – have them prove that the Sire and Dam have had DCM, eyes, and hips tested and results documented on OFA. Most reputable breeders will show the lineage of their puppies – do not just let a breeder tell you that they came from “Championship lines” – have them show you. Here is an example of our lineage from our last litter: https://steadfaststandards.com/2018-litter-lineage-and-pedigrees/ In the long run, it pays to do your homework. If you take my advice in the first paragraph and join a regional/state Standard Schnauzer club, you would have many resources to help guide you in what to look for and to point you to reputable breeders that you could trust. Odds are you might even know of upcoming litters within the club before they became public knowledge.

And finally, although it does not hurt to ask, I would not expect most reputable breeders to drop the price on their pups. As much as a puppy costs from a reputable breeder, most potential puppy parents do not realize the time and expense it takes to ensure both the sire and dam are tested and free of genetic diseases, plus get a dog to Championship or Grand Championship level. Not to mention all the additional associated titles they may have. It may have taken them a year or years of training, grooming, vet bills, travel expenses to dog shows, motel stays, entry fees for dog shows and/or other competitive events, stud fees and/or shipping expenses for frozen semen…the list goes on and on. Most reputable breeders just break even. Trust me when I tell you that for reputable breeders, this is for the love of the breed, not making money. (This is also a clue of why you should be suspicious of puppies below market value).

Ok, that went a lot longer than I expected. But for those of you who may have been putting in the time and effort, some of you for years, in trying to get a Standard Schnauzer puppy for yourself, the information I’ve provided really could be the difference of getting a Standard Schnauzer puppy sooner than later, or even at all.

Good Luck on your quest for your new fur baby!

Sometimes it takes a village/club

To be honest, before I started down the path of showing Zoey I had never really heard of dog clubs – and even after I became aware of them, I really didn’t know what they were about or why I should join one. So, let me tell you just a little bit about my experience in being a member of the Red River Standard Schnauzer Club of Texas…

Before the COVID shutdown, I had the opportunity to volunteer as a ring steward for a club-sponsored fun match. It followed all the same processes as a regular conformation show, but it was much more relaxed, and the audience unabashedly clapped for each participant. Then I had the pleasure of attending a club-sponsored Introduction to Barn Hunt clinic. It was great fun for the dogs, and we owners hung out and socialized, shared lunch together, and traded our knowledge and experiences with our crazy furbabies. There have been other club-sponsored events that I was not able to attend, yet I enjoy hearing other members talk about the fun they had at those too. But here’s where the rubber really hits the road…

As you probably know, Zoey began whelping puppies late Friday night and all through Saturday morning – the 4^th of July. Independence Day. A holiday. That means, no vet support (except for the emergency pager number which typically means you’re headed to their office for an emergency c-section.) You might wonder, what’s that got to do with dog clubs?

Our pals, and fellow club members, Bob and Troy came over and spent the whole night providing midwifery service. My husband, Craig, and Bob handed to me fresh towels, gloves, and necessary tools while I sat in the box comforting and assisting Zoey. As each pup was whelped, they weighed the puppies, recorded gender, put on their color-coded collars, and gently handed them back to mama so she could nurse them.

Meanwhile, Troy set up the puppycam and kept the other dogs, Max and Honor, entertained downstairs. Being just 2ish, these two youngsters were not accustomed to the sounds of newborns nor the fierce protectiveness of a new mama. So, Troy’s help in keeping them company and reassuring them during this night of odd sounds and strange human behavior was fantastic. Besides that, he captured that photo above, which is now my favorite photo of our “Independence Day Whelping Party.”

And the club benefits go much deeper than that!

Around midnight, we collectively started to worry that the puppy was taking too long to come out. None of us wanted to mention “stuck puppy” but we were thinking it. A stuck puppy can be a death-sentence to the entire litter! Not wanting to wake anyone, we sent text messages to a few of the experienced breeders in our club. Within moments we had multiple calls and return messages asking for the details and offering advice. It turned out that we didn’t actually have a stuck puppy – Miss Zoey was just working to her own schedule, not ours – but I wonder if you can imagine how valuable it is to have a network of support when you need it most. These members of the Red River Standard Schnauzer Club rallied around me and buoyed our little whelping team throughout the night. It. Was. Awesome!

Alright, so you’re not a breeder. I promise you; you’ll have some incident or condition or behavior while living life with your standard schnauzer in which a network of fellow owners will benefit you. And, when you share your experiences with the club you help us all grow, collectively, into the kind of humans that our dogs just love to call their own.

They’re here!!

Steadfast Standard Schnauzer’s is proud to announce the birth of our Independence Day 2020 litter. Yes, you heard that correctly. If you have been keeping up with our kennel, then you know that our 2018 litter was born on Flag Day; thus their flag related names. This years’ All American line up was born on July 4^th, Independence Day. We couldn’t have planned this if we’d tried. Throughout the wee hours of the morning on July 4^th, our Miss Zoey (GCH CH Postem’s Zoey FDC BCAT CGC TKI) produced a beautiful litter of 6 girls and 2 boys. The proud papa for this litter is BIS, BISS, GCH CH Blackhawk Finnegan’s Wake RATN; better known as “Finn”. (Please see our blog posting of June 9^th for more info about the proud parents).

Here are a few pics of our busy night with Zoey and her new pups. Please feel free to keep up with us on our website and FB page for additional news and pics as time progresses.

Puppy Placement Process

Due to the upcoming litter, we are now starting to receive an increase in applications and inquiries. In the process of answering various questions about us, our kennel, our dogs, payment, etc., we realized that instead of writing a bunch of lengthy individual responses we needed to come up with a document that answers most prospective puppy parents’ questions, and provides more detail about us and our placement process. With that in mind, we created a document called ‘Puppy Placement Process’ which you can find it under the Litters tab on our website.

For all new puppy applications, we ask that prospective puppy parents to read the Puppy Application Process before completing an application.

For all those who have already applied, you will not need to re-submit your application in the new format. However, we encourage you to read the Puppy Placement Process since it will be relevant to you too.

Hanging out on the lawn blanket just like we did on my first day outside.

Will there be ribbons?

As we prepare for our next litter of puppies, I’m sharing some of my thoughts about the selection criteria we use when we review applications. There’s so much more to it than simply finding nice people that really want a puppy.

Obviously, we want the best possible fit for each of our puppies such that they live happy, healthy, purposeful lives. Additionally, we want to ensure we’re helping to grow an ongoing community of dedicated Standard Schnauzer owners that will help the breed thrive well into the future.

At the most basic level, that means you need to ensure your dog is a well-mannered, well-groomed ambassador of the breed so he or she makes a favorable impression on people. That’s just responsible dog-ownership. (And please understand that neither I, nor my dogs, can claim to be perfect examples of good manners – it’s a work in progress.)

Taking it to a higher level, training your dog to perform or compete in sports cultivates wider recognition of the breed’s versatile abilities. Titles on paper, trophies, and ribbons are great for sustaining a personal sense of satisfaction, but my goal in encouraging you to be involved in dog sports is so that trainers and spectators get to see how smart, agile, and personable this breed is. That is, I want us all to do our part in growing their fan base.

Make no mistake, competing can be expensive!

Entering a single competition might only cost $20 or $30, but to title in a sport might take 5, 10, 30 entries. Plus, you will likely have had training before competing, so that’s time and cost. You will probably travel to events and incur the cost of overnight stays. When you add it all up, it can be expensive, but it’s an investment that rewards you and your dog with great experiences, a tighter bond, and a network of like-minded friends …plus, there’s ribbons.

Then there’s service and therapy work. What can be better and more fulfilling than a dog that provides affection and comfort to people in hospitals, retirement and nursing homes, hospices, disaster areas, and to people with learning difficulties? Standard Schnauzers can be wary of strangers and a little self-absorbed in their own interests, but they love to train and perform their duties well. It’s in their nature to excel in this area when given the opportunity. This, to me, is one of the highest forms of purposeful dog ownership.

Finally, there’s conformation. The big show. The true dog-fanatic’s obsession. This is where we remove our blinders and expose ourselves and our dogs to the judgement of others. Think your dog has perfect structure? Perfect gait? Perfect teeth? Think you can execute every step and every turn perfectly to show-off your dog’s exquisite awesomeness? Does he or she have the genes that should be carried forth in future generations? Well then, come join me in the ring! Let’s make Champions! …plus, you get ribbons!

What about pets, you wonder? Good, old-fashioned, family-pet dogs? Yes, Standard Schnauzers are great family pets, but let’s face the fact that family-life has changed in a way that may not make it the best environment for an intelligent, active breed like the Standard Schnauzer. I loathe the idea that work and school and after-school activities, and overtime, social commitments, and then down-time in front of the TV or computer culminate into robbing the dog of adequate attention and exercise.

This is a Working Dog breed. Spending 10 minutes in the yard playing 2 or 3 times a week just isn’t going to be enough. These dogs need physical and mental stimulation. A bored Schnauzer can be a real problem. They’re purpose-driven, and if you don’t give them purpose they’re likely to assign themselves some that you may not appreciate.

Would you ever ask a toddler to just sit quietly in a space with no toys for 30 minutes? How about for 8 or 10 hours? Now imagine that toyless space has lots of breakable dishes, electric appliances, sharp objects, potted plants, etc. You may plan to keep your dog “safe” by crating him or containing him in a confined space, but consider what kind of adult would be produced from a child that was raised in solitary confinement. Puppies need crate time, but they don’t need a lot of it because it’s convenient for you.

The point I try to drive with people that tell me they have kids to keep the dog busy is that a house full of kids does not mean that the dog is getting the attention it needs and deserves. Kid-chaos does not constitute training and exercise for the dog’s mind and body.

Let me just sum-up by suggesting that before you consider applying for one of our Standard Schnauzers, make sure you can convey what you know about the Working Dog mindset; what attracts you to the Standard Schnauzer breed over other breeds; what purpose will it have, and how will you ensure he or she will be successful, happy, and healthy? What do you want to DO with your dog?

…And, of course, will there be ribbons?

We’re pregnant!

For my very first time posting on our website, I have the pleasure of announcing that our Zoey, (GCH CH Postem’s Zoey FDC BCAT CGC TKI) is pregnant, and her pups are due around the July 4^th time frame. Zoey is currently an AKC Grand Champion that holds numerous titles in companion and performance sports. In Fast CAT events, her average speed is 25.43 MPH over a 100-yard dash! Zoey is tied as the fastest female Standard Schnauzer in the nation…. Ever!

The Sire for Zoey’s pups is BIS, BISS, GCH CH Blackhawk Finnegan’s Wake RATN. Better known as Finn. Finn finished his 2014 show career as Number 1 Standard Schnauzer, Number 4 working dog, and Number 12 All-Breed in the country. You can read more about Finn through this URL: http://www.hanlonstandardschnauzers.com/hanlonstandardschnauzers/Finn/Finn.html

For those of you who would like to be considered as a new puppy parent for one of Zoey’s pups, on our website, please look under the Litters dropdown and you will find an application for a puppy. Please understand that first and foremost we are looking for wonderful homes for our puppies. We take finding the right home for our puppies very seriously as you will see during the interview process. I would encourage you to be forthcoming and be thorough when filling out your application. We insist on staying connected after you get your puppy.

Under the Pictures and Videos drop down, you can see pics and videos of our 2018 litter. That litter produced two pups that have achieved AKC Champion titles and a third pup is well on his way to achieving same. One of the pups – like her mama – is an AKC Grand Champion. Representing the breed’s versatility, the pups now hold titles in Coursing, Dock Diving, and as Trick Dogs. They’re also certified Farm Dogs, Canine Good Citizens, Temperament Tested, and Therapy Dogs serving the elderly. They love to perform, so some of them also train in Agility, Nosework, and Barn Hunt. All our pups from the Flag Day litter found wonderful homes; of which that is the most important thing to us.

To find out more about us and our dogs, please feel free to join Steadfast’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/steadfaststandards/. If you’ll go there, you’ll see where we’ve been spending most of our time as opposed to our website. But I’m going to work on keeping it more active and up to date moving forward.

In addition, you can catch up on all of our dogs videos on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDURgN4VZ1xT94EN8mf-OQQ

Darcy and I look forward to our new litter of puppies, and ultimately expanding the Steadfast family.

Thank you for reading my first posting here on our website. We’re looking forward to hearing from you and getting to know some of you.

A little help here?

Introducing Craig

If you’ve read some of my blogs or followed activity on the Steadfast Standards website, you will have noticed that I just fell off the face of the earth. Well, sort of. The truth is, I wasn’t keeping up on this site because it was so much easier to post updates to our Steadfast Standards Facebook page. And then, I fell behind there too. Too many things to do!

When my husband, Craig, kind of gave me grief about not keeping y’all up to date on what’s happening with the dogs, I gave it right back and suggested that HE should do that too.

So without further adieu, I introduce to you your new contributor, Craig.

And since you don’t know him yet the way I know him, I’d just like to apologize in advance for the things I know he’ll say. The man has no filters! If he thinks it, he says it. He means no harm – doesn’t have a mean bone in his body – but, I have him to thank for my very, very thick skin. Apparently, everyone thinks he’s funny except me. Or so he says.

Honestly, I think you’ll enjoy his updates. He’s a kick …and I love him.

Let the show begin!

I wonder how many “dog show people” started out just like me. I was just looking for a pet. A beloved Standard Schnauzer to help fill the lonely spot in my heart after my fur-babies, Bosco and Winston, crossed over the rainbow bridge. I searched all over Texas and the surrounding states and then reached out all the way to California looking for a Standard Schnauzer. When I finally found Zoey, I hopped on a plane as fast as I could to go get her. I was so excited that I arrived without a collar, leash, or crate. And that’s how I started our show career too – completely unprepared.

The first show I entered was the Standard Schnauzer Nationals in Houston. Our first show. The Nationals. The first dog show I’d ever attended, to say nothing of participation. In retrospect, ridiculous. Need I say that we didn’t win? The experience might have ended my interest in showing Zoey had it not been for the warm support of SS owners and handlers encouraging me to take a deep breath, get some training, and not give up.

When I started again, Zoey made Champion so quickly that I felt like I hadn’t even really had a chance to develop my talents as the human exhibiting this beautiful schnauzer. Soooo, this is what led to the decision to continue on and title her as a Grand Champion. It’s little incremental steps you take in the journey to crazy – and I’m already a ways down that road.

Going for the Grand: Zoey took Best of Breed and went on to win 3rd place in Owner Handled Working Group.

Go fetch!

Is your puppy sitting in front of the window with a forlorn “I’m so bored” look? That’s about all it takes for mine to motivate me into a game of fetch.

Fetch is a great game that wears them out physically and challenges them mentally while they’re learning “get it,” “bring it back,” and “drop it.” Plus, your puppy won’t mind if you’re still in your jammies – anytime is a great time for fetch!

Playing fetch with Honor