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!