BEANARA
Miniature Schnauzers
Schnauzers come in 3 sizes, known as Miniature Schnauzer, Schnauzer and Giant Schnauzer.
Here at Beanara we have the Miniature and the Giant sizes, while essentially the same breed there are more differences then size. From April 2007 tail docking will be banned and this will dramatically alter the look of the breed, this is especially true for the Giants.
The Miniature
This is a robust breed of about 13 - 14 inches at the shoulder. Colours range from pepper and salt (unique to the breed), black (the other original colour), black and silver (recognised in 1985 by the Kennel Club) and the white (a colour not recognised in this country but is in many others). The coat is hand stripped for the show ring though most pets are clipped which will take off the harsh top coat leaving the dog the colour of his soft undercoat, clipping usually about every 8 weeks to keep them looking smart, as the coat doesn't moult. The longer hair on the face, legs and belly require regular and thorough brushing, done regularly this is a 5 minute job.
Here you can see a black puppy (Deco) and 3 pepper and salt puppies (Toby, Alexis & Crystal) showing the various shades they come in.
They have the looks of a terrier but in temperament the Miniature is more laid back and easier to live with. They make an excellant family dog but DON'T however expect them to put up with children tormenting them.
Miniatures have a reputation for yapping but this is not the case if you train your mini and keep him busy in body and mind. This is a very intelligent breed and they benefit from regular training in obedience and tricks to stop them finding their own fun. After they have finished growing many minis enjoy agility and some can even be seen doing flyball. A Miniature Schnauzer will become the dog you mould him into.
Miniatures are a healthy breed but should come from parents tested for hereditary cataract and progressive retinal atrophy. Puppies should be eye tested at 6 weeks for congential hereditary cataract. These tests need to be done by an eye specialist vet.
Miniatures enjoy their food which makes them easy to train but also makes it easy for them to put on weight. You may need to be careful where you store the food!!
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The Giant
Usually seen in black and sometimes in pepper and salt ranges in height from 23 and 1/2 inches to 27 and 1/2 inches. They should have a harsh coat including the hair on the legs making them a practical dog to be work outside and remain resistant to the elements. They should be regularly brushed, especially the beard, pets can be clipped though this can sometimes soften the coat. Trimming should be done every 8 - 10 weeks to keep him looking like a schnauzer.
The Giant is an active breed that will benefit from regular off-lead exercise, ideally daily. He will not be happy left at home all day which could cause him to be anxious, bored and destructive. They benefit from firm (but not harsh) regular training from the time you take your puppy home as they grow up in size first and then take time to mature in brain!
Their size and activity levels would make them unsuitable for homes with young children who could be knocked over by accident by a young, happy, playful giant though once mature turn into gentle giants.
They are very intelligent, muscular and agile and have worked in disiplines ranging from working trials, obedience, agility down to the more sedate breed showing along with being police dogs. They have a natural instinct to guard the home and family, something which does not need to be encoraged to show itself. A young, adolescent giant can be hard work but if you continue with the training you will be rewarded with a great dog as he matures.
Giants should come from parents eye tested for Hereditary Cataract by an eye specialist vet. It is also a recommendation that Giants are now hip scored, the lower the score the better, this is done at maturity and before either parent is bred from.
I am your puppy
I am a Puppy, this means that my intelligence and capacity for learning are the same as an 8-month-old child. I am a Puppy; I will chew EVERYTHING I can get my teeth on. This is how I explore and learn about the world. Even HUMAN children put things in their mouths. It's up to you to guide me to what is mine to chew and what is not.
I am a Puppy; I cannot hold my bladder for longer than 1 - 2 hours. I cannot "feel" that I need to poop until it is actually beginning to come out. I cannot vocalize nor tell you that I need to go, and I cannot have "bladder and bowel control" until 6 - 9 months. Do not punish me if you have not let me out for 3 hours and I tinkle. It is your fault. As a Puppy, it is wise to remember that I NEED to go potty after: Eating, Sleeping, playing, Drinking and around every 2 - 3 hours in addition. If you want me to sleep through the night, then do not give me water after 8 p.m. A crate will help me learn to housebreak easier, and will avoid you being mad at me.
I am a Puppy, accidents WILL happen, please be patient with me! In time I will learn.
I am a Puppy, I like to play. I will run around, and chase imaginary monsters, and chase your feet and your toes and 'attack' you, and chase fuzz balls, other pets, and small kids. It is play; it's what I do. Do not be mad at me or expect me to be sedate, mellow and sleep all day. If my high energy level is too much for you, maybe you could consider an older rescue from a shelter or Rescue group. My play is beneficial, use your wisdom to guide me in my play with appropriate toys, and activities like chasing a rolling ball, or gentle tug games, or plenty of chew toys for me. If I nip you too hard, talk to me in "dog talk", by giving a loud YELP, I will usually get the message, as this is how dogs communicate with one another. If I get too rough, simply ignore me for a few moments, or put me in my crate with an appropriate chew toy.
I am a Puppy; hopefully you would not yell, hit, strike, kick or beat a 6-month-old human infant, so please do not do the same to me. I am delicate, and also very impressionable. If you treat me harshly now, I will grow up learning to fear being hit, spanked, kicked or beat. Instead, please guide me with encouragement and wisdom. For instance, if I am chewing something wrong, say, "No chew!" and hand me a toy I CAN chew. Better yet, pick up ANYTHING that you do not want me to get into. I can't tell the difference between your old sock and your new sock, or an old sneaker and your $200 Nikes.
I am a Puppy, and I am a creature with feelings and drives much like your own, but yet also very different. Although I am NOT a human in a dog suit, neither am I an unfeeling robot who can instantly obey your every whim. I truly DO want to please you, and be a part of your family, and your life. You got me (I hope) because you want a loving partner and companion, so do not relegate me to the backyard when I get bigger, do not judge me harshly but instead mold me with gentleness and guidelines and training into the kind of family member you want me to be here.
I am a Puppy and I am not perfect, and I know you are not perfect either. I love you anyway. So please, learn all you can about training, and puppy behaviors and caring for me from your Veterinarian, books on dog care and even researching on the computer! Learn about my particular breed and it's "characteristics", it will give you understanding and insight into WHY I do all the things I do. Please teach me with love, patience, the right way to behave and socialize me with training in a puppy class or obedience class, we will BOTH have a lot of fun together.
I am a Puppy and I want more than anything to love you, to be with you, and to please you. Won't you please take time to understand how I work? We are the same you and I, in that we both feel hunger, pain, thirst, discomfort, fear, but yet we are also very different and must work to understand one another's language, body signals, wants and needs. Some day I will be a handsome dog, hopefully one you can be proud of and one that you will love as much as I love you.
Love, Your Puppy
May be posted, reposted, cross-posted and used with permission as long as credit is given.
Copyright 2000, by J. Ellis - Southern Shadows Rottweilers.
