A friend of mine is considering getting a dog and, wonderfully, is going about it the right way by doing loads of research. She met lots of dogs, spoken to breeders of different breeds and rescue centres. She's discounted a few off here list including border terriers, whippet and border collies and is now looking at mini schnauzers. She has two boys in infants school and works from home. She doesn't want a dog that molts a lot or one that needs loads of exercise. She's interested in using me as a dog walker sometimes. The last time I met a mini schnauzer or more than five minutes was over a decade ago so I wondered if you could tell me your experiences of them.
Hi Catrin if your friend is interested in getting a MS she would be wise to buy one from a reputable breeder and to make sure all the necessary health checks have been carried out on the parent . A list of approved breeders who have agreed to abide by the code of ethics which includes health testing can be obtained by contacting the club secretary of The Miniature Schnauzer Club of Great Britain Your friend should be prepared to wait some time for a puppy to become available. Minis don't usually shed their coats, there are no dog hairs in my house The down side of this is they do need trimming ever six to eight weeks. Minis are intelligent little dogs and can be quite stubborn some have a high prey drive having originally been bred to catch vermin. As with any breed they do need regular exercise and mental stimulation to keep them happy .
Thanks Meg. I have discussed health testing with her, although I don't know who the breeder was who she spoke to in hampshire. She's prepared for the need to have them trimmed. That's helpful information on the exercise because I suggested they would need an hours off lead exercise a day but I'm not sure if she would want to commit to that, and was thinking more of a dog who would be happy to walk round the corner to the school twice a day....so then we discussed the importance of not leaving dogs tied up anywhere. She didn't realise about dog thefts because it's what her friend does, but as there would be two of them walking, one could wait with the dogs. She's going to rest the perfect puppy and hasn't yet set her heart on having a dog, which is a good thing I think, she's going to keep researching.
What a shame the same can't be said for Mini Pinschers! I can't BELIEVE how much ginger stubble I find here! Mind you if it were not for light tiled flooring throughout and black leathery furniture, I doubt I'd hardly 'notice' the tiny hairs on soft furnishing and carpets. But they show up a treat in here! Min pins like the min schnauzers, are originally said to have been used to catch vermin. I think my one has a little bit of genetic imprint missing!
At my grandaughters school they aren't allowed to take dogs up there at picking up and dropping off time. On the dog front, we meet two little ones on our weekend walk quite often and they are lovely, nice and bold without dashing up and bouncing about, one of them is tiny, the owner did say she should be bigger but she is extremely sweet. Good on your friend for taking her time
Same here with the school mine attend. However Catrin didn't actually say the friend would be taking the dog to the school just that she had kids at school. At my grandkids' school you aren't even allowed to take them with you on lead and wait at the gate. Nor tie them outside. All changed now - it's the same school where I used to take our GSD to meet my kids and she'd hare round the field with the kids and go into the classrooms! Used to take her to sports days too!
Ahh missed that. Yes I was very disappointed that I couldn't take little Bella to 'meet the kids' while over in the UK last year - they'd have loved it and a nice social walk for Bella too as everyone makes such a fuss of her.
Yep I'm with you and disagree with thing dogs up outside schools I think it puts them in a very vulnerable position from being stolen or "something" happening and the owners not being there to witness or control what happens. When Remus was by little he used to walk to school with us occasionally but it was prearranged that one of the other dog savy mums would stand with him ...away from the gates from the school,while I took Merryn down to preschool. As soon as got bigger, stronger and more vocal it stopped. If you're with them and they are little puppies I think it's a good opportunity for socialisation....as long as you see it as that, and a training exercise rather than a free for all. When Tonks was little we lived opposite a school and I made an effort to get out there at going home time, sometimes just walking past, stopping for her to be stroked or just stanign near by and taking it all in and doing short attention exercises.
