Identifying a Reputable and Responsible Schnauzer Breeder
1. Any puppy you purchase should come with a veterinary health certificate plus a
*WRITTEN* health guarantee from the breeder, including a guarantee against congenital defects. The puppy should have been wormed and have had its first shots. If the ears are cropped, they should be mostly healed. Ears should not be cropped earlier than 6-8 weeks of age, but it is the breeder's responsibility to provide the cropping, if that is how you want your schnauzer.
*WRITTEN* health guarantee from the breeder, including a guarantee against congenital defects. The puppy should have been wormed and have had its first shots. If the ears are cropped, they should be mostly healed. Ears should not be cropped earlier than 6-8 weeks of age, but it is the breeder's responsibility to provide the cropping, if that is how you want your schnauzer.
2. Schnauzers need to have their eyes checked by a certified Veterinary Ophthalmologist specialist (ACVO). Knowledgeable breeders know that there are several potential eye problems in the breed. You should be given a copy of the signed certificate from the V.O. who examined your puppy. You can also request to see a copy of the pup's parents most recent V.O. eye exam certificates--breeding stock should be V.O. screened annually.
3. A responsible breeder will have a written contract specifying the rights of the seller and the buyer, health information (vaccine used, etc.), altering and buy-back/return policy, and the requirements (such as a fenced yard or leashing at all times). Pet quality puppies should be sold with a Limited AKC Registration (meaning any offspring are not AKC registerable) and/or a spay/neuter agreement.
4. A reputable breeder will give you the AKC registration papers when you pick up your puppy. If for some reason your individual registration slip is not availale (sometimes the AKC is slow), ask to see the parents' papers and write down all pertinent information: parents' names, registration numbers, and the date the litter was whelped, etc.
5. A good breeder knows the lineage of his/her dogs going back many generations, and will provide you with a multi-generation pedigree ("family tree"), plus routinely has dogs tested for problems and passes this information along to buyers. A good breeder is knowledgeable about the health problems found in the breed. Beware of breeders who do no genetic testing, or who do not supply a pedigree. The more Champions ("CH" in front of the names) in a pedigree, the more likely your puppy will match the breed standard (http://clubs.akc.org/amsca/standard.html); that is, be more like what a schnauzer is SUPPOSED to be like, in terms of confirmation, temperament, and so on. Is the breeder a member of a local or national schnauzer club? Members of the national AKC-affiliated American Miniature Schnauzer Club should sign a Code of Ethics and an Eye Pledge.
6. A conscientious breeder cares about placing puppies in good homes and will often interview potential buyers thoroughly, ask for references and refuse to sell a dog if necessary. As the buyer, don't be afraid to ask for references from the breeder.
7. A responsible breeder will not sell puppies younger than 8 weeks, and most hold them until they are at least 10-12 weeks of age. Backyard breeders often sell puppies at 5-8 weeks (too young!). Another BYB ploy to watch out for: "Both parents on premises"--a GOOD breeder is constantly working to improve the breed, which may necessitate breeding his/her female to a Champion male located elsewhere. In such a case, the breeder is usually able to show you photographs of the sire. Having both parents on premises is not a requirement for getting a good quality pup, especially if the sire is an AKC Champion of Record.
8. A responsible breeder will be there to answer questions and to help with any problems, for the life of your dog! He/She is willing to take the dog back or help you place it in another loving home if at any time in the future you are unable to keep your dog. The best breeders also do Rescue work.
9. Whatever you do, do NOT buy from a petshop! Regardless of what the store claims, *no reputable breeder sells puppies through a retailer!* A good breeder places each of his/her puppies individually and personally, making sure they are going to loving, caring homes. If the pet store claims their puppies come from good breeders, remember, ANYONE can be a breeder (even a puppy mill owner is a breeder!); what you want is a *reputable, responsible* breeder. Pet shop dogs come from puppy mills and are often sick, maladjusted animals. "USDA approved" is meaningless regarding quality, as USDA licensing is required for any kennel producing a large number of puppies. By buying a puppy from a pet store you are most likely supporting a puppy mill and contributing to the misery of the dogs living there, as well ashelping to perpetuate the problem. If you bought a puppy from a pet shop because you didn't know any better, please help by educating others to avoid the same mistake!
10. Finally, if a well-bred puppy from a quality breeder is out of your price range, please consider adopting a rescue schnauzer. This way you will be saving a life, instead of supporting your local puppy mill/BYB. Most rescues are already trained and well socialized, and make wonderful pets. For details and a list of schnauzers needing new homes, please see the Schnauzer Rescue Message Board.
For more information, including how to find a good breeder, a listing of local schnauzer clubs, and rescue contacts, please see the American Miniature Schnauzer Club web site: http://clubs.akc.org//amsca/index.html. The AKC website can be seen at: http://www.akc.org, with "Buying a Puppy" at:
http://www.akc.org/love/dah/buyapup.cfm. There are also some excellent web pages concerning this subject:
http://www.akc.org/love/dah/buyapup.cfm. There are also some excellent web pages concerning this subject:
http://www.k9web.com/dog-faqs/ (Go to the section: Getting a Dog...Where do I get one?...Selecting a breeder
http://cyberpet.com/cyberdog/articles/findpet/findpup.htm (How to Find a Quality Puppy and Reputable Breeder
http://hometown.aol.com/msbritmor/index.html (Karen Brittans (Britmor) Schnauzer web page has excellent general advice
Finally, please remember: It's BUYER BEWARE! You get what you pay for; you will most likely save in vet bills (and heartache!) later, if you spend a little more up front for a quality dog from a responsible breeder. Don't forget, a dog is a 12-15 year investment - and a member of you family!
Nadine Tare
Tare Miniature Schnauzers
American Miniature Schnauzer Club "Code of Ethics" breeder
This page was last updated on: November 25, 2001