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Where Should I Look for a Miniature Schnauzer?
The best place to find a quality dog is from a responsible breeder. This is often a breed club member who seeks to breed sound, healthy, well-adjusted dogs free from genetic problems. These breeders devote much time learning about the breed and study pedigree, temperament, health, genes, color and size before deciding which animals are likely to produce the best offspring. Responsible breeders try to conform as closely as possible to the official Breed Standard adopted by the American Miniature Schnauzer Club (AMSC) and the American Kennel Club (AKC).
A good breeder enjoys having his breeding stock evaluated by experienced judges at AKC conformation shows. Only the best puppies in a litter are kept for this purpose; a breeder is lucky to have one or two pups per litter which may be competitive at dog shows. The breeder will probably require that the rest of the litter be spayed or neutered, but this does not prevent the dogs from participating in performance events (obedience, agility, rally, earthdog, etc.) and does not limit their value as very nice pets. All of the pups in the litter receive the same love, care, feeding and medical attention - unlike commercially-raised pups (which have been kept in deplorable conditions and possibly shipped from hundreds of miles away).
Responsible breeders are concerned about the long-term welfare of the dogs they breed and will be available if you need advice or help in the years to come. Don't be surprised if the breeder questions you closely about who will care for the dog, whether it will be left alone all day, whether your yard is fenced, etc. and even tells you what food to buy. Responsible breeders want to be sure you will care for the dog as well as they do.
If you'd prefer an older dog rather than a small puppy, ask around. Breeders are limited in number of animals they can keep and occasionally need to find a home for an adult dog they have shown or bred. Expect breeders to be just as choosy about finding good homes for such dogs as they are for their puppies. Older dogs may be available at somewhat lower prices than puppies.
As the only formal Miniature Schnauzer breed club recognized by the AKC in Southern California, the MSCSC will be happy to provide you with names and phone numbers of responsible breeders in your area who may have pups for sale.
Another option is adopting a Mini Schnauzer which has been rescued from an animal shelter or reliquished by a person who is no longer able to keep the dog. The rescue service should make sure that the animals are in reasonably good health, have been spayed or neutered, have records of appropriate vaccinations, and have been groomed before they are placed in new homes. The rescue person should help you choose a dog that fits your family lifestyle and should advise you on training and adjustment. A donation to help offset rescue expenses is generally requested. These dogs are just as deserving of good homes as are young pups, so you can expect the same kind of interview about your ability to care for the dog.
Prices and Terms. There are no fixed prices for pure-bred dogs, including Miniature Schnauzers. Each breeder sets his/her own prices and terms. Many will require you to agree to spay-neuter the puppy, and will sell the puppy with a limited AKC registration, which means the breeder does not intend that dog to be bred. Many breeders will provide a health guarantee, but the terms of such vary greatly. Shop around to make sure you get the dog you want at a fair price.
