Hi there. Having had a mini schnauzer in the past who suffered badly from fear aggression. Backing off and barking and destruction to the extreme were the main problems. Can anybody recommend any reputable breeders with great temperments.
Also, after reading other posts on the board, would I be less likely to suffer these problems with a bitch.

Any advice gladly received, I would hate to make the same mistake twice. I have spoken to one lovely sounding breeder in Cornwall but would also appreciate any recommendations from knowledgeable members here regarding schnauzer temperments before making a decision.

Many thanks

The best thing you can do it contact the breed clubs.

You can get numbers of good well established , experience breeders who will know the best lines to buy from.

If you mail Chris on     chris@ebenholz.demon.co.uk   she is the secretary of the Clucb of great britain she can give you advice and  numbers of good breeders.

Ps this breed I don't think is one that is normally like what you discribe. Here is a line from the standard.

" Alert, reliable and intelligent. Primarily a companion dog" 

  Hopefully a puppy from a good breeder will be just this. :-)

Good luck

YOu seem fairly sure that the problem you experienced was due to possible bad breeding, but many owners experience similar problems (especially destructiveness :P) with their puppies :)

In my view the best way to bring up a puppy is to avoid vets puppy classes, attend a good specific puppy class (for pups under 20 weeks) run by someone who allows no more than 8 pups per class, and to socialise the puppy continually every day via carrying in arms (before injections), walks, visiting shows and car boot sales, and so on. Sorry if you know all this already, but it's so important to be proactive when you have a puppy as regards socialsing and habituating :)

Also invest in a good trainer to help you overcome any problems you may meet along the way, try www.apdt.co.uk for one in your area.

Good luck
Lindsay
x

Thank you. I did socialise as you described, to the point of stopping people in the street to give him titbits if he was afraid. I was made aware early on by my vet and the lady who micro chipped him that his temperment wasn't as it should be. I also attend classes every week and worked hard to remedy it.

However, I did fall in love with this breed. Now I am considering another one,  my husband is concerned that it may be a breed trait. I have put a search in on this site and indeed many are described as being similar but maybe not so extreme. One thread mentioned some show dogs lunging at his! However, I have met many over the years that have been fantastic temperments.

There are not very many owners near to me which is why I need advice from any schnauzer owners as to the best breeders for temperment. I contacted the breed secretary yesterday for a list of breeders but also think recommendations would be a great help. Particularly, owners in the Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Dorset area in order that I could view them several times.

Many thanks again in anticipation.

I'd just like to add, be careful of rewarding 'scaredy' behaviour - ignore him if he acts afraid, only reward when he's going forward to get the attention of somebody.

Agree with Digger here as dogs go through two fear impact stages during their development - these must be managed carefully - you dont want to reinforce unwanted behaviour. 

On another note I wouldnt say a bitch is likely to be more confident than a dog - it shouldnt matter - provinding your breeder has socialised the puppies adequatly and you are given the correct advice and continue socialisation you should end up with a happy confident dog.

 

I wouldnt say avoid vets puppy classes - I run 'puppy school' classes and my next round will take place at a vets surgery as it is an ideal venue.  I think part of the problem coud have been caused by bad breeding - genetics does play a part in breeding, an unconfident dog can pass these traits on - but adequate socilising will also have a part to play.  :-)

I don't think that sort behavior is part of the breed, they are terriers so you have to expect some vocal barking but good training from an early age helps to keep excessive barking to a minimum (just like any other breed)

I have two minis and they are both excellent dogs - both entire males and they are fantastic together, they also live with four cats and are regally groomed by the tonkinese! :D

On the whole schnauzers are intelligent, affectionate dogs - normally good with children and make excellent family pets, I've found them to be reasonably easy to train (tit bit cheese monsters! :D) - its a shame you had a bad experience with a schnauzer, but as I said they are terriers so you do have to be reasonably firm with them - take control of the house so to speak. A good pedigree, good socialisation, good diet and good training from an early age should result in a well-balanced dog (much with any breed)

Where are you in the country? My youngest (2) came from a breeder recommended by the breed club etc. I did lots of research before getting him and I cannot fault him, he has a wonderful temperament, beautiful coat and has not been any trouble at all. The only 'bad' thing is that he doest stay sat for very long because his tail wagging gets the better of him :D I wouldn't hesitate to recommend his breeder (ill be going back when I want another) - she lives in Chesterfield.

If you're looking down south then it could be a little far - however, I traveled over 2hrs to her several times before we took pup home, I think traveling (within reason) is worth it for a good quality puppy who you will love for the next 15years! :)

I've spent time with many schnauzers over the years and on the whole, I've not seen any 'nasty' behavior, they are mostly curious, intelligent and adore their owners.

As for a bitch over a dog - I cant really comment, I've only owned dogs - entire ones too and I've not had any problems, its said that there isn't much of a difference between a spayed bitch and a neutered male, not sure how much truth there is in that?! Perhaps someone who owns both could comment on which sex would be better for you.

PM me if you would like the breeders details or if i can answer any questions on my schnauzers as pets.

Hi there, :-)

Don't like to correct you but miniature schnauzer are not terriers.  They are from the Utility group and do not  decend from terriers.

I beleive that they are in the terrier group in the USA, not sure if that is Minis standards or both.  Thsi could be where the confusion arises as if the books read were American ones then that is where this terrier info would come from.

I suppose their could be confusion but its down to the individual. ive always thought the Miniature Schnauzer suited the terrier breed better than utility - they are not particually terrier like but i think have some qualities and the breed originated from a cross including affenpinschers which are terrier dogs.

I think Brainless is right - it depends on what you read.

>I suppose their could be confusion but its down to the individual<

Perhaps the confusion is what country to country group them as but not down to the individual in the UK  :-)  they are not classed as terriers here.  In fact it is the first time I have heard a miniature schnauzer person/owner ever call them terriers :-)

Anyway I dont think they are natured to be fear aggressive are they? IS this not out of character for them.

>Anyway I dont think they are natured to be fear aggressive are they? IS this not out of character for them.<

I agree, as i said previously they are not normally known to have aggressive problems - hence why they make good family pets i would assume.

Yip Brainless I think they maybe do in the states but not in Europe .

My freind has them and had them for year and jumps up and down when people call them terriers :-)

Various stories where they come from but the Min is bred quite differently to the other and don't share the same group. I think the Min was crossed with the standard and the Affenpinscher and also poodle influence.

I personally don't think they have terrier natures at all. :-)  I don't mean that in a negative way as I really like their natures.   Perhaps a bit more laid back.

Did you know that in the breed standard it states "suspicious of strangers" . Also "Affenpinschers" are not terriers. Not anywhere that I know of anyway.

I don't think is says that in the minature breed standard. Perhaps in the standard or Giant but remember they are different in so many ways.  Really different breeds.  The Minatures are very people  dogs and although can be a bit barky not strange. 

Having owned and bred all 3 sizes over a period of many years I do agree that they are all different but you have to remember that they are all virtually 1 breed having been bred to different breeds to achieve the size difference.