We are in the very early stages of looking for a puppy, my favoured breed is Miniature Schnauzer.  Appreciate any comments from those in the know about this breed, although have researched lots on the web ect.

Although I have not actually seen nor found a puppy yet, as I have certain arrangments to get in place before I get swayed by a pretty face.!  Although have made contact with breeders. They all appear happy with with my plans.  We live in a rural area, plenty of walking, backing onto open fields, and our children, well they are actually 24 & 23 have left home, so I now have the time and energy  to give a dog. I am looking for a lifelong friend to share my days with! A dog  that can go everywhere with me, as apart from two work days, I have no other commitments. (Eek that sounds soppy) although my husband is nice to share things with, I don't think he will be as loyal!  :rolleyes::

I  have made contact with a local dog walker/sitter. Who when new doggie arrives, will be coming around twice on the 2 days that I work. I intend to take off the first 2 weeks and then drop my hours by taking annual leave for another month.  That should, based on puppy being 8 weeks on collection, although. I am hoping for slightly older ( any views on that) bring pups age to  about 15/16 weeks and I am hoping this will give me some time to settle new arrival in the house, as I obviously have no intentions of leaving a pup on own while i am at work.  I am sure this will delay house training, and will mean it will take me longer to establish toilet training, but i am prepared for any acidents that will occur. ( have seen toilet mats on another web site, any comments)

Trying to get as much place before I make final decision, like army manouvers!!!!!!!

Husband and I going to spend the next 4 weeks, dog/puppy proofing house and garden as much as we can. We will then sit down and review situation again.  Once all these factors are in place, we will then and only then start to look at dogs/puppies.

Anyway

Not really a question, but came across site while researching thought I would share with you all

Have a happy new year

Tan

PS

Are these puppy pens a really good idea!

Can't answer your questions about the M/Schnauzers - but you seem to have thought things through and have planned well :) Don't waste your money buying pads :) Best thing is to restrict the puppy to an area, such as a kitchen with a tiled/lino floor until it is fairly reliable. Using pads just gives the puppy the idea that it is OK to pee in the house and delays the training to go outside. Puppies need taking outside to perform at regular intervals of about an hour and after every meal/playtime - also maybe once or twice at night (although it depends on the pup). Have you considered using a crate for your puppy ? I found a crate extremely useful (my three year old still loves hers and sleeps in it, the door is never shut now).

Good luck - more help will come soon :)

Daisy

Sorry re-read your post and see that you referred to puppy PENS (thought it said pads ) :)

Thanks Daisy,

Yes I love planning, and to be honest, if I feel after all the planning its not a good idea, we wont go any further, despite my urge to have a pupppy.  We have been in the thinking stage for about a year, now going to the nect level.  Have to make sure that I am not just suffering from "empty nest" syndrome:rolleyes:

The Puppy will be in our tiled utility area when we are not around, and yes I have looked at the crates, and recommends on where to get one fromso that I can look at costs ect would be gratefully recieved

Obviously, it is not ideal to have a young puppy and be at work all day (even if it is only two day a week) - but if you have someone to come in and continue your regime for house-training that is much better :) If you are prepared for it to take a little longer, then there shouldn't be a problem. You won't need a huge crate for your pup - if it's too big then they will just use the 'extra' space to wee/poo in. Having them restricted to a crate helps with housetraining as they usually don't like to soil their bed area :)

It's very sensible to have a long think about the commitment - hopefully you'll find that you can manage a pup :)

Daisy

We bought our crate from Argos - it was a very good buy at the time, but I have a feeling that the quality of the current crate may not be as good.

You sound as if you have planned everything out really well!

When you have got everything in place, or even before, find some breeders of the breeds you like, and see if you can visit for a while, to see what the breed really ARE like to live with. This tells you so much more than photos or a book, or even we on here can.

Its possible you may decide that a puppy is too much work (and they flipping well are), if that is the case, then you can contact breeders who may have older dogs either ex show dogs they want to rehome, or pups that have been run on but dont suit their needs (might not be good enough for the ring, or might not compliment the lines they are working with, whatever).

Or you can go down the rescue route for an adult dog, there are specific breed rescues for most breeds, who tend to match up dogs to owners on a waiting list. Then there are the smaller rescues with crossbreeds, lurchers etc who foster dogs out, have a very good idea of the dogs character and temperament etc, before they are rehomed.

Em

Thanks Em

Thats a good idea.  I have considered an older dog, but I thought breeders might think i am being funny if I ask about older dogs, did not want to offend anyone.

I got my crate off Ebay.  The seller sells new items so not second hand. My crate had metal tray and two doors and was half the price I could buy it for in Pets at Home.  It was sent by courier and arrived in 2 working days from ordering it.

Reputable breeders will always take back any pups they have bred if the owners circumstances change, so they may have older dogs coem back to find homes for, and of course bred rescue take on the rest.

Contact the breed club secretaries and they are more than likely to know if anyone has had a suitable dog back, as well as being able to give ypou a list of reputable breeders

Thank you all for your comments.  Lots to think about.  I think I am preparing more for the arrival of a new dog than I did my own children over 25 years ago!! had I have given that more thought, I would probably not have had to work at all and have a lot more money:rolleyes: Any way thanks for taking the time to answer.

Perhaps one day in the future I will be able to offer advice to someone embarking on the same course!

Welcome to the forum :)

I must say I'm impressed with your wish to get things right, it seems you've considered most angles of puppy/dog ownership :)  So I'll just give a few pointers :)

One of the best places to find a well brought up health tested puppy is via the Breed Club :)  They will be able to tell you what tests are needed in your chosen breed, and also point you to reliable breeders who have the pups and your best interests at heart :)  these breeders may not have a puppy available straight away tho ;)  good breeders don't breed large numbers of dogs, just the occasional litter, so you may need to go on a waiting list, but you can get lucky sometimes ;)

Miniature Scnauzer Club of Great Britain  (my apologies if you already have this address)

A really good book I can recommend for all puppy buyers is Gwen Bailey's - 'The Perfect Puppy'  this will get you off to a good start even before you get your new pup :)

Hope this helps
Regards
Dill