Last April 2002, we started our search for a puppy through AOL’s Dog Decision Guide, which is a questionnaire that matches breeds to owners based on traits important to owners.  We needed a hypoallergenic dog due to allergies but also wanted a breed that was smart and playful as well as a good watchdog.  We looked at several breeds on the recommended list, but kept coming back to the Standard Schnauzer.  Like most people, we didn’t know much about the breed and spent the next 2 months researching.  The more we read, the more we were convinced this was the breed for us.

            Next we searched the Internet and asked all our friends about breeders.  We discovered that finding a Miniature Schnauzer, or even a Giant was not too difficult but Standards are much more rare and harder to find.  Through Breeders. Net, I found a list of Schnauzer breeders, though none were here in Utah.  I corresponded with 3 breeders for several weeks and we settled on Top Shelf.

            The first thing that impressed us about Top Shelf was their web page.  It was full of information and contained links to other sites, which could give us even more information.  We liked the layout, pictures, and the professional design.

            We were also impressed by Tami’s willingness to answer all of our questions and how quickly she responded to the emails we sent.   Schnauzers were a new breed to us so we had many questions.  Tami sent frequent updates during Luna’s pregnancy.   Because we were new to Schnauzers, I asked for a suggested equipment list, food list, toy list, etc. so that I could buy things ahead.  This was very helpful.  Tami emailed us websites we could order from (which we did) and we had everything we needed when we brought Willie home.

            A big decision to be made is whether or not to have the puppy’s ears cropped.  We did have them cropped and are so glad we did.  However, this is an area where there might be some confusion.   Have a conversation with the vet about his methods for caring for ears prior to your 72-hour check-up.  We were lucky with Willie as there is a very well known ear-cropping vet in the area.  This might not be the case for everyone and this was the only worrisome part of having Willie as a new puppy. The ears need attention in the first weeks after they are cropped and need to be attended to by someone who knows what he/she is doing…not amateurs like us!!  When we picked up Willie, he still wore the plastic collar to protect his ears and then wore splints in his ears another 3 weeks.  I think that made his heal time 5 weeks total from the day his ears were cropped.

            We drove to Sacramento to pick him up.  Again, had great information and directions from Tami about what we would need for the trip.  We had never met Tami or her family prior to this but were warmly greeted by her youngest daughter asking us if we were Willie’s parents!!  We could tell that Willie had been loved and played with during his first few weeks of life.  Willie was great, never sick, never whined, a fabulous traveler.  Our trip was about 12 hours and we stopped about every 2 hours for him to have a break from the car.  He was happy to ride in the kennel and again, not a peep out of him.  We did have a fan for the kennel and we brought plenty of bottled water and things for him to chew on.

            Willie was a gift for our daughter’s 12^th birthday.  We put him in a big box and he popped out of it right on cue.  She was delighted.  We have 4 children and he loves all of them.  He loves to play soccer with my daughter.  From day 1, Willie slept 10pm-6am in his cage and has been a breeze to housebreak.  He is so smart and so easy to train.  We go to obedience classes after the holidays but he already sits, shakes hands, lies down, jumps, speaks, stays and comes on command.  He never barks because he is bored, but is always alert and barks if someone comes to the door or if a stranger enters the yard.  I have an 18-year-old son and Willie is a great companion for him as well as for our girls.  He loves to wrestle with my son and his friends and go for walks with them. You will always find Willie in the middle of whatever is going on here and after he has “checked out” everyone and everything he is content to lie on a rug and chew on a toy so long as he is near us.

            I haven’t yet mentioned that Willie is a beautiful animal.  So in closing, let me say, Willie is a beautiful dog!  We asked for a pet quality puppy, but our vet and groomer tell me Willie is show quality.  He has a beautiful head and a wonderful coat.  Our groomer has a Giant Schnauzer and is envious of Willie’s wiry coat.  We are constantly asked what kind of dog he is and are complimented on how handsome he is.  We are convinced we got the pick of the liter!

Julie Crowder

Park City, Utah