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Know Your Breed:  Miniature Schnauzers

Did you know?
Miniature Schnauzers were developed by crossing small Standard Schnauzers with the Affenpinscher and possibly the Poodle. The Schnauzer name derived from the German word "Schnauze," which means "muzzle." It was used as a ratter and still retains the ability, but is mostly a companion dog today. Some of the Schnauzer's talents include: hunting, tracking, ratter, watchdog, competitive obedience and performing tricks.

Did you know?
The Miniature Schnauzer is the 16th most popular breed in the world right now, and it just keeps rising on that list of popular dogs. In fact, many people believe that this is a dog that will make it even higher on the list given its intelligence and its adorable nature, and it’s not anywhere near where it should be at 16.

Did you know?
Schnauzers were bred to hunt rats, so they rely on their keen sense of hearing to locate the vermin. Don't expect any disturbances to get past them: They can hear frequencies twice as high as humans.

Did you know?
These little dogs have big voices. The canines use this vocalization to say hello, alert you of something they found, or to let you know how they’re feeling. They bark when they’re happy, sad, or just bored. An untrained schnauzer might keep an owner up at all hours happily barking away. That's why it's important to train your dogs early on that barking is an emergency-only activity. 
Temperament:
The Miniature Schnauzer is an intelligent, loving, happy dog. It is energetic, playful, gets along well with children and likes to be with its people. Affectionate, keen, devoted and docile. With proper leadership it can get along with other dogs. Socialize this breed well. It makes a good companion and family pet. The Mini Schnauzer will not listen if it senses it is stronger minded than its owner. Owners need to be calm, but firm, possessing a natural air of authority. These dogs do not have a yappy bark, but rather they make sounds like a low, carried-out howl of a voice. This breed makes a good watchdog and vermin hunter. An easy dog to travel with. Some can be reserved with strangers if the humans do not provide stability in their lives, but most love everyone. Do not allow this little dog to develop Small Dog Syndrome, human induced behaviors where the dog runs the home. This can cause a varying degree of behavior problems, including, but not limited to separation anxiety, being willful, nervous, barky, guarding, bold, sometimes temperamental, and not hesitating to attack much bigger dogs. A well-balanced dog that gets enough mental and physical exercise will have a totally different personality. These are not Miniature Schnauzer traits, but rather behaviors brought on by the way the dog is treated by the people around them. It is all up to the humans. As soon as the humans start being true pack leaders, the dog’s behavior will change for the better.
HEALTH CONCERNS:
Prone to liver disease, kidney stones, diabetes, skin disorders, von Willebrand's disease and cysts. Also hereditary eye problems. Gains weight easily, do not over feed.

OFA-CHIC Health Testing Requirements

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT:
Life expectancy of The Miniature Schnauzer is about 15 years.  It shows no signs of age until quite late in life. is a good dog for apartment life and will be calm indoors so long as it gets enough exercise. These energetic little dogs need daily, long, brisk, walks or jogs, and love play sessions off the leash. While out on the walk the dog must be made to heel beside or behind the person holding the lead, as in a dog's mind the leader leads the way, and that leader needs to be the human. Dogs that do not get to go on daily walks are more likely to display behavior problems. Teach them to enter and exit door and gateways after the humans.

GROOMING:
The wiry coat is not hard to groom, although it does need attention. Comb and brush daily with a short wire brush to prevent matting. If any mats appear they should be cut out. Grooming is recommended every 4 to 6 weeks. Trim around the eyes and ears with blunt-nosed scissors and clean the whiskers after meals. On pet dogs the coat is usually clipped short on the upper body and left somewhat longer on the under-parts, legs and head.  Show dogs need to be hand stripped and trimmed instead of clipping. This breed sheds little to no hair and is a good dog for allergy sufferers.​

Know Your Breed:  Black Russian Terriers

Did you know?
Despite its name, the Black Russian Terrier is not a true terrier: it is believed that about seventeen breeds were used in its development, including the Airedale, the Giant Schnauzer, the Rottweiler, the Newfoundland, the Caucasian Ovtcharka and other breeds.

Did you know?
The Black Russian Terrier is the fifth rarest breed in the world. Considered a national treasure by Soviet Russia, the dogs used to trickle out from behind the Iron Curtain via Poland in much the same way that many people did to escape the communist bloc.
Temperment:
​The character and temperament of the Black Russian Terrier is of utmost importance. The Black Russian Terrier is a calm, confident, courageous and self-assured dog. He is highly intelligent and adapts well to training. The Black Russian Terrier was initially bred to guard and protect. He is alert and responsive, instinctively protective, determined, fearless, deeply loyal to family, is aloof and therefore does not relish intrusion by strangers into his personal space. Shyness or excessive excitability is a serious fault.
HEALTH CONCERNS:
Prone to hip and elbow dysplasia. X-raying the dogs is not common to the Russian breeders, so it's up to the breeders outside Russia to overcome this problem by targeted selection. If the ears are not well cared for they have a tendency to get otitis.

OFA-CHIC Health Testing Requirements

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT:
The Black Russian Terrier will do okay in an apartment if it is sufficiently exercised. They are relatively inactive indoors and no matter how big your yard is they will be sitting at your front door waiting to come in. They love to live very close to their owner. They will follow you from one room to the other. Kept in a garden they will follow you from window to window and wait for you at the door. They need very close human contact. This breed does not do well living in a kennel; they must have close human contact to be happy.

GROOMING:
The weatherproof coat consists of hard, wiry, tight, close-lying, wavy hair which is about 1.5" - 4" (4 -10 cm) long. The BRT sports eyebrows and a beard. The upper-neck portion and withers suggest a mane. The undercoat is tight and well developed. Regular trimming 2-3 times a year is needed. Stripping is needed only if the coat is soft. Brush the BRT at least once a week. It is important to remove hairs from ear ducts and cut the hairs under the paws. The BRT sheds very little if it is regularly brushed.​
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2983 Old Parrottsville Hwy
​Parrottsville, TN  37843