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As children, Roy and I always had dogs. Roy's family had the heintz-57 variety and my family had Miniature Schnauzers.
When we decided to find a dog to fit into our very active - but childless (by choice) lives - the Standard Schnauzer fit the bill. . .intelligent, not a "sissy looking" dog, athletic (to accompany us on backpacking, rafting and general outdoor activities), and not too big. Shedding was also an issue with Roy's allergies. Standard Schnauzers DO SHED, to some extent, but they didn't bother Roy like say a Sheltie or Huskie would.
Thus, our love affair with the Standard Schnauzer began over 25 years ago with our first Standard "Weizer". Just like potato chips, and not being able to eat just one, "Schniken" joined our family the following year. It wasn't until "Himel" came into our lives that we actually got hooked on the dog show game. The first time Himel and I ever set foot into the conformation ring, we won a 5-point major over several specials! Day 2 brought us a 4-point major. . .that is all it took! I do most of the work with the dogs but Roy is always by my side cheering me on, helping with the lifting, and occasionally in the ring, when he doesn't have a choice. Roy likes to say that he is along for the strong back and moral support. You can find me in the conformation, agility, obedience, and rally rings. I have even dabbled in tracking and herding.
We have been owned by fourteen Standard Schnauzers thus far (five have gone to the Rainbow Bridge but lived full happy lives). We have earned more than 75 tiles on eleven of these wonderful dogs. Several of our SS have been ranked in the top 10 by the Standard Schnauzer Club of America, Canine Chronicle, IABCA, and Canadian Kennel Club (with multi-group placements and International Best In Shows/Gold Cup Best in Show). . .and we have had several Front & Finish rankings (top 10 SS in agility and obedience). SSCA has acknowledged four of our ss as Novice Agility Dog and Open Agility Dog of the year for several years running. We have also earned Stud Dog of the Year twice and was runner up for Brood Bitch of the year. So far, we have showed and finished five dogs from the Bred-By Exhibitor Class earning us AKC's special Bred-By Silver Medallion. One of our dogs was the fifth SS to receive AKC's newest Grand Champion title and is the FIRST owner handled in the breed for this distinction. Several of the puppies we have bred have gone on to be group placers, Regional and National Specialty winners, High In Trial recipients, and have received invites to the Eukanuba Inventational. We are very involved and dedicated to our dogs. . .we condition, groom, train, and show all our own dogs!
On the "club" front. . . I am a past member of a local all breed kennel club and obedience club. I am an active member of a local agility club where I served as Secretary and Vice President and now serve as Judge Liaison. We are long time members of the Standard Schnauzer Club of America where I served as National Rescue Chair (designing and implementing the rescue program) and as Health Chair. I currently serve as Annual Awards Chair and I am a member of the SSCA Board of Directors. I also helped author Sourcebook V. Roy has done the SSCA Specialty Website for 6 specialties - donating his time and talent. He is now the web master for the SSCA site. I have judged at obedience matches for UKC and 4-H. I have stewarded in conformation, obedience, agility and rally plus I have served multiple times as Agility Trial Chair, Chief Ring Steward, Hospitality Chair, and Trophy Chair. We even show cased our SS at the Garden and Home Show AND the Pet Expo, several years running, answering questions about the breed, demonstrating correct conformation, obedience, and agility. I have given a breed seminar on the Standard Schnauzer during an all breed kennel club show. I also participated in a "Meet The Breed" during another all breed kennel club show. We also help out with local rescue when needed. I am the list owner/moderator of the YAHOO StdSchnauzer list and StdSchnauzer Breeder list.
We breed occasionally with health and temperament being most important to us. All of our dogs have multiple health clearances such as OFA hips and elbows, eye CERF, OFA cardio, etc. Puppies are raised in our home and socialization is very important to our litters. Our interest in and commitment to our puppies does NOT end at the time of placement. We ask that the new owners keep us appraised of their puppy's growth, development, temperment, physical health, and conformation for the life of the dog. . . and send pictures often! We look at each and every puppy as an extension of the Himmlisch Standard Schnauzer family.
My professional expertise is in business administration and information systems with a degree in Business. I am fortunate to now be able to dedicate all of my time to our dogs. Roy is a web site designer/developer with a degree in Aeronautical Engineering and graduate studies in Applied Mathematics.
Thanks again for visiting our web site. . .please contact us if you have any questions or comments.
Kathi and Roy and our wonderful Standard Schnauzers
