Welcome to the Schnauzer Collective. Consider this your place for straightforward, well-researched, first-hand information on Miniature, Standard, and Giant Schnauzers. If you have a Schnauzer, or are considering adding one to your human life, this is your spot.
While the information is generally written for first-time Schnauzer parents, the articles are always well-researched and thorough, and will be helpful to even seasoned Schnauzer chaperones.
Many articles have links to research white papers or sites, and are the result of first-hand experience as well as interviews with veterinarians, breeders, trainers, groomers, and other pet parents.
ABOUT THE SCHNAUZER COLLECTIVE
WHY A COLLECTIVE?
| – Once you’ve added a Schnauzer to your life, you are part of a dedicated, passionate group of pet parents who probably consider Schnauzers to be among the best breeds out there. |
| – Articles on this site are based on our family’s first-hand experience as well as the collective research, experience, and insight of other Schnauzer parents, canine professionals, and canine researchers. |
| – We cover three different purebred Schnauzer varieties as well as highlighting other Schnauzer mixes. That’s quite a collection of Schnauzers! |
| – And finally, this is a collective because a portion of all profit earned on this site is donated to Pet Partners whose mission is to improve human health and well-being through the human-animal bond. They train and register pets to become therapy animals, and have local chapters in many states. |
ABOUT ME
After over a decade of first-hand Schnauzer parenting, I have learned many, many things and want to help my fellow pup parents have an organized, informed, successful Schnauzer experience.
I’m Deena . . . a mom and wife, communications professional, non profit enthusiast, fitness fanatic, school founder, and unabashed Schnauzer fan.
FROM FEAR TO FAN
My best friend’s dog unexpectedly attacked me after an otherwise awesome third-grade school day.
I needed a series of stitches and rabies shots, and my friend’s beloved pet needed to be put down. The attack was unprovoked and somewhat inexplicable. Their German Shepherd was healthy and had always been friendly.
After he was put down, I dealt with guilt and sadness, but I was also traumatized and had become deeply fearful of all dogs. Truly, like “stop in your tracks” fearful…no matter the breed or size.
Fast-forward a few decades to my own family setting that included me, my husband, three kids, and a gold fish named Bubbles.
The kiddos were ages 3, 5, and 7, and my husband thought that adding a dog to the mix would be a great experience and learning opportunity for the kids.
HOWEVER….I was still very fearful of every single dog on the planet….and my mom is highly allergic to pet dander….
I thought I was completely off the hook. There are other ways to teach our kiddos compassion and responsibility, right?
Nope.
My husband researched Schnauzers. Grandma was on board with the idea. The kids, of course, were thrilled.
The next thing I knew, we had a fun, energetic, sweet, hypoallergenic Miniature Schnauzer in the house. My fear faded away and my heart made more than enough room for Livi as a full-fledged member of our family.
While I still exercise common sense caution around large dogs, I no longer experience paralyzing fear.
Our Miniature Schnauzer, Livi, (featured prominently in the top photo) helped me overcome decades of doggie fear after I was attacked by a large German Shepherd when I was 8 years old.
The decision to include Livi in our busy, three-kid life (even though I was hesitant) has been a heart-warming, life-affirming decision.
THE HOPE BEHIND THIS SITE
On this site, I celebrate the healing and companionship power of man’s best friend by offering straightforward, well-researched, first-hand information on all Schnauzer breeds.
I provide accurate, actionable articles and resources that support you in successfully adding a Schnauzer to your world.
Because I wasn’t exactly prepared to become a pet parent, I feel the exhaustion and overwhelm you might be experiencing. As a result, the resources here focus on how to be prepared for your Schnauzer and how to become an organized, informed, successful pup parent….throughout the entire lifespan of your pup.
My expertise comes from over a decade of first-hand Schnauzer experience, interviews with canine professionals, mistakes and successes, and lots of research.
My hope is that you can fully experience the love, intelligence, and loyalty of this unique, lovely breed.
Happy Schnauzering!
AND…MORE THAN YOU EVER WANTED TO KNOW
I didn’t intend to research and write about Schnauzers.
With a B.S. degree in Psychology, Organizational Behavior along with postgraduate study in Communications, and certification as a Myers-Briggs consultant and life coaching, I love trying to understand what makes people tick.
What I would REALLY love to to do is unravel the mystery of life and the nature of reality.
In the meantime, I’m just trying to live an active, compassionate, creative, honorable life.
In my crazy all-nighter days, I wrote the largest macros technical manual in WordPerfect history (does anyone even know what that is anymore?), and collaborated on an Addy award-winning marketing video (in addition to being a project lead, you would have found me lying behind a bank of computers flipping the switch for a synchronized “power up” scene that lasted all of 3/4ths of a second in the final video. Gah….).
Out of a passion for excellent education options and sheer love for my kids, I founded Channing Hall, an International Baccalaureate World School that serves hundreds of kids in Kindergarten through 8th grade. It was a labor of love and a massive undertaking that became a dedicated group effort.
I trained, competed, and brought home a 3rd place trophy in my first-ever (okay, only) body building competition. I overcame self-doubt and stage fright, and pushed myself far beyond my self-imposed limits.
I’ve been associated with many non-profit organizations over the years, including our local Food & Shelter Coalition, Special Olympics, The American Cancer Society, and currently Utah Humanities, which offers free public programs revolving around literature, heritage, civil discourse, and many other humanities-related topics.
Oh, and I love supernatural movies, I hate to unload the dishwasher, and I’ve been known to eat cookie dough…on my way to the gym (you know….for energy).
With a fulfilling variety of experiences under my belt, welcoming Livi into our life and creating this site has brought me full circle to that early dog bite.
It has been a reminder to me that love and an open heart can overcome lifelong, paralyzing fear.
WHO KNEW THAT A MINIATURE SCHNAUZER WOULD HELP ME TO FACE MYSELF?
