Buying a Miniature Schnauzer Puppy
What to expect from a breeder who puts Health, Welfare and Temperament first.
Essential Documents
- Heath Certificates (both parents)
- Signed AWF Puppy Contract
- KC Registration Certificate (if applicable)
- Microchip Registration Certificate
- Temporary Pet Health Insurance
- Vaccination Certificate
A Good Breeder Will:
- have socialised and habituated the puppy
- provide a supply of food
- provide a blanket smelling of Mum
- follow the Code of Practice for Dog Breeding
Official Health Schemes
- BVA/KC screening for eye disease; full ophthalmological testing before breeding includes checks for multiple inherited diseases such as:
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- PRA – progressive retinal atrophy
- causes gradual sight loss, detected by eye testing annually or before breeding
- HC – hereditary cataract
- causes gradual sight loss, detected by eye testing annually or before breeding
- CHC – congenital hereditary cataract
- present at birth and diagnosed by litter screening
Other Diseases
No current health scheme or DNA test available.
- Bladder stones
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- Cancers
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- Diabetes mellitus
- hormonal, failure to control blood sugar levels
- Mitral valve disease
- progressive heart disease, can lead to heart failure
- Pancreatitis
- malfunction of pancreas, progressive chronic pain
DNA Tests Relevant to Breed
- MAC – mycobacterium avium complex
- defective immune system allows fatal infection
- Myotonia congenita
- abnormal muscle function
- PMDS – persistent Mullerian duct syndrome
- abnormal structure of genitals
Other Tests
- Breeders may also DNA test their dogs for several other very rare conditions currently being researched in Miniature Schnauzers