Our

Ethics

DNA Standards

Dogs can have serious hereditary genetic diseases, just like people.

I DNA test all my breeding dogs through Orivet DNA to track genetic conditions. The results tell us what testable genetic conditions the dogs have and/or are carriers of. Mini Schnauzers are prone to PRA (Progressive Rental Atrophy.) This is a condition where dogs lose their sight overtime and this can start at a very young age. None of the Wolki Schnauzers breeding dogs have PRA or are carriers or PRA. Any potential breeding dogs that have presented with this condition have been desexed and have never been bred with.

Puppy Socialisation

I'm very passionate about socialising puppies to set them up for life. Socialising puppies is more than introducing them to other people and dogs, its exposing them gently to new environments, noises and experiences. A puppies most influential stage in life is their first 16 weeks. Their experiences and exposure during this time effect them for the rest of their life.

The first step for me as the breeder, is Early Neurological Stimulation. This training starts at 3 days old and finishes at 16 days old. This program was developed by the US Military who breed and train their own service dogs. The program is made up of 5 simple exercises: holding the puppy off the ground, holding the puppy upright, holding the puppy facing downwards, touching each for the puppies paws and laying the puppy on a damp cloth. Each of these exercises are completed once per day every day during the 3-16 day period. The idea is that a puppy is stimulated at an earlier age than normal, therefore conditioning them to adapt to new stimuli and experiences. After adding this to my breeding program, I have noticed tremendous results. The puppies have more confidence, they easily adapt to new environments and they are very calm natured.

The puppies are groomed from a young age. This includes, wiping them with a warm damp cloth, shaving their bottoms, brushing them and giving them a full wash and blow dry before they go to their new home. I strongly encourage new families to continue regular grooming. Simple things like touching your puppies ears, opening their mouth to see their teeth and rubbing their paws regularly makes a big difference. It desensitises the puppies to touch so when they go to the vet or the groomers they are unbothered by the experience. I have had amazing feedback from groomers and vets around Australia who have had my puppies as their clients. Its encouraging to know the effort that is put in pays off!

 Aesthetic Standards

Always last of all for me, is aesthetics.

That does not mean that aesthetics are not important! It means that dogs a dogs health and well being is of the utmost importance before looks are considered.

Much of the damage done to purebred dogs over the decades by various breeding clubs and groups is because they have focused purely on physical characteristics, and therefore have engaged heavily in inbreeding and other activities which have harmed the health and function of dogs. Luckily the Miniature Schnauzer is a robust and stoic dog that has escaped the bulk of harm done by these ‘breed standards’. It is also helpful that the Miniature Schnauzer ‘breed standard’ is generally acceptable and does not encourage anything unhealthy like flat faces, excessively distorted body shapes or similar found in many other breed standards.

Wolki Schnauzers aims to breed Mini Schnauzers with a soft coat of varying colours, a small but strong stature with typical schnauzer traits.

Mini Schnauzer Traits

Mini Schnauzers are known to be fun loving, affectionate and adventurous companions. They are a beautiful addition to a family and have some great qualities.

Life Expectancy: 12-15 years

Coat: Medium length. Wiry-soft coat.

Grooming needs: Every 8-12 weeks

Classification: Terrier

Size: 6-9kg, 30-36cm height

Colours: Black & Silver, Salt & Pepper, Pure White and Pure Black

Exercise requirements: 20-40 minutes per day

Child friendly: Yes. Its important for them to interact with children at a young age

Tendancy to drool: Low

Tendancy to bark: Moderate

Tendancy to shed: Low. They are hypoallergenic

Intelligence: High

Social needs: High

Environment: Mini Schnauzers are adaptable little dogs that are happy on big farms and in city apartments. They are social dogs and its important that no matter which environment they are raised in, that they have time to socialise with other people and dogs.