WHAT MADE YOU CHOOSE THE SCHNAUZER BREED?

We were very undecided, we had lost our dog Hector a few years before and were missing the enjoyment of a dog, then a chance meeting with friends of friends in California, we were introduced to a gorgeous schnauzer and once I got to hold that lead, and see what an amazing breed they were we were hooked.

A small dog but huge presence.

Much searching for a good breeder commenced, then by chance we heard of a Schnauzer who needed a home. Toby burst into our lives, a mini schnauzer with a big personality.

TELL ME A LITTLE ABOUT THEIR PERSONAL STORY

Toby was pivotal to all we did, he travelled abroad with us, rode on boats, trains, ferries, tubes, buses and bicycle trailers. Heart-breaking for us he died in 2018 from Lymphoma. But Toby had made sure our lives would not be without  a Schnauzer. We had discovered Schnauzerfest, and the amazing work they do to raise awareness about puppy farming and to raise funds to help dogs many of whom come from puppy farms.

Bella joined our household and enjoyed 5 weeks of time with Toby. A scared, exhausted girl who had spent 7 years in a puppy farm just being bred for the profit of her puppies.

Mabel joined us shortly after, another puppy farm survivor who had been left to go totally blind. Schnauzerfest paid for her treatment giving her the gift of sight.

Bella and Mabel in their Schnauzerfest branded schnauzer chariot 

It's been a long journey as Bella and Mabel learn to live a life every dog should have and we learn to ease the terrible mental scars of their past. We adore the snippets they give us when their new life out shadows their past and their personalities blossom.

WHAT QUIRKS DO THEY HAVE?

Quirks for a puppy farm dog can come by the spadesful. Schnauzers are highly intelligent and you can see them thinking and planning. They relish being out doors and as many dogs, just adore a beach walk.

Mabel is very noise adverse and chooses what she does not like, this can be an incoming call on the phone, the microwave, beeps, squeaks and her absolute hate is Auto Sergey from the Meerkat adverts, but she loves cartoons and music, and Mabel likes to roll and roll and loves a tummy rub.

Bella is efficient and plans her next move and how to position herself to be in the best spot for treats. She will also wait patiently under Mabel's beard if there is any hope of a crumb being dropped.

HOW MANY NICK NAMES DO THEY HAVE AND WHAT ARE THEY?

Oh gosh too many, Mabel is sometimes called Mabeline, Pudding, or the big one. but Bella is Boo, Booster, Bells, The little one and Scrappy.

WHAT ARE THE MOST SCHNAUZER-ISH CHARACTERISTICS IN YOUR SCHNAUZER?

The magnetic beards, seriously we have picked up everything from seeds, leaves, lolly sticks, twigs, branches and tortilla chips. The look, schnauzers can switch from a death stare also referred to as stink eye, to a heart melting gaze.

WHAT IS THE FUNNIEST/NAUGHTIEST THING YOUR SCHNAUZER HAS EVER DONE?

Bella has waltzed across my desk and managed to get herself involved in a few work video calls and if she chooses will openly yawn and walk off.

Mabel has a sweet tooth and has the crime of cake theft on her record. We were at the rescue centre DBARC, and Mabel was sat in her buggy. when a child started crying that someone had stolen her cake. I looked at Mabel and she was wide eyed with cake crumbs all over her beard. She had swiped the whole slide when the child walked by (We exited fast).

WHO IS THEIR FAVOURITE HUMAN?

For Bella it is me, it is a trust thing but for all her fear of men, she literally simpers when she see's our vet. I have not seen anything like it. It is like a personality change and she will spot him dealing with other people and follow him with her eyes, she is besotted.

For Mabel I begrudingly have to say it might be Steve. With over a year of me working at home I think she feels I am boring and the excitement when Steve comes in is both delightful but also like a small smack in the face.

WHERE IS THEIR FAVOURITE PLACE TO WALK?

The beach - without doubt it is our happy place and theirs too. A quiet beach with sand dunes is where you see them at their happiest. Mabel will start rolling if she finds a patch of sand in the car park.

WHAT IS THEIR FAVOURITE GAME OR TOY?

Mabel is scared of balls and squeaky toys. We had to cut the squeaks out.

Bella is industrious when it comes to interactive enrichment toys and can turn levers, open pouches snuffle out a treat from a snuffle mat and loves anything that is reward giving. She has quickly learnt that Mabel can only really do the snuffle mats so she starts there quickly and then at her leisure works on the others.

WHAT IS THEIR FAVOURITE TREAT?

With out doubt it is when we have fish and ships. They have their own bit of cod with the batter removed. I think this is linked to their love of beach trips. Other than that they adore anything along the lines of dried fish. Mabel loves peanut butter, but Bella will follow you round the house for a morsel of cheese.

WHERE IS THEIR FAVOURITE SPOT IN THE HOUSE?

For Mabel it is on the sofa in the lounge - we often joke that she waits for lounge access like a frequent flyer.

When I am working however they sit in the study with me. They have beds upstairs too. So in general never far away from the hand that feeds.

Mabel never comes into the kitchen but Bella after over year now comes in to sit under the table in her bed.

IF YOUR SCHNAUZER COULD TEXT YOU ANYTHING, WHAT WOULD THEY SAY?

Starving bring food!

WHAT WOULD THEIR SCHOOL REPORT SAY?

Mabel has once again been found in the cloakroom eating other dogs lunches. She has been told countless times to stop rolling in the sandpit but continues to do this.

 Mabel enjoying beach life.....she does love a roll!

Bella does not participate in any group activities, but is first in the queue for lunch. She regularly shouts out 'feed me 'in class.

IF YOU COULD ASK YOUR SCHNAUZER ONE QUESTION, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

Tell me how I can make you trust me more.

NAME ME ONE THING THAT WOULD BE ON YOUR SCHNAUZERS BUCKET LIST

Beaches and as many holidays in the motorhome as you can give them

LASTLY...DOES YOUR SCHNAUZER BARK A LOT?

Mabel is a howler - full head back and full throttle but only if she dislikes a noise.

Bella announces her movement before she does anything. She barks like crazy when we get home if she has not been with us.

FIND OUT MORE?

Did you read that with a heart filled with joy?  Want to know more, then please do check out the work Schnauzerfest does to support puppy farm survivors via their website:

www.schnauzerfest.org