Page 290 - ShowSight - July 2019

Miniature Schnauzer Q & A
was my Saturday morning workout at the Minneapolis Ice Arena. Later, I skated in the St. Paul Pop Concerts . With all of these activi- ties, there was still time for church every Sunday where I was the organist and choir director.
I have lived in Mesa, Arizona since 1991 and enjoy the area and nice weather very much.
Forty years ago I bought my first Miniature Schnauzer as a pet. However, that breeder asked if I would like to show my dog, Kerrie. What was showing? She became my mentor and showed me how to strip, rake coats, scissor etc. and my grooming techniques stemmed from that time. Later, we traveled almost every weekend to shows driving her little motorhome. We still share many hilarious events that occurred on our travels. I judged some fun matches and almost applied for my judging license but I couldn’t be gone from home that often. Showing my dogs became my ultimate passion which I did until moving to Arizona
The secret to a successful breeding program is having a thor- ough knowledge of the breed standard and breed for that standard. Not developing blindness to faults but researching ways to reduce or eliminate them. With all the technical help available today, research always pays off.
Does the breed’s ranking make finding good homes easier? I have more requests for puppies and adults than I have dogs to fill them.
Are grooming trends affecting the breed in the ring today? Han- dlers and Owners have developed such expertise in grooming that faults can easily be covered up. Given two dogs being equal, the best looking one will usually win.
My favorite dog show memory: I entered a brace in the Great Falls, Montana show. Landes Rhapsody in Blue (Gershwin) and Landes Just My Jack (Jack). Going in for Best Brace in Show I was shaking all over even after having practiced many times getting two dogs up on the table together. Then getting them down on the floor together without dropping the leads! We had six others of differ- ent breeds for competition. One especially beautiful pair of English Setters. After many trips around the ring and lining up, the judge walked back and forth several times. Walking toward me, she held out the big Best Brace in Show Ribbon.
I am still in love with this breed and continue having dogs in the show ring. Over the forty years I bred and showed my own dogs until 2006 when Multiple Sclerosis kept me out of the show ring. To this day, I still have dogs in the ring and attend shows using my cart.
KATE MCMILLAN
Catherine (Kate) McMillan has been breeding Mini Schnau- zers in Saskatchewan, Canada under the Min- uteman prefix for over 35 years. Breeder of four AMSC National Specialty Best of Breed winners, including the number one ranked Min- iature Schnauzers (breed and all-breed) in the US for both 2017 and 2018, along with the breeds number one producing
sire for the past two years.
I live in a small town in Saskatchewan, Canada, about 200 miles
north of Montana. I’m a commercial and fine artist by trade, which dovetails nicely into my dog sport.
I bought my foundation bitch (my first Mini) in 1981, knowing virtually nothing about the breed. I didn’t know what “stripping” was! Two years later I bred my first litter, from which my first Cana- dian Best in Show dog was born.
The secret to a successful breeding program is stamina. You must have the stamina to endure the learning curve, the setbacks, the financial challenges and, for me, the long drives to dog shows.
Does the breed’s ranking make finding good homes easier? There has typically been more demand for Mini Schnauzers than supply from reputable breeders, and thus the answer is yes. The nature of the breed attracts those who are looking for a family pet and keeps them coming back. Most of my callers are searching for their second or third Mini.
Are grooming trends affecting the breed in the ring today? Yes and no. It’s a highly challenging breed to trim to perfection—how- ever, we’ve undergone a “changing of the guard” in recent years. Many of our leading exhibitors have semi-retired or passed away and a new generation is emerging. Not all yet trim to the level of a Bev Verna or Lanny Hirstein, so it’s a excellent time for newcomers to consider our breed as the competitive field is a more open than it has been for many years.
My favorite dog show memory is winning the breed at Mont- gomery County in 2012 with AmCanCh.Minuteman Goldikova, under Mr. Ken McDermott.
The most successful breeders in Mini Schnauzers have always been those who “do it themselves”. Follow their example: train your own puppies, groom your own dogs, show your own dogs. You can only develop the expertise required to excel in this breed by immers- ing yourself in its every aspect—history, genetics, structure and aes- thetics. So put down the phone, get off Facebook and get to work!
ALBERTO MONTILA
I currently live in Sea- side, California along the beautiful Monterey Bay. During the times I am not at shows I enjoy riding my Harley Davidson, going to the beach with our dogs/ client dogs and spend- ing time with friends and family.
I came to the United States about seven years ago to learn under my mentor Beverly Verna of Regency. I was involved in showing and breeding
Miniature Schnauzers with Bev until her passing a few years ago. When Bev passed she left me a few of her dogs to continue on with showing and breeding from her line.
Afterwards I went to work for Bill and Taffe Mcfadden for a few years, which I am so thankful for not only learning so much from them but also for them becoming part of my life. While working Bill and Taffe I met Rachel Adams. Rachel and I went on our own as professional handlers under the Iberico name over a year ago. Together we are fulfilling our dreams of contributing as breeders and handlers of this sport.
When it comes to having a successful breeding program I think there are two things that are essential for success. The first being having a mentor. Having a mentor who can teach you, guide you and support you makes all of the difference in the world. If you are lucky enough your mentor will become more than just a teach- er, they will become a lifelong friend or even part of your family. Though I no longer have my mentor Bev, I will always appreciate
284 • ShowSight Magazine, July 2019