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Karen Bransgrove
My name is Karen Bransgrove. I'm a mother of
two grown-up daughters, Tracy who was married in April 1999, and Deanne
who was married in November 2000. My husband ( Stan) and I,
have lived in Victoria (Australia) all our lives, and in our current
home for the past 25 years. We've been married for 34 years.
My love of miniature schnauzers began when my daughters were in primary
school, and one of their friends had two minis. I'd never seen one
before, and immediately fell in love with their looks and personalities.
When our mini fox terrier died after a prolonged epileptic fit, in 1984,
I decided that I would like to have a miniature schnauzer. Our
girls were aged 13 and 15 at that time and were beginning to have active
social lives, so when we got Pepper our very first mini, she was really
"my" dog.
Although my Pepper came from an experienced mini breeder of many years,
she was certainly not "show" quality. With much help and
guidance from her breeder, it was decided that she was still a nice
"breeding" bitch and should have a litter of pups. And that's
how it all began...........
I lost my dear old Pepper in January 2000 at 15 years of age. When
I first brought her home, I never imagined just how much she would come
to mean to me, or the pleasure that I would derive, over the
years, from owning, loving and breeding mini schnauzers.
I love, more than anything, to have a litter of pups here in the home.
I'm very focused on breeding healthy puppies with good temperaments so
we make sure that they are socialized with other dogs, our cat and
plenty of people. They hear the vacuum cleaner, the dishwasher,
radio and TV and, in general, get used to all the sounds of a
"home". They are always handled gently but firmly, and
get used to having their nails trimmed and being groomed. By the
time they go to their new homes, they are usually very close to being
toilet trained, and will come quickly and enthusiastically when called.
I am limited as to how many dogs I can have on my property, so never
have more than two breeding bitches at any one time. Once a dog
belongs to me, they stay with me until the end so sometimes I can only
have one breeding bitch because my numbers are taken up by my
"retirees". At this time, I have Bess aged 6, recently
retired from breeding, and Maddy, 9 months who is at the moment busy at
Obedience Classes. Some time next year, we'll start thinking about
puppies for her (the "marriage" is already arranged)
<sm>
In 1990, the Australian National Kennel Council changed the breed
standard in minis, so that it was no longer compulsory to dock tails.
Since that time, I have not docked any litters and have come to love
those wagging tails. Ear cropping has been illegal in Australia
for many years so we breed for good ear carriage and I think before too
long, we'll be breeding for a particular tail "style" too.
I have been an Obedience Instructor now, for quite a few years at a
large Dog Club, but for the past six years I have specialized in the
training of Puppies. At our Obedience Club, we have a four-week
Puppy Preschool for puppies who have had only one vaccination
(this is always held in a "safe" environment). And then,
when the pups are fully vaccinated, they can come into our Puppy Classes
which are held at the Club grounds. These classes are held over
eight weeks; and by then the puppies are about six months old, and ready
for more "formal" Obedience. We have found that these pups who
are beginning their training and socializing at an early age, are much
more settled and ready to learn when it's time for them to begin their
"formal" training. We use positive re-enforcement methods and
put great emphasis on praising the puppies for what they get right,
rather than chastising them for what they do wrong.
I have only been a member of the Hoflin Miniature Schnauzer List for
about eight months, and I am greatly honored to have been asked to be a
part of the Puppy Groups. I see this as an
"extension" of the work I do as a Puppy Obedience Instructor.
I look forward to sharing the experience I've gained in raising
puppies with lots of new puppy owners.
Please contact me directly if you are the proud new owner of a new puppy
and wish to be included in the "New Puppy" email groups.
Cheers! Karen
brandy@useoz.com
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