Puppy Development
Breeding
At Christens Miniatures Schnauzers, breeding is all about improving the fancy. We love our dogs and breed them with careful consideration. Each of our breedings is part of a carefully planned breeding program in which we first evaluate the personality, health, and pedigree of both parents. The adorable puppy is the end result of many hours of research and labor.
It begins with researching pedigrees, genetic and health testing. Once the ideal match has been found, more health testing occurs. Then the two dogs are bred. After nine weeks of fretting over the pregnant momma, including trips to the vet for ultrasounds, the puppies are born. Eight to ten weeks later, they are ready for their forever homes. (Picture: Finn with two of his sons, Boris and baby Sisu)
The Nursery
Puppies go through several stages. The first stage we call the "Nursery Stage." This stage is birth to about three weeks old. The puppies and their mom are kept secluded in a special whelping crate next to Jill's bed. They are checked on frequently to ensure they are growing and thriving. The puppies go through several milestones in the nursery stage. They develop from helpless newborns who are both blind and deaf into toddlers. Once they start learning to walk, it's time to leave the nursey and enter world. (Picture: Echo/Finn Litter, April 2022)
Toddlers
The toddler stage is Rebecka's favorite puppy stage. She says, "they are so cute and still have puppy breathe." Toddler Stage is from three to about five weeks. The big milestones for our toddlers are walking and starting on puppy food made into a gruel. Toddlers are in a "playpen" in the family room with their mom. At night they sleep together in a crate. They are exposed to all the people and other dogs in the house. This stage ends when we can feel teeth breaking through the gums. (Picture: Kali/Finn Litter April 2022)
Weening
Welcome to the Weening Stage or puppy preschool! Puppies are five to eight week old in this stage. The grow lots of teeth during these weeks; transitioning from nursing to crunchy puppy food. They start going outside for meals, and we lay the foundations for potty training. There is a lot of muscle development in this stage. We provide play structures for puppies to climb on, jump off, and ambush their siblings. The play structures help our puppies develop all their muscle groups. It also teaches them to be fearless and lays the foundation for dog sports such as agility. (Picture: puppies playing bitey face on a minature teeter)
8 Week Evaluation
Miniature schnauzer puppies at eight weeks old are a miniature version of their adult self. This means we can evaluate them for show potential and get the CERF eye exam (recommended by the AMSC). We are always looking for puppies to show. Not only do we love showing, but it also helps us evaluate the quality of the breeding. If showing sounds like it might be fun, give us a call. (Picture: puppy being evaluated)
Going Home
"Parting is such sweet sorrow." The day our puppies go to their forever home is bitter sweet. We have planned, loved, and cared for them for months. They are ready to bond with a family. We love getting updates and pictures of our puppies with their new families. (Picture: "Tux" with his new daddies)
