Is it necessary to have a mini schnauzer groomed so they have their
beards or is it ok to crop their heads and leave the rest of the body
have a full bunch of hair. We are thinking of getting a mini and my
wife doesn't like the look of a mini although she likes the other
aspects of the breed.

On Sun, 29 May 2005 12:09:39 -0400 Pete Ham whittled these words:
Is it necessary to have a mini schnauzer groomed so they have their
beards

It is just hair. Miniature schnauzer lovers may think you are committing
some kind of awful disfugrement, but it is just hair.

or is it ok to crop their heads

Literally speaking the use of the word "crop" in correct, however, in the
dog world it is most often used for cutting off part of the ear. So the
image of cropping the head is um - well maybe not what you were intending
to convey.

and leave the rest of the body
have a full bunch of hair. We are thinking of getting a mini and my
wife doesn't like the look of a mini although she likes the other
aspects of the breed.


If you choose to trim the beard it will look a little funny to people used
to the look of the breed, but that is about the extent of the problem.
There are lots of good mini-schnauzers available in rescue and that is
where I recommend you look. Be patient and a great one will come along.
I can't imagine you want to encourage bad breeding practices by dealing
with an unknowledgable or uncaring breeder but some good breeders might be
hesitant about seling to someone who will make their well bred dog look
not so well bred (to the unpracticed eye anyway). While I'm sure you
could find a sensible good breeder eventually why not take on a great dog
who just had the bad luck to land in a non-permanent home?
http://petfinder.org


--
Diane Blackman
http://dog-play.com/
http://dogplay.com/Shop/