Read through the entire website before contacting with questions.  I think you will find that most of your questions will be answered here.  I am happy to answer questions that have not been covered on the website.

Belle Vista is not a commercial or "high volume" breeder. "High Volume" in Ohio means someone that sells 40 or more puppies/dogs a year AND owns 6 or more breeding females. All dogs are housed in an addition to our home and puppies are raised in our home.

 

 

Check out the Waiting List page to see our process. If you have to have a puppy right now and cannot wait than I am not the breeder for you. If I get through the waiting list and still have a puppy available, it will be posted on this page and on the Facebook page so you may want to like us on Facebook if you are not wanting to commit to the waiting list.

​

The American Miniature Schnauzer Club has a breeder referral page at amsc.us

​

price including sales tax =

$2000

See "Waiting List" for more information.

​

 ​We start letting our puppies go to new homes between 9 and 10 weeks of age.  Below is

everything that comes with your puppy.​



1. Tails docked and dew claws removed at 3 days of age. No exceptions! I will not leave tail and/or dew claws by request.

2. Micro-chipped for identification and recovery in the event of loss. This micro-chip is automatically registered to Belle Vista listed as the breeder contact.  Due to this, it is very important to make sure we always have up to date contact information for you and to let us know ASAP if your Schnauzer is ever lost.  Your puppy pack will include a card with a QR code from Fi Nano allowing you to register the chip into your name. Many people set me as their emergency contact which I really appreciate. It gives me piece of mind to know I can be part of the process to get your dog back to you if necessary.

3. De-wormed with Fenbendazole (Safeguard) at 4, 6, & 8 weeks of age. Keep in mind that all the precautions in the world can't guarantee they aren't carrying something when they leave here even with a negative fecal at 9 weeks prior to leaving. Parasites are not covered in the health warranty. 

4. Vet checked at 6 weeks and 9 weeks. This includes a physical and a litter fecal exam to check for parasites.

5. Have had their first and second set of core vaccines given by my veterinarian at 6 and 9 weeks. They will still need their third and fourth set of vaccinations, Bordetella and/or Lyme vaccine if you so desire, and a Rabies vaccination by your own veterinarian. Vets are overbooked and it can be difficult to get in at the last minute for basic care. Call your Vet and make your puppy's first appointment as soon as you have a pick up date scheduled.

6. Eye exam by a board certified Veterinary Ophthalmologist.  The breed can be prone to eye disorders. If you are researching breeders and a Veterinary Ophthalmologist exam doesn't come with the puppy, go elsewhere. It's an easy and typically inexpensive (under $200) exam and the baseline for every eye disorder that can occur later in life.

7. A 20 day happiness guarantee in the event that a puppy just isn't working into your family. (See our complete warranty by clicking on the big purple box at the top of this page that says "Health Warranty")

8. A health warranty.  Please keep in mind that a health warranty is not a promise that an inherited health problem will never occur.  It is a promise that spells out what I will do for you and what your options are in the event that there is a serious problem.  I try my best to breed healthy Schnauzers but it is estimated that dogs carry the genes to produce just as many genetic issues as people.  Just like with people, sometimes two perfectly healthy adults bred together can produce a baby that is not.  I will do my best to work with you if there are any heritable issues that do not come to light until the puppy is older.  To see a copy of the health warranty, click on the big purple button at the top of this page.

9. A 3 pound bag of the food they have been eating to get you started during the transition. They are eating Muenster Milling Ancient Grains with Oceanfish  If you would like to order and are a new customer to Muenster, use coupon code robison35 to get 30% off your first order or robison55 to get 55% off your first order when you customize a bag of food.

10. Toys that they have been playing with that smell like their mom/siblings will be sent with them to help ease the transition to a new home.

11. American Kennel Club registration application for you to complete. This is strictly voluntary and many people never do it. However, if you intend to take advantage of the repeat customer discounts for titles, your dog will need to be registered with AKC in order to earn titles. Even if you want to earn UKC titles instead, you will need the AKC registration in or to process the UKC registration.

12. 30 days of complimentary pet health insurance from Trupanion with 90% of coverage for accidents and illness. You will receive an email the day before your scheduled pick up with the information you need to sign your pup up. The offer is only good for 24 hours before/after you pick your puppy up and I recommend you do it as soon as you receive the email. It is REQUIRED! If you fail to sign up for the insurance and there is a medical emergency with your new puppy in the first 30 days, I will not help cover veterinary expenses for any reason. That is the purpose of the insurance! After the first 30 days, if you choose not to keep the insurance that is totally up to you.

13. Support from me with any questions/concerns that arise throughout the lifetime of your new friend.

14. First haircut, freshly bathed and trimmed toenails.

 

Excerpt from the FAQ page

Do you ship puppies?

I understand how difficult it can be to find a quality Miniature Schnauzer close to home. However, I have made the conscious decision to not ship my puppies.  Legally in any instance where a breeder is active in "retail sales (including adoption) of dogs where the buyer, seller, and dog are not physically together in the same place so the buyer can observe the animal prior to purchase or taking custody" requires a USDA license which I do not have. While I would really like people to meet the parents and see the dogs and puppies in person and know that they are happy with where their pup is coming from, I am able to meet you or your representative at Columbus International Airport at which time you can determine that the pup is in acceptable condition before completing the purchase. Depending on your location and my schedule, delivery could be a possibility at an additional charge of $2 per "loaded" mile according to Google directions. If the meeting place requires a hotel stay an additional $125 is required. All delivery charges are non-refundable and must be paid before I make the trip.

 

How do I reserve a puppy?

View the "Waiting List" page for full details.

​

​

All pet puppies are placed with limited AKC registration.  This description of Limited Registration comes directly from the AKC website:

"Limited Registration means that the dog is registered but litters produced by that dog are ineligible for registration.  In addition, a limited dog cannot compete in conformation shows. It is eligible, however, to be entered in any other licensed or member event, including Obedience, Tracking, Field Trials, Hunting Tests, Herding, Lure Coursing, Agility, Rally, Barn Hunt, and Earthdog.  Limited Registration means they are  NOT for breeding purposes.  Buyer guarantees that the dog will never produce any puppies, whether intentional or accidental. Show/Breeding quality puppies are only available to select individuals on a co-own agreement.

 

New research on EARLY spay/neuter is indicating that it is best to wait until 12 months or older to alter your pet.  While early spay/neuter is convenient for the owner, it removes vital hormones in a juvenile dog that can be detrimental to growth plates and other systems needed while growing.  Spaying/neutering before the age of 6 months will void my health warranty unless Ovary Sparing/Tubal Ligation/Vasectomy procedures are used.  The following are just a few educational links on the topic.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enPCZA1WFKY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6cyNhOZCQI
 

https://healthyandhappydog.com/
 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3572183/

 

https://theaggie.org/2013/04/04/uc-davis-study-shows-negative-effects-of-neutering/

 

https://ivcjournal.com/spay-neuter-considerations/

 

http://www.akcchf.org/news-events/news/health-implications-in-early.html

 

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2020.00388/full

 

https://www.gooddog.com/good-breeder-center/rethinking-spay-neuter

​

Not everyone wants to deal with a female in heat and it is thought that early neuter on a male dog will inhibit them from learning to lift their leg and urinate on things but I have seen mixed results.  For those with a female, know that they typically come into their first heat cycle (the time that they are able to get pregnant) around the age of 6 months (occasionally earlier and sometimes up to 12 months for their first).  Unlike women, dogs usually only cycle twice a year at approximately 6 month intervals.  A heat cycle lasts about 21 days and a female needs to be confined, walked on a leash and always monitored when outside throughout that time.  Of course, this shouldn't be any different than any other time but owners will really want to make sure she does not get with a male dog that has not been neutered.  A fenced yard is not always a strong enough deterrent for a determined male dog.  They can and will dig under, jump over, climb, etc. to get to a female that is at the peak of her heat cycle and sometimes a female can be just as determined.  They do bleed some during the cycle but most dogs are pretty meticulous about keeping themselves clean.  However, if you allow her on the furniture, your bed, etc. it is a good idea to cover it to help keep things clean or put her in some "doggy diapers".  Doggy diapers are NOT enough of a deterrent to prevent a male from breeding your female.  Do not rely on them for prevention!  Some dogs have even been known to have a successful mating through a wire crate or fence!  In a female dog with an inverted or hooded vulva, I have personally seen that the swelling that occurs during a heat cycle can help to partially or completely correct it.  

 

If at any time after the initial happiness guarantee you can no longer properly care for your Schnauzer for any reason, you are required to re-home the dog through me or return the dog to me for placement. My goal is that none of my dogs ever end up in a shelter or rescue situation.

 

I greatly encourage people to teach their dog basic obedience.  I offer a discount incentive on a future Belle Vista Schnauzer for any AKC or UKC titles earned. This includes Canine Good Citizen, Rally, Agility, Barn Hunt & more.

​

​

RETIRED DOGS

I believe that at some point each dog here deserves the chance to no longer be part of a "crowd" and live out their remaining years as a wonderful pet. It's sad to have to tell that retired show dog, who loved being in the ring, that they have to stay home and to see their face as we pack up and take others out the door and leave them behind. Or see that girl that has always been the most wonderful mother, pine after a new litter that isn't hers. If I didn't place "retired" dogs, at some point I would be a hoarder and not be able to continue to breed and properly care for my dogs.
That in no way means it's easy! In fact, it's usually much harder than saying goodbye to a puppy. When a litter is born, I know that I am not keeping most of them or possibly any of them. However, the adults have most likely been born here and have been part of our lives for several years.  There is always a touch of sadness as they drive away, which is eventually followed by happiness when I hear how much they are loved and enjoyed by their new family.
My retired dogs are typically priced the same as a puppy depending on age. They are always up to date on vaccinations, already spayed/neutered, and with a fresh dental if needed.  Crate trained, leash trained and doggy door trained.

Doggy door trained is NOT the same as house broke.  Dog door trained dogs will need to be trained just like a new puppy in order to house break them.  Some older dogs never fully house break without a doggy door and will need to be crated when left home alone, while others house break in a matter of a couple days/weeks. My retired dogs are almost 100% placed through previous buyers and the current waiting list. Retired dogs don't just go to anyone! They always have a home here until I find a good match for their personalities.

​