One of the most common questions I get asked is "What is the difference between a male or female?"  When I first started breeding schnauzers, this was an important question as the general characteristic between the genders was notably different. Over the years however, I have gradually shaped my breeding program to create puppies with the type of personality and temperament I liked...one that would suit most households whether they were senior, young families with children or single adults. I prefer the cuddley, dependent type...the one who is dying to please me, is food motivated, very smart, easy-going. Natural retrieve is preferred and a steady, unflappable personality is highly desirable. My favorite personality also had to love being outside, going for car rides, hiking, camping, hanging out in the yard but had to be equally content lounging around on the couch watching a movie and eating popcorn. The temperament had to be very tolerant of children without being jealous or aggressive. Most of these characteristics are more commonly found in males but, in our breeding program, most of our females have the same temperament.

If you are interested in getting one of our schnauzer puppies, you should not be as concerned with gender. Focus instead on the temperament you like. Our females love children and will play fetch forever. They will cuddle on the couch as much as the boys will and treats will motivate them to run through every trick they know to find which one will successfully release the treat from your hand. So, if anything, consider color and size over gender and allow us to help you find the litter that will produce what you are looking for in that area. But, where gender is concerned, unless you are dead set against a specific gender, don't limit yourself to only a male or only a female when considering one of our puppies.

So, while I leave the lists below as information for you to read through, don't allow the lists below to taint your view of a male or female. Consider them as checklists for what you would like in your puppy and then use them to help you pick the best puppy for you. 

• Females:
       - like to be clean - will generally avoid puddles, rain or things that will make her dirty.
       - because she likes to be clean, she generally house trains more easily
       - is more independent - likes to stay on her comfy spot on the couch or carpet and will notice when you leave but won't necessarily get up to follow you.
       - can be fussy eaters - more likely to hunger strike if she doesn't like what she is being offered.  May turn up her nose at regular dog food and want "special" treatment.
       - can be jealous and prefers adult company to children
       - is likely to ignore attempts to play if she doesn't feel like it and needs to be motivated to learn what you want her to learn.  She will learn plenty of things on her own (how to hide your socks so you will never find them, how to open the cupboard door where the good food is stored, how to look pitiful so that she gets to sleep on your bed and hog the pillow)
       -make good door bells and welcoming committees.  Will alert you when someone is at the door but will usually greet people with a bark and then turn the responsibility of watching them over to you.

• Males:
       - they can always be enticed to play and are generally more open to new things.
       - more dependent - want to be with you and involved in whatever you are doing (like reading the newspaper when you read the newspaper and being on your lap when you play cards or type on the computer)
       - love adventure and activity - anywhere, anytime and in any weather.  rain or shine, they just want to get involved.  Since puddles and weather don't bother them, they are always ready for a walk. May take longer to housetrain as they are so busy having fun, they forget to tell you they need to go out.
       - highly food/toy motivated and, consequently, are easier to train to basic obedience and tricks.  They are generally able to focus for longer periods of time so learn more things quickly.
       - make good door bells and welcoming committees.  Will alert you when someone is at the door but will usually greet people with a bark and then turn the responsibility of watching them over to you. You will soon find them bringing their toys to your houseguests trying to get them to engage in play

When you are considering a litter of puppies and looking for a new family member, please discuss the dynamics of your family with your breeder.  The breeder can help you pick the puppy that is the most suitable for you and your family regardless of gender.  Personality and temperament are more important than gender when considering the addition of a dog that could live 15 years or more.  Let your breeder help you find the puppy that will suit your family the best.  It's worth it!!