Digit

Our very first miniature schnauzer as a puppy. She may never have won a dog show, but she will always be a "champion" to us. She is spayed and the exercise coach and perpetually playful spirit at home -- encouraging each puppy in a litter to explore and follow her around the fenced-in hillside. At play dates and annual reunions, all the Eclipse offsrping remember her and still follow her around!

Quigley

Quigley Wiggley as a puppy. His official AKC name is "Eclipse of the Pines," and namesake for our kennel. He was neutered when it became apparent that he has too soft a personality for the show ring. He is our only male at home and our little gentleman. He is a wonderful "puppy uncle" to each litter we've had with the patience of a saint. He tolerates being tugged on, jumped on and chased. When a pup's sharp teeth come in and they discover that chewing on him is fun, he is also firm but gentle it telling them when they get too rough at play. "Q" gets a great deal of credit for teaching the Eclipse puppies their manners around other dogs!

We live in the foothills of Colorado, just south and west of Denver.

Our story is similar to most people who show dogs. We fell in love with the breed first and later went looking for a show dog.

Our first Miniature Schnauzer was Digit. We were told at the time that she was purebred and registered, but after bringing her home at 4 months of age it quickly became apparent that she had really started her life in a puppy mill and was likely part "oodle." She wasn't housebroken and was deathly afraid of men, the latter has improved with time and socialization, but speaks sadly to what her early days were like. Digit has a heart of gold, a big personality, and is very watchful of the world. She has a willingness to do whatever as long as it is with her people. Her sport of choice is earthdog, where she excels at following a scent along darkened tunnels. When it comes to meeting the rat nose-to-nose, however, it becomes a silent stare-off. This gives us something to work on since intense barking (which she is otherwise good at) is what they're supposed to do when they reach their target! Even though Digit was never shown (she simply wasn't a good representative of how a miniature schnauzer should be structurally put together), she remains a constant companion and champion of our hearts. She is also the reason we decided to pursue showing Miniature Schnauzers, since that was where the best of her came from.

In 2005 we went out in search of our first show candidate -- a sweet little black male Miniature Schanuzer, Quigley. We had just finished puppy class at Blue Springs n'Katiedid in Denver Colorado with then 12-week-old Quigley, when this petite elderly woman came in with her daughter and a female black mini. She sat down next to us and said, “Who have you got there?” She asked if she could see him, grabbed him by the jaw and the butt and “stacked” him on the nearest table.

We had no clue what she was doing or why, in fact we were a little concerned for our little guy in the hands of this exuberant woman. “Nice head. Are you going to get his ears done? His tail set is a little low. Have you thought about showing him?” All this came tumbling out of her mouth with out waiting for answers from us. By this time we are giving each other a look and were both thinking, this woman is not quite right. Just when we were about to grab our puppy and make for the nearest exit, her daughter introduced her self. “Hi, I'm Carol and this is my mom Millie Schultz. We are Dynasty Miniature Schnauzers and this is our show dog Pagie.”

They were there for the "drop in" conformation class, getting ready for their clubs specialty show in Coloardo at the end of the month. We stayed and watched the conformation class for a while and Millie invited us to their club's next dog show in Boulder. Before we left, we learned a little about Millie's past show dogs and that she had been showing for about 20 years. Now when ever any one asks why we show dogs we blame Millie.

In the last seven years, we have learned a great deal about Miniature Schnauzers and showing, and have found ourselves totally dedicated to this smart, loving and beauthiful breed. For 4 years, I served as the President of the Centennial State Miniature Schnauzer Club in Colorado. Celeste served on the board of directors for two terms before heading off to vet school, but still maintains the club's website. It has been an interesting journey as we continue to show and work toward encouraging new people to become involved in the long-term well-being of this wonderful breed!

If you live in Colorado or Wyoming or anywhere close we would love to see you at one of our meetings or events.

Best, Linda Knilans and Celeste Abell

P.S. To learn more about the Centennial State Miniature Schnauzer Club and the fun things we do with our Miniature Schnauzers in Colorado, please visit http://www.csmsc.org.