September News From Straw Hat Standards Schnauzers
So… I intended to send out a newsletter every 2-3 weeks with updates about the puppies’ development and socialization. LOL. The reality of twelve puppies taking over my life exceeded even my expectations!
They’ve been a great litter, and I’ve really enjoyed raising them, getting to know them, and shape them for their aptitudes. One of the quieter litters I have raised but very busy with their mouths and with their paws. Bigger chewers than I’ve had before, and every one of them tested positive for retrieving at their temperament evaluation, (which makes me very happy) so lots of socialization and reward for chewing “approved” items like stuffed rubber treat holders, duck feet, beef kneecaps, etc.
To make mealtimes last, now that they aren’t eating soaked food very often, I like to put their meals in my old standby food-dispensing puzzle toy, a Kong Wobbler. There are so many new ones since I last looked that I don’t know which are good performers. Which kibble-dispensing puzzle toys do you like and have worked well for you and *your* dog(s)? I bet I’m not the only one wondering and if I get some good recommendations I’ll pass them on.
We drive around in the car whenever possible, to the grooming salon, running errands, etc, so they’re all pretty seasoned (relaxed and quiet) travelers. Some of them went with me to St Louis for the National Specialty which was won by their Uncle Roger, GCHS Straw Hat Here To Love, and to have ears cropped. All of the cropped puppies recovered well and their ears are posted. Now we get to find out how long they’ll need to stand — that varies so much, for various reasons.
The conformation evaluations were very informative, especially because of the wide range of experience of the evaluators, two SS breeders, one European, and one “many breed but terrier focused” evaluator. It was great to get expert feedback on both type and structure from these diverse eyes.
What I got out of the Karma x Jax litter — the best puppies provided body and rib-spring which the line needs. Got really consistent heads, rears and coats, some good short loins and maintained good shoulder layback and long upper arm.
In the end, my best conformation puppies in the litter were mostly males, and one female who went to her new home recently. There are three (cropped) males who will make good show dogs, especially for anyone interested in learning to groom a very hard and correct ,competitive coat. Each of the three is different in personality: one strong and confident, one playfully scrappy and the third literally tested as a service dog prospect at his temperament evaluation.
The non-show females would both make good performance dogs or pets, and both have really good, hard coats that would be easy to learn to strip and maintain. One of the remaining girls is “all-natural,” with a full tail and uncropped ears. She’s got the happiest, brightest temperament I’ve seen in a long time, and always makes me smile.
The two pet boys still here are lovable, uncropped goofballs who will enjoy quieter homes as only dogs or with a stable, older female dog. Their coats will also be hard enough to easily learn to hand-strip if their new owners are interested in that.
I’m really excited for these puppies’ futures — let me know if one of them sounds right for you, or someone you know who might be looking for a “classic” Standard Schnauzer. The best way to reach me is at StrawHatStandards@gmail.com, or use my Calendly link to schedule a call so we can chat: https://calendly.com/strawhatstandards/program-consultation
Dam: GCHG CH Straw Hat Love Is My Religion (“Karma”)
AKC Reg: WS68947808
DOB: July 16, 2020
DCM: Negative (Normal). SC-DCM2058/13F-PI
EYES: Normal. SC-EYE770/29F-VPI
HIPS: Excellent. SC-5109E29F-P-VPI
CHIC number: 178748
Sire: CH Halcyon’s Jack Frost RA CA FCAT4 CGCU TKN RATS (“Jax”)
AKC Reg: WS55855809
DOB: December 23, 2016
DCM: Negative (Normal). SC-DCM1356/18M-PI
EYES: Normal. SC-EYE481/86M-VPI
HIPS: Good. SC-4779G29M-VPI
ELBOWS: SC-EL351M28-VPI
CHIC number: 140531
A Breeder’s Dream Come True:
GCHB Straw Hat Majesty of Love, aka Roger, wins Best of Breed at the 2024 SSCA National Specialty in St Louis, under judge James Moses!
Roger’s journey into notoriety began two years ago when he won Best Puppy in Sweepstakes and then Winners Dog from the Bred-By Exhibitor class at the 2022 National Specialty in Oklahoma City. A little over a month later he finished his Championship at the Knickerbocker Specialty.
After he spent some time with me “growing up,” Team Roger was formed when Chris White recognized his potential and purchased him from me as a Specials prospect and then almost immediately became a good and valued friend. Chris showed Roger to several Owner Handled group placements before asking Laura King to show him at the Prairieland Specialty in Illinois in Spring of 2023 where he won Best of Breed and Second place in the Working group. It was a real honor to get to show him again myself to Best of Breed at the Knickerbocker Specialty and to Best of Opposite Sex at the Potomac Valley Specialty in the Fall. Needless to say, we were ecstatic when Laura King’s partner Robin Novak steered Roger to Best of Breed at the AKC National Championship in Orlando in December.
Roger’s success continued in 2024 where, with very limited showing, he was awarded Select Dog at Westminster with Laura King, as well numerous Group placements leading up to this year’s National Specialty in St. Louis. It was amazing to watch Laura guide Roger to the most significant win possible, Best of Breed at the National Specialty, bookended by winning the Heartland Specialty the day before and Best of Opposite at the Potomac Valley Specialty the day after.
I am humbled by the significance of Roger’s career wins, culminating with his selection as National Specialty Best of Breed in St. Louis and deeply appreciative of the judges who have repeatedly recognized his quality and correctness. Watching him win was a lifetime achievement moment and the thrill and satisfaction of sharing it sitting beside my mentor and best friend of 30 years, Pat White, without whose decades of dedicated breeding Roger could not have been born, I will never forget. I am so grateful to Chris White for his faith in Roger and in my breeding program, and for all the time, resources and sacrifice that have gone into achieving those wins. Chris’ commitment has never wavered and he has consistently done everything necessary to ensure Roger is handled, groomed and maintained in the most competitive fashion. We so look forward to Roger’s future and continued success!
Roger awarded Best of Breed by Judge James Moses, Aug 24, 2024
Unsung Heroes of the “Perfect Storm” litter
I’m so fortunate to have the support network necessary to breed, raise, train and show top quality Standard Schnauzers. I am grateful to these and other humans — my mentor, Pat White of Halcyon Standard Schnauzers, my son Nick who hand raises Straw Hat puppies right beside me, my daughter Valerie, who helps me navigate social media, and Charlotte Wagner, an amazing behaviorist, puppy evaluator and a great friend.
I’m also blessed with the help of my dogs — Karma whelped and welcomed a litter of 12, Sasuke and Kismet are an outstanding Uncle and Aunt and general baby-sitters and socializing gurus for the puppies, and Frodo supervises everyone, except Celty.
Celty, though, she’s the true MVP for this litter. She’s Karma’s dam, loved having puppies of her own and was SO interested in Karma’s babies. Around the time the puppies were 2-3 weeks old, Celty started sneaking into the whelping box when Karma took breaks. At first Karma was opposed, but once she realized Celty was cleaning, comforting and suckling the ravenous horde of twelve, and giving HER more time to eat and rest, she became a fan and happily shared duties with her mom. Pretty soon, we had two big pens set up. The original was around Karma’s whelping box and the second was upstairs and we dubbed that one “Grammy’s House.” Celty even came into milk and actually helped to nurse the puppies! I’ve heard of bitches helping each other raise puppies, but I’ve never heard of this level of cooperation. It was beautiful AND super helpful. Thank you Celty!
Mama Karma and Grammy Celty sharing nursing duty
Future Plans:
What I’m planning next is breeding Kismet, (Karma and Roger’s full sibling) to Jax. Kismet is stockier than Karma (more athlete, less super-model) and also very correct in structure (BW at PVSSC Specialty awarded by Pat Trotter) so I want to compare/evaluate Jax’s puppies from the related but different sisters and hopefully divine what the line is prepotent for and what it really needs, so I can make thoughtful decisions about the future direction of my breedings.
Next for Karma is breeding her to Pat’s European and American star of the past, Archie (Halcyon’s William Faulkner). Archie was multiple FCI World Winner when he lived for a few years in Denmark. Then he came home to Pat, retired, then came out of retirement to win the National Specialty with his Danish handler, Helle, of Mohner Kennel. I’ve been waiting to breed to Archie for over 20 years. Not so well known in the US, he’s still remembered well in western Europe.
My goal is long-term curation of the precious Halcyon lines while also establishing Straw Hat historically and influentially. I want to keep moving classically correct Standard Schnauzers forward. Pat created an amazing legacy and I’m seeking some collaboration to keep it moving forward as it deserves.
Final Words:
I’ve gotten some beautiful feedback about Straw Hat puppies, which makes me really happy and I want to share some of them.
=========================
Paul, Fairfax, VA:
After doing extensive research and receiving a referral from another Standard Schnauzer breeder, I picked up Loki from Leslie at Straw Hat in April of 2022. The puppies were well taken care of and Leslie was extremely knowledgeable and answered all of my questions and continued to keep the lines of communication open afterwards. My top priority was getting a healthy, well-bred Standard Schnauzer.
Loki brings so much love and happiness into my home. He has an amazing temperament (and) he always wants to be by my side and is the best helper around the house since he has a curious disposition.
Loki was sold to me as a pet, but very quickly became a bit of a rock star in Conformation as well as Fast Cat, CAT, Barn Hunt, and other dog sports. Loki is currently a Grand Champion, and working on his next level FCAT title and Barn Hunt titles. In Conformation, Leslie has been an invaluable resource about breeding, grooming, being his handler when he was younger, and advice on hiring a world-class handler after he became a Champion.
I can't thank Leslie enough for breeding her famous litters. Loki comes from a Platinum Grand Championship bloodline and it was worth every penny for him. Leslie took care of every detail, as well as support for his "career" in the show ring. I can't imagine getting Loki from anyone else and I am forever grateful for such a loyal and beautiful pup.
=======================
Yvette Jardine:
Leslie has been and continues to be an exceptional mentor. Her guidance helped me finish my very first show puppy to a Championship, all owner-handled. From the very beginning Leslie provided so much knowledge, patience and direction. If you listen to Leslie, follow her advice, have patience, and remember to have fun in the ring, you can accomplish great things.
Some of those other great things include learning to groom my dog, breeding Amina and raising a litter of puppies that are equipped to become, as Leslie reminded me, wonderful companions to their forever-home owners.
All of this in three short years. Didn’t know anything about these skill sets but Leslie mentored me through them. Her patience, her attention, the knowledge she so willingly and graciously shares led me to achieve goals I had no idea I could reach. She is that mentor I didn’t know I needed. Thank you, Leslie, for all that you do to continue the preservation breeding standard of this wonderful breed, for the pride and joy you bring to owning a Straw Hat puppy and the great mentorship you so generously provide.
=======================
Lori Turner:
We are incredibly grateful to Leslie Shriner for bringing "Hank", whose AKC name is Coltrane, A Love Supreme, into our lives. Born on February 8, 2022, Hank has grown into a remarkable all-purpose farm dog in Waterville, Vermont.
Although he won 'Best Puppy' at the Knickerbocker Match in June 2022 and has the potential to be a show or therapy dog, his true calling is right here with us.
Hank is the epitome of health and happiness. He's super intelligent, vigilant, and stoic yet a playful clown who loves the snow, hides in the weeds, and pops out like a kangaroo. He loves to hike the mountain trails, and the minute I put my socks on, he knows where we're going.
His gentle, loving, and tolerant temperament makes him a dream dog, cherished by all who meet him. He’s a friend to our other animals—dogs, cats, chickens—and even humans, though he takes his job of protecting the farm from black bears and coyotes very seriously!
We couldn’t have asked for a better companion and owe it all to Leslie. Her dedication and care in breeding Hank shine through in his wonderful nature. We are forever thankful that Leslie entrusted us with "Hank", allowing him to thrive in our rural farm environment.
-----------------------------------
Interested in reading our previous Pupdate? Click here to check it out.
And as always, thank you for reading!
Give your dog a hug for me,
Leslie
