History

How It All Started

All my childhood life I yearned for a dog.  It was not until I was a young teenager that my parents finally consented.  I had always envisioned myself with a large dog, never really thought of myself as a "small dog" person.  Due to my allergies and asthma, my breed choices were limited.  I learned about the Miniature Schnauzer and despite my "big dog" passion, fell in love with the breed.  The Miniature Schnauzer truly is a "big dog" in a small package.

It was in 1976 that I got my first Miniature Schnauzer.  While she was a "pet", she was the most amazing dog and so incredibly intelligent that she truly was a dream come true.  My only regret is that I never put an obedience title on her.  She was a natural with obedience and I could take her anywhere and we were constant companions for 12 wonderful years.

I took such an interest in owning my first Miniature Schnauzer that in 1979, I began grooming professionally.  In 1981, I began obedience training.  And, I knew then, that with my next dog, I wanted to become even more involved.  I wanted to begin showing and eventually breeding these wonderful dogs that won my heart.

In 1988, I purchased my first show dog.  It took me longer than it should have to title this dog and I must have looked pretty ridiculous the first time I entered the show ring.  No one is an accomplished professional without learning the ropes and gaining experience first.  Nonetheless, this dog did attain his Canadian Championship title, despite my inexperience at the time and became the first of many Champions to be finished.  .

In 1989, I purchased my foundation bitch.  She finished her Championship title very quickly.  In 1991, the first litter of Miniature Schnauzers were born under the Silvercastle prefix and thus the strain of Silvercastle Miniature Schnauzers began.

Our foundation bitch (2nd finished Champion) with the first two pups to be retained by Silvercastle born under the Silvercastle prefix in 1991!!

Our first Miniature Schnauzer in 1976.