Question 1

Do You Offer Transport?

Accepted Answer

Yes—we offer transportation! Puppies can be safely delivered to any major international airport via an in-cabin flight nanny for a flat $600 fee for a stand-by ticket , and a $700 fee for a confirmed ticket. Our flight nanny partners ensures puppies travel in a soft carrier, stay under constant supervision, and never fly cargo. We also able to accommodate transport internationally, please inquire directly regarding a quote for the additional boarding and transport fees international transport requires.

Question 2

What Is the Price of a Puppy and What Does the Purchase Include?

Accepted Answer

Our puppy pricing reflects size, color, and rarity. Standard colors typically range from $3,000–$3,500, while rare colors, toy sizes, or puppies with colored eyes range from $3,600–$6,000. We are also proud to offer the extremely rare rust-colored Miniature Schnauzer from champion lines. Please see our Pricing tab for full details.
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Every puppy is raised using our one-of-a-kind daily puppy curriculum incorporating Early Neurological Stimulation, Early Scent Introduction, and daily Puppy Culture™ activities, starting at just 3 days old. Families receive 24/7 puppy cam access, weekly updates, lifetime breeder support, and an industry-leading 10-year congenital health guarantee. Puppies go home vet checked, vaccinated (with extra parvo protection), dewormed, microchipped, groomed, with AKC eligibility, a puppy package or gift card, and 30 days of Trupanion insurance. All parents are DNA tested with OFA-certified eyes and hearts.

Question 3

What Is the Waitlist and the Matching Process Like?

Accepted Answer

We use a single seniority-based waitlist so puppies are placed fairly and thoughtfully.​ One of the most exciting moments is Puppy Pick Day, which takes place around 3.5 weeks of age, once personalities begin to shine. Families are invited to select in seniority order, with color preferences honored whenever possible. This timing helps us guide you toward a puppy that truly fits your home—not just by looks, but by temperament as well.
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Leading up to Puppy Pick Day, families receive weekly updates, photos, and behind-the-scenes peeks through our private Puppy/Litter Updates page and the live puppy camera. After selection, you’ll enjoy continued updates through the private Puppy/Litter Updates page, access to our live puppy camera, and hands-on support as your puppy grows.
 
Because our puppies are raised with exceptional care and are in high demand—especially red and rust colors—wait times can range. We encourage families to join early and become part of the journey from the very beginning.

Question 4

What Happens to My Deposit If I Decide to Wait on a Puppy?

Accepted Answer

Your deposit never expires and can be applied to any future litter of your choice with availability. Deposits are refundable only if a buyer changes their mind on their purchase within seven days after signing their contract, or if after 12 months a puppy of their liking is not produced.

Question 5

What Health Testing Do the Parents Have, and What Is the Puppy Health Guarantee?

Accepted Answer

All breeding dogs at Duke’s Schnauzers undergo comprehensive health testing prior to being considered for our program. Each parent is DNA tested through Embark to screen for breed-relevant genetic conditions, and their eyes and hearts are certified healthy through the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).

The OFA outlines recommended health testing for the miniature schnauzer breed. Required evaluations include an ACVO ophthalmologist eye exam and a cardiac evaluation. The OFA also suggests optional screening for Myotonia Congenita, PRA Type B, and Mycobacterium Avium Complex. These conditions are included in the Embark panel, and all of our breeding dogs are clear (non-carriers) for these variants. Hips and elbow evaluation is NOT recommended by OFA for miniature schnauzers at this time.

Transparency is important to us. Official health testing results and documentation are gladly shared with serious families during the formal inquiry process following an application and interview. Due to the increasing misuse of registered dog information and online scams,  starting in 2024 we no longer publish full registered names or AKC registration numbers with the OFA. This policy allows us to remain open and ethical while protecting the integrity and safety of our dogs and our program. Every puppy is backed by a 10-year congenital health guarantee, reflecting our confidence in our breeding practices and the care we provide from the very beginning.

Prior to going home, each puppy receives a full veterinary examination and leaves us:

Up to date on age-appropriate vaccinations
Dewormed
Microchipped
With a negative fecal test

Our goal is to provide families with lasting peace of mind—knowing their puppy was intentionally bred, carefully raised, and supported for life.

Question 6

What Sets Our Program Apart?

Accepted Answer

At Duke's Schnauzers, exceptional care goes hand in hand with an unmatched buying experience. Every puppy is raised with Early Neurologic Stimulation (ENS), Early Scent Introduction (ESI), and our daily proprietary Blueprint Socialization System—structured auditory, visual, and tactile experiences, plus crate training and positive routines for a smoother transition home.We also stand behind our puppies longer than anyone else in the breed. Duke's Schnauzers is the only breeder offering a full 10-Year Congenital Health Guarantee—a decade of coverage against serious, life-limiting hereditary conditions. If one is ever confirmed, the choice is yours: a full refund while keeping your dog, or a replacement puppy of the same value. We'd never ask a family to give up the dog they love.Backed by Embark DNA-tested parents, OFA cardiac and eye clearances, and ongoing breeder support—an experience you won't find anywhere else.Learn more about our Blueprint Socialization System  here.

Question 7

What Is Early Neurologic Stimulation and Early Scent Introduction, and Why Is It Important?

Accepted Answer

Early Neurologic Stimulation (ENS) and Early Scent Introduction (ESI) are key parts of our puppy program. ENS uses gentle exercises during early brain development to help produce calmer, more resilient dogs, while ESI introduces puppies to new scents to support confidence and problem-solving skills. Both are performed daily during the critical early weeks and are fully incorporated into our Breeder Blueprint Socialization System™, giving each puppy a strong foundation for life.

Question 8

Do You Allow In-Home Puppy Visits Prior to Purchase?

Accepted Answer

We do not offer in-home puppy visits at this time. This policy is in place to protect both our puppies and our family. We have an immunocompromised member of our household who becomes ill easily and has a history of hospitalizations, so minimizing outside exposure is essential. Limiting visits also helps protect young puppies, whose immune systems are still developing, from unnecessary health risks.
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Families stay closely connected through weekly updates, photos, and our 24/7 live puppy camera, allowing you to watch your puppy grow safely from our home. Pickup arrangements are scheduled once puppies reach six weeks of age, with puppies going home at eight weeks. We’re always here to support and guide you every step of the way.

Question 9

Why Buying From an In-Home Breeder Is Best for Your Puppy

Accepted Answer

The heart of an intentionally run, in-home breeding program is time—time spent with each dam, each puppy, and every stage of development. Our puppies are raised in our home with daily hands-on care, early enrichment, and thoughtfully supported milestones that help create confident, well-adjusted companions. Dams are closely supported throughout pregnancy and whelping, and health testing, genetic screening, and preventive care are never optional.
We believe quality matters more than quantity. Any growth within our program happens intentionally and only in response to a full waitlist of families eagerly awaiting planned litters—not mass production. Every breeding dog is DNA tested and OFA certified, and every puppy is raised with individualized attention, daily enrichment, and exceptional care from birth.
We encourage families to look beyond price alone and consider how and where their puppy is raised—because early care truly makes a lifelong difference.

Question 10

What Health Care, Vaccines, and Microchipping Does My Puppy Receive?

Accepted Answer

Puppies go home at 8 weeks of age and are current on all age-appropriate care, including:
DHPP and Bordetella vaccines
Routine deworming starting at 2 weeks of age
Negative litter fecal test
AKC Reunite microchip placed at the 6–7 week vet exam
At this appointment, our veterinarian at Westmoreland Veterinary Clinic (TN) issues a health certificate. Your puppy goes home with a folder containing their health certificate, vaccine records, and microchip information. Next core vaccines are due at 10–12 weeks.

Question 11

What Food Will My Puppy Be Eating When They Leave, and What Adult Dog Food Is Recommended?

Accepted Answer

Puppies are weaned onto Nutro Ultra Puppy Food and will be eating this diet when they go home. Nutro Ultra Puppy is a high-quality formula with a blend of proteins, no corn or soy, and limited chicken by-product. At go-home, puppies are eating two meals per day and typically consume about 1 cup-1 1/3 cup of food daily, depending on size and activity level.

Once your puppy reaches one year of age, we recommend transitioning to Nutro Ultra Adult Weight Management. Schnauzers are known for having sensitive digestive systems, and diets higher in fat—even standard adult formulas—can contribute to issues such as pancreatitis, diabetes, liver congestion, and Cushing’s disease.

Current research supports proactively feeding adult schnauzers a lower-fat diet (approximately 9–12%) to help reduce the risk of these common breed-related health concerns and support long-term.

Duke's Schnauzers

A few things to know