OK, new to this, where do I start in terms of wanting to get a puppy?

[keepthechangeyoufilthyanimal]

OK, so after many years together and a stable home, (no DC) DH and I have decided that our situation is now ok to bring a dog into the family.
We have both had family dogs as children, and many close family members have dogs, but we don't know where to start!
We know what breed we want (miniature schnauzer) but are literally starting from the beginning!
Where is the best place to look to buy a puppy from? What gear would we need for him/her to start off with? Anything we need to think about in terms of the house - things we might not have thought of?

Also - We are moving house in August so would it be best to wait until then to bring a new pup home - would settling them in to our current house then up heaving to another house & garden be really unfair?

Any help greatly appreciated!
Thanks in advance

Sounds like you need to do a lot of reading up first.

Absolutely don't think about it until you've moved house.

Are you planning on having dcs in the future?

How do you know you want a miniature schnauzer? I know nothing about that breed, adn I'm guessing you are familiar with its characteristics and needs every day (eg if you both go out to work, etc etc)

Have you thought about a rescue dog instead??

I would definitely wait until you move house (you may have to wait that long anyway if you are getting a puppy from a breeder - and you don't want a new pup chewing up your old house before you sell it/get rental deposit back)

I can only speak from my own experience but I found our pup's breeder through the Kennel Club, lots of info on there on finding puppies, what you need etc. Also, have a look on the interweb for any mini schnauzer clubs in the uk, I'm sure there are a few and they will probably have lots of info including local reputable breeders etc. What about a rescue dog? If you have young DC it can be hard to get a rescue dog (which is why we got a pup from a breeder) but not such a problem if you don't, and if you have time to dedicate to a new dog.

I love mini schnauzers, we were thinking of getting one but got a Welsh Terrier instead

Yes we definitely need to do alot of research first, hence why I am asking the initial questions I have on here.
we would like DC but we are not able to have them naturally so it is going to be a fairly long while before we do, if at all.
We would like a mini Schnauzer because my side of the family have them, so we are familiar with the breed and their characteristics/size/requirements/personality is suitable for our personal situation.
I would certainly consider a rescue one but I have done a bit of research and there don't seem to be many rescue schnauzers about?

Suburbandream, I have been looking on the Kennel Club website for registered breeders, etc.
I think I will spend my time between now and when we move doing research so I am fully aware of everything I need to be aware of, and start looking for a breeder once we are moved and settled.

While a lot of registered KC breeders are very committed, not all are.

I recommend finding out about the breed society - there's bound to one. I've just googled and it looks as though it might be the Schnauzer Club of Great Britian. Get in touch with them, talk to the club secretary/puppy contact about the type of schnauzer you're after. It wouldn't hurt to read up on their local show results to see if there's anyone local to you showing who you could talk to.

See if there's a schnauzer specific Internet forum - if there is there will be people there who can help you. There may also be a breed specific rescue, there's is one for most breeds.

Whatever you do, don't just rely on KC registered breeders. It is not an infalible guarantee of a good breeder.