Darcy Morgan of Steadfast shares her passion for breeding healthy, purpose-driven Standard Schnauzers with heart and integrity.
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Darcy Morgan
1. Residing in Spring, Texas, we have been breeding Standard Schnauzers since 2018. Our love for dogs has spanned our entire lives, but it wasn’t until we faced the heart-wrenching challenges of caring for poorly-bred dogs we had acquired with lifelong health issues that we truly recognized the importance of well-bred dogs.
When we established the Steadfast kennel, our primary objective was to create a lineage of Standard Schnauzers that prioritized health and vitality. While our initial focus wasn’t on producing top-winning dogs in Conformation or sports, our commitment to excellence in form, function, and health has led to some truly remarkable victories in no time at all!
Seeing our dogs’ names shine at the top of the rankings is thrilling, but we believe it is equally important to recognize that promoting interest in the breed relies on the positive impact of wonderful companion pets within their communities.
2. The Standard Schnauzer is a sturdy, square-shaped dog that should have a well-developed chest. Their physical structure is essential for its role as a versatile farm dog, designed to work all day, every day. They are incredibly intelligent, but their strong-willed nature and sense of independence can make training a bit challenging. But honestly, that’s part of what makes them so special! Unlike many breeds, Schnauzers were bred to operate autonomously, managing rodent control and home protection with minimal supervision. As a result, they’re natural problem solvers that thrive on mental challenges just as much as they do on physical activity!
Today, though, one of the biggest hurdles for this breed is the lack of working opportunities that suit their skills. Many people looking for a larger version of the adorable Miniature Schnauzer or a low-shedding companion often don’t realize the spirited adventure that awaits with a Standard Schnauzer! And considering adventure, I do my best to convince new owners to keep them in their natural wiry coat, explaining that the wiry outer layer shields against stickers, and also provides resistance to dirt and moisture.
3. Absolutely, yes! While the Standard Schnauzer might not rank high on the American Kennel Club’s (AKC’s) list of the Top 100 Most Popular Dog Breeds (they were at No. 91 in 2024), there’s a passionate community of Standard Schnauzer enthusiasts who actively seek them out. It brings me so much joy to see that once someone experiences the joy of owning a Standard Schnauzer, they inevitably find themselves wanting to welcome another into their lives!
4. It’s funny that, not too long ago, having a website seemed archaic as social media took the spotlight. Now, however, our website has become a vital tool for expressing who we are, what we stand for, and our passion for breeding Standard Schnauzers!
With Texas being such a vast state, and many of our prospective “puppy people” residing out of state, it can be tricky for them to visit us and see firsthand how we nurture our dogs. We’re very selective about the families we entrust our puppies to, and we want potential buyers to be just as discerning about their breeders! That’s why we strive for maximum transparency through our always-accessible website.
On our website, we share our breeding philosophies and ethics, showcase photos of our home and yard where our puppies grow up, and even host live streams of the puppies once they’re ready to explore beyond the whelping box! We love celebrating our dogs and the wonderful members of our extended Steadfast Pack on Facebook and Instagram, and we’ve even set up social groups to help our dog owners connect with each other. Several of our dog owners have coordinated playdates for their pets, while others have swapped
dog-sitting responsibilities.
The best part for me is the stream of pictures and stories from our puppy people. These glimpses into their lives allow me to truly appreciate the joy these dogs spread to everyone around them. They serve as a beautiful reminder of why all the hard work, expenses, and those bittersweet moments when puppies depart for their forever homes are still worthwhile.
5. I don’t have deep connections with the broader community beyond purebred dogs, so I’m uncertain about any shifts in public sentiment. From my observations, those who embrace the “adopt, don’t shop” mantra often seem resistant to considering alternative viewpoints. My sincere wish is that, over time, they might arrive at the same realization I did; that genuine love for dogs means being invested in the way they are bred and cared for.
6. For me, Conformation showing has been a bittersweet journey. Just as I finally started feeling pretty good about my handling skills, some of our dogs achieved great success, transforming once-supportive friends into envious rivals. I used to think such shifts in attitude were merely rumors or reflections of personal insecurities, but experiencing it firsthand has made me nostalgic for my earlier, more naive perspective.
Competition is meant to inspire growth and improvement, but the cutthroat atmosphere prevalent in Conformation within my area and breed ring makes it increasingly difficult to attract newcomers. While I still enjoy spending time with my good friends at dog shows, I feel that I’m less approachable than I once was. I tend to leave events sooner than I used to, which likely limits my opportunity to connect with people who are visiting the shows eager to learn more about purebred dogs. In contrast, I find more enjoyment in Performance sports, where healthy competition and camaraderie seem to still thrive.
7. It’s wonderful to see the AKC embracing innovative ideas to boost engagement. The introduction of video submissions for Rally routines is a fantastic way to allow more participants to showcase their skills without having to travel to an event location. Additionally, the launch of new title sports like FETCH invites a broader range of dog owners to participate, and may serve as a stepping stone to more advanced sports.
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