Mark Mansfield of Ausgelassen Standard Schnauzers shares his journey, breeding goals, and passion for improving the breed.
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Mark Mansfield
1. I live in Mesquite, Texas, just outside of Dallas. I am quite new, only in purebred dogs for five years since acquiring my Foundation Sire, MBISS RBIS GCHG Steadfast’s Son Of Liberty FDC DCAT SWA SCE SIE CGC TKA ATT, aka “Kodi.” He has been a top Standard Schnauzer in American Kennel Club (AKC) Conformation for the last three years. I then acquired a bitch, BISS GCHB Straw Hat Love Conquers All FDC BCAT ATT, who I show in Owner-Handled competition, and with whom I just won a Regional Specialty in Fort Worth, Texas, last month. I bred my first litter last year under my Ausgelassen Standard Schnauzer kennel name from these exceptional dogs. What I lack in years of experience, I make up for with drive and determination to show and breed the very best.
2. The General Appearance section of the Breed Standard states: “The Standard Schnauzer is a robust, heavy-set dog, sturdily built with good muscle and plenty of bone; square-built in proportion of body length to height. His rugged build and dense harsh coat are accentuated by the hallmark of the breed, the arched eyebrows and the bristly mustache and whiskers.” So, we want to see these characteristics in our dogs. Deviation to any significant extent detracts from the idea that a Standard Schnauzer is a rugged, medium-sized
Working Dog.
3. I believe so. It was getting difficult last fall, as many seemed to breed all at once and there were large litters; some breeders even bred multiple litters at the same time. Things ebb and flow a bit, though, and I don’t expect that level of activity this year.
4. Personally, I value health a great deal, so, of course, the usage of databases like the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) and testing for issues like breed-specific Dilated Cardiomyopathy are critical. In terms of breeder communications, I have a website and a Facebook kennel site, and I make use of Good Dog and club listings for litters. I do also use SEO techniques and advertising to drive traffic to my website.
5. Where I live, unfortunately, there are a lot of irresponsible pet owners breeding without purpose, and shelters are full. Naturally, some bristle at any breeding and my dogs are not typically placed locally. When I am out and about with my dogs, people delight at seeing quality that is far from what they typically see on an evening stroll.
6. I think we should applaud those in our breed who stand out as good ambassadors to the broader Conformation community. Unfortunately, it seems as though some do not embrace this attitude, but would rather remove a top dog to lessen the competition for themselves. This sort of corrosive envy needs to be checked for the betterment of the breed and the sport.
As far as the dogs are concerned, I have been concerned with dogs of soft temperament, dogs with straight fronts that cannot reach or even exhibit hackney gait, and subpar coats. Dogs that are temperamentally or physically compromised in such a manner do not exemplify a bold, rugged Working Dog.
7. Putting on the Red River Standard Schnauzer Club of Texas’s first Independent Specialty in Fort Worth last year, I was able to gather a fair number of Juniors to participate in our Specialty Juniors competition. This was pretty wonderful and I have continued to lend my dogs to Juniors from time to time to show at various events when they desire. I’ve been so impressed by the handling skills of these young men and women; working with them has been a great joy.
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