Pfeiferstein is a strange word. To understand it, lets go back to the beginning.
Pyper on the agility teeter
In 2004, Shantel had just graduated high school 2 years prior, and her mother, an empty nester, found herself wanting a dog to ride along with her and live on the farm. Her mother did a lot of research, and decided on the tenacious, hardy mini schnauzer. Having come from a ranching background, the family had previously had working border collies and Great Pyrenees, with the occasional toy poodle mixed in. A mini schnauzer seemed like it could keep up on the farm, but then cuddle up on the couch at night. Together Shantel and her mother found a breeder in Iowa, and in the winter/spring of 2005 Maggie Mae came home. Maggie Mae was the families first schnauzer, and it has led to several since.
In 2006, as Shantel was heading off to veterinary school at the University of Minnesota she decided she wanted a dog companion, and had absolutely fallen in love with the mini schnauzer. The family decided to use the same breeder as Maggie Mae, and in May 2006 Pyper the mini schnauzer came home. It was love at first sight for Shantel and Pyper! For 10.5 years they maintained a very strong bond through several moves, life changes, canine agility, graduation, and marriage.
In 2006, as Shantel was heading off to veterinary school at the University of Minnesota she decided she wanted a dog companion, and had absolutely fallen in love with the mini schnauzer. The family decided to use the same breeder as Maggie Mae, and in May 2006 Pyper the mini schnauzer came home. It was love at first sight for Shantel and Pyper! For 10.5 years they maintained a very strong bond through several moves, life changes, canine agility, graduation, and marriage.
Stone, photo taken 1 month before be passed away at 15 years 8 months
August 2013 the local humane society brought an intact standard schnauzer into the clinic Shantel was a veterinarian at. He was feisty, friendly, and wild, and it was instant love for Shantel. Prior to this, Shantel had one standard schnauzer as a patient, and had fallen in love with the breed. His name was Stone, and he would forever be known as Stone the Standard Schnauzer. Stone came home with Shantel as a foster, and he never left. He became a standard schnauzer breed ambassador as a therapy dog, dabbled in agility, excelled in scent work, and was an all around worlds most perfect boy! He became the dog with a rock solid temperament that would help intakes for Shantel's rescue, Schnauzer Rescue of Minnesota, learn to be dogs again. He lived to the old age of 15 years, 8 months, and his story was one for the record books.
Stone was left on the door step of a funeral home directors home. He had a note and a box of milkbones. The note stated his name and that his owner could no longer care for him. Stone was difficult to adapt to house life, but eventually he did. When he arrived it was thought he was 5 years old, simply due to his energy level. Stone had 3 microchips, and it took 5 years to trace him to a breeder. Stone was actually from Buenos Aires, Argentina and when he arrived to Shantel he was actually 10 years 3 months old. This goes to show that a standard schnauzer does not calm down until they are older.
Back to Pfeiferstein. Both breeds of schnauzer originate from Germany. In German, Pyper translates to Pfeifer, and Stone translates to Stein. When you put them together they are Pfeiferstein. The kennel Pfeiferstein is dedicated to the 2 dogs Shantel had loved so dearly, and the 2 dogs that started each breed for her. It is continuing their Legacy in a new line of dogs that drives Shantel to produce quality miniature and standard schnauzers that are the total package of mental and emotional stability, athletes who can do it all, and structurally sound dogs who will live well into their teen years!
Stone was left on the door step of a funeral home directors home. He had a note and a box of milkbones. The note stated his name and that his owner could no longer care for him. Stone was difficult to adapt to house life, but eventually he did. When he arrived it was thought he was 5 years old, simply due to his energy level. Stone had 3 microchips, and it took 5 years to trace him to a breeder. Stone was actually from Buenos Aires, Argentina and when he arrived to Shantel he was actually 10 years 3 months old. This goes to show that a standard schnauzer does not calm down until they are older.
Back to Pfeiferstein. Both breeds of schnauzer originate from Germany. In German, Pyper translates to Pfeifer, and Stone translates to Stein. When you put them together they are Pfeiferstein. The kennel Pfeiferstein is dedicated to the 2 dogs Shantel had loved so dearly, and the 2 dogs that started each breed for her. It is continuing their Legacy in a new line of dogs that drives Shantel to produce quality miniature and standard schnauzers that are the total package of mental and emotional stability, athletes who can do it all, and structurally sound dogs who will live well into their teen years!
Family Photo August 2023
Now, a little about Shantel. Shantel grew up on a working cattle, sheep, and horse ranch in South Dakota. As previously stated, they also had working border collies and Great Pyrenees dogs, both of which the family bred. Shantel graduated veterinary school in 2011, and is the sole owner/operator/veterinarian of Julius Rehabilitation & Integrative Veterinary Services, LLC, a house call veterinary practice focusing on wholistic care through the use of acupuncture, animal chiropractic, rehabilitation, Chinese Medicine, and integrative approaches, based out of Hastings, MN. Shantel and Matthew have been married since 2014, and currently have 4 standard schnauzers and 3 mini schnauzers. Shantel is active in canine agility, with multiple national, regional, and local wins with her dogs, as well as several agility championships. Shantel also competes in canine scent/nose work with her dogs, having earned over 65 titles between 5 dogs in various venues for scent/nose work. Shantel trains the dogs in various sports and activities, including barn hunt and rally, and also competes in FastCAT. Shantel participates in conformation to attain Championships with her breeding dogs, however this can be an unattainable goal for tailed mini schnauzers. Shantel and Matthew also have 3 horses on their property in Hastings, Minnesota.
Shantel is active in her local and national breed clubs, holding the position in the Standard Schnauzer Club of America Health Chair since 2023. Shantel also mentors youth and adults aspiring to gain knowledge of the dog world by allowing them to use her dogs for competition and training.
The most important thing to Shantel when producing a litter is that the future dog is first an excellent family member. To be an excellent family member the dog must be mentally sound and enjoy the company of their person. They must also be healthy, and be able to enjoy a life free of debilitating medical concerns. Shantel works incredibly hard to find dogs for her program that come from generations of healthy, structurally sound lines. It is also incredibly important that the puppy/dog be loved and well cared for by their family. This has been her goal with the rescues she as placed as well. A family pet first, the rest is icing on the cake. The puppies produced from Pfeifersteins program will excel at this, but they will also excel at being sport and show prospects. It is Shantel's primary focus to produce quality family dogs who have strong predisposition to excel in dog sports, and who also have the correct conformation and coat to excel in the show ring. If you are interested in dog sports or conformation, please let Shantel know!
Shantel is active in her local and national breed clubs, holding the position in the Standard Schnauzer Club of America Health Chair since 2023. Shantel also mentors youth and adults aspiring to gain knowledge of the dog world by allowing them to use her dogs for competition and training.
The most important thing to Shantel when producing a litter is that the future dog is first an excellent family member. To be an excellent family member the dog must be mentally sound and enjoy the company of their person. They must also be healthy, and be able to enjoy a life free of debilitating medical concerns. Shantel works incredibly hard to find dogs for her program that come from generations of healthy, structurally sound lines. It is also incredibly important that the puppy/dog be loved and well cared for by their family. This has been her goal with the rescues she as placed as well. A family pet first, the rest is icing on the cake. The puppies produced from Pfeifersteins program will excel at this, but they will also excel at being sport and show prospects. It is Shantel's primary focus to produce quality family dogs who have strong predisposition to excel in dog sports, and who also have the correct conformation and coat to excel in the show ring. If you are interested in dog sports or conformation, please let Shantel know!