Here's a run-down on our personal dogs, and you can check out a 100 or so more photos of them here: PHOTO DUMP!
RIGBY
McElyea's Rigby O'Reilly McSchnauzer THDX CGCU CGCA TKP was our first standard schnauzer after over 11 years of owning miniature schnauzers. Our family got Rigby in Arkansas shortly after losing our oldest mini, Angus, to unexpected health issues. In the interest of honesty, we'll admit we got him at a time when we didn't understand how to properly spot a responsible breeder, so while the home we got him from was clean and organized and the woman we purchased him from was very knowledgeable about the breed, we learned later that she did not properly health-test her breeding animals with the OFA, as ethical and responsible breeders should. Lucky for us, though, Rigby is in top-notch health despite this and proven physically strong and of sound temperament. He is what most people think of when they want a family dog...He loves to play fetch, get his belly rubbed and this back scratched, and to bark at the mailman. He also loves go for walks, catch and chase his soccer ball, jump on the trampoline, play with the kids or other dogs, and most of all, he loves to watch television...no joke!
As for his accomplishments, besides earning his AKC CGC, CGCA & CGCU titles, Rigby was the first standard schnauzer in AKC history to earn the TKP Trick Dog Performer title, the highest level offered for this title at the time he'd earned it. He is also a certified therapy dog through Love On A Leash (http://www.loveonaleash.org/ ) and has his AKC Therapy Dog Excellent title after having completed over 200 therapy dog visits. He is currently a resident favorite at Carolina Rivers and Onslow House Assisted Living facilities and makes regular appearances at Southeastern Medical Oncology Center. He has earned the AKC Achiever Dog certification and we are currently working towards his Farm Dog certification.
Rigby has passed all his OFA health tests, both those required by CHIC and those suggested for his breed. He is NEGATIVE for DCM (dilated cardiomyopathy), NORMAL for thyroid, heart, and eyes, and rated GOOD for hips, showing no sign of genetic hip dysplasia. His CHIC# is 126594, and his health information can be verified at https://www.ofa.org/advanced-search?f=sr&appnum=1860832. Rigby was recently neutered so there will be no puppies from him; however, he still serves as a great example of the breed and the characteristics we are looking to promote.
SELAH
McElyea's Selah O'Shea McSchnauzer RI THDX CGCU CGCA TKP is our first Muppleberry SS from Maine (http://www.muppleberry.com/). We got her shortly after losing yet another miniature schnauzer, Piper, to poor health. Selah is our "calm one," which comes in handy when she's surrounded by 20-30 handsy pre-schoolers. Besides being our most easygoing dog, Selah is also our "goofy girl." She is often found running in circles, trying to catch her back foot, or wallowing on her back in the middle of the carpet and making ridiculous noises. However, her favorite activity is swimming. This girl LOVES the water! Whether at the beach, on the river, or in a pool, she is usually the first one to jump in.
While also having her AKC CGC, CGCA & CGCU titles, Selah was the first SS in AKC history to earn the AKC Trick Dog Advance title, and 3rd to earn the TKP title in this field. She too is certified as a therapy dog through Love On A Leash. She has her AKC THDX title with over 200 visits on her record and is currently a favorite visitor to the Southeastern Medical Oncology Center, and Lighthouse Assisted Living Home. As of February 2018, she was awarded the AKC's Achiever Dog certificate, given to those dogs who have titled in 3 or more different fields of work through the AKC. Like Rigby, she is also awaiting a chance to earn her Farm Dog certification.
Selah has also passed all of her OFA health tests, both those required by CHIC and those suggested for her breed. She is NEGATIVE for DCM (dilated cardiomyopathy), NORMAL for thyroid, heart, and eyes, and rated GOOD for hips, showing no sign of genetic hip dysplasia. Her CHIC# is 126449, and her health information can be verified at https://www.ofa.org/advanced-search?f=sr&appnum=1864731.
NOVA
McElyea's Nova O'Neill McSchnauzer RI THDA CGCA TKP BCAT (a.k.a Jools Alarm Beskyd) is our import puppy. She came to us from the Czech Republic from Lenka Fajkusova at Alarm Beskyd Kennel (http://alarmbeskyd.com/ ). Suffice to say Nova is our baby. If there is one thing she loves it is to be held, cuddled, and petted. And it doesn't end there. Nova is also a big fan of being carried around as if she were still a pup and even being rocked to sleep! She is by far the snuggliest SS we've ever met. She is also hands down the most laid back SS we've had to date. While she loves to run and play like any other dog, she is content to just chill out and relax in your lap or in her dog bed most of the time.
As mentioned, Nova comes from the CR. She is from a long line of international show champions and a prestigious line of European show dogs. She has just begun working towards her own AKC show champion title here in the US. She currently has her AKC CGCA title as well as her Trick Dog Performer title, of which to date she is the youngest SS in AKC history to have earned. She is a registered therapy dog through Love On A Leash and has recently earned her Therapy Dog Advanced title as well. While she's been a frequent visitor to several nursing homes in our community, Nova is our primary therapy dog for children. She is a registered R.E.A.D. (Reading Education Assistance Dog) dog for kids with anxiety or social issues and is fast becoming a regular at our local libraries and community events that cater to kids. Recently, she also earned her BCAT fast cat title.
Nova has also passed all of her OFA health tests, both those required by
CHIC and those suggested for her breed. She is NEGATIVE for DCM
(dilated cardiomyopathy), NORMAL for thyroid, heart, and eyes, and
rated GOOD for hips, showing no sign of genetic hip dysplasia. Her
CHIC# is 143651, and her health information can be verified
at https://www.ofa.org/advanced-search?f=sr&appnum=1969702
HARLEY
McElyea's Harley O'Hara McSchnauzer CGCA TKP TDA BCAT is Selah's full-blood little sister and also a Muppleberry SS from Maine (http://www.muppleberry .com/). Harley is what we call our "surprise puppy." We weren't planning to get another puppy after we got Nova in Sept. 2017, but a few short weeks later certain circumstances arose and we couldn't turn Harley down. Harley is our spice-of-life pup. Think Harley Davidson meets Harley Quinn...and that's our Harley! She is bouncy, vocal, independent, mischievous, and always moving! She is so active that we often joke that you only see Harley in a blur, because she just cant sit still. She simply loves to play 24/7. In fact, she loves to play so much that she'll forgo treats while training and prefers to fetch a rope or ball as her reward. She is the first to grab a toy in the morning, the first to initiate a wrestling match with the other dogs, and usually the last to wind down for the night. Only when she's worn herself out is she ready to sit long enough to be loved on, and she definitely milks every second of her backrubs and belly scratches.
Similar to Nova, Harley has earned her AKC CGC title and to date has also earned her Trick Dog Advanced title. Just recently, Harley followed in her sister's pawprints with therapy work with Love On A Leash. Just recently she has earned her Therapy Dog Advanced title. We are still feeling out what area of pet therapy Harley would best be suited for, but in the meantime she can often be found making the rounds with our other SSs at a few local nursing homes. Recently, she also earned her BCAT title.Harley has also passed all of her OFA health tests, both those required by CHIC and those suggested for her breed. She is NEGATIVE for DCM (dilated cardiomyopathy), NORMAL for thyroid, heart, and eyes, and rated GOOD for hips, showing no sign of genetic hip dysplasia. Her CHIC# is 143649, and her health information can be verified at https://www.ofa.org/advanced-search?f=sr&appnum=1928698.
McElyea's McSchnauzers is a standard schnauzer breeder in upstate South Carolina.