Most reputable or hobby breeders, breed perhaps 0-3 litters a year, 3 being a big year. They do not have puppies sitting on a shelf ready to sell. They take time to get to know and approve their new owners before they actually sell them a puppy.
Puppies are for life, they are like adding another child to your family structure, the only difference is that a puppy will never learn to brush his own hair and teeth, he will never learn how to make his own food and he will never be old enough to stay home alone while the rest of the family goes on vacation. Puppies do not make good Christmas and Birthday presents, in fact most reputable breeders will not allow you to purchase a puppy as a surprise gift for a family member or friend. Why, because the responsibilities of dog ownership are many and the average Miniature Schnauzer lives 12 to 15 years. If a breeder is going to entrust a lifetime of care and feeding of his puppy to someone, it is going to be a person who is prepared to accept full and total responsibility
