Hi There, I’m Kellie Stanford, the breeder behind Schnauzers of Margaret River. I live on a sprawling 60 acre property in Margaret River with My husband Jason and our teenage children Ethan and Lola. Schnauzers are definitely a family affair on the farm. We deeply care for each of our mothers and fathers to ensure they live the best lives possible.
Bringing a puppy into your life should be one of the most joyous decisions you’ll ever make. However, the rise of online scams and unethical breeding practices means buyers must be vigilant to ensure a smooth, ethical transaction. To protect your money and, more importantly, the welfare of your future furry companion, here’s how to make an informed, responsible purchase.
Before getting too attached to a cute puppy photo, scrutinize the breeder’s website and advertisements carefully:
• Grammar & Spelling Check: Many scam websites originate offshore, and while a typo here and there is normal, consistently poor grammar or awkward phrasing can signal a fraudulent operation.
• Reverse Image Search: Conduct a Google reverse image search to check if the photos are stolen from another site. Ethical breeders may use customizable templates for listings, but blatant plagiarism is a warning sign.
A reputable breeder should be open, transparent, and happy to answer your questions. Be prepared to ask about:
• Breeding History: How long have they been breeding? Do they belong to a recognized breed club? (In Australia, ANKC membership is key.)
• Health Testing: Check what medical testing is recommended for the breed and verify the breeder has completed it with documented proof.
• Puppy Socialization: Ask about early training and enrichment activities to ensure your puppy has a strong foundation for life.
• Parent Dogs: Ethical breeders often outsource studs for genetic diversity, but you should be able to meet the mother at some point.
Trustworthy breeders will require buyers to sign a contract that outlines responsibilities, such as:
• Return Policy: Responsible breeders care about their puppies for life and will ask for the dog back if the owner can no longer provide for them.
• Health Guarantee: Some breeders offer health guarantees requiring buyers to have the puppy examined by a veterinarian within a certain timeframe.
• Spay/Neuter Agreement: Many contracts prohibit breeding the dog unless explicitly agreed upon.
While meeting a puppy before purchasing is often advised, ethical breeders may have security concerns about strangers visiting their homes. Instead:
• Request a Video Call: A live virtual tour of the breeder’s home showing happy, healthy dogs is a great way to confirm legitimacy.
• Assess Their Interest in You: If the breeder doesn’t ask questions about your lifestyle, family, or home situation, they might care more about making a sale than placing puppies responsibly.
• Expect Limited In-Person Access: A reputable breeder should eventually invite you to meet your puppy, but not before they are confident in your commitment
Bringing home a puppy is a life-changing experience, and ethical breeders should support you throughout the transition. By taking these steps, you can ensure a safe, scam-free purchase and give your new best friend the best possible start in life.
The Schnauzer is a loyal and energetic dog breed known for its signature beard and bold personality. Available in Miniature, Standard, and Giant sizes, Schnauzers are intelligent, trainable, and make excellent family pets.
“I am convinced his adorable attributes are attested to Kellie as his breeder. After being invited to visit her mini schnauzer puppies on her property, and meeting the puppies parents and seeing first hand the environment these beautiful dogs live in, was heart-warming reassuring. Kellie provides a home and spectacular environment for her dogs wellbeing and happiness as a priority, over and above the role of being a dog breeder. It was beautiful to see. I’d recommend Kellie in a heart beat. Her puppies are raised on pure love by their doggy parents who exist on unconditional love provided by Kellie.”
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Elita KirkPerth - WA
“My brother and his partner got a beautiful little puppy and he is so perfect. I get to play with him beacause I visit them a lot during the week. You can really tell he’s been loved and nutured throughout all stages of his life so far. he’s also so confident and sassy but, very well behaved. We absolutely love him”
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Lauren PattersonPerth - WA
“I highly recommend Kellie from Margaret River Schnauzers’. Kellie was very professional, amiable, and supportive throughout the process of choosing our new family member. She would go above and beyond to make the process enjoyable, updating her Facebook page with videos and providing personal updates on the pup’s progress. With Kellies’ partner and adolescent children, the puppies are brought up in a loving home environment, which guarantees their excellent socialisation. We picked up our boy from Kellie last week, and he is all we could have imagined. Many thanks, Kellie.”
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Colleen Thornton WardPerth - WA
“We got out mini schnauzer Norman from Kellie back in July 2020. He is the most loving, playful and affectionate little man! We adore him and look forward to adding a little brother or sister to our family. We highly recommend Schnauzers of Margaret River”
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Maddison ThomasPerth - WA
“Thank you, Schnauzers of Margaret River! We absolutely love our puppy, Audrey, she is a very sweet and clever dog. Kellie made the whole process seamless and was easy to contact and in communication with a lot of information. I especially enjoyed the opportunity to go to Margaret River and meet with Kellie and the puppies prior to getting our puppy, and it was great to meet the puppy’s ‘parents’ and see their wonderful environment.”
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Justine KiggenPerth - WA
