“Each puppy is another little sketch” – Liz Hansen and Sketchbook

[caption id="attachment_13591" align="alignleft" width="300"] Liz Hansen with Seasar at WKC.[/caption]

Host Laura Reeves is joined by Liz Hansen, Sketchbook Standard Schnauzers, AKC’s Breeder of the Year nominee for the working group.

With a degree from the University of Minnesota in scientific illustration, Hansen named her breeding program Sketchbook.

“Sketchbook came just sort of naturally from that because these are little sketches I make. Each little puppy is another little sketch,” Hansen said.

“Almost 26 years ago, another breeder and I ran into a problem. We had epilepsy show up in our lines that were related and went looking for somebody to help us keep the good and get rid of this problem. And we were at a show in Columbia, MO, and went and talked to Gary Johnson at the university. And after about a year of bringing him samples and getting other clubs involved and helping to write grants and all this kind of stuff, he said, ‘You know, you just need to come work for me, so I changed jobs over epilepsy.

(Listen to Liz’ conversation with Laura about this project from 2017!)

[caption id="attachment_13590" align="alignright" width="444"] Standard Schnauzers compete in herding competitions.[/caption]

"That's good people that I gave a good dog, just like my sister and I got a great dog to start with. I try to coach people along.”

“I like to coach the people that get my dogs,” Hansen said. “We've got over 200 champions and most of those are standard schnauzers and well over 250 performance titles on the standard Schnauzers. And that's not all me. That's good people that I gave a good dog, just like my sister and I got a great dog to start with. I try to coach people along.”