Meet Marta

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Marta (Skansen's Marta de Pichera)

Marta on the Couch

We found our first Riesenschnauzer as many people do - we explored purebred dog magazines, attended conformation shows, and talked to owners and breeders. At that point our concerns were good health, good temperament, and suitability as a companion. We thought we might want to do AKC obedience. Our request to Marta's breeder, Sylvia Hammarstrom, was that she choose for us a hard coated, healthy large bitch suited to obedience training. Her words to us were: "Lots of energy. I hope your legs are in shape!" In addition, she offered the following description: "She's cute - and she's very smart." Truer words were never said! She too warned us about Schutzhund - "It's not a hobby - it's a lifestyle!"

Marta
with Doug Wendling

A few months before Marta arrived (Skansen's Marta de Pichera), we attended the Working Schnauzer Federation's 1996 Gatlinburg, Tennessee Schnauzerfest. It was there that we first saw Riesenschnauzers competing in the sport of Schutzhund. The sight was awe-inspiring! Crisp obedience, diligent and skillful tracking, and powerful bite work demonstrated the working character of the breed to us, and made us instant converts! We refused to listen to the naysayers who told us that we could never succeed in Schutzhund, although there were many of them!

Marta was - and is - a food addict, born to chase down a treat through Hell and back. She was also incredibly driven to play, to retrieve, and to learn. Marta taught us that she needed to play - and that if we didn't set the rules, that she would! She was a perfect candidate for tracking and obedience, and has excelled in these since she was a puppy. She is a euphoric retriever, jumper, and friend to everyone. Yet, when attacked by another dog at a show, she did not hesitate to defend herself.

Raja de Pichera

Marta's genetic heritage (click here for pedigree) includes
Riesenschnauzers with conformation championships as well as Schutzhund-titled dogs. Her father was imported from the Spanish de Pichera kennel by Sylvia Hammarstrom (Raja de Pichera), and Marta resembles him. Marta is very social - she loves people - especially children, babies, and elderly women. She hates buses, trucks, motorcycles and the noise that our printer makes. She is very agile and athletic, in excellent health, and has an OFA rating of "Good", and received a "normal" thyroid rating from the Michigan State University (MSU) lab.