Welcome to Xtravaschnauza homepage

I am Heli Lillbacka, a thirty-something miniature schnauzer breeder from Finland. I live on the southern coast, in the village of Inkoo about 50 km from Helsinki, the capital of Finland. I work for an IT-company and my spare time is dedicated to dogs. Most of my time is spent on agility, grooming and showing my dogs.

I am very ambitious for high-quality schnauzers. The first priority when planning new litters is the temperament of the dogs. Shy or aggressive dogs are never used in breeding. I go for a schnauzer with good nerves, ability to function and fight/play - for me these are the keys to good hobby dog as well as an excellent pet. I try to have all the breeding stock mental character tested, which is not very common with companion dogs.

The second most important thing for me is health. I have all the breeding stock eye tested prior to mating, most of them have their knees, hips and elbows checked as well. Much more important than that is clinical health, meaning that the dogs used for breeding do not suffer of allergies, liver/kidney problems or, for example, easily upset stomachs. This may seem trivial to some, but for me it's essential a dog does not have to see the vet for any other reason that vaccinations or accidents - that is my goal and I do whatever I can to achieve it even though it's impossible :)

Third in line is beauty - I try to breed dogs that please me and correspond to the type I find correct and true. The main issues for me are proportions, topline, movement and coat. I find bad coats absolutely horrible; it is important to me that my puppies are easy to maintain for me and for the owners. Schnauzer is a harsh-coated breed which is supposed to be e-a-s-y, although many seem to disregard this fact altogether. I dislike low-legged and unelegant dogs, and prefer dogs that have great posture thanks to correct anatomy and - most importantly - confident temperament.

I always look for new contacts and friends to co-operate with. I am quite green as a breeder, even though evaluating the anatomy and shape of animals has been a core of my hobbies since I was a little girl. When I was younger, I bred hamsters and rabbits - both with excellent results. I was also an international show judge prior to moving on to dogs.

I only have a few dogs of my own at home, most of the dogs showed on this website live with their co-owners. This is to ensure each dog gets enough attention and the life of a beloved pet it deserves. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or would like to know more about me or my dogs!

-Heli