Bryanston’s royal community of schnauzers

The pair of rhino statues along the riverside parkrun route in Bryanston received a stately visit from the ‘Schroyal’ family of schnauzers, accompanied by their owner Deborah Blane on June 8.

His Royal Highness Maximillian (12), Rosabella (12), Tommy (9) and Her Royal Cuteness Annabella (6) Blane graciously shared their time with this journalist, who had the rare opportunity to learn about this breed of dog. Blane explained how Germans used to breed schnauzers specifically for ratting.

“Schnauzers would be sent down under buildings to catch rats, so that’s the reason that they’ve got the long beards,” Blane said. “They’re still hunters, but, like, cute hunters. If they find something, they chase it like crazy. But once they’ve caught something, they don’t know what to do with it.”

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Blane said she learned how to groom her schnauzers personally after Maximillian once was treated to a bad parlour experience.

“The one time they cut Maximillian’s ear, and burnt him with the clippers and shaved their beards off,” Blane recalled. “I cried for three days when they shaved their beards off, and then I learnt how to groom them myself. I also teach through my online grooming course that I created during Covid, but I only teach people how to groom this breed.”

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Blane only allows the best for her Schroyal family, from what they eat to what they wear. Their favourite treat is roast chicken and although the Schroyals aren’t fond of wearing clothes, they do own a few custom items.

“They’ve got lots of designer collars,” Blane concluded, lifting Maximillian to show his collar. “They have clothes, but if I show them clothes they run away. They’re the cutest dogs. They also don’t shed hair, and they’re just loving. We walk here every day.”

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