LILY IS ONE HECK OF A MULTI TALENTED SCHNAUZER. SHE'S A STANDARD SCHNAUZER - NOW USUALLY FOUND LOOKING STYLISH ON INSTAGRAM, BUT WHAT OTHER TALENTS DOES SHE HAVE.  FIND OUT MORE BELOW.

WHAT MADE YOU CHOOSE THE SCHNAUZER BREED?

We didn't!  We went to our local rescue who match you up with potential dogs. We were imagining adopting a staffy.  But we filled in all their forms and they brought out this scruffy grey dog who stared up at us from under overgrown eyebrows, and I knew she was going to be our dog.

TELL ME A LITTLE ABOUT THEIR PERSONAL STORY

We adopted Lily when she was just entering adolescence - a "fun" time for any dog, especially a high drive Standard Schnauzer!  This is really what got me interested in studying dog behaviour.  She also started alerting me to medical episodes, which we then trained into a specific behaviour, and with additional training work, she became my assistance dog (now retired).  These days you can find her either working as my demo dog for training other dogs, or dressed to impress as we explore the cafes and pubs of South Bristol.

WHAT QUIRKS DO THEY HAVE?

Where to start!  She actively enjoys wearing clothes (we do consent tests & she opts in - I think she just likes the softness). She generally is completely ambivalent to humans, but will sometimes choose a stranger that she decides she loves for no discernible reason.  If her blanket isn't on the sofa, she'll ask you to move it for her.  She will choose a cafe over the park (Because cafes have blankets & treats).

HOW MANY NICKNAMES DOES YOUR SCHNAUZER HAVE:

Here's a small selection of the ridiculous things we call her-

• Lilington
• Lilith
• Lil-be
• Schnoz
• Big dog
• Schnau-brows
• McGrumpy

WHAT ARE THE MOST SCHNAUIZER-ISH CHARACTERISTICS IN YOUR SCHNAUZER?

She is aloof (affection comes on her terms once you've earned it), she's independent (very motivated by everything in the environment), she's intelligent (will put together behaviour chains so fast) and will absolutely let me know when the daily intruder (postman) is here (and I wouldn't have her any other way).

WHAT IS THE FUNNIEST/NAUGHTIEST THING YOUR SCHNAUZER HAS EVER DONE?

A friend was visiting us with their toddler.  The toddler was "training" her - getting her to lie down/sit up and giving her treats. A couple of minutes later the toddler was eating a sandwich in the same spot.  Lily did her tricks in front of her, and no treats being given, she decided to take matters into her own hands and calmly proceeded to take the child's sandwich 😂😶

WHO IS THEIR FAVOURITE HUMAN?

Me (or the owner of VX Bristol- a vegan cafe- who always gives her biscuits when we visit!)

WHERE IS THEIR FAVOURITE PLACE TO WALK?

I often let her choose where we walk from our house, and 9/10 times she chooses to go to VX (her favourite cafe).

WHAT IS THEIR FAVOURITE GAME OR TOY?

'Penguin' - a soft toy penguin that she brings to bed with her each night.

WHAT IS THEIR FAVOURITE TREAT?

Sausages. In any form.

WHERE IS THEIR FAVOURITE SPOT IN THE HOUSE?

Anywhere with blankets on. She's a huge fan of fluffy blankets.

IF YOUR SCHNAUZER COULD TEXT YOU ANYTHING, WHAT WOULD THEY SAY?

Oi two-legs, we're out of sausages. Get some.

WHAT WOULD THEIR SCHOOL REPORT SAY?

She'd definitely be one of those problematic high achievers. Like getting A* in her classes but is a disruptive influence on those around her!

IF YOU COULD ASK YOUR SCHNAUZER ONE QUESTION, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

Do you know how much I love you? (I hope the answer is yes)

NAME ONE THING THAT WOULD BE ON YOUR SCHNAUZERS BUCKET LIST

Going to some posh hotel and being fed a sausage dinner, then rubbing her nasty beard across all their posh furniture.

LASTLY...DOES YOUR SCHNAUZER BARK A LOT?

Let's just say she speaks her mind 😂

If you want to follow more Lily's adventures, you can find her on her own Instagram page @Lily-Schnauzer (largely Schnauzertude and modeling for @RedAndGinger), or @Rachel.Trains.Animals (where she shows off training tips for pet and assistance dogs.)