About Us - We Specialize in Miniature Schnauzers

Dogs

Rachael, John and Karen Hoffmann have been raising, training and showing dogs for over 40 years.  Rachael and her husband John started with champion German shepherd dogs and later Golden Retrievers.  Daughter Karen started with Miniature Schnauzers at the age of 8, competing with her first dog in obedience and junior showmanship.  Together, they have raised and trained many litters of puppies of different breeds over the years.  Recently, they have focused on Miniature Schnauzers and Golden Retrievers forming Earthsong Kennels.

Earthsong Kennel produces quality show dogs and wonderful family pets.  In February 2009, Earthsong Remedy for the Blues was honored with a best of breed win and group 4 placement at Westminster Kennel Club.  “Blue” is currently ranked in the top 10 miniature schnauzers in the country and is available for stud service. 

Other Life  

Rachael is retired from a career in nursing and nursing administration.  In addition to dogs, Rachael also raised and trained 5 children.  She enjoys gardening (she is past-president of the Lakeshore Garden Club), reading, bird watching, knitting and her 16 grandchildren.  John retired as a commander in the U.S. Navy after 20 years of service, then founded Safety Engineering Laboratories www.safetyengineeringlabs.com specializing in fire safety and engineering.  In addition to his golden retrievers, semi-retired John is busy with his other farm animals (horses, chickens & turkeys) and working in his woodshop. He is also a master gardener and frequently speaks at garden clubs and other events about integrated pest management.  John and Rachael are business partners in Chateau Chantal Winery www.chateauchantal.com in Traverse City, Michigan.   

Karen is a small animal veterinarian, practice owner and medical director of the Olney-Sandy Spring Veterinary Hospital www.ossvh.com.  She has 3 children and enjoys baseball games and violin concerts with her youngest, still at home.  In her spare time, she enjoys gardening and her farm animals, hiking, biking, cooking and soap making.