Looking for any advice...

I've spent months and months, searching for just the right breed, and just the right personality. I think I've decided on what breed I want.

Mini Schnauzer! :) I've emailed a fellow DG'er with the dogs, as well as got in touch with a breeder locally. I've spent hours reading up on the internet , akc.org , and the like, and this seems like the perfect breed for me.

Those of you with this breed, post here! Any information you can offer - personality, around owner, other pets, strangers, out in public. How they are out for a walk - easy to walk, need a strong chain and a lot of yelling. Do they chew the house apart, or stop with moderate inforcement. Calm breed, or hyper-active.. I would like to hear all of it, good, bad, indifferent, the works. :)

I realize some may think that not going to the pound, and going to a breeder makes me a bad person. If it were just me in the house, I'd be searching the pound, yes. But I am interested in the welfare of my cats, Furball and Hobbs. Furball is front-declawed, and Hobbs is a pretty small fellow. Both of them are dear to me, and I couldn't imagine bringing a dog with unknown background into the house, only to need a fire extinguisher to break up battles. For this reason, a standard AKC breed offers me the most benefits, with a better-known personality, size, and being able to sit with the parents, watching their personalities as well.

Thanks in advance! I'm getting more excited everytime I read more websites on this breed! :)
-Jennifer