About Us
Quality is never an accident;
it is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, intelligent direction and skillful execution; it represents the wise choice of many alternatives.
About the owner
My name is Oksana Melish,
I am the breeder and owner of the Ksantia, a professional Standard Schnauzer kennel. I also serve as an expert for the Kennel Union of Ukraine (UKU) and am a professional groomer and handler. Today, Ksantia is recognized globally as a dedicated mono-breed kennel.
My mission is to produce high-quality dogs that are, above all, exceptional and comfortable companions for life. The kennel is located in Odesa, Southern Ukraine.
Since 1994, Standard Schnauzers have been an inseparable and essential part of my life.
Why schnauzer?
The Schnauzer is a versalite companion that adapts to any lifestyle
As a groomer and handler, I have experience working with different breeds. My journey also included owning and breeding breeds very different from the Schnauzer, such as the Dogo Canario and the American Bully. Ultimately, these experiences led me to a definitive conclusion: my home is meant only for Schnauzers.
My philosophy is simple: dogs are for people, not people for dogs. Life with a dog should be effortless and comfortable. The Standard Schnauzer embodies this perfectly. They are non-shedding and odorless. They possess robust health and are typically free from common issues like food allergies.
The purpose of the modern Standard Schnauzer is to be a companion for humans.
At the same time, the standard schnauzer remains a full-fledged service dog with a powerful character. SS is the guardian who do more than just bark - after completing protection training.
The Standard Schnauzer is intelligent, agile, and clever, with a remarkable ability to adapt to every family member and every dog in the pack.
He is ready to accompany you in any situation and can handle nearly any physical challenge an amateur athlete can take on. For an adult dog, a 10-kilometer hike is just a normal walk. They are excellent travelers, capable of enduring thousands of miles in a car or long-haul flights. Due to their size, adult Schnauzers travel in the cargo hold, yet they handle even transcontinental flights with ease. Whever staying in a hotel, a tent, or visiting friends, they settle in comfortably anywhere.
SS is safe around both their own family's children and strangers. If they don't particularly take to a friend's child - which is their right - they will simply find aways to avoid contact rather than showing agression.
Versatility and Balance
The Standard Schnauzer will eagerly explore various types of training alongside their owner. For instance, our graduate Ksantia Fortune earned her Obedience diploma at just 8 months old. Another of our graduates, Ksantia Yaromir, is making a significant impact as a therapy dog (canis therapy) in faraway Khabarovsk.
The Perfect "Off-Switch"
At the same time, this is not a high-intensity sports breed that demands constant, grueling physical or mental exertion. Short on time? Bad weather? Just feeling lazy? Not a problem - we'll relax on the sofa together. If there is a spark of motivation, we head to training. If not, we simply play with other dogs in the park.
For 30 years now, my heart has belonged entirely to Schnauzers - dogs who have a zest for life, and who make life truly worth living!
Kennel development timeline
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Metallic Great Victory. Foundation bitch
1994... The BeginningMy first Standard Schnauzer arrived in my life back in 1994, when I was 10 years old. At the time, I was choosing between a Schnauzer and a Doberman. I choose the Schnauzer, finding them to be a more balanced breed and a more appropriate size. That decision marked the beginning of my lifelong journey into the world of Schnauzers and cynology.
I am forever grateful to my first dog, Lessy, and to the professional cynologists who guided me in those early years. Thanks to their mentorship, I dedicated my life to the canin world, mastering the arts of grooming and handling - first for my own dog, and eventually for many others.
In 2003, I brought a stunning and stylish female, Metallic Great Victory. She became the foundation bitch of the Ksantia kennel. By then, I was certain that I didn't just want to own champions; I wanted to play an active role in shaping the future of the breed. I already held a clear vision of the "ideal Schnauzer" I aimed to achieve, backed by a solid foundation of knowlege regarding breed standards and bloodlines.
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Ksantia Kris
2005-2006…The Ksantia kennel prefix was officially registered with the FCI (Federation Cynologique Internationale) and Ukranian Kennel Union (UKU) in 2005. By 2006, we welcomed our first litter, resulting from a mating in St. Petersburg.
That same year, I brought two additional dogs from the world-renowned breeder and judge Yugene Yerusalimsky, a figure whose influence on the breed and global cynology is monumental. These dogs - Ave Concorde Serenada and Ave Concorde Ziger — were exceptionally well-structured, robust, and possessed the ideal coat structure.
Their mating was a true milestone for our kennel. Although only two puppies were born — one male and one female - both left a significant mark on the breed. Ksantia Kariba became one of the foundation bitches for another kennel, while Ksantia Kris sired numerous outstanding offspring across Ukraine and abroad, and even spent some time on lease at the prestigious Ave Concorde kennel.
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Metallic Nota Bene Ksantia
2012…A pivotal moment in the development of our kennel was the 2012 import of Metallic Nota Bene Ksantia (known at home as Nika). Nika is the daughter of the legendary World and European Winner, International and Multi- Champion Chivas Grand Calvera, who resided in Finland.
Through close collaboration with the Ave Concorde kennel, Nika produced several exceptional champions, including European Winner 2017 and International Champion Ksantia Afina, the Junior Vice World Winner 2016 and International Champion Ksantia Avanta, multiple International Champions, National Champions of various countries, and Bundessiegers.
Her legacy continues through her offspring, who live across the globe: in the USA, Canada, the United Kingdom, Poland, Italy, Russia, Germany, and, of course, Ukraine.
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2026…I have always been, and remain, dedicated to ensuring that Ksantia graduates carry the bloodlines of the world's finest dogs, with their quality consistently proven by victories at the most prestigious shows.
About Our Pack
Breeder and owner...
Being a breeder means, first and foremost, being a dog owner. The birth of puppies brings occasional moments of joy, but we live together with our dogs under one roof every single day, all year round.
'We' means myself and the members of my family.
Our 'Grey Pack' consists, above all, of unique personalities; they are individuals before they are show champions and breeding dogs. Each has their own charisma—and the charisma of a Schnauzer is legendary.
We do not keep a large number of dogs because Schnauzers are not suited for kennel or outdoor confinement. It is essential for them to be part of the family, living closely with people. For us, 7 to 8 adult dogs is the maximum we can accommodate to ensure a comfortable life for both us and our pets.
That is why I practice a co-ownership program. This allows us to maintain a manageable number of dogs at home, ensures their premium quality of life, and welcomes new dedicated people into our team.
Health, tests ...
Every dog in our home possesses valuable breed qualities that I aim to preserve and strengthen through breeding. My focus is on exceptional coat quality and color, balanced anatomy, a stable temperament, and freedom from hereditary diseases. To ensure this, I test my dogs at the Laboklin laboratory in Germany.
We live in a private house on the outskirts of Odesa, where we have designed the environment for the ultimate comfort of both people and dogs. The countryside and the Black Sea provide nearly endless opportunities for exercise and physical training, while our proximity to the city allows us to socialise our puppies thoroughly.
You can meet our Schnauzers on the OUR PACK page.
About Breeding
I do not recognize any 'intra-breed types'; there is only one standard that defines the ideal Schnauzer.
My mission is to follow it with utmost precision, producing dogs whose high-class anatomy is inseparable from the breed's primary purpose: being a comfortable companion for life. 111
My Breeding Principles:
"Do No Harm." This is the first and most vital postulate. A breeder bears personal responsibility for the quality of the livestock and the future of the breed. Perfect dogs and flawless bloodlines do not exist; the genetics of every animal contain both strengths and weaknesses. The task of a professional is to have the most comprehensive understanding of each producer's genotype and to be able to minimize potential risks in the offspring.
The Best Puppies Come from the Best Parents. Being "the best" is not about the number of titles or popularity; it is about quality. A breeder must see the dog for what it truly is, know its ancestors and relatives, and understand the definitive result a specific combination will produce. Quality is never an accident.
The Goal Justifies the Means. If you do something, do it with a clear conscience and to the highest standard—or do not do it at all. High-end breeding is, above all, about strict selection and the drive to create a truly worthy "product." Every litter should be of such quality that I would want to keep it for myself, because it is the best.
Health and Temperament are Paramount. This is the foundation of the quality of life for both the dog and its owners. This does not mean a dog can be mediocre as long as it is healthy and kind. It means that even outstanding anatomy has no breeding value if genetic diseases or an unstable temperament are present.
High-quality breeding cannot exist in isolation. Collaboration with other breeders is vital for the population, as it allows for the consolidation of the best bloodlines within pedigrees and the maintenance of a superior standard of conformation.
Since 2005, I have collaborated with esteemed kennels such as:
Ave Concorde (Russia)
Metallic (Russia)
Du Domaine De PierrMarie (France)
Ankor Kurazh (Russia)
Nettle Greit (Russia)
Gagatek (Poland)
Nichi (Italy)
Della Settima Musa (Italy)
Von Link (USA)
Velvet Dandy's (Sweeden)
Achterplatzchen (Germany)
Spacy Land (Israel)
Minnienoom Schnauzers (UK)
Pilsner Top (Czech Republic)
Exported Schnauzers from our kennel are successfully shown and integrated into the breeding programs of other kennels worldwide. Naturally, a portion of our puppies remains here in Ukraine.
While my focus is on high-quality show breeding, not every puppy participates in exhibitions. I understand that for many owners, turning their dog into a champion is not a priority. I am always ready to provide support and guidance in building a show career; however, the most important thing is that Ksantia Schnauzers are 'in the right place' within their families—receiving proper care, attention, and unconditional love.
I am always open to communication with our owners and am ready to provide consultations and any assistance within my power.
THE PRIDE OF OUR KENNEL
Ksantia was recognized as the Top Standard Schnauzer Kennel (pepper-and-salt) in Ukraine in 2016, 2017, and 2020 by the national breed club rankings.
- KSANTIA AFINA
European Winner 2017 + Best of Breed, International Champion, best schnauzer in Ukraine in 2016-2017, Top Schnauzer of Ukraine 2021, Champion of Ukraine, Champion of Romania, Champion of Moldova, Veteran Interchampion
- KSANTIA AVANTA
Junior Vice World Winner 2016, International and Multi Champion.
- KSANTIA HEAD HUNTER
International Champion, German Champion VDH, German Champion of Pinscher-Schnauzer Club, Champion of Luxembourg, Austria, Romania, Hungarian show Champion, Champion Swiss d'exposition, Champion Swiss de beaute, Alpenchampion, Champion BIH, Champion Federation BIH, Alpensieger Deutchland, Austria, Swiss, Dutch winner 2024, BKS Clubwinner 2024, German winner 2024, Jahressieger PSK 2024, Klubsieger PSK, ISPU Klubsieger.
- KSANTIA AMBASSADOR
European Veteran Winner 2024, World Veteran Winner 2024, Interchampion (C.I.B.), International Veteran Champion (C.I.B.-V), Champion and Grand Champion of Poland, Champion of Slovakia, Champion of Austria, Slovakia Grand Prix Winner 2019, Junior Champion of Poland, Junior Champion of the Polish Schnauzer Club
- KSANTIA APOLLON
Junior Vice-European Winner, Interchampion (C.I.B.), German Winner, Champion of Serbia, Champion of Slovenia, Junior Champion of Austria, Junior Champion of the Italian Schnauzer Club
- KSANTIA ATLANT
International Champion, Champion of Switzerland, Champion of Serbia, Winner of Austria.
- KSANTIA DANAYA
Best Schnauzer in Ukraine 2019, Champion of Ukraine, Champion of Moldova, Junior Champion of Ukraine.
- KSANTIA DJOKER
Best Schnauzer in Ukraine 2020, Champion of Ukraine, Champion of Moldova, Junior Champion of Ukraine.
From the owner
