My husband Ron and I began this journey for one reason, my love for the miniature!  I had for some time wanted to get a pair of small breed dogs, and become a breeder.  So I did some research, two years or more, considering the old standbys... the Chihuahua, the Yorkie, the toy fox terrier, etc., when one day I found a dog encyclopedia with a double page spread of black and white side silhouettes of all the dogs known to man, from the largest to the smallest of breeds.  I went to the silhouette of the smallest dog and it said "Prazsky Krysarik".  My first reaction was, "What is that!?"  I turned to the referenced page, and after reading the description paragraph I was hooked.  "These dogs were first used in the 15th century by Czech royalty to rid the castles of rats," and it showed a picture of Prague Castle.   My grandpa was born in Rapotice, CZ and immigrated to the US when he was 18, from Prague. It further said that "King Vaclav IV (1378 - 1419) used to take his favourite Ratter to a pub, which he liked to frequent in disguise.”  My grandpa's name was Vaclav.  It was a sign, and I have been slowly getting myself set up.  I started with an 8 week old brown and tan, Ziggy, and 12 week old red/mottled with black female, Zoe.  When they were old enough, we ended up, completely unintendedly, with an "Oops baby"- Guinness.  I say oops, because I felt Ziggy was too large to use as a stud, and intended to neuter him, which we did immediately thereafter.  Guinness was a yellow with her mothers black mottling, with extreme speed and agility.  I have been considering how to get her involved in coursing or obstacle course.  Meanwhile, it took me another 2 years to get another small male, Zkypper, a tiny black and tan cutie.  Guinness, like Ziggy is a bit bigger than I'd prefer, but she makes up for it with her mother's intelligence, agility and energy.  She has the sweetest face and the cutest expressions.  Our newest litter, from her and Zkypper, of 3 puppies looks as if they have their father's size, and their mother's agility once again.  Zoe and Zkypper have produced a multi-colored litter; a black and tan female, a yellow female, and a red mottled with black male, which have gone to wonderful new homes.  Bernzy's Prazskys is definitely going to have a treasure trove of variety in color.  We fully intend on getting to the Czech Republic soon, to both reconnect with my history and continue to reform our future as Prazsky Breeders.  At that time we hope to be able to bring home some purebred, papered Czech-born puppies to continue to move our kennel in the direction of producing show quality Prazsky's with excellent lines and pedigrees.  Oh, by the way, Ron is a factory worker who will likely retire soon, as his factory is moving to Mexico.  I was a teacher, who is now looking for a new career.  But we are both thoroughly enjoying our newest adventure  :)  Ron and Molly Berns  :)