Looking for an Adult Swissy?
Most Swissy breeders accept back any puppies they place that do not work out. Because of this, contacting breeders is the best method of locating an adult dog that is available for placement. Word spreads, so if you are looking for an adult, don't hesitate to start spreading the news. Adult dogs will have various levels of training. Be sure to ask questions! Most breeders will be extremely careful to match adult dogs with the right family.
Consider Rescue!
Swissy Rescue assists Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs that don't have a breeder to fall back on. Rescue is either unable to locate the breeder, or the breeder is not able to assume responsibility for the dog. These dogs come out of shelters or from individual families and details will of course vary from dog to dog. If you have a big heart and welcome the opportunity to give a Swissy a second chance, please contact rescue to see what Sweathearts may be looking for a good home.
Finding a Swissy
Absolutely, no doubt about it, the only good source to obtain a puppy from is the show breeder who puts time and effort into studying the breed and producing the best puppies possible. The only place a puppy buyer should ever buy a puppy from is a responsible breeder. The great news is that there are good responsible breeders in all areas of the country that strive to produce strong, healthy puppies.
But, how do you recognize the responsible breeder? How can the puppy buyer know they are getting a puppy from a breeder who has the interest of the breed in mind, rather than just the potential income?
The first step is to locate breeders who are a members of the Parent Club. The GSMDCA is the Parent Club for the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog. Upon joining the club, GSMDCA members all sign an agreement in which they commit to never sell, supply, donate, or surrender a GSMD to wholesalers, pet shops or other retailers, raffles, catalog houses, laboratories, or shelters. This is the first step in knowing that the breeder cares about where their puppies go. Buyers are encouraged to read the GSMDCA Breeder's Guidelines to aid them in their search for a puppy.
Some key things the buyer can look for.
1)
Responsible breeders are more than happy to tell you about their dogs, the environment they raise puppies in and will welcome visitors. Dog quarters will be clean and well kept.
Responsible breeders are more than happy to tell you about their dogs, the environment they raise puppies in and will welcome visitors. Dog quarters will be clean and well kept.2)Responsible breeders will ask you questions about your lifestyle, your home, and your family and other pets. Most breeders will require the buyer to complete an application and the buyer can expect a thorough interview.
Responsible breeders will ask you questions about your lifestyle, your home, and your family and other pets. Most breeders will require the buyer to complete an application and the buyer can expect a thorough interview.3)Puppies and dogs will be well socialized to children, other animals, and normal household noises. Puppies should already be introduced to the concept of eliminating outdoors, though by no means will a young Swissy puppy be housetrained.
Puppies and dogs will be well socialized to children, other animals, and normal household noises. Puppies should already be introduced to the concept of eliminating outdoors, though by no means will a young Swissy puppy be housetrained.4)Responsible breeders will test for common health issues in the breed. In Swissys, breeders should at minimum test hips, elbows, and eyes. Some breeders also certify shoulders, patellas, hearts & thyroid. Ressponsible breeders will screen breeding stock against genetic diseases to the best of their ability, but at this time, technology has not been developed to make screening fail proof. Breeders will readily share health test results.
Responsible breeders will test for common health issues in the breed. In Swissys, breeders should at minimum test hips, elbows, and eyes. Some breeders also certify shoulders, patellas, hearts & thyroid. Ressponsible breeders will screen breeding stock against genetic diseases to the best of their ability, but at this time, technology has not been developed to make screening fail proof. Breeders will readily share health test results.5)Puppies will be a minimum of 7 weeks old, and preferably 8 weeks old or older, before they leave the breeder.
Puppies will be a minimum of 7 weeks old, and preferably 8 weeks old or older, before they leave the breeder.6)Responsible breeders will pursue continuing education in the breed, should be a member of the GSMDCA, compete in dog shows and attend National and Regional Specialties.
Responsible breeders will pursue continuing education in the breed, should be a member of the GSMDCA, compete in dog shows and attend National and Regional Specialties.7)Responsible breeders will sell all puppies on contract and companion puppies will be sold on sterilization contracts.
Responsible breeders will sell all puppies on contract and companion puppies will be sold on sterilization contracts.8)Puppies will be sold with an AKC registration certificate/application, a medical record detailing vaccinations and treatments, a contract, a three-generation pedigree, and microchip registration forms (the puppy should already be microchipped.)
Puppies will be sold with an AKC registration certificate/application, a medical record detailing vaccinations and treatments, a contract, a three-generation pedigree, and microchip registration forms (the puppy should already be microchipped.)9)Responsible breeders are happy to answer your questions, will encourage your questions, and will remain available throughout the lifetime of your puppy.
Responsible breeders are happy to answer your questions, will encourage your questions, and will remain available throughout the lifetime of your puppy.10)Responsible breeders will insist you return the dog to them if you are unable to keep it.
Responsible breeders will insist you return the dog to them if you are unable to keep it.GSMDCA Breeder's Classifieds
Potential buyers are encouraged to read the GSMDCA Breeding Guidelines to help them in the selection of a reputable breeder. The GSMDCA is not an ethics club and therefore does not police, endorse or recommend any advertiser or their breeding practices. Breeder Classified advertising is available to all GSMDCA members who have been in good standing with the club for a minimum of 2 years.
All breeders require that you schedule an appointment prior to visiting them.
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Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Club of America
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Alpinez
Alyssa Ashton Shah
Los Angeles, CA 90005
Fax (323) 939-7505
Whispering Pine
Toni & Lyle Killpatrick
Mariposa, CA 95338
(209) 742-5462
Tree N Sea
Maria Jensen
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 724-9195
Calypso
Terry & Bev Brown/Chris & Amy Wilson
Golden, CO 80232
720-985-4101(Terry)/303-880-4181(Amy)
HalfMoon
Molly Eichhoefer
Tallahassee, FL 32301
(850) 224-9029
Whispering Palm
Juanita Thrall Jones
Davie, FL 33330-1146
(954) 474-7188/(954) 609-1132
Quiet Valley
Pat Cole
Lake Alfred, FL 33850
(363) 259-9095
Seneca
Janelle Kaiser
Lafayette, IN 47905
c 765-479-2893/ h. 765 589-8627
Rivendell
Robin Ney
Bonner Springs, KS 66012
(913) 422-4186
Land's End
Winifred Sienkewicz
Assonet, MA 02702
(508) 644-2397/(617) 803-6767
Wildest Dream
Tina & John Bailey
Adrian, MI
(517) 605-9403/(517) 605-9408
Breezy Ridge
Holly Witzgall
Derry, NH 03038
(603) 434-7495
Twin Peaks
Erin McWilliams
Randolph, NJ 07869
973-417-1596 c/973-625-2495 w
Oregon
Liberty Run
Anna Wallace
Luther, OK 73054
H.405 277-3219/C. 405 250-4424
Ramsgate
Michele Slate
Sherwood, OR 97140
(503) 538-0330/(503) 545-2433
Double Q
Jim and Mary Jo Rasmussen
Falls Church, VA 22042
734-645-0899/734-845-1197
Summit Farms
Helen & Stuart Kramlich
Tacoma, WA
253-535-0783/206-697-7677
Alberta Roots
Sera Fradgley
Acme, Alberta, Canada
403 862-4763
Georgia
BrookHaven Manor
Heather M Wilson
Clermont GA 30527
770 654-3712
Suma
Mary Beth Usery
Marshfield MO 65706
H 417 859-5192 C 417 299-3185
Shadetree
Cathy Cooper
Martinsville, VA 24115
(276) 632-4969
Geveden
Molly, Lacey & Kelsey McNally
Rossville (Memphis) TN 38066
901 853-8987
South Carolina
Lone Palm
Jackie & Stewart Mathis
Greer, SC 29651
(864) 907-6230/(864) 989-0208
Alastair
David and Cheryl Gerzabek
Middlefield Connecticut 06455
860 349-0906/860 638-8382
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Cherished
Kim Woollard
Waynesville, OH 45068
937-478-3091
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Five Point
Doreen Pesce
San Pedro, Ca. 90731
(310)5197640
Tosseman
Kris Featheringham
South Riding, VA 20152
(703) 964-6551
Northwoods
Rebecca & Gregory Martin
Banks Oregon 97106
503-869-2256
Swiss Peaks
Heidi Frei
Arva, Ontario, Canada
519 666-1902/519 694-7428
Live Oak
Paula Botkin
Loxahatchee FL 33470
(561) 792-6971/(954) 254-3386
Sooner
Susan/Shawn McClintick
Oklahoma City OK
405 703-0780/405 250-6428
Crooked Creek
Laura/Shane Bullock
Magrath, Alberta, CANADA
403 752-6001
Ramapo
Diana Iannaccone
Allendale NJ 07401
201 739-0530/ F 201 760-1066
Kentucky
Brush Creek
Brigitte and Frank Rhinehart
Phillipsburg, MO 65722
417-589-8010
Trout Creek
Bonnie Huett
Carson WA 98610
509 427-4469
Nox
Colleen Murray Robson
Rixeyville VA 22737
540 937-3061/540 270-5737
Remington`s Pride
Sandra Streit
Ramsey MN 55303
(763) 712-8176 (612) 845-6076
