My primary goal, as a breeder (and I almost hate using that word these days: please see Breeder or Anti-Breeder) is to preserve the type, temperament and working ability that IS a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, as defined by its breed standard. I do not breed often and much research and thought goes into my decisions. I always want to improve upon type, structure, health and temperament, from generation to generation.
I do not keep more dogs than I can care for and love IN MY HOME. So if you are looking for a breeder with a kennel full of dogs, keep on looking. Because I live with my dogs in my home, and they often accompany to me work, I am with them all the time. They are tremendously well socialized and I can tell you exactly what they are like in a wide variety of situations and locations, how they will respond to various situations, stimuli, etc. The same is true of my puppies, who live in my home until they are ready to go to their new homes. By that time they will have been exposed to a wide range of noises, environments, people of all shapes and sizes, strange dogs, etc.
I will tell you whatever I can about my dogs and their pedigrees. I do not expect you to take my word for anything, and will show you how to verify their Hip, Elbow and Eye clearances online. The more digging you do, into my practices and my dogs' backgrounds, the more impressed (NOT insulted) I will be. I will tell you whatever I know about any other health issues their bloodlines have produced. All lines have produced health problems of some kind, there is no way to avoid it. But we can do everything possible to lower the risks, by breeding only healthy dogs who have all their health clearances.
I breed primarily for myself, never to fill a growing demand for Swissy puppies. That said, I will only keep a puppy that is an improvement upon its parents, and only those best puppies will be sold as "show potential" puppies. So yes, there will always be puppies looking for loving, dedicated companion homes. In my opinion, there is no need to "breed for pets" because even when breeding the best dogs to each other, not every puppy will be "the best." Even though you may just want a Swissy as a companion/pet, please adopt a puppy from someone who shows their dogs, participates with them in a wide variety of activites, does ALL the requisite health clearances and is open and honest about ALL health concerns and risks...particularly when it comes to epilepsy, bloat/torsion, and the myriad of orthopedic issues that can affect a Swissy.
Whether you are in the market for a puppy right now or down the road, from me or someone else, PLEASE do as much research as possible and meet as many Swissies and their owners as you can. This is a breed that is not for everyone, and you definitely want to make an informed decision.
