Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Forum:
so you want a swissy?

So you say you want a swissy... Did you know most are not housetrained until they are 10+ months old? Do you know what bloat is? Its a life threatening condition that kills 5-10% of the breed. Do you know what OCD is? Do you know about canine epilepsy? It runs thru many lines, and a breeder may not tell you about it. Do you know thats its a myth that they dont shed? Come look at my house and the hairballs. Did you know some swissy owners have had to put their dogs down for aggression? Did you know most swissy owners wait more than a year for their dog? So unless youre prepared for all of this, Id suggest you find another breed.

I am finally getting a puppy next week. And yes it took me awhile to find a breeder who trusted me and had pupps on the way. However, it upsets me that so many Swissy owners and breeders act like they do not want anyone to purchase one. Always discouraging people, and not always nice. Some are down right rude.

Im sorry you had such a bad experience finding your puppy. Most breeders that are concerned with the future of our breed have a tendency to be quite protective of our puppies and are not willing to let them go to anything but the best homes we can find. We screen rather intensly but still sometimes fail to do the best for our pups hence they end up in the hands of "swissie advocate" who sounds like she despises the breed and her dog. I will gladly take the dog off her hands if she wishes.....Most breeders are willing to help new owners so if you have any questions this breeder will be glad to answer if I can. E-mail me any time or call me. Good luck and have fun with your new baby!

Thank you for your message. It is breeders like you and the one I am going through that make getting my swissy worth it. I just encountered people like her and it was a real turn-off. You were very sweet to respond.

Boy- did you guys ever read into things too much! Go back and re-read the message.

Did I ever say I had a bad experience with my breeder? NO.

Did I say my GSMD had any of the health problems I mentioned? NO.

Did I say that I was a breeder? NO

Did I say I hate my dog? NO.

Did I say "All breeders are liars?" NO.

I merely mentioned some issues that may arise while getting ANY dog. Too many times the GSMD has been portrayed as the "perfect family dog" with no problems; and as a result dogs are being sold from SOME money-hungry breeders to non-educated buyers- Im trying to prevent any GSMDs from ending up in shelters.

Hey- take a break- I take my pets as seriously as the next guy- but you need to relax.

PS-And did I say I was a "her?" NO

Sorry if I misread your gender, I only feel that the only way people will get the story straight about GSMD is if rather than be attacked for inquiring about a puppy and all breeders being classified as unscrupulous, we educate the prospective buyers as to breed characteristics, ethical breeders and guide them to right choices. I dont think an ethical breeder will "grab the money and run"! An ethical breeder does not try to create the problems you mentioned of which all your facts are not correct but you got your point across. Why not spend time guiding rather than insulting and alienating.....

Ok, perhaps it was a bit harsh; BUT I do want to get the message across to the uneducated. You and I both know that the way to get a GSMD is not to post an "I want a swissy!" ad on some bulletin board. Anyone who has done any research on the breed, or met any breeders would know this. This tells me that most (read most-not all) of the messages on this BB are from uneducated potential puppy buyers. If they expect a response from a breeder offering a puppy, well.....

And for those that have done the research- if a breeder responds to you and says "great, I have a puppy for you, hows Saturday?" Run! If that breeder has made no attempts to get to know you, how much care has been put into the puppy?

Hi

Im not going to keep a running dialogue between you and me on the board as I

dont think it will ever go anywhere,but I do want to make the point to you

that the " i want a Swissy puppy" inquiries are not from puppy mills because

those people already know all the right questions to ask. Puppy mills are the

places that sell puppies to any jamoke that asks for one and promises the

world but never delivers.

Once again everyone has to start somewhere in there search for a puppy so why

not help educate rather than rant........

Sorry to rant :)

Bunty

ps Credability is truthfullness and I use my own email, not a ficticious address. How about you?

Yes you were harsh. And many breeders, and Swissy owners have "the attitude". Like they are above the rest of the population. It is just a dog, beautiful, but just a dog.