Questions to Ask Breeders
The GSMD has always been a strong, calm, confident and loyal breed, which is why the Swiss farmers trusted them to carry their precious goods to market. Since coming to the United States in 1967, most breeders have been very careful to maintain that structure and temperament, and it is these same traits that make them such wonderful family companions. However, there will always be people who run "puppy mills" in order to cash in on a newly acknowledged breed. So if you really feel that this is the dog for you, talk to as many breeders as possible to find the one that you feel the most comfortable with. Though it's nice to have a lot of show ribbons on display, show dogs should be treated as any pet should be - with love and respect. And this is what a good breeder will do.
Please remember - acquiring any animal is a lifetime commitment, so ASK QUESTIONS and make your choices knowledgeably and wisely.
Below are some examples:
Can I See Both Parents?
This is not always possible, as the sire could be in another part of the country. However, you should be able to see his pedigree, and possibly a picture of him. You should, on the other hand, always be able to see the bitch with her puppies, and you and your family should be allowed to touch and play gently with them when the puppies are at an appropriate age. As a general rule, Swissys live to be 10-12 years old, so ask, too, about the health of siblings and relatives of the parents. If there have been any recent deaths, at what age, and what was the cause? Was it hereditary? Having this information will allow you to watch for, and immediately address, any symptoms that could cause your puppy a problem in the future.
Can I See OFA Numbers and Documentation?
Hip and Elbow Dysphasia are crippling diseases that can be kept under control by eliminating animals who are not certified out of breeding programs. The OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) will not certify hips and elbows until a dog is 24 months of age or older, and dogs and bitches should not be bred until that time, at the very least. Also, the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog doesn't stop growing until around 3 years of age, and there are certain characteristics and/or diseases, such as epilepsy, that do not become apparent until these animals mature. So if you talk to a breeder who has bred their dogs before they are 2 years of age, they do not have the breed's best interest at heart, and you would be wise to look further. If you wish, you can call the OFA yourself at (800) 442-0418 to see if a dog has been issued a number.
Are There Any Other Problems I Should Be Aware Of?
Many GSMD's have a condition known as Distichiasis, or extra eyelashes. If it is non-symptomatic, as it is most of the time, people are not even aware that their dog HAS these extra lashes. However, if it is symptomatic, these lashes will rub against the eye and cause extreme tearing and irritation and must be fixed by a veterinarian. There is also a problem called Entropion (a turning in of the eyelid) and Ectropion (a turing out of the eyelid) with some dogs. The same profuse tearing and irritation can also be a sign of these. Both of your puppies parents should have a CERF (Canine Eye Registry Foundation) test to insure that these problems do not exist. Though some Swissys might have a certain degree of Distichiasis, they are OK'd to breed as they are non-symptomatic. Be sure your breeder knows what these conditions are and has had this test performed.
There is also a certain incidence of epilepsy that occurs, so be sure to ask if any of their dogs has ever had ANY kind of epileptic seizure - be it grand-mal or the more common "fly-biting" type. Though most breeders are extremely concerned about the perpetuation of this life-threatening disease, there are some that will tell you that it is non-existent. Beware the breeder who tells you this, and, again, look further or it could be the cause of a great deal of emotional pain in the future.
How Are The Puppies Raised? What And How Often Are They Fed?
The puppies should be raised with the family, not out back somewhere where they're "not in the way" and should be kept with their mother and their other littermates until they are 8 weeks old. This is a very important time for them, as this is when Mom teaches them to play and socialize with each other. It is also how they learn about "hierarchy". Unless there is a medical reason, puppies should never be taken from their mothers before this time, as it can cause fearful and aggressive behavior later on.
The bitch will decide when the puppies should be weaned (usually around 3-4 weeks), at which time the breeder will begin to make a gruel of soaked LARGE BREED PUPPY food as a supplement to Mom's milk. After you have taken them home, they should be fed 4 times a day until they are 6 months old, then 3 times a day till about a year. After that, they should be fed at least twice a day for the rest of their lives. They should not be allowed to play immediately before or after meals. If your puppy appears to be growing too fast, switch to a premium adult food, as too rapid a growth pattern can lead to subsequent weakness in either joints or long bones of a fast growing large breed puppy. Just running and playing can cause injury to a 9 month old puppy whose bone structure isn't mature enough to handle his weight - which at times could be 80 - 100 pounds. It is also inadvisable to ever supplement with certain vitamins and calcium, as this practice has been linked to the development of OCD (Osteochondritis Dessicans), which is another crippling condition that usually affects the shoulders or elbows. Since they seem to be more prone to developing it, this is considered to be partially hereditary in large, fast-growing breeds, though it is also felt that it is caused by over-feeding, over-supplementation, injury from over-exertion or any combination of the above.
This would also be a good time to ask about Bloat/Torsion (Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus). Find out how to recognize the symptoms and what you can do to help prevent it.
What To Expect
It is likely that, as you are asking questions of breeders, they will also ask questions of you. Such as whether you own or have owned dogs in the past (if you have not, there are some breeders who feel that this is not a good breed for a first time owner), where you live (home or apartment/condo), if you have a yard and if it is fenced (many breeders will not sell puppies to anyone without a fenced yard), what your time constraints are and if you have the time necessary to properly raise and train a large breed puppy, particularly if you live in an apartment type atmosphere. Though these are generally calm dogs, they need regular exercise and socialization in order to stay healthy, fit and happy. You could be asked for references from your veterinarian or dog trainer or someone who you and the breeder are both acquainted with. You shouldn't be put off by these questions, but, rather, pleased that the breeder cares enough about the placement of these carefully planned for and nurtured little babies to make sure that yours is the right home for one of them. And don't think that you will be getting a lesser quality animal if you buy a pet as opposed to a show dog. They are equally healthy and as lovingly cared for and will live just as long. The only difference might be cosmetic, where the markings just aren't right, or the tail is a little crooked, or the head is a little small according to the breed standard. This only means that they would not be right for the show ring but certainly doesn't mean that they wouldn't be a wonderful household companion.
To recap, once you have decided on this commitment, don't be in a hurry for a puppy. Talk to as many breeders as you can, remembering that this should be someone who you will be able to turn to for advice and guidance throughout the life of your new family member. Pick a breeder who you believe to have the best interests of the breed in mind, not someone running a puppy mill who is just in it for the money. Breeding Swissys is a labor of love and a tremendous amount of work. It is also very expensive, but to properly socialize the puppies, it is not possible to raise more than 1 or 2 litters at a time.
So visit potential breeders, and see how they and their dogs live. Then pick the one that's right for you, and enjoy your new life with your new best friend!
Please remember - acquiring any animal is a lifetime commitment, so ASK QUESTIONS and make your choices knowledgeably and wisely.
Below are some examples:
Can I See Both Parents?
This is not always possible, as the sire could be in another part of the country. However, you should be able to see his pedigree, and possibly a picture of him. You should, on the other hand, always be able to see the bitch with her puppies, and you and your family should be allowed to touch and play gently with them when the puppies are at an appropriate age. As a general rule, Swissys live to be 10-12 years old, so ask, too, about the health of siblings and relatives of the parents. If there have been any recent deaths, at what age, and what was the cause? Was it hereditary? Having this information will allow you to watch for, and immediately address, any symptoms that could cause your puppy a problem in the future.
Can I See OFA Numbers and Documentation?
Hip and Elbow Dysphasia are crippling diseases that can be kept under control by eliminating animals who are not certified out of breeding programs. The OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) will not certify hips and elbows until a dog is 24 months of age or older, and dogs and bitches should not be bred until that time, at the very least. Also, the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog doesn't stop growing until around 3 years of age, and there are certain characteristics and/or diseases, such as epilepsy, that do not become apparent until these animals mature. So if you talk to a breeder who has bred their dogs before they are 2 years of age, they do not have the breed's best interest at heart, and you would be wise to look further. If you wish, you can call the OFA yourself at (800) 442-0418 to see if a dog has been issued a number.
Are There Any Other Problems I Should Be Aware Of?
Many GSMD's have a condition known as Distichiasis, or extra eyelashes. If it is non-symptomatic, as it is most of the time, people are not even aware that their dog HAS these extra lashes. However, if it is symptomatic, these lashes will rub against the eye and cause extreme tearing and irritation and must be fixed by a veterinarian. There is also a problem called Entropion (a turning in of the eyelid) and Ectropion (a turing out of the eyelid) with some dogs. The same profuse tearing and irritation can also be a sign of these. Both of your puppies parents should have a CERF (Canine Eye Registry Foundation) test to insure that these problems do not exist. Though some Swissys might have a certain degree of Distichiasis, they are OK'd to breed as they are non-symptomatic. Be sure your breeder knows what these conditions are and has had this test performed.
There is also a certain incidence of epilepsy that occurs, so be sure to ask if any of their dogs has ever had ANY kind of epileptic seizure - be it grand-mal or the more common "fly-biting" type. Though most breeders are extremely concerned about the perpetuation of this life-threatening disease, there are some that will tell you that it is non-existent. Beware the breeder who tells you this, and, again, look further or it could be the cause of a great deal of emotional pain in the future.
How Are The Puppies Raised? What And How Often Are They Fed?
The puppies should be raised with the family, not out back somewhere where they're "not in the way" and should be kept with their mother and their other littermates until they are 8 weeks old. This is a very important time for them, as this is when Mom teaches them to play and socialize with each other. It is also how they learn about "hierarchy". Unless there is a medical reason, puppies should never be taken from their mothers before this time, as it can cause fearful and aggressive behavior later on.
The bitch will decide when the puppies should be weaned (usually around 3-4 weeks), at which time the breeder will begin to make a gruel of soaked LARGE BREED PUPPY food as a supplement to Mom's milk. After you have taken them home, they should be fed 4 times a day until they are 6 months old, then 3 times a day till about a year. After that, they should be fed at least twice a day for the rest of their lives. They should not be allowed to play immediately before or after meals. If your puppy appears to be growing too fast, switch to a premium adult food, as too rapid a growth pattern can lead to subsequent weakness in either joints or long bones of a fast growing large breed puppy. Just running and playing can cause injury to a 9 month old puppy whose bone structure isn't mature enough to handle his weight - which at times could be 80 - 100 pounds. It is also inadvisable to ever supplement with certain vitamins and calcium, as this practice has been linked to the development of OCD (Osteochondritis Dessicans), which is another crippling condition that usually affects the shoulders or elbows. Since they seem to be more prone to developing it, this is considered to be partially hereditary in large, fast-growing breeds, though it is also felt that it is caused by over-feeding, over-supplementation, injury from over-exertion or any combination of the above.
This would also be a good time to ask about Bloat/Torsion (Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus). Find out how to recognize the symptoms and what you can do to help prevent it.
What To Expect
It is likely that, as you are asking questions of breeders, they will also ask questions of you. Such as whether you own or have owned dogs in the past (if you have not, there are some breeders who feel that this is not a good breed for a first time owner), where you live (home or apartment/condo), if you have a yard and if it is fenced (many breeders will not sell puppies to anyone without a fenced yard), what your time constraints are and if you have the time necessary to properly raise and train a large breed puppy, particularly if you live in an apartment type atmosphere. Though these are generally calm dogs, they need regular exercise and socialization in order to stay healthy, fit and happy. You could be asked for references from your veterinarian or dog trainer or someone who you and the breeder are both acquainted with. You shouldn't be put off by these questions, but, rather, pleased that the breeder cares enough about the placement of these carefully planned for and nurtured little babies to make sure that yours is the right home for one of them. And don't think that you will be getting a lesser quality animal if you buy a pet as opposed to a show dog. They are equally healthy and as lovingly cared for and will live just as long. The only difference might be cosmetic, where the markings just aren't right, or the tail is a little crooked, or the head is a little small according to the breed standard. This only means that they would not be right for the show ring but certainly doesn't mean that they wouldn't be a wonderful household companion.
To recap, once you have decided on this commitment, don't be in a hurry for a puppy. Talk to as many breeders as you can, remembering that this should be someone who you will be able to turn to for advice and guidance throughout the life of your new family member. Pick a breeder who you believe to have the best interests of the breed in mind, not someone running a puppy mill who is just in it for the money. Breeding Swissys is a labor of love and a tremendous amount of work. It is also very expensive, but to properly socialize the puppies, it is not possible to raise more than 1 or 2 litters at a time.
So visit potential breeders, and see how they and their dogs live. Then pick the one that's right for you, and enjoy your new life with your new best friend!
