21 Ways to Love Your SwissyWell written dissertation by Dori Likevich that "road maps" the requirements of successfully providing for and understanding a swissy's unique needs. Is the GSMD the right dog for you?Think you want a swissy?... let past GSMDCA President, current BOD member and multiple swissy owner (the actual number at any one time varies greatly!), Karen Conant walk you through a series of questions to help you with your decision. Living with a SwissyCilla Phillips' experiential explanation of the who, what, when, where and how of sharing your home with a swissy... obviously written by someone who knows the breed well! Regarding TemperamentAnother refreshingly frank and sobering article written by Karen Conant, dealing with the true temperament of the GSMD. Karen and her husband Skip live with a pack of swissies so she brings a common sense understanding of the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog to the table. A great article that takes issue with producing a "tri-colored lab". This is an "offsite" article written by Suzanne Clothier of www.flyingdogpress.com, offsite because we have been given permission by Ms. Clothier to link directly to the article on her webpage. Suzanne is an excellent and prolific writer who does an exceptional job in this article of explaining how our dogs feel when faced with having their personal space invaded by another dog. It seems that we have a penchant for "swissy soirees" in our community during which we throw a bunch of our pets into someone's backyard and then get upset if one of them lets another dog know when the "personal space" barrier has been broached. Ms. Clothier explains this from a dog's perspective quite succinctly and in a very unique way... good reading! A reminder as to why we have a Breed StandardLori Price, perennial GSMDCA officer, Chair of the GSMDCA Standard Committee, author of the Puppy Buyer's Guide and Moderator of the GreaterSwiss.Com's Puppy Buyer's Forum, pulls us out of the ditch and back on the road when it comes to the "Standard" for the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog. Lori recently did an excellent job heading up the Standard Revision Committee for the national club which clarified the AKC Breed Standard seen on this website. Let's not let our "Swissies" become Greater (or lesser) AMERICAN Mountain Dogs! Some Insight on the Standard Revision And while we are on the subject of the AKC Standard... by an overwhelming vote of the GSMDCA membership and commensurate approval by the AKC, the Standard clarification Lori's committee worked so hard on has finally been approved. In this article, Lori expounds on what the changes mean and why they are so important to our breed moving forward. What is 2 X 0?Excellent muse by Gay Dunlap on breeding unsuitable dogs and mentoring (or lack thereof). If you are thinking about becoming a breeder, this is an article you should put on your to do list. Dog Shows: Sometimes It’s Tough Being a KidA strong supporter of junior handlers today even though her tenure as one has long since past, Kristin Krumpe's well written article on dog showing from the perspective of a youngster's indomitable spirit is wisdom of the best kind... personal experience! A Breed Above the RestA heartwarming article that appeared in "Santa Clarita Today" touting Myke Schwartz' involvement in therapy dog work with his Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs, "Jett" and "Hannah". A must read for anyone thinking about getting involved in this type of activity. Swissy HeroesBermuda High Kennel's, Cilla Phillips, lays pen to paper in a tribute to unsung swissy heroes and ends up detailing a uplifting portrayal of our beloved breed. Popular Sires and Population GeneticsAn excellent dissertation by C.A. Sharp, editor of the "Double Helix Network News". This article appeared in Vol. IV, No. 3 (Summer 1998) and is extremely timely considering AKC's recently announced 'Frequently Used Sires Program' that requires DNA Certification For Litter Registration. In our humble opinion, this should be required reading for all who conduct breeding programs. Heartbreak after heartbreak after...Wendy Ernst's post about her experience with her dog's epilepsy which inspired her to enter into veterinary medicine. Thoughtfully written, sobering and bittersweet... if this story doesn't tear you heart out, you don't have one. ... let me count the ways!Don Schwartz's attempt to explain the strong bond we develop with these dogs will get current owners a little misty-eyed while nodding their heads knowingly. Some things are just hard for us to put into words; like the overwhelming affection we have for our swissies... well, hard for everyone but Don. Great Stuff!!! Stepping Into The Pet Owner's ShoesDon Schwartz hits another nail on the head in this short article about the bond that develops between a pet owner and the animal. His point to breeders is that health guarantees, refunds and replacements are of little solstice to the grieving owner when their pet suffers a serious malady. GSMDs - Living with Health ProblemsDon Schwartz pens another moving article about what its like to own a swissy with health problems. It eloquently verbalizes the beliefs and motivation of this website and gives rise to a heartfelt understanding of why more needs to be done to protect this wonderful breed. Breeding Comparison - Leonberger vs. Greater SwissAn editorial by Webmaster, Michael Garvey, on the differences between the GSDMCA Breeding Guidelines and the Leonberger Club of America's Breeding Regulations. The comparison takes issue with the different paths chosen by the original group of Leonberger breeders in this country and those who tout themselves as "long time, experienced breeders" of swissies. Bloat (Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus)The latest research findings on Purdue's 5 year study on Bloat compiled and reported by Larry Glickman VMD, PhD |