My Quest for a Swissy....

As with most of you, I began my quest by seeing a Swissy.  I was on the Pearl Street Mall in Boulder in the summer of 1998 and  the gentleman who was training him was happy to answer all of my questions about this beautiful breed.  Some time passed, and I searched web sites, went to dog shows, and spoke with breeders for a few years on and off. 

In the fall of 2002 I lost my Daniel (the Spaniel) to cancer and was at a loss without a dog by the side of my bed at night.  I was fortunate enough to have met a breeder at one of the shows and decided to pull out that business card and make a phone call. 

This phone call resulted in a friend and I making a visit to a 5 week old litter of 9 (2 females, 7 males).  It took about five minutes, and I was hooked on Swissy Puppy breath!  At the time, all 9 puppies were spoken for, but the experience left me sure this was the breed for me.  I returned a couple weeks later to watch the adult dogs compete in a weight pull, and again was in love with every single puppy.  This time my luck had changed, and one of the buyers decided to wait and I was able to bring my "Lillabit" of a puppy home on December 26, 2002. 

Lillabit's name is CH Cordillera's Lil Bombardier.  If you know what a Bombardier is, well you will see the correlation!  At times she is called "The Bomb", but mostly she is Bit, Bitters, Bitter Spitter, or Lil the Pill.  She has personality, and makes it known when she is in the room.  As with all other Swissies, she is always eager to please, but sometimes it is pleasing you on her terms...which may take a little longer than on your terms!

The last three years have been a change to my life, both in maintaining a puppy, as well as entering into the world of dog shows, obedience training, pack hiking, herding, and now breeding.

After the first season of shows, I quickly realized that I was not as good of a handler as Lil needed me to be.  At ten months old, I turned her over to a professional handler, Linda Brantley, and saw her earn two 3 point majors in one weekend.  I was humbled, and accepted defeat in the ring.  If Lil were to achieve her full potential, I needed to step away from the ring. 

Late in 2003, I was fortunate to meet a great Professional Handler, Michael Blanchard, who was able to bring Lil to her Championship by the time she was 20 months, after only a few shows.  With Mike, she received another 3 point major, as well as six Best of Breed, numerous Best of Opposite, and a couple Best of Winners.  These earnings were both working towards her Championship as well as after. 

The Spring and Summer of 2006 brought about a wonderful breeding with "Bodhi" CH Moon Valley's Major Impact ROM.  Lil whelped 4 boys at home, and they have now all gone to local homes, with one staying with us.  Look for "Ranger", Bit-A-Swissy's Mountain Ranger, in the ring early 2007. 

John and I are both committed to the breed, are active members and hold volunteer positions for the GSMDCA, GSMDCR, and supporting members of SCONE (Swissy Club of New England) and the Crooked River Swissy Club. 

As well as seeing Mike showing Ranger at the shows,  we are at local parks on most weekends and you will hear the Barroooh coming around the corner.  Two Swissies chasing Chali - our Yellow Lab - You can't miss us!

Off to the Park!