About our Program
EMPHASIZING HEALTH, TEMPERAMENT, AND CONFORMATION SINCE 2020
OUR SELECTION PROCESS
An exceptional dog starts with exceptional genetics--that is why we have spent considerable time studying pedigrees and choosing the very best foundational dogs for our breeding program. We have looked far and wide to bring together genetic diversity, social and stable characters, excellent conformation, and solid health results. With every generation, our goal is to improve upon the last--that is the true artistry of breeding.
We actively compete in dog shows and a multitude sports with our breeding dogs. We have titled dogs in conformation, obedience, rally obedience, agility, dock diving, weight pull, nosework, tracking, and more. Our dogs are truly versatile--whether you are looking for a show dog, a sport dog, or a family companion, we have the perfect pup for you.
HOW WE RAISE OUR PUPPIES
While genetics lay the foundation, appropriate socialization determines the outcome. During the neonate phase and throughout their time here, puppies are handled daily to build early relationships and trust in people. When the puppies' ears open, we expose them to a wide variety of sounds: we drop food bowls, bang pans together, and play audio of fireworks, construction noises, city sounds, and so on to habituate the puppies to noisy environments. Beginning at around 3-4 weeks of age, our puppies are litter box trained so that they learn to potty away from where they sleep. At 6-7 weeks old, they move into our massive indoor/outdoor space where they can use a doggy door to go in and out as they please. They quickly learn to potty outside and keep their indoor space clean, making potty training a breeze when pups go home. We take the puppies on daily walks around our farm where they can explore various buildings, see and hear our chickens, and learn to stick close to the people.
OUR HEALTH TESTING PROTOCOL
All of our breeding dogs have been health tested for the following diseases:
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Hip dysplasia*
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Elbow dysplasia*
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Transitional vertebrae
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Congenital & adult-onset heart disease*
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Ocular disease*
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Autoimmune thyroiditis*
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Multi Drug Resistance 1 (MDR1)*
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Degenerative Myelopathy (DM)*
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Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA)
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Pituitary Dwarfism (PD)
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Cerebellar Hypoplasia (CH)
Testing includes radiographs under sedation, an echocardiogram, eye dilation and exam, blood panel, and a cheek swab for DNA. We utilize this testing to insure that we do not combine lines which share the same health defects within the pedigree. We use the Australian National Kennel Council (ANKC) for scoring hips and elbows because we prefer their more detailed reports over those from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFC) or the International Canine Federation (FCI) for these exams. For transitional vertebrae, we use INCOC, an organization created by two Finnish FCI radiograph scrutineers, which allows us to submit radiographs for grading despite living in a non-FCI country. For cardiac, eye, and thyroid testing, we use the respective board-certified veterinarians and submit the results to OFA to be recorded. For the remaining DNA-based testing, we utilize Embark and AnimaLabs in Croatia.
*Indicates testing required for an OFA Canine Health Information Center (CHIC) number.
FROM BEST IN SHOW TO HIGH IN TRIAL
Over the years, our kennel has produced more than a dozen show champions and multiple dogs titled in various performance sports. Our dogs have won many of the most coveted wins in dog shows and sports, from Best in Show to High in Trial. We have also had dogs in the annual rankings for the Top Ten best show dogs in breed and for All Star performance events.
We have made breed history on multiple occasions, with our foundation female, Furrari, being the first White Swiss Shepherd to earn the titles of Rally Obedience Master, Rally Master Excellent, Rally Master Champion, Rally Master Grand Champion, National Total Dog, Super Dog, and Super Dog 2. Her son, Enzo, is the first Breeder-Handler-Owner-Trained White Swiss Shepherd in the USA to earn the titles of FH1, Tracking 2, Tracking 3, Obedience 2, and Obedience 3 in the sport of IGP.
Dogs from our kennel have been successful in the following disciplines:
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Conformation
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Agility
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Obedience
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Rally Obedience
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Dock Diving
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Nosework
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Weight Pull
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Precision Coursing
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Tricks
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Animal Actor
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Canine Conditioning & Fitness
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Search and Rescue
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Service Work
Whether you are looking for a show prospect, sport prospect, adventure buddy, or family companion, we are confident that we can match you to a suitable puppy.