"Bold, faithful, willing worker." - from the GSMD breed standard
Swissies come in many different temperaments and some show a greater aptitude towards working events. I have a high-drive, willing to do whatever I ask girl (Sprite) and then I have Kenzie and Riker who are very willing to please (Kenzie, willing to work for good pay usually!) and will do what I ask, just not so enthusiastically. I think the latter is much more a typical swissy attitude. They all have atleast one title and the girls have quite a few. Keeping your swissy active (physically and mentally) is a really important part of having a happy, stable dog, in my opinion.
Swissies are a member of the working group after all - give them a job! It's fun for you and great for the dog! The breed was developed out of necessity so therefore there are certain traits that are inborn in most of these guys. They were used by swiss farmers and butchers to perform many tasks that our dogs can still celebrate today. The farmers needed a large multi-purpose dog to work around the farm. Those tasks included driving cattle from pasture and protecting the property and pulling large loads of goods to market.
Herding
I have been arranging herding capability tests in conjunction with my local swissy club's Regional Specialty show for the past few years now and am amazed and thrilled with the amount of herding instinct still alive in our breed. Herding is great fun! With barely any training, Kenzie and I were able to earn a Junior Herd Dog title through the American Herding Breeds Association (www.ahba-herding.org). Sprite shows much more talent for herding and I can't wait to compete with her in the fall.
Drafting
All three of my swissies have atleast one drafting title. I am also an approved draft judge with the GSMDCA. Some dogs take very easily to this sport and some need some work in harness before they are truly comfortable. With basic obedience skills and a kind, gentle, reassuring hand, most any dog can accept a cart and have fun with drafting. If nothing else, cart rides are a hit at parties!! You can find more information about competetive drafting here- GSMD Drafting Page
My favorite drafting supply company is Wilczek Woodworks, but there are also many other good dealers out there. Dogworks is another popular choice.
Agility
I LOVE agility and regularly compete with Kenzie and Sprite. Sprite is an amazingly fun girl to do anything with, but especially agility! Kenzie is as steady as the day is long, but honestly, she's rather boring! She holds her AKC Masters level titles and was in the Top 5 AKC agility rankings for our breed in 2011, 2012, and 2013. Sprite is sure to follow that path in the coming year, already earning a bunch of agility titles in 2013 and 2014. Terra and Fresca will hopefully debut in the agility ring in 2015.
Obedience
Obedience is the foundation of all things fun with your dog. Without obedience training, you are often left with a wild, strong puppy that is sure to be a pain! This training should ideally be instilled in your new puppy from the start. I begin teaching my own puppies basic obedience commands and heeling from the time they are a couple of months old. This training should continue through the puppy's first year and you may find that you actually enjoy this activity! Kenzie and Sprite have their AKC Companion Dog titles and Sprite is currently working towards her Companion Dog Excellent title. Terra is hopefully next up to the CD award-- she has a fantastic work ethic and strong desire to please. She's been a truly wonderful student.
Swissies are a member of the working group after all - give them a job! It's fun for you and great for the dog! The breed was developed out of necessity so therefore there are certain traits that are inborn in most of these guys. They were used by swiss farmers and butchers to perform many tasks that our dogs can still celebrate today. The farmers needed a large multi-purpose dog to work around the farm. Those tasks included driving cattle from pasture and protecting the property and pulling large loads of goods to market.
Herding
I have been arranging herding capability tests in conjunction with my local swissy club's Regional Specialty show for the past few years now and am amazed and thrilled with the amount of herding instinct still alive in our breed. Herding is great fun! With barely any training, Kenzie and I were able to earn a Junior Herd Dog title through the American Herding Breeds Association (www.ahba-herding.org). Sprite shows much more talent for herding and I can't wait to compete with her in the fall.
Drafting
All three of my swissies have atleast one drafting title. I am also an approved draft judge with the GSMDCA. Some dogs take very easily to this sport and some need some work in harness before they are truly comfortable. With basic obedience skills and a kind, gentle, reassuring hand, most any dog can accept a cart and have fun with drafting. If nothing else, cart rides are a hit at parties!! You can find more information about competetive drafting here- GSMD Drafting Page
My favorite drafting supply company is Wilczek Woodworks, but there are also many other good dealers out there. Dogworks is another popular choice.
Agility
I LOVE agility and regularly compete with Kenzie and Sprite. Sprite is an amazingly fun girl to do anything with, but especially agility! Kenzie is as steady as the day is long, but honestly, she's rather boring! She holds her AKC Masters level titles and was in the Top 5 AKC agility rankings for our breed in 2011, 2012, and 2013. Sprite is sure to follow that path in the coming year, already earning a bunch of agility titles in 2013 and 2014. Terra and Fresca will hopefully debut in the agility ring in 2015.
Obedience
Obedience is the foundation of all things fun with your dog. Without obedience training, you are often left with a wild, strong puppy that is sure to be a pain! This training should ideally be instilled in your new puppy from the start. I begin teaching my own puppies basic obedience commands and heeling from the time they are a couple of months old. This training should continue through the puppy's first year and you may find that you actually enjoy this activity! Kenzie and Sprite have their AKC Companion Dog titles and Sprite is currently working towards her Companion Dog Excellent title. Terra is hopefully next up to the CD award-- she has a fantastic work ethic and strong desire to please. She's been a truly wonderful student.