Frequently Asked Questions about Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs & The Wildest Dream Swissies at Wildest Dream Farm.
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1. How much do Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Puppies cost? It is our experience that GSMD from reputable breeders cost anywhere between $1,600.00 and $2,500.00 depending on what part of the Country you are getting your Swissie from. For example; the West Coast at times seems a little more expensive then the Mid-West. Puppies sold as companions generally run in the lower range and the higher prices are reserved for show puppies. Our last litter we set the price range between $1,700.00 to $1,900.00. If you find a puppy for less than $1,500.00 do a great deal of field work (visit them and get to know the breeders) as there are puppy mills selling Swissies and these dogs are generally not very healthy and can be ill mannered. The real cost of owning a Swissie begins after the purchase price is paid i.e. food, supplements, toys, medical bills, emergency medical bills etc.
2. Where can I find a Swissie (Swissy) puppy? We think one of the best resources is the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Club of America (GSMDCA) Breeders Classified Section. The breeders listed in the classified section agree to abide by a minimum set of standards. You should always do your field work (go meet the breeders and their dogs) however, if you venture off the list make sure you are very thorough in your field work. The Swissy world does have The Good, The Bad and The Ugly.
3. Why do health clearances matter? Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs like many Giant Breed dogs are prone to hip, elbow, bone and joint problems. It is very sad to see a dogs life shortened by hip dysplasia or osteoarthritis. Health clearances help breeders make sure that the dogs they are breeding do not possess bone and joint problems. Sadly some breeders of Swissies do not do health clearances or will breed dogs that score poorly. Avoid these puppies as you increase your risks of caring for a unhealthy puppy/dog for its shortened life and you also reinforce these types of breeding practices.
4. Are Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs the "ultimate family dog"? Swissies can be the ultimate family dog, depending on what your vision of the ultimate family dog is. Swissies are from the working breed and are watch-dogs by nature. Being watchful is not something that you generally need to teach a Swissie. However what you do need to teach a Swissie is who to watch for and how to do the watching. This is done through socialization. Swissies require a great deal of socialization especially during the first few years of life. Socialization means that they need to be shown the world, go places, experience new things and especially new people and other dogs. If you keep them shut up in your house or worse locked in the backyard you may very well end up disappointed in your Swissies behaviors. Finally different breeders are focused on different qualities of a GSMD. At Wildest Dream we are working at producing our vision of the "ultimate family dog". Feel free to ask us about our vision.
5. What can we expect from a visit of Wildest Dream Farm? We currently have 8, 100+ pound dogs living in our home with us, Justus weighs 145lbs. If it is not raining or muddy out we will generally put the dogs outside as you arrive. As you come up the drive way you will be met with a chorus of barking and baroooos coming from either the front or back yard (separate from the drive way). We will come out to meet you and invite you in to our house at which time we will introduce you to our 7 Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs and Max our German Shepherd, usually one by one. We will then more than gladly share with you many Swissie (Swissy) stories and answer any questions you might have about the Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs of Wildest Dream Farm.
6. What do you get when you buy a Wildest Dream Swissie? For starters peace of mind knowing that we are breeding healthy males and females which is documented through health clearance, pedigrees, health histories as well as mom and sometimes the stud are at home living with us. Of course you also get a healthy puppy and we guarantee it with our health guarantee. In addition your puppy will have had it's dew claws removed, will have been wormed apx. 4 times, will be micro-chipped, will have had it's 8 week shots and will leave with Care and Feeding Instructions. Your puppy will leave our home confident and well socialized. We will also give you a few days supply of a premium food and supplement that we think are important to maintain the health of your puppy. In addition you will receive 24 hr. 7 day a week support.
7. How much do they eat and what? We feed our dogs what is called a "ultra-premium or premium food" The cost of the food generally ranges from $45.00 to $60.00 a 30lb bag. An adult Swissie will go through a bag about every 20 days depending on a variety of things. At Wildest Dream Farm we go through a bag every 3 days. We believe that good food will keep your dog healthy, live longer, be happier, and have fewer medical issues, so we require that the puppies leaving our home be fed a "ultra-premium or premium food" as well.
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