DON’T BUY NON-PEDIGREE DOGS

Fortunately, in Slovenia , Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs without pedigrees aren’t easy to find. It is a common belief that only some dogs from the litter get pedigrees, but in reality, all the puppies in the litter receive pedigrees, regardless of the number. Many would like to buy a dog without papers, because they don’t really know what the pedigree actually means. Pedigree is a guarantee that the dog comes from a lineage of dogs which were in perfect health and where the possibility of developing certain diseases is lessened or minimal (we can never be 100% sure). If you get puppies without papers, although their parents have pedigree, this means that there was something wrong with the health of the parents and that they were eliminated from breeding, since it is highly likely that a hereditary disease (for example, a severe dysplasia of the hips) carried to the offspring. It is true that non-pedigree dogs cost less, but think of all the possible treatments a puppy might need or that it may even die in the first months of its life. I think that explains why the pedigree is so important.

BUYING PUPPIES

A sensible future owner should think carefully before buying a dog. All family members should agree on the decision. In addition, dogs shouldn’t be given as presents.

Since Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs aren’t suitable for everyone, we always invite potential owners to come and see the breed and the parents in person. This is how we can see if the breed meets their lifestyle, and to clear up any doubts and dilemmas that arise.

We recommend that the owners learn in advance of the parents’ health test results (hip results have to be A/A, elbows and shoulders 0/0). The breeder is required to show the buyer the original results of the tests. The breeder will assist the customer in choosing the right puppy from the litter according to the preferences and character of the dog. A conscientious breeder identifies characteristics of each puppy and is able to predict what each of the puppies will be like when it grows up.