My husband and I are moving from Zurich to Schaffhausen and, to go along with this country paced lifestyle change, we'd like a dog! We're between two breeds, Bernese Mountain and Golden Retriever. Just wondering if anyone can recommend a breeder for either of them? We clearly want to spend sometime with the pups and their parents before making a decision. Thanks

I always recommend to start by contacting breed clubs which can be located on the national kennel club websites www.skg.ch or www.vdh.de.

From the Swiss Kennel club here is the information I found:


Berner Sennenhunde (Bernese Mountain Dog)
Offizielle Welpenvermittlung (Puppies) des KBS, Schweiz. Klub für Berner Sennenhunde:

Natalie Assaf, Pappelweg 3, 3263 Büetigen, Tel. 032 385 13 08, Fax 032 385 13 09, E-Mail: welpenvermittlung@sunrise.ch

Welpen: Züchter aus der Region Zürich/Ostschweiz empfehlen sich für liebevoll aufgezogene Welpen! Infos: Ueli Schmid, Präsident RG Ostschweiz, Tel. 044 748 30 79, uschmid@bluewin.ch

«v. Fahrenbach» , Goldenes SKG-Gütezeichen, Elsi Büchi, 8353 Elgg, Tel. 052 364 23 07
«v.d. Gemeindematt» , R.u.H. Häner, Bubendorf, Tel. 061 / 931 32 54, www.stall-haener-gogel.ch
«v. Zälgli», SKG-Gütezeichen, H.P. und R. Aeschbacher, 3312 Fraubrunnen, Tel. 031 767 90 12


Golden Retriever

Beratung/Züchternachweis : Christine Baumann, Bächlirain 208, 3257 Grossaffoltern, Tel. 032 389 14 34

I always recommend starting with shelters, there are many goldens, labs and mixes looking for new homes.

take a look at this thread:
Adopting a pet from a Rescue Centre

Tnt, have you taken the SKN theory course yet?

If not (and assuming that you have not already had a dog registered in your name in Switzerland*, in which case you are excused), you need to do that before you go much further.

*For those who have owned a dog outside of Switzerland but never had one registered in one's own name here, you must submit proof of your previous ownership to the cantonal Veterinäramt. The Vetinäramt will then decide if you need to take the theory course, or not. Generally, 'owning a dog' means that you were the registered owner in your country, the person in sole charge of the dog, the person who did the training, paid the bills and took on the liability - not just a family member.

(And don't forget that you will need to take the practical SKN course within 12 moths of acquiring your dog, regardless of experience.)

First time dog owners and those whose previous ownership experience outside Switzerland does not meet the cantonal veterinary office's standard are required under the TschV to complete the SKN theory course before you acquire a dog. Any good breeder will ask for proof of the course before allowing you to have a dog. And any breeder who does not ask for such proof is not an ethical responsible breeder - walk away from such folks. Do not support irresponsible breeding.

For further tips on finding a reputable breeder in Switzerland, please see this thread:

How to spot a reputable breeder

Please also read the BVet brochures 'Augen Auf Beim Hundekauf' and 'Hunde Richtig Halten'.
http://www.bvet.admin.ch/tsp/02222/index.html?lang=de

But I'll second Ullainga's suggestion - please consider adopting a rescue dog. The breeds you are looking at often end up in shelters - there are several available on the Tierschutz database right now.

All the best.

We have looked into all the requirements- this is the main reason we never got a dog while living in Zurich and while both of us worked full-time. But after the move I'll be going down to 50% so we'll be able to handle it all!

And, of course, we don't want to support any but great, caring breeders- thats why I asked for recommendations!

I will keep an open mind towards adoption but I'm weary of it, my brother was attacked by a dog that was adopted, the new owners were not given the full history, and 9 years later he still has a massive scar down the side of his head and a puncture wound on his chin. I know there are great dogs in shelters but I'd have to be 100% convinced.

I understand that shelter dogs often have less than perfect pasts and of course this is a concern.
The trouble is though that you cannot know 100% that the puppy you have raised never attacks you. Even if you do your best - we had a dog in our dog school, the owner was doing everything right, her son was also a dog trainer and still the dog became so aggressive that they had to put it to sleep.No guarantees either way.

I really don't even blame the dog for what happened, but the people working at the shelter, who knew the dog shouldn't be around children but choose not to share this information. Knowing the adoptive owner had small children. I think they let their emotions get in the way and just wanted the dog to be adopted (it was older), instead of really making sure it was a good match. I guess thats why I'm weary about adopting a dog- I don't want a positive spin, I want the truth.

That is also true, many shelters in the world will give the dogs to anybody without assessing the compatibility and safety concerns. This does not seem to be the case in Switzerland though, I have heard many people complaining that the rescues are very strict in those matters.

I only have cats from Swiss shelter, so no personal experience with dogs from them. Maybe someone who has adopted a dog can share theirs?

The OP asked for breeder referrals. Let's not make this into another shelter vs. breeder debate.

Anecdotal stories about "no guarantees either way" will only muddy the issue, especially if you're not going to include causality (neuropathology??? genetic disorder???). Statistically the risks and benefits of certain factors fall out where they do, and those facts don't change.

The OP has decided that a puppy from a reputable breeder is the choice for their family, and they have asked for leads to that effect. Let's respect that.

I'm not debating anything or saying that OP should not get a puppy from a breeder. I don't see any harm mentioning that shelters are an option as well. Woudl not be the first time when someone plans to go to a breeder but ends up with a shelter dog.

And there are no guarantees either way.

the Basel tierheim had some Appenzeller pups looking for a home at the moment. the Mum is also up for adoption at the same time so I'm guessing that the pups have had a good start

ullainga is right. There is no guarantee that a dog will not attack regardless of its origins - be it a reputable breeder or a shelter. Of course I see the point where by you get a full picture of a dog's history if you get him from a breeder which some people do prefer. Here's the retrievers club in Switzerland, in particular, golden retrievers breeders:

http://www.retriever.ch/welpen/zuech...lden-retriever

I spoke to them when I was first considering this breed 3 years ago but went back to my terrier obsession in the end. The breeders are all knowledgable and extremely friendly over the phone, but please ensure that you get the SKN theory course out of the way first. Any reputable Swiss breeder will not entertain you now if you havent done that course.

Good luck and I hope you find the perfect new member of your family soon tnt!