seneca greater swiss mountain dog puppy application
Male pet/companion puppies which are not in contention for showing/breeding are to be neutered after 12 months but by 18 months of age once the growth plates close. I encourage the neutering of companion males sooner for the minimization of the behavioral traits most families do not want set in with their pet males for life and the traits they will find the hardest to train(i.e. marking, humping, posturing at other dogs etc) and manage.
Female pet/companion puppies which are not in contention for showing/breeding are to be spayed no sooner than after completion of their 1st estrus cycle, which must also be over 12 months of age. Our best recommendation for females is after their second estrus cycle and around 2 years of age. I encourage the spaying of females over 12 months of age ideally around 2 years of age to minimize the chances of post spay incontinence, chronic urinary tract infections, and other minor chronic issues associated with early spay of not sexually mature females. Generally, female Greater Swiss do not exhibit the same obnoxious temperament characteristics that can occur with the intact male over 18 months of age.
All Seneca companion/pet (e.g. not placed as show puppy) are required to be neutered by 24 months of age unless other decisions are made in conjunction with Seneca GSMD.
What makes a puppy a companion puppy versus a show puppy? These are some descriptions of what makes a puppy available for companion/pet placement. These are cosmetic deviations in the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and have no general reflection on health and temperament
Companion puppies may have one or more of these traits or none:
Female pet/companion puppies which are not in contention for showing/breeding are to be spayed no sooner than after completion of their 1st estrus cycle, which must also be over 12 months of age. Our best recommendation for females is after their second estrus cycle and around 2 years of age. I encourage the spaying of females over 12 months of age ideally around 2 years of age to minimize the chances of post spay incontinence, chronic urinary tract infections, and other minor chronic issues associated with early spay of not sexually mature females. Generally, female Greater Swiss do not exhibit the same obnoxious temperament characteristics that can occur with the intact male over 18 months of age.
All Seneca companion/pet (e.g. not placed as show puppy) are required to be neutered by 24 months of age unless other decisions are made in conjunction with Seneca GSMD.
What makes a puppy a companion puppy versus a show puppy? These are some descriptions of what makes a puppy available for companion/pet placement. These are cosmetic deviations in the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and have no general reflection on health and temperament
Companion puppies may have one or more of these traits or none:
- Blue eye or eyes
- Kinked tail/ Curly tail
- Any coat color other than black
- Overbite or other malocclusion
- Excessive white or rust markings over the eyes, head, body, tail or legs
- Too minimal of white or rust markings over the eyes, head, body, tail or legs
- Other minor variations from the AKC Breed Standard .