Puppy Application

Puppy Application
Thank you for your interest in Jotunheim Great Swiss. If you are interested in being considered as a home for a Jotunheim puppy, please first take the time to educate yourself about all aspects of the breed. I suggest you begin by reading these articles and Costs of Swissy Ownership before completing the application.
If you are serious about adding a Swissy to your family, please read Joining the Jotunheim Pack and take the time to complete the following questionnaire in order to aid me in matching my pups with the homes that best suit them.
You may find the questionnaire very helpful to you as it may raise questions/concerns you may not have thought of or addressed.
Please tell me as much as possible about yourself and your family, your background/experience with dogs and your reasons for wanting this breed.
I take pride in being very selective in my placement process.
It is crucial to me that my pups have a great life and are placed with people who share my level of commitment to their dog.

NOTE: If the purchase price of a Swissy is a concern (typically $2000 - $3000 USD) then the cost of caring for this breed over the course of its life is probably beyond your means. In that case I would urge you to consider adopting a dog/puppy from a rescue group or one of the many overcrowded shelters in the USA.

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Name *

Email *

Street Address *

CIty *

State *

Zip Code *

Phone Number *

Please list NAMES and AGES of all family members living in the home. *

Are you planning to add children to your family in the next 1-2 years? *

Do you have live-in help who will be involved in caring for the dog? If so, please describe their experience with caring for and training a dog. *

Do any members of your household have special needs? If so, please explain. *

Please list the pets you have owned in the past ten years. If pet is no longer with you , please give the cause/reason. *

Where do you live? *

CIty Suburban Rural

Describe your home *

House Condo Apartment

Do you own or rent your home? *

Do you have acreage? *

Do you have a fenced yard? What is size of yard and what is type /height of fence? *

What is your occupation? *

What is your typical work schedule (hours per week)? *

What is your spouse/partner's occupation? *

What is your spouse/partner's typical work schedule (hours per week)? *

Is anyone in your household allergic to dogs or other animals? *

Does everyone in your household like dogs equally? Has anyone had a bad experience (been bitten or otherwise frightened)? Please explain. *

In what areas of your home will the dog be permitted? *

What is your experience with large breed dogs (over 80 lbs), specifically breeds from the WORKING and/or HERDING Groups? *

If you have children, are they accustomed to being around large, energetic dogs? *

Have you ever returned a dog to its breeder, and if so, for what reason? *

Have you ever adopted an animal from a shelter or rescue organization? *

Have you ever given away, sold , or surrendered a dog to a shelter or rescue organization? If so, please explain the circumstances. *

Have you ever bred a litter of puppies? If so, how many litters ? Which breeds? *

How did you become familiar with the Great Swiss Mountain Dog breed? *

When did you begin your search for a GSMD puppy? *

Have you met any adult GSMDs in person? *

If yes, please list place, owners name (if you know it) and approximate time of meeting (last year, last week, etc) *

Why do you believe the GSMD is the right breed for you and your family? *

What other breeds have you considered in your search, and why? *

Are you familiar with the history and original purpose of the GSMD ? *

Are you aware that the GSMD can be difficult to train and house training can take up to six months or more? *

Are you aware that the GSMD as a breed is prone to some health problems, the treatment of which can cost thousands of dollars? *

Are you aware that the GSMD has an above average incidence of epilepsy, and urinary incontinence (in females), which although often treatable can be challenging both emotionally and financially? *

Are you willing and prepared to deal with such conditions? *

Are you aware that the GSMD sheds year round with heavier seasonal sheds? *

What type of personality are you looking for in a dog? *

List any behaviors you would not be able to tolerate. *

Who will be the primary caretaker of the dog? *

Where will the new puppy/dog be primarily living? *

Is someone at home all or part of the day? *

How many hours will the dog be left alone each day? *

Where will the dog stay when left alone? *

What are your thoughts on crate training? Do you plan to use a crate to train your dog? How many hours (maximum) would dog be crated per day? *

Do you travel often? How many weeks out of the year are you typically away from home on vacation or other travel (work, etc)? What arrangements will be made for the care of your dog while you're away? *

Where will your dog sleep at night? *

How do you plan to housebreak your puppy? *

How will you exercise your puppy/dog? *

Will you agree to feed a premium grain free food to your Swissy? ( $60 or more for 40 lbs which is a month's worth for an adult Swissy)? *

Will you be able to feed your puppy at least 3x per day, and your adult Swissy 2x per day for the rest of its life? *

Will you have time to take your puppy to a weekly obedience class from the time it is about 3 months old until it can pass an AKC Canine Good Citizen test? (That's typically a 6 week Puppy-K class followed by at least 6 weeks of basic obedience. Classes typically meet once a week for an hour) *

What experience have you had training dogs? *

How will you socialize your GSMD puppy? *

What do you estimate the annual costs of caring for your Swissy (food, preventative vet care, dog walkers/day care, training, etc.) to be? *

Will you commit to this dog of the next 10-14 years in sickness and in health? *

Do you prefer a male or female dog? *

If you are set on a particular gender, please explain the reasons for that preference. *

Do you have strong feelings about the markings of your Swissy? Would you be wiling to take a red, blue (dilute) tricolor, or overly marked (a lot of white) Swissy *

Do you plan to show or breed your Swissy? Have you ever shown a dog before? *

Do you plan to compete with your Swissy in Obedience or Agility, or in Working events such as Draft, Herding or Pack Dog Hikes? *

What activities do you plan on doing with your Swissy? *

Will you agree to spay/neuter your Swissy if bought as a companion animal only (non-show)? *

Will you agree NOT to breed your dog, if bought as a show/breeding prospect, until it reaches the age of 24 months, has completed an AKC Championship and has passed its OFA skeletal clearances (hip, elbow, shoulder), as well as CERF eye clearance? *

Will you agree to return this dog to me if f you are unable to keep it for any reason? *

Were you referred to me by anybody in particular? *

If yes, please list them. *

Please explain the reasons (if any) you may have for wanting to get your GSMD from me or a specific litter. *

Are you working with or on any other breeders' waiting lists? *

When would you like to get your puppy? *

If you have a strong preference for a particular time frame, please explain. *

Would you be willing to travel here to meet me and later to pick up your puppy? *

Please feel free to add any additional comments you may have or things you would like me to know about your or your situation , or questions . *

Select Gender Preference *

Select show vs companion preference *

Choose Any *

Checking this box signifies that all answers and information provided in this application are truthful and that no misrepresentations have been made.

Submit Form

If you want a puppy from me, you will have to be patient as I only have litters occasionally.
I am happy to refer you to a few other HOBBY breeders whose practices and priorities are comparable to mine.