Frostire

We breed for Health, which is the foundation on which dogs are built, it ties onto all other aspects. Even the best working dogs need to be in good health to perform their tasks. A healthy dog generally has good structure and temperament.

Our dogs are health tested extensively by specialist veterinarians and new health tests are continuously being done as new diseases come to light, and their tests developed. Currently we test for Hip Dysplasia, Elbow Dysplasia, Degenerative Myelopathy, Multi Drug Resistance 1, Pituitary Dwarfism and Cerebellar Hypoplasia WSS Variant, and over 200 genetic diseases.

The WSS has a small genepool, we also breed for a low level of inbreeding, by testing and matchmaking the COI of pairings.

As proof of our health, all dogs are health tested, and outside stud males pedigrees are extensively researched prior to breeding.

We breed for Temperament and character is necessary in all roles. An anxious show dog will not have the correct temperament, carriage and presence, thereby losing a competitive edge, no matter how beautiful they may be. A nervous dog cannot work to it’s full capacity in many circumstances, thus being unreliable. As a pet, without a good temperament, often poor behaviours will arise, rendering them unable to take a simple walk around the block without fear or “aggression”.

Our ideal dog is socially adept in any environment with people and dogs alike. A devoted member of the family, affectionate without being overbearing, watchful without aggression.

“Lively, without nervousness, attentive and watchful; towards strangers, sometimes slightly aloof but never apprehensive or aggressive.” – White Swiss Shepherd FCI Breed standard.

As proof of correct structure, all dogs are shown and worked prior to breeding.

We breed for working ability; intelligence, nerve, play, hunt drive and eagerness to please etc. One of the beauties of dogs is their deep desire to work with us, it is deeply rooted, after all they are descendants of wolves who chose to work with us.

As we modernise, many of these jobs are slowly being phased out and replaced by technology, we no longer have draft dogs and rarely do our dogs hunt anymore. But dogs are adaptable, instead of draft dogs, we have mobility service dogs, instead of hunting dogs, we have SAR dogs.

Even if there is no immediately suitable job available, one day there will be, and so we aim to preserve working ability, which includes companionship. This is why an off switch is so important to us too. Companionship and working ability are not mutually exclusive.

As proof of our working ability, all our breeding dogs are titled in multiple disciplines. This demonstrates not just working ability but social adeptness in all situations and environments.

We breed for correct structure. The physical layout of a dog can affect it’s well proportions and movement; unbalanced proportions and movement can cause uneven weight and power distribution, leading to premature damage on the body. This effects the working ability, health and by extension temperament of the dog as pain and soreness can affect a dogs mind.

Though the correct structure can be open to interpretation, we do our best to breed for, without exaggeration or glamour in mind; while I personally prefer long coats, we will have medium(short coats).

As proof of correct structure, all dogs are shown prior to breeding, and we aim to have show titled it, proving they are at the very least, correct enough to be consistently falling within breed standard.