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About the Breeder

I’m Sherry Rupke, proud owner of SwissRidge Kennels.

As a young girl, I dreamed of a career as a dog breeder. I pictured an uncomplicated life in the countryside, filled with dogs and frolicking puppies.

SherryAndPup-largeI now have a life filled with dogs and frolicking puppies…and so much more. My days are also filled with hard physical work, strategic thinking, researching, managing staff and logistics, important decisions about dogs, business, and kennel design, wondrous moments as puppies arrive into the world, and the bittersweet departures of my pups to new owners.

Dog breeding, as it turns out, is not uncomplicated at all.

I had no idea how rewarding and challenging a profession this would become. I assumed it would be a solitary occupation – just me and my dogs – but it has evolved to be very much the opposite. I am surrounded by a huge community of dog lovers, including my staff, my family, my partner, and my clients. We all share a common passion. We all know that dogs transform lives and we marvel over those small miracles every day.

I was 15 years old when I produced my first litter of purebred Golden Retrievers. A year later, I fell in love with a stunning Bernese Mountain Dog named Mocca, and began breeding them, too. Purebreds were the default choice at that time.

The best thing that ever happened to my career was my mother’s allergies. I joke, but the fact that she wouldn’t allow my dogs in the house was the impetus to breed allergy-friendly, low-shedding dogs. At that time, the Goldendoodle was still uncommon, so for many years I put most of my energy into that wonderful hybrid.

The second best thing that happened to my career was that my parents insisted I “get an education.” My veterinary technician studies not only gave me concrete skills in working with animals, but they also expanded my vision for breeding. As I learned about the genetic diseases that afflict so many purebreds, I became determined to do whatever I could to ensure the dogs I produced would be as healthy and long-lived as possible.

Despite graduating at the top of my class and having a great job offer, I left school even more committed to a career of breeding dogs – and breeding them well. That meant more intensive researching of pedigrees, health testing, and temperament evaluation. It meant becoming ruthless in my selection of breeding stock – any dog that didn’t meet my standards was cut from my breeding program (and placed in a happy pet home!).

SherryAndHenry-largeThe costs of this research were high, especially at first when the best purebred breeders did not want to sell their dogs into a hybrid program. I had to travel to Europe and across North America to find quality kennels and dogs. Eventually, I established relationships with many conscientious breeders and it’s made my job much easier.

In fact, in the years since I began breeding dogs, much of the prejudice against crossbreeding has dissipated. I no longer have to whisper the word “hybrid” in hushed tones. It’s become more widely accepted that conscientious breeding of hybrids can reduce, if not eliminate, the health problems common in the purebred parent breeds.

I was always a perfectionist, but now I’ve become an unapologetic perfectionist. My goal is to breed healthy dogs with wonderful temperaments who just happen to be gorgeous as well. While some might think I’ve achieved that goal, I am always learning and striving to improve my program.

That’s how the Bernedoodle came to be. I had pretty much mastered the Goldendoodle and was successfully producing solid lines of Standard, Mini, and Tiny Goldendoodles. Meanwhile, I still bred Bernese Mountain Dogs. I loved their beauty and their sweet nature, but the breed is plagued with serious health problems and has an average life expectancy of just seven years. It was, and still is, extremely difficult to find good breeding stock – a problem I helped address by convincing my mother to apply her considerable talents toward breeding Bernese Mountain Dogs.

Bernese lovers are remarkably loyal to the breed, but many came to me saddened over losing their previous dog too young. One day a client suggested I cross a Bernese with a Poodle. I was intrigued. Could blending these breeds achieve the positive health results I was seeing in the Goldendoodle? Thus, the first deliberate pairing of the Bernese and Poodle took place. The early litters of black pups garnered good reviews from clients, and it was enough to keep me going.

Developing an excellent Bernedoodle program hasn’t been easy. Bernese are challenging dogs to breed, whether it’s to produce purebreds or hybrids. The coveted tri-color coat has been far more difficult to achieve than I originally expected; poodle color genes play tricks on breeders. I’ve described my adventures more fully in my book, Bernedoodles: A Head to Tail Guide. Since publication, however, I believe I’ve advanced a few steps in achieving the look I want – keeping in mind that, for me, appearance never comes at the expense of health or temperament.

Every Bernedoodle I’ve produced (every puppy, period!) is in a happy home. While I may still be perfecting the details of the breeding process, I am absolutely delighted with this hybrid, which offers the traits people love about the Bernese with better odds of good health and a long life spent together.

My career is immensely rewarding. I can’t imagine a better job than bringing people and puppies together. Using my education and research skills to improve on my work is a major bonus. I’m always pondering new ideas for enhancing my lines or my business in general.

SherryAnd_Lucas-largeI believe in my breeding program, and am confident promoting my work. SwissRidge was profiled on Animal Planet’s Breeder of the Pack series, and I’ve appeared on a number of shows with my dogs.

I also believe in giving back to the community in the best way I know how: through dogs. I have donated pups to several families of children with special needs. In 2013, I launched the first annual SwissRidge Doodle Romp, where we raised $8,000 for National Service Dogs. In 2014, the funds we raised at the romp were dedicated to training a dog I’d donated to a family where two children have special needs. In 2015, we raised $29,000 for Autism Dog Services and the money went towards raising and training the puppy I donated to them. See the Dogs for Kids section of the website for more information.

With a busy and growing kennel, it’s difficult for me to have downtime, so when my hobbies overlap with my work, it’s ideal. For example, I love traveling – especially if I can visit kennels, meet new breeders, and pick up a new puppy while away. I enjoy photography, and am happy to lie in snow or mud to get just the right shot – of my dogs! I also work out regularly to stay fit and healthy – for my active job! All in all, my favorite activities revolve around animals, and the fact that I can share this interest with my partner, expert dog trainer Lucas Mucha, makes my life so much better and more fun. This is not a life that would suit just anyone, but we feel very blessed and fulfilled.

We wrote the first book on Bernedoodles

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This comprehensive, easy-to-read and entertaining book covers everything you need to know about this amazing hybrid. Since Bernedoodles can vary significantly in size, build, coloring, and even personality, prospective owners need advice from someone who knows the breed inside out. Who better than the breeder who created them?

Pawsh Magazine – “… insightful tips for finding the right breed and puppy for your family dynamic.”

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Thinking of adopting a SwissRidge puppy?

Often people will want one of my dogs because they are irresistibly adorable. Please take the time to consider if this breed is the right choice for you and your family. Click the link above to answer some questions to help you see if our doodles are the best match for you.