Southbound Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Club

11/07/2024

Southern SENNtiments first issue of 2024 is now available! Members can access the newsletter through the link sent to their email!

If you own a Swissy and live in the southeast US, we would love to welcome you to our Swissy community! Membership information and enrollment form is available at:

https://www.southboundgsmdc.org/membership.html

18/05/2024

A club history lesson - around this time of year, 15 years ago - Cilla Phillips, beloved Southbound founding member, proposed and the board adopted the name of our first "Working Dog Extravaganza" - Swissypalooza.

Brett Jarriel, principal of The Design Source consulting, donated his time and skills to create the this beautiful logo, which has been used on publications and merchandise for all our Swissypalooza events over the past 15 years.

15/04/2024

Southbound Fun Day 2024 Photos

13/04/2024

Fun was had by all at our annual Fun Day! I didn’t take near enough pictures, but enjoy the few that I did take.

06/04/2024

1 week away from Fun Day in Perry Georgia! Preliminary weather looks to be sunny and on the 70’s!
Things to bring:
Stuff for raffle
Sunscreen 🌞
Dog🐾
Chair🪑
Money for raffle💵

So excited to see everyone! We have a few games planned for those wanting to have extra fun with their pup, so wear comfy clothes!

05/04/2024

Judging program for Perry is out!

Saturday: Designated Specialty
Ring 2; 9:15am; first in
Noon: Fun Day starts! Food will be available starting around 3.
Be sure to print your gate pass for Fun Day (link under Cotton Classic on this site:
https://www.southboundgsmdc.org/future--past-events.html)

Sunday: Independent Specialty
Ring 7; Sweepstakes 10:30am
Ring 7; Regular classes 11am

Please be sure to come cheer on the puppies and veterans on Sunday morning and grab some coffee and a snack ringside starting by 10am. Thank you, Mary Sezer, for handling ringside hospitality again this year. It is so appreciated!!!

Click here to request Southbound sponsorship of an event (members only )

04/04/2024

Looking forward to a great time at the Southbound Annual Fun Day and Picnic on April 13, 2024 at the GA National Fairgrounds in Perry, GA. The FUN DAY PASS can be downloaded from the Southbound Website Future Events Page.

22/03/2024

Just a reminder that Perry entries (GSMDCA designated and independent specialties hosted by Southbound) close on Wednesday, March 27.

Senior Sweeps Classes (18-24 months) are an option this year, so please enter your youngsters.

16/03/2024

Huge thanks to everyone who put in time to put on the draft trials in Aiken a couple of weeks ago! It was a great trial - first Draft Capability Tests performed, too!

Judges Melissa Jarriel and Steve Cippola were phenomenal. HUGE thanks to Melissa and her husband Brett for hosting at their property. It was perfect, and the weather was fabulous for the dogs and the people. So much preparation went into this event, and we cannot thank you three enough!

We had Swissys, a Berner, a mixed breed, a Leonberger, and an Australian Shepherd compete! We even had teams come from Arizona!!!

Saturday:
4/4 DCT passes (Vision, Sundance, Ember, Kiba)
6/8 draft passes
- three new NDD (Adler, Timber, Levon)
- new NBDD (Adler with Fletcher)
- new DD (Adler)
- additional open leg toward MDD3 (Fletcher)
- Vision and Ember were sooooo close!

Sunday:
1/1 DCT pass (Vision)
3/9 draft passes
- new BDD (Adler with Fletcher)
- new NDD (Vision)
- new DD (Levon)
- Ember was very close again!

Thank you to all who helped - Mary Sezer and her family, Amy Allen, Faye Erickson, Hank, and anyone else I may have forgotten.

Here are some photos I took. Melissa probably has better ones of the new title holders :)

05/03/2024

Premium is up and entries are open for the Southbound hosted GSMDCA Specialty shows in Perry, GA. April 13-14, 2024.

Would love to get great counts at the shows and great participation at our Fun Day.

28/01/2024

Not quite ready to enter a draft trial? The draft capability test is a new offering and is a good way to test how your training is going or to do a little practice before your draft test.

The premium for the February 24-25 draft capability tests and draft trials is available online. You can view it and enter online here:

https://www.southboundgsmdc.org/future--past-events.html

Please comment below or contact Laura Bullock ([email protected]) if you have any questions.

Hope to see you there!

Click here to request Southbound sponsorship of an event (members only )

13/01/2024

The premium for the February 24-25 Draft Trial and Draft Capability Testing Event can be found athttps://www.southboundgsmdc.org/uploads/1/7/7/2/1772819/feb_2024_draft_test_premium_list_final.pdf We have dedicated this event to the memory of our beloved friend and long-time Southbound Club member, Linda Yanusz.

06/01/2024

The premium for the February 24-25 draft capability tests and draft trials is now available. You can view it and enter online here:

https://www.southboundgsmdc.org/future--past-events.html

Please comment below or contact Laura Bullock ([email protected]) if you have any questions.

Hope to see you there!

Click here to request Southbound sponsorship of an event (members only )

07/12/2023

Remember we told you we're working on some great working events for 2024? Well, get your calendars out and make plans to attend one of both of these coming up in February!

February 10-11 in Pelham, Alabama - Stacey Gwin is hosting a back-to-back pack hike! Reach put to her for more information.

February 24-25 two day Draft Trial and Draft Capability Test (exciting, new offering for untitled Draft dogs) in Aiken, SC. Reach out to me for more information - premium will be coming out soon! We will need several volunteers if you'd like to come help - you'll learn a ton and get great advice on starting out. The Draft Capability test is a GREAT way to demonstrate how you've started at home, too!

February 24-25 East Tennessee - there is also a back-to-back pack hike hosted by Debbie Echols! Please reach out to her for more information.

So, mark your calendars and start/continue conditioning your dogs for pack hike and practicing your drafting! Hope to see many of you at one or both events.

More to come! Who's excited and who's planning to attend?

05/12/2023

Who's getting excited about our Specialties in April? The embroidered totes for The Cotton Classic have arrived and look fabulous! Make plans to attend our designated and independent specialties in Perry, GA on April 13th (including Fun Day!) and 14th (including ringside breakfast).

04/12/2023

****UPDATE: Additional parade opportunity will be the Tryon, NC parade 12/13/23 starting at 5:00 pm. We will stage in the Methodist Church parking lot between 4-4:30. Please join us if you can! I know a number of you have already told me you are planning to come! 🎄🇨🇭🎄🇨🇭Again for both parades. I’ll have the matching Christmas wreaths the dogs can wear around their necks & light up necklaces! We’d love to have you join us!!🐾. Jan

****Just a reminder for anyone wanting to join us for the Helen GA Christmas parade, it is this coming Saturday 12/9/23. We were invited again by the Chattahoochee Valley Bernese Mountain Dog Club to join them.

Parade starts at 2:00 but they suggest you get down to the line up area vicinity by noonish just because this is a very popular parade you will need to find parking. Everyone meets in the parking lot in area right by the River at corner of Chattahoochee St & Edelweiss Strausse. The berners have a meeting prior to parade. Here’s my cell if you need it: (704) 616-7358 Jan Clifford

05/11/2023

Attention Members: Swissypalooza

Earlier this year, the Southbound board decided to postpone Swissypalooza from the originally planned dates of November 2-5, 2023 to May 16-19, 2024 due to event conflicts with the Chesapeake & Potomac GSMDC regional specialty the same weekend and proximal timing of the National Specialty finishing up the week prior. The new event dates in May were selected due to availability of the event site as well as avoiding conflict with the Cotton Classic held in April. However, after discussion regarding availability of volunteers, past event attendance, a conflict with the 2024 National Specialty next October, and careful consideration for the comfort of participants and dogs in the accommodations at the event site during mid May, our board has concluded to postpone Swissypalooza until 2025. We do not yet have a set date for 2025.

If you have made RV reservations for May 2024 at AH Stephens, please be aware and make any necessary changes to your reservations.

In the interim, we are planning several individual working and social events across the southeast to engage our membership in 2024, more details to follow.

27/10/2023

The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Club of America National Specialty wrapped up last night in CA. BIG congratulations to two Southbound dogs for being in the Top 20 in 2022 - Rumble ( #6) and Melissa Jarriel did not make the big trip west, and Prince ( #10) and Debbie Echols, who made the journey. Congratulations!

Big congratulations to Prince and Debbie for his Award of Merit at the National!

Way to represent, Southbounders!!!

13/10/2023

It's that time!!! Trophy Sponsorships for the 2024 shows are now available. Thank you to those winners from last year who opted to sponsor this year. We've now opened it up to everyone. Please either comment here or email me at [email protected] to reserve your sponsorships. You will get a PayPal invoice for payment.

These are currently available and the list will be updated at least daily until we fill all spots. Thanks so much!

Saturday – Designated Specialty
Best of Winners $25

6-9 Puppy Dog $20
9-12 Puppy Dog $20
12-18 Dog $20
Am Bred Dog $20
Open Dog $20

6-9 Puppy Bitch $20
9-12 Puppy Bitch $20
12-18 Bitch $20
Am Bred Bitch $20
Open Bitch $20

Sunday – Independent Specialty – The Cotton Classic

Select Dog $45
Reserve Winners Dog $30
Reserve Winners Bitch $30

Am Bred Dog $25
Open Dog $25

6-9 Puppy Bitch $25
Am Bred Bitch $25
Open Bitch $25

Best Puppy $35
Stud Dog $25
Brood Bitch $25
Brace $25

Puppy Sweepstakes - Sunday
15-18 Dog $25
6-9 Puppy Bitch $25
9-12 Puppy Bitch $25
12-15 Bitch $25
15-18 Bitch $25

14/08/2023

ATTENTION !

After much discussion, review of potential participation, and assessment of availability of volunteers, the Southbound Board has decided to postpone Swissypalooza to May 2024. If you have already made RV reservations, please remember to update them to the new event dates of May 16 - 20, 2024. Please check the planned schedule for May at the Swissypalooza website and we hope to see you there.

​The American Heritage Dictionary defines a lollapalooza as "something outstanding of its kind", but after the Lollapalooza tour, the term palooza is usually used as a suffix to indicate an...

25/06/2023

Let’s see the last picture of your baby(ies) on your camera!

07/06/2023

Reminder for annual dues! We appreciate your support! Your dues help our club offer Swissy activities throughout the year - Swissy Fun Day, Swissypalooza, Pack Hikes, Weight Pulls, Drafting!

Even if you don't think you can join us for an event this year, please consider membership as a great way to stay connected with this awesome Swissy community. Dues are only $25 (individual) to $35 (family). Junior members (when not part of a family membership) pay only $20.

Please renew your membership by July 1, 2023.

Renewing your membership is a 2-step process:
1) Fill out this online form so we know who is renewing
https://www.southboundgsmdc.org/membership-applicationrenewal-new.html

2) Pay your dues, either online or via check to our Treasurer
a) Pay online here: https://www.southboundgsmdc.org/club-informationmembership.html
b) Send a check via snail-mail to our Treasurer

Please mark your calendars to join us for the 2023 Swissypalooza which will be held November 2-6 at A. H. Stephens State Park in Crawfordville, GA. There will be lots of fun events planned. More info will be sent out soon.

Membership Co-Chairs

Anna Mack & Stacey Gwin

Instructions: Please complete all required fields and click "submit" at the bottom of the form then pay dues using links on the Club Information page or by mailing a check to the club treasurer: ...

21/05/2023

Southbound Friends - It’s time to sign up for the 2023-2024 year! Please do so by July 1, 2023. Thank you for supporting the club!

Renewing/applying for membership is a 2-step process:
1) Fill out this online form so we know who you are
https://www.southboundgsmdc.org/membership-applicationrenewal-new.html

2) Pay your dues:
a) Pay online here: https://www.southboundgsmdc.org/club-informationmembership.html
b) Send a check via snail-mail to our Treasurer

Instructions: Please complete all required fields and click "submit" at the bottom of the form then pay dues using links on the Club Information page or by mailing a check to the club treasurer: ...

14/05/2023

Happy Mother’s Day to all the swissy and human moms out there.

Share a picture of your pride and joy.

27/04/2023

Our beloved breed is extremely versatile. From working on a farm to holding down the couch. 😉
How do your working dogs work?

19/04/2023

I hope that everyone made it home safe and sound and has been able to get back into their routine.

Saturday’s Funday was amazing as always! Special thanks to all that make this event fun! From the backdrops, the egg race, the raffle, the maze, and the weight pull there was fun to be had by all!

Sunday’s ringside hospitality table was amazing as well! I LOVED the dog bone sandwiches (so cute)!!

For those that attended- what was your favorite thing?

For everyone-would you like to have something specific included next year?

Photo to show one of the amazing backdrops that we had available this year.

29/03/2023

REMINDER—COME JOIM US! Southbound annual picnic and membership meeting and FUNDAY that will be on Saturday 4/15/23 at 1 PM! PLEASE RSVP HERE IF YOU ARE PLANNING TO COME TO FUN DAY & LET ME KNOW HOW MANY PEOPLE & DOGS YOU PLAN TO HAVE. Trying to get a head count for our BBQ meal. Club providing meat & drinks. WE ASK THAT IF YOU CAN PLEASE BRING A SIDE DISH TO SHARE and DESSERT always welcome!
Reminders for those planning to attend! The annual meeting and fun day will be held at the Georgia National Fairgrounds in Perry, GA from 1p-5pish on April 15th, 2022.
There will be games and activities for you and your Swissy as well as fun Southbound merchandise available for purchase. Kim Floyd will be organizing our popular raffle! Please start considering items you would like to DONATE for the raffle and please contact Kim to coordinate donations if you are unable to attend this year. You can contact Kim at:
[email protected]. If coming, just bring donations day of or give to her earlier at show so she can be getting things together.
Our raffle is only as good as our donations! Tickets for raffle items will be available at Fun Day so don't forget your $$ cash to participate.
This year we are going back to our popular BBQ meal. The club will provide the meat & beverages and on site. PLEASE BRING A SIDE DISH TO SHARE. DESSERT IS ALSO ALWAYS WELCOME. RSVP please so we can get an accurate headcount!! If you have questions, please let me know. Fun Day will be in the Deep South area of the Fairgrounds. Ask at the gate if you need directions. Annual membership awards will be given out & the Val Guthrie award.
THINGS TO THINK ABOUT BRINGING!
Your adorable pup ready for fun, socializing & photos
chair
sunscreen & hand sanitizer
table/tent--there are two large shade trees but it gets pretty hot
Water/snack for your dog
crate /x-pen if you wish-dogs must be leashed or in an x-pen or crate
cooler
raffle donations
$$ for raffle & merchandise
fun day car pass & map attached
We look forward to seeing everyone in Perry!!
Jan Clifford & the SB board