Solothurn newspaper  

Rahel Buehler October 10, 2018

For today's World Dog Day, we paid a visit to the Swiss Purebred Dog Breeding Association in Dulliken. The association was founded in 1988.

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Brigitte Schärer is a board member of the Swiss Breeding Dog Association (SRZ) and runs the stud book office. Her husband Felix Ludwig Julmy is the president of the association, her address in Dulliken is the seat. "The goal of the SRZ is not just to breed and sell puppies, but to continue the different breeds in a responsible manner," explains Schärer in the living room of her family home. on the lap of one of their dogs.

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The SRZ is a recognized breeding association that was founded in 1988 to support breeders in Switzerland in their work. The association controls them and their animals, finds potential new dog owners and ensures that the guidelines that apply to dog breeders are observed.

"Before each breeder is accepted into our association, the breeder is checked in detail," explains Schärer. For example, hygiene, outlet options and the condition of the future mother dog are checked. The task of those responsible for the studbook is then to issue the dog and its breeder with a breeding license. This approval has the effect of a seal of quality. "The advantage for the breeders is that they can prove that they comply with animal welfare and hygiene requirements," explains the Dulliker.

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Not only the adult dogs are checked, but also the newborn puppies. There are clear rules as to which animals may be used for further breeding. There is a separate litter acceptance report for this. Everything is documented on it: number of animals, date of birth, condition of the mother bitch and the puppies: are they alert or apathetic? Are they overweight or underweight? Are they in good maintenance condition? Puppies with an umbilical hernia, a kinked tail or an overbite should not be bred from. "It can be inherited," explains Brigitte Schärer.

Her tasks as responsible for studbook also include the creation of genealogical tables, so-called pedigrees. This proves the origin of each puppy over four to five generations: an important tool for the breeder.

According to Schärer, the SRZ has almost 200 members ( as of June 2020 ) - and the trend is rising. Affiliated to the association are breeders from Switzerland and some from neighboring countries. From small animals such as Chihuahuas to large specimens such as Labradors, which are often used as guide or rescue dogs, all breeds can be found in the association's directory.

“Every few years a new trend emerges – just like in fashion. The French bulldog is particularly popular at the moment,” says the dog lover, who describes working with dogs as her great passion.

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Brigitte Schärer has held since 1982  Yorkshire Terrier herself and is President of the Yorkshire Terrier Club Switzerland. She is not currently breeding, her three seniors are getting on in years. Next year it should be that time again when a young lady dog will come into her life.

She would never keep any other breed of dog. "Yorkshire Terriers are loyal, affectionate and have a strong protective instinct." She also urges caution: “When buying a dog, animal shelters should also be considered.

Dogs from animal shelters are also fun and should be given a chance.”

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