Dufenhof Swissies

Miss Madison knew she was special right from the beginning and she was never shy about letting everyone else know it, too.

Even as a young puppy she never, ever did anything ‘bad’, but she was very careful to try to avoid doing anything she didn’t want to do.  And she was a master at manipulating those who loved her --if you weren’t careful you’d find yourself going along with her plans rather than her going along with yours.  

Thankfully my friends Mary Ann and John were up to the task of raising our willful girl and enjoyed adding a second Swissy to the household. It was easy for John, he just went along with Madison’s master plan and spoiled his girl silly from day one. Mary Ann had the harder job  -- keeping Madison happy, but to also keeping her from ruling the world. A former kindergarten teacher, Mary Ann knew just what to do.

Mary Ann & Madison enjoyed learning together about conformation showing, with Mary Ann guiding Madison to her first points toward her championship as a puppy.  Due to MaryAnn & John’s other commitments I took over the handling duties once Madison had grown up a bit.  As always, Madison managed to do things in style - her majors were earned on two specialty weekends, with a well earned Best of Breed win from the classes tossed in for good measure.

Madison’s most memorable dog show moment was her winning Best of Opposite Sex at the Westminster Kennel Club show in NY in 2006. As a breeder it was a very gratifying moment to have such a wonderful dog that I bred be recognized at such a well known & prestigious show. The fact that I was the one showing her was merely icing on the cake (and her littermate Denali also making the judge’s final cut was simply astounding) . You can watch the video by clicking here.

After her big win in NYC, Madison retired her show collar and whelped what would be her only litter. Like her mother & grandmother, she was a caring and attentive mother to her puppies. Sadly, Madison was never successfully bred again which is a true shame as she was not only a beautiful example of the breed in her own right, but she passed along many of her wonderful qualities to her puppies, with two of the four following in her footsteps into the show ring and earning their championships.

Madison died at age 8-½ following routine spaying surgery at her regular vet clinic. Although she came through the surgery fine and was sent home, during her first night of recovery some of the internal sutures failed. She was rushed to the emergency veterinary hospital where she underwent a second surgery to repair the damage. Sadly, even with the best of care at the emergency hospital, the overall toll on her was too great and she developed DIC (disseminated intravascular coagulation) several days later Madison had to be euthanized to end her suffering as nothing more could be done.

To see photos of Madison's litter, click here

Madison's titled offspring include:

McCoy, Ch Dufenhof The Real New Deal

Eliza, Ch Dufenhof Just Wild About Harry

Madison

Ch Dufenhof Song of the South

Breeder: Ellyn M Signet

Date of Birth: July, 11, 2002

Madison's Health Clearances

P2Y12 Status: Untested (1 offspring tested: 1 Carrier)

Sire: BISS Ch StoneLea Blockbuster ROM

 Dam:  Ch Dufenhof Precious Fat Chance, ROM

Madison's Pedigree

 Madison with Mary Ann and the blue ribbons after her first dog shows

Madison relaxing with her son Teddy