Dufenhof Swissies

Irrepressible… That is the word I would use to describe Rudy. Others that come to mind include ‘lively’, ‘mischievous’, ‘rambunctious’ and yes, ‘pushy’. She was  all those things, but she was also very  loving & loyal, never forgetting a friend whether they were human or canine.

Rudy had a lot of adventures in her life, which was probably a very good thing because a bored Rudy often spelled trouble. Nothing terrible, but … let’s just say  she would make sure you didn’t make the same mistake twice.

Coming from a litter of twelve, I think she must have liked the activity level of a litter that large because even as a tiny puppy she  was never too tired to play or to tag along with the big dogs. Whether we were at the Swiss Festival in Helvetia, WV or playing with Mastiffs in Mississippi,  Rudy was happy to be included.

While Rudy finished her championship very easily and did quite well in the show ring, as well as in the weight pull chute, for a variety of reasons she was not destined to be bred. Due to her diminutive size a ‘specials’ career in the show ring was also not in her future. So what to do with a little Swissy who needs a job & loves to show, never puts a foot down wrong but shouldn’t be bred? The answer turned out to be to send her to a little girl NY to become a Junior Showmanship dog.  Although my friend Lynne Kenney already had a Swissy, her daughter Josephine, then twelve,  needed a less reluctant canine partner for the Juniors ring. So Rudy made the trip with me to Nyack where she joined the Kenney household and became Josephine’s dog. 

During her years in Nyack, Rudy and Josephine had many ups & downs in the Juniors ring. Swissies are not a typical breed for a Junior as they are not considered ‘flashy’ enough, but persistence and practice paid off and many victories came their way.  Rudy loved the spotlight and having to practice frequently helped to keep her from getting into too much mischief at home.

As Josephine prepared to go off to college, Rudy herself began to slow down (not too slow, just slow for Rudy) and show signs of some arthritis and it was decided she would join Peggy Beveridge in NYC. Peggy had been a doting aunt to two Swissies for many years, but never had one of her own. She contacted me looking for an older Swissy who would  fit with her schedule and lifestyle and I though about Rudy. A meeting was arranged and it was match made in heaven, Rudy joined Peggy’s household and quickly became a big part of Peggy’s extended family.  Living to be almost 13, in her final years Rudy’s “job” was to be cherished companion for Peggy’s parents who she stayed with each day while Peggy worked.

Though Rudy did not leave behind any descendants, but she definitely left all of us with many wonderful memories. 

Rudy

Ch Suddanly Tutti Frutti, WWD

Breeder:  Dan Campeau, Suddanly Swissies

Date of Birth: May 17, 1997

Rudy's Health Clearances

Sire: BISS Ch Shadetree SeaVaRidge Kudos

Dam:Ch Shadetree-Suddanly Godiva

Rudy's Pedigree

Rudy & Josephine 

Best in Junior Showanship

Three Generations

Six month old Rudy with her mom Diva and grandmother Bitzee