Terry & Bev

Both Terry & Bev Brown were brought up in families in which dogs were very much a part of the home and family structure. In our life together, we have owned several varieties of dogs. It was after the loss of a dog that we decided to research purebreds and began our 20+ year journey down the path of showing and breeding purebred dogs.  We started with Dalmatians, those high-energy, spotted dogs, and just recently said goodbye to our last one - Abe, age 14.  We were introduced to Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs  over 10 years ago and have since been dedicated to this beautiful, hard-working, affectionate breed. 

 About Calypso 

We first became intrigued with Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs when we saw pictures and an article in the July 1995 AKC Gazette. Our first important and enduring contact with the breed was with Rubin (CH Shadetree-SVR Ka Niu Nui CGC) and his owners, Don Dickensen and Cheryl Skoty. With their help and referrals we were introduced to Norm and DaLena Christensen of Snowy Mountain fame. As our relationship with the Christensens grew, they trusted us enough to sell us a beautiful dog we named Gus (CH Snowy Mt. Fergus v Calypso). Gus became a champion at 13 months of age after just 4 shows. Not only was he successful in the show ring, but became widely known in the Rocky Mountain region as a great ambassador for the breed.

Through a friend and fellow Swissy owner we were introduced to Holly Nagler of Maxamillion Kennels.  Holly inquired about using Gus in a breeding with her beautiful imported girl, Emely (CH Emely von Entingas). From that 2003 litter (conceived on Valentine's Day, born on Tax Day), we acquired a gorgeous girl named Maxie (CH Calypso Gusgal v Maxamillion). Even with limited showing, Maxie finished her championship in June 2005.

When Maxie was old enough to be bred, we worked with Karen Becker & Michael Reddin of Cordillera GSMD, since we were impressed with their dedication to the breed, the responsible manner in which they have managed their breeding program, and their willingness to support new members of the Swissy community. They graciously allowed us to use their handsome boy, Kai (BISS CH Cordillera's Future Legend), as the sire of Maxie's first litter in January, 2007.   That breeding produced 10 puppies (5 boys, 5 girls).  Out of this litter we kept Kronk, Dumer, and Avanti in our Calypso family.

Karen and Michael introduced us to Amy Pisarik of Imperial GSMD who agreed to a breeding between Maxie and and her beautiful boy, Alex (CH THN's  Dreammaker).  Maxie's second litter--5 boys and 3 girls-- were whelped March 29, 2008.    Sassy and Moon were our selections to remain in the Calypso family.

Amy & Chris

Amy and Chris Wilson have shared a passion for dogs for most of their married life.  Starting with the wedding present of a Rottweiler puppy in 1991, they have owned and trained several Rotties and a GSD mix in competitive obedience and therapy work.  However, in 2007, when it was time for Chris to choose his next dog, his employer, a community mental health center, would not provide insurance coverage for a Rottweiler therapy dog. 

Thus, our search for an alternative breed began.  The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog seemed like the perfect compromise - a large working breed dog that could do just about anything and fit right into our human, canine and feline family.  We acquired our first Swissy, Scrabble (CH CedarCove's Double Word Score CD WWD RTD CS CGC) from CedarCove Swissies in Loveland, CO, and promptly fell in love with the breed.  Scrabble became our first owner-handled conformation champion as well as a Delta Society-certified therapy dog and Chris' work partner.

With our last Rottweiler, Java, honorably retired to the couch, we were ready for another youngster, and soon we were co-owners of another lovely Swissy boy.  Moon (CH Calypso V Alex Raven Moon) was the pick boy from Maxie's second litter, and Terry & Bev were looking for a show home, which is how we started our relationship with Calypso.  Moon became another owner-handled champion and our commitment to this wonderful breed continued to grow. We were honored to be invited to join the Calypso family and share the dream of breeding, training and showing Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs. 

It is our hope that with our combined experience and energy, we can strive to produce the most beautiful, correct, capable, mentally stable and physically healthy Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs possible.