Our interest in Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs began after watching a program on Animal Planet featuring this magnificent breed. We also attended a dog show in Virginia Beach where we saw many Swissies and talked to their owners. At the dog show, the Barton name was mentioned repeatedly as excellent and reputable GSMD breeders.

From the first time we contacted the Barton’s, to this day, Jim and Cheri have been extremely helpful and generous with their time. They have provided us with the knowledge and guidance on how to properly raise a healthy and happy Swissy.

In January of 2002, Baron came home to live with us. Because of his easygoing temperament, large build, and great beauty, he has attracted quite a following. He thoroughly enjoyed his obedience training classes, and became a Certified Therapy Dog in 2004. Baron is a member of Therapy Dogs International, and has attained his “Active” working title with 50 documented visits as a pet therapy dog.

Baron is currently a member of the “Buddy Brigade” pet therapy team at The Children’s Hospital of the Kings Daughters, and visits long term hospitalized children of all ages. He also is a therapy dog at DePaul Hospital, visiting patients in their Behavioral Medicine Department. Finally, at Virginia Oncology Associates, he visits cancer patients as part of their pet therapy program. The hospital staff, nurses, and patients at all the facilities know him well, and look forward to his visits. Baron’s calm, gentle nature, and sociable personality make him an ideal therapy dog.

Baron is also active as an educational therapy dog at the Portsmouth Children’s Museum, and the NSPCA Children’s Summer and Spring Break Camps. Kids especially love Baron and respond to him. Baron loves kids, and is naturally attracted to them.

Baron is a great brother to our lab, Buster, and is a wonderful addition to our family.

The Barton Family has been wonderful. Jim & Cheri are extremely helpful. They made every attempt to make sure we understood what a commitment the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog would be. On January 15, 2000 we brought home our first swissy and it wasn't long before we wanted another one. We are eagerly awaiting our second puppy from The Barton's and we have not regretted a single minute. Our puppy has a great disposition, he is intelligent and a wonderful companion to our children. We proudly tell everyone he's a BARTON SWISSY !

"Owning a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog has been an exciting and fulfilling experience. Our Swissy Dalton has become a beloved member of our family, and we are delighted to see the bond beginning to form between he and our 4 month old daughter developing. She squeals in delight and her face lights up each time he comes over with his wagging tail to see her and gently kisses her hands and her head. He is always calm around her, and he has NEVER shown any aggressive tendencies towards the baby, or anyone else for that matter.

We are 110% satisfied with our decision to adopt a Swissy, as well as with our choice of Jim and Cheri Barton as breeders. The Barton's hold Open Houses usually one time every month where interested people can visit with the dogs and to learn more about the breed. We were hooked from the beginning and visited every open house that they held, not only to get our "swissy fix", but also to visit with the entire Barton Family. The Barton's are truly amazing people who we keep in close contact with even after getting our dog. We still send pictures and movies to update them on Dalton all of the time.

The Barton's breed their Swissy's in a family environment where all members of the Barton household are included in some way or another, and we believe the results speak for themselves. Dalton is a show-quality dog, but much more importantly, a wonderful, loving addition to our family."

Before choosing the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog as our family pet, we had recently lost our Golden Retriever, who had lived twelve years as a member of our family, and we wanted another large dog, but this time with short hair. We saw a program on Animal Planet featuring the Bartons and their Swissies. We felt drawn to them from the beginning, but some of the reported features of the breed were daunting. We had to see them for ourselves. We drove from New York to Maryland, and spent a delightful afternoon with Swissies of all ages. We fell in love with the breed, and we found our breeder in the Bartons.

The dogs were large, but we were impressed with the sociability of each dog we met. The breed is the most handsome, eye catching breed we have encountered. The Bartons made us comfortable and confident with them, and assured us with their competence as breeders. They love their dogs with a great devotion. The decision was easy. We placed our order.

An agonizing year later, we drove again to Maryland and picked up our beloved puppy. We named him Boomer after our late dog's champion grandfather. We chose the "spunky" pup, in favor of a more sedate choice. Our new family member is so loving and sociable, we know we made the right choice. He goes where we go whenever remotely possible. He travels well in the car. He draws attention everywhere, for his handsome appearance, his well proportioned size (130 lbs and growing), and his intelligent, social demeanor. He was easily house trained, and he knows all of our names. His intelligence is extraordinary. Mention a name, and he looks at the person. On walks off leash, Boomer never runs off, but stays with his family without constant re-call. Boomer's bark rattles the windows, but the worst he can do is kiss you. With small children, he is gentle and patient. He seems to recognize who can be played with, and who is fragile. In conclusion, the love which this dog has for our family is evident. He knows when one is absent. He waits at the door at appointed times of return of a family member. He in return is loved by all who meet him. We highly recommend the breed for all ages of children, and as a constant faithful companion and protector.

My name is Kathy Caslin. My husband Dave and I have known the Bartons for many years and have found them to be concerned, conscientious breeders. We have been to their home and seen the clean environment and good care their dogs receive.

The Bartons are among the early leaders in our breed in the United States. Jim is a former president of the GSMDCA and author of the most definitive book to date on the breed. It was the leadership of the Barton family that lead to the development of weight pulling as a sport for the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog.

We have always known them to be honest and reputable in their dealings with people in the breed.

Are Swissy's good with kids you ask?... We were blessed to receive Casey in August of 1999. Having read up on Swissy's and visited the Barton home (many times to play with the dogs!) we knew the breed was what we wished for in a doggie companion!

In December of 1999 we had our first son, AJ. Now, one year later, Casey (18 months) and AJ (13months) are the best of friends! I can not believe how gentle she is with him!! AJ hugs her and tugs her all day long and Casey has always been the perfect puppy with him. Casey is 100lbs of fun and "big sister" for AJ! She is so good with AJ and all the young cousins. We are so happy to have her. Thank you for choosing to breed for temperament!! Your efforts SHINE through in our Swissy, Casey.

My first experience with the Bartons was via a phone call to Cheri, inquiring about Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs. I had lost my Golden Retriever to cancer, and was very much interested in learning more about GSMD. Cheri spent an enormous amount of time on the phone, answering my many questions, while at the same time screening me as a prospective puppy buyer. I subsequently visited her home with my family, and got to meet her wonderful crew of Swissies. I received my first Swissy puppy (Lexy) in October, 1997. She is a beauty, but very much an "up" Swissy, who received her confirmation championship title in September, 1998. Much to my heartbreak, while screening her joints for possible breeding, I learned that she had elbow dysplasia. In addition, she developed urinary incontinence. I found the Bartons to be extremely supportive during this time when Lexy was have health problems. Cheri immediately offered me another show puppy, at a reduced rate, which I received in March, 2000. Yogi is a wonderfully sweet boy who is starting his show career.

The Bartons are extremely kind and honest breeders, who have been breeding Swissies for many years. They are very knowledgeable, and are more than willing to answer any and all questions that prospective buyers may have. In addition, they are a valuable resource for the owners who have purchased dogs from them, and they stand behind all the dogs which they have bred and sold.

My family has two wonderful Swissies for whom we love. My children would be lost without them. They are a wonderful addition to our family.

I have known Jim and Cheri Barton since March 1993. My husband and I were referred to them by Howard Summons who, with his wife Gretel, was one of the original American breeders of Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs as we know them today. In spite of our history with the dominant behavior of our previous dog (also a large working dog), Jim and Cheri entrusted us with their beautiful Foxy and then Britta ("the girl who came to dinner and stayed 5 wonderful years!"). They encouraged us to believe the problems wouldn't happen again--and they didn't! We went on to add our "Gabby girl" to the Swissy family; what fun we all had! So much, in fact, that the story continues...Foxy and Britta are gone now; but the memories of Foxy's wonderful last few months playing with her granddaughter Ella, who had come to be ours, are part of that story.

My life has changed but my Swissy family is still here (and bigger than ever). With 2 moms and 3 daughters-yes, 5 girls living in my house- I certainly know a lot more, and am still learning, about these wonderful dogs. There are many times when they give me such pleasure and a sense of pride- and times when I want to give them to the garbage man! The former fortunately out-weighs the latter! Through it all I know I have Jim and Cheri when the "going gets tough". Their guidance and counsel over the years speak for themselves. Thank you my friends.