Our Story

I am completely astounded by how SwissRidge has grown since its humble beginnings with just one dog at my mom’s house in Beaverton, Ontario. At 15, when I produced my first litter, I started dreaming big – but not so big that I ever expected to see my pups leashed to celebrities in Hollywood magazines!

That’s happening now, but, of course, the glamour goes to the dogs. I’m still cleaning out dog pens, delivering litters of pups, doing vet runs, or driving my truck around filled with supplies.

I’ve been breeding dogs since 1997, but I formally established SwissRidge on a 20-acre property in Lindsay, Ontario, in 2004 once I graduated from college.

Here are some highlights from SwissRidge’s official first decade:

• I built my reputation through careful and conscientious breeding – health-testing each and every dog, and sharing the records publicly. I provide lifetime support to my clients, and my contract stipulates that any dog I breed is returned to me if for any reason an owner cannot keep it. 
  
• I introduced my “matchmaking” program, in which I choose the right puppy for a client. This involves close observation of the puppy, temperament testing at 7 weeks using the Volhard puppy aptitude test, and careful scrutiny of detailed applications from clients. Although I breed for a calm temperament, subtle variations can make all the difference in fit with a client’s needs. Since introducing this process, client satisfaction has soared. 
  
• I developed a new hybrid in 2003 called the Bernedoodle. I was the first breeder to intentionally match a Bernese Mountain Dog and Poodle and I coined the name Bernedoodle. Now their popularity is growing around the world.
  
• I developed a new hybrid in 2013 called the Golden Mountain Doodle. I was the first breeder to intentionally mix a Golden Retriever, Poodle, and Bernese Mountain Dog, and I coined the name Golden Mountain Doodle.
  
• SwissRidge has become the kennel of choice for Goldendoodles, Bernedoodles and Golden Mountain Doodles. My client list now includes famous artists, athletes, and movie stars. 
  
• My breeding program was profiled very positively on Animal Planet’s Breeder of the Pack, and the episode continues to air monthly. 
  
• I published a book, Bernedoodles: A Head to Tail Guide, in August 2013, which has well over 100 positive reviews. 
  
• The SwissRidge Facebook group currently has about 11,000 highly engaged members, who kindly promote my dogs through word of mouth, and also help each other in ways I never imagined. This forum has become incredibly rewarding!
  
• I have never not sold one of my puppies and none of my puppies or dogs have ever ended up in a shelter or humane society. We have a take back policy that any dogs that a client can’t keep for whatever reason must be returned to us. This prevents any SwissRidge dog from ending up in a shelter.
  
• I have passed every annual kennel inspection with flying colors. 
  
• I have made accessibility and communication major priorities, even as the kennel grows. While I now employ staff to help care for my dogs and support my business, I am hands-on in every respect – even if that means the late night cleaning shift, and especially if it means a puppy delivery! 
  
• My special relationship with my clients means they can tell me what they want and need, and I try to adapt and accommodate where I can. When someone proposed crossing the Bernese and the Poodle, I gave it a try – with fantastic results! When people started asking for older puppies with some training, we launched the imprinting program. Listening to my clients has always served me well.
  
• In 2012, I co-founded an organization called SwissRidge Dogs for Kids, where I donate puppies and fully train them to be service dogs for children in need.
  
• I hold an annual SwissRidge Doodle Romp, where my clients come from far and wide with their dogs to reunite.
  
• I developed a new hybrid in 2015 called the SwissRidge Doodle. This vision took years to achieve because it was done with great deliberation. After years of breeding the SwissRidge Doodle I now have a premium SwissRidge hybrid that has all the traits my clients love in a gorgeous, healthy, allergy-friendly package.
  
• I  built a brand-new, state-of-the-art 6,500 square foot breeding facility in Schomberg, ON. The doors opened in December 2015. 
  
• Due to changes in U.S. laws regarding the transport of dogs across the border, we opened a new facility in New York to better serve our American clients. This expansion makes the process of bringing home a SwissRidge puppy even smoother and more convenient for our US clients. It officially opened in 2025.

I am looking forward to growing with my clients, and continuing to provide not only quality dogs, but also evolving services and the excellent customer experience people have come to expect. 

Our second facility is located in Friendship, New York, on a stunning 30-acre property. This location offers plenty of trails and a large outdoor play area where the dogs can run, explore, and enjoy the fresh air. Friendship is an easy commute to New York City, New Jersey, Connecticut and Massachusetts. We are located just over an hour south of Buffalo airport, so no matter what State you are located in it is an easy commute to pickup your Bernedoodle or Goldendoodle puppy. We also offer flight nanny services.