About Us

Il Duce von der Schädelzmatt

My name is Il Duce von der Schädelzmatt.

I was born on May 8th 2006 at Zuchstätte von der Schädelzmatt in Lommiswil, SO, Switzerland. I am the last son born to my mother, Reika vom Chöpfli and my father, Zeno vom Glichenberg

I was nearly two pounds (700 grams) when I was born and I've heard that it's an extraordinary birth weight for an Entlebucher puppy.

I was nurtured in Lommiswil by Franziska and Seline Hofer, my mother Reika, Gerrit von Garstnaeck, Aida v.d. Entlebucher Bodenmatt, and my sister Iaki. Phew! It was a household of females and they taught me well. I am exceedingly social and (so I'm told) quite sweet and affectionate for a boy.

On the other hand, being the only boy, I am used to playing the part of the 'Prince'  and getting my own way. I learned to use my 'male-ness' very early on in life and I have to admit that I can be downright stubborn. My personality was apparent early on and the name I was given rightly illustrates my character. I am the 'Leader' or, if you will, the 'Chief' or the 'Duke'.

I traveled on a big Swiss International airliner to California when I was nine weeks old. I was already too large to be accepted for travel in the cabin of the aircraft. I was banished to the cargo compartment but I got to travel in the very back of the airplane just beneath the tail emblem of the Swiss flag. How appropriate! I had friends watch over me both at Kloten Airport in Zurich and at LAX Airport in California. I definitely received VIP treatment - on two continents!

I am growing up in Southern California, three blocks away from the Sunset Strip. My home, in the heart of West Hollywood, is very far and very different from the farm where I was born. When I was very young I played in the fields and shared my days with friends who included the goats, the pigs, and the cows. Nowadays I play with my dog friends surrounded by the million dollar mansions of Beverly Hills and my route to the local grocery store takes me past the outdoor cafes and trendy clubs along Sunset Boulevard. I like to go to the beach as often as possible where I am learning to navigate the ocean waves. Jumping and playing in the ocean surf has become one my favorite activities. I also enjoy all the parks and hiking in the mountains above the city. There is still a lot of open and undeveloped land around town which is home to deer, coyotes, rattlesnakes, and even mountain lions. I don't know what all these creatures are yet so I need to be cautious when we hike. Not everyone in the hills, I've been told, wants to be my friend!

What I still don't care for, and have not yet accepted, is all the sunshine. I don't like the sun and the heat at all ! My aversion to the sun and to the heat can make going on some excursions complicated. I have been known to complain and whine bitterly when the thermometer rises and my overwhelming goal is to head for the shade. No one can relax and enjoy the sights since my wish to escape from the sun always involves a lot of coaxing, leash pulling, and (yes!) combat. I do not yet know what it is to experience a rainy day or to stay indoors because of unpleasant weather. I guess this is what's known as the 'California Lifestyle'.

I look forward to many adventures and we have set up a Blog to chronicle my exploits, accomplishments, and my development. I hope you will visit my Blog often to catch up on the latest news and to share my escapades. There is so much to see and do and I am excited by so many possibilities!

Jeneva von der Schädelzmatt

Greetings!
I am Jeneva v.d. Schädelzmatt and I've just arrived from Switzerland during the last week of October 2007.

As it is with Il Duce, I am also from Zuchstätte von der Schädelzmatt in Lommiswil, SO, Switzerland. However, I am from a different family line, and out of entirely different parents. My mother is Aida v.d. Entlebucher Bodenmatt and my father is Caro v.d. Auenrüti. My father has had prior breeding experience but I am from my mother's very first litter. This highly anticipated first litter produced six puppies; 1 boy and 5 girls. Quite an accomplishment for my young mom!

While arrangements were made to acquire Il Duce last year, there were no thoughts to bring another Schädelzmatt to California. However, already seeing great potential in the then 14 month old Aida, plans were set in motion at that time to consider one of her pups. With that idea in mind, my mother Aida's following year easily went according to schedule: hip ratings were very good, the PRA Genotype rank was "A", the Swiss Ankörung was a great triumph, the first breeding attempt was successful, and her puppies were born healthy and strong. It was my destiny to come to California.

I was born August 22, 2007 and Duce came to Switzerland in October to meet me. We became immediate friends and companions. I flew to California in the Business Class cabin of the Swiss International flight but, poor Duce, had to travel in the cargo hold of the airplane with the fragile baggage and the mail. He accepted it very well and handled it like a true 'frequent flier'.

I am now settling into my new life in Southern California. I love to walk around West Hollywood experiencing many new things and meeting many new friends. I have even been to my first California beach and I loved it! I am not afraid of much. The trash trucks and big street sweepers around town don't stop me from walking with great fortitude but I fuss over the smallest sparrow and encountering a crow can throw me off for the rest of my walk. I have been known to challenge the stray party balloon and grocery bag, leaving echoing barks in my wake. I undertake patrolling the neighborhood very seriously.
I am a Diva. From a very early age I knew instinctively how to get what I want by simply looking coy and fluttering my eyelashes. My flirty little high-pitched bark also adds to the allure. This performance works every time and experience has shown me that I am hard to resist. I can seduce everyone, and especially every male dog in town, almost instantly. No exceptions. Well, maybe Duce..... He loves me too and we are a good match but, unfortunately, he understands me very well and I don't get my way some of the time.

I am also told that I have been misnamed. Coming from the J-Litter, opinion is that I should have been named "Jaws". I can snap my teeth hard enough to closely replicate the sound of castanets and, once within by vice-like grasp, little survives intact. Anything found, or should I say unattended, is "fair game". The search is the attraction. If I find it, I will conquer it. Period. There is enough shredded paper and dog toy stuffing about to serve as testimony to this claim.

I look forward to many adventures and we have set up a Blog to chronicle my exploits, accomplishments, and my development. I hope you will visit my Blog often to catch up on the latest news and to share my escapades. There is so much to see and do and I am excited by so many possibilities!

Karma von der Schädelzmatt

Hello. My name is Karma

I was born to Cora von der Wendelinsmatte and Elio vom Schärlig at Zuchstätte von der Schädelzmatt in Lommiswil Switzerland. I am from a litter of five. All girls.

I love California and I am having SO much fun! I play all day and I learn new things all the time. I chase the birds in the backyard and climb the hills behind our house.
My best friends and my family are Jeneva and Duce. I am only about six months younger than Jeneva and we are also cousins, so she is my primary companion and teacher. We run and tumble all the time and find a lot of interesting things to do. We find all kinds of sticks and lizards and bring them into the house. We dig holes and play with the neighbor dogs. We have even created our own agility course by jumping through the screen doors leading into the rear of the house. Duce joins in too, of course, but he is more than a year older and, at times, stands clear of our crazy puppy antics. He is very tolerant of having two wild girls zooming through his day.
I am also learning to swim. I have already been in the pool but I splashed so hard I found it difficult to keep my butt afloat. I still need help getting around in the water. I have to work on not flailing my arms so much and finding my 'center of gravity'. My back end keeps sinking because of the uproar I create.

I am an enigma. I am not the protective watch dog of the group. I leave that to Jeneva. At her first alarm, I am off in the opposite direction. Jeneva and Duce will patrol for any signs of danger and I am happy to let them do so. However, I am not afraid of the unknown and will readily explore that dreaded cardboard box, garden hose, or rattling hula-hoop ahead of anyone else. I suppose if I am unaware that something or someone could be dangerous, I'm fine. I like to fearlessly explore. I am also tenacious and will not back down from any altercation within the group. I may be the smallest but I usually end up with the toy or the bone. Everyone generally gives up before I do.

I live in the Hollywood Hills and I am told that some of my neighbors are George Clooney and Britney Spears. I haven't met them yet and that's ok since I sure enjoy climbing and exploring the hillsides. There are so many treasures to be found and every day brings a new adventure.