Warmest Greetings

My Story

Pugs were my breed of choice when I started breeding.  To help keep our pugs safe, my partner Art & I wanted a larger dog presence on our property to help ward off the area's many predatory animals and birds.  Our dog search started in the fall of 2013.  We researched many dog breeds before we discovered the Appenzeller Sennenhund breed.  Luckily, we connected with Mirjam Hofman (AMDCA member/breeder). With Mirjam's help and support in researching the breed, we concluded that Appenzellers:

• have no inherent health issues (unlike pugs) with greater average longevity than most dog breeds;

• are vocal;

• have great guardianship traits;

• have amazing agility skills; 

• are devoted companion dogs.

These were the qualities we were looking for and we could not have found a more suitable breed.  We are very thankful to Mirjam for all her support while we were doing our research and for her ongoing support since then.  

Our next hurdle was finding an Appenzeller to adopt. The expression "Good things come to those that wait" couldn't be truer due to the rareness of this breed. Through the help of the former AMDCA President, Deb Schnieder, I was finally connected to Sheryl Green, Bläshunde USA in December 2014.  We are so grateful to Sheryl for entrusting us with one of her H-Litter puppies. Hilja Bläshunde USA aus der Leinmasche, our first Appenzeller, came to live with us in February 2015. 

​

It was never my intention to breed Appenzellers. However, because there are so few Appenzeller breeders in North America, I was asked if I would consider breeding Appenzellers. Because of the ongoing encouragement from other North American Appenzeller fanciers, we finally agreed and had our first litter in 2017 under the kennel name Deroche Appenzellers (named after the small town where we lived).  We have had five Appenzeller litters under this moniker, including our most recent E-Litter in February 2024.  

​

I joined the AMDCA in 2015 and was appointed the Club President shortly after.  I held the President's position until the beginning of 2023 and then passed the reigns over to Keith Hermiz.  I was also very fortunate to be the AMDCA Club Registrar from January 2021 to October 2023 which sparked my interest in historical pedigrees that I continue to research and build on. The AMDCA is a small but well-organized dog breed club with extremely dedicated members as devoted to the Appenzeller breed as Appenzellers are to their humans. You would have a hard time finding a more supportive group.  So, if you are an Appenzeller owner and not an AMDCA member, I would encourage you to join this Club.  You and your Appenzeller will be glad you did.

I am currently associated with the AMDCA (Appenzell Mountain Dog Club of America), the CKC (Canadian Kennel Club), the AKC FSS (American Kennel Club Foundation Stock Services), the UKC (United Kennel Club), the IABCA (International All Breed Club of America), and the PCC (Pug Club of Canada).

​

In May 2024, I relocated to Stony Plain, Alberta with Rik (aka Ch Highleigh Ulric) and Dani (aka Daenerys von den Sommer Wald).  Art will continue to reside in Deroche with Buca and breeding Appenzellers in BC under the Deroche kennel name. I plan to breed Appenzellers from time to time at my new location.  To keep things less confusing for our mutual Appenzeller customers and families, I have named my kennel 'Sun Meadow Appenzellers'.   ​​

​

Wishing you all the best in Appenzellers.

Debbie Dales