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.