My Life with Danish/Swedish farmdogs

by Hans Vanags

Almost five years ago Greta a farm dog was born and just a few months later came to live with a family that still loves her to this day. The family who received Greta was my family. I am 11 years old living in the mountains of Colorado with my two dogs. When we wanted a dog it had been six years since our German Shepherd mix passed away. My dad is actually allergic to dogs but still loves them. So we searched for a dog that was good with children (my sister being four and me being seven) and also wouldn’t bother my dad’s allergies to much.

We found the breed of the Danish-Swedish Farm Dog online. We talked to a breeder in California but soon learned that there was a closer breeder only a state over in Cheyenne, Wyoming. This is when we met Helene. Helene was very nice and looked like the perfect person to buy a dog from. She kindly placed us on the waiting list for Greta. Greta was born in September on the 3rd her mother being Maddy, one of Helene’s own dogs. A couple weeks later in the month of November we brought Greta home. The most curious puppy I ever had searched the house for days. She grew up into a little farm dog and eventually had puppies.

Helene, the breeder who gave us Greta was happy to take our dog over seas to the start of the Danish-Swedish Farm Dogs, Denmark. Zeus was Ginger’s father one of Greta’s four puppies. In all Greta had two males and two females. These were Taz a male, Elwood a male, Sussi a female, and Ginger a female. Since Helene and us both wanted a female we decided to take Ginger and let Sussi live with Helene and her other two dogs a couple of hours away.

Ginger was the smallest pup but we loved her just as much as the others. Currently a year and a couple of months old she was born August 26, 2008. She now lives with us and her mother learning new stuff everyday. Greta and her daughter Ginger love to go on runs in the forested trails with us. Traveling to such places as Indiana or California or even to dog shows is a huge excitement for them. Ginger is currently able to sit on a moving skateboard and Greta has some amazing ribbons to her name. Her daughter Sussi and son Elwood are also award winning dogs. At the moment Greta is four years old and Ginger is a year old. These farm dogs are the most loving and energetic creatures, I have ever seen they are very smart and will always have a place in my heart.

- Hans Vanags