Located in upstate New York, Sweetmont is a small hobby kennel including 6 spoiled SFTs. As you can see we reside in an ever ongoing renovation project—a small 1880's Victorian. Though we have individual exercise yards and insulated houses, our dogs are primarily house pets that take turns reigning over the family couch.

Due to our increased involvement with smooth fox terriers, it has seemed wise to post photos, pedigrees, show records, and our history. Individuals interested in our dogs specifically and smooth fox terriers generally have a ready access to information that may be meaningful to them.

I have found it beneficial to study pedigrees offered by long standing kennels.

On a lighter note, the candid shots and stories shared by other rescuers and terrier owners have been a joy to view and read. Life with terriers is eventful, unpredictable, and challenging because they are not for the faint of heart. They are loveable, loyal, and sometimes a liability. But, NEVER are they boring!!

FRIENDS WHO HAVE ALL MADE THIS POSSIBLE

      I want to thank some of the people who have made my entry into the SFT realm possible. There is no way I could have as easily and effectively ventured into this world without their patience, guidance, hands-on assistance, and ongoing moral support.

      There is so much to learn when getting into the breeding and showing of dogs. I am "cerebral" enough to find and devour the best books and videos on all aspects of this fascination and adventure. BUT — no book can replace the experience and practical help of good friends who sincerely endeavor to help one get started—be it through phone conversations, answering endless e-mails, grooming my dogs until "I get it," taking them in the ring, giving me access to great dogs, or just allowing me to set up with them at the shows.

      Half of the "show dog" experience is social: making friends, sharing time, events, and endless discussions. It would be a much more stressful, lonely, and fruitless venture without others helping clear the way. For people like me who are genuinely interested, but sorely lacking in dog savvy, those of you who share and help us along the way are priceless.

      I was fortunate to cross the paths of Marie Heffron, Lynn Steel, Chip Lowe, Sarah Covell, Jill Soble-Smith, Lorrie Worden, Traci Mathews, Beth Hughes, and Eileen Olmstead who have helped me in countless ways.

      (I have listed names chronologically—in the order I have met them since I could think of no fairer way =) ) They in turn have put me in touch with great people. I want to thank all of you publicly for all you've done for me, my dogs, and my future in the breed. I think I've learned to love the fox terriers as much for the people they have brought into my life as for the wonderful creatures themselves. You are all much appreciated.

If you have questions or suggestions, please feel free to contact me at chele@sweetmontkennels.com.

Hope you enjoyed your visit!

Michele Brazie
Chief Kennelmaid to Sweetmont Terriers =)

SHADOW THE TALENTED TERRIER     -     Ramius's Red October

Our start with fox terriers might well be blamed on Wishbone of television fame and circumstances. In 1995, my daughter wanted to get a dog like Wishbone. Consequently, we began a search of area animal shelters and were given a lead on a smooth fox terrier that was being rehomed.

 

When we first set eyes on this boy, we couldn't get over the extreme energy and very long face. It seemed long to me because I had grown up around fox hounds, not fox terriers. It didn't take long to see this was too much dog for a 7-year-old girl, but no matter. The terrier had attached himself to my then 12-year-old son--a replacement for the 12-year-old boy Shadow had to give up due to a new stepfather coming into his previous family. family. family.

Shadow was the most amazing animal. He possessed the craziest quirks and funniest personality. This dog insisted on sitting on our feet or leaning his body against ours whenever anyone of us was nearby. Posted on our foot, he would assume a watchful demeanor as if to warn all comers that he was on duty.

 

Never having had a terrier or a house dog before for that matter, we were in for some serious training by this creature. Gates were pointless obstacles. He sailed right over them. Beds and pillows were not human items; they were dog possessions shared at his discretion. As for persistence, he proved he had us all beat. The kids had an old rubber hose thrown over a major limb of our enormous maple tree to enable them to climb it at will. Shadow determined that it was a tow rope to pull him to the top. That dog would grab hold of the hose and refused to let go until the kids would pull him up the side of the tree.

Then there was the game of "airball." I'm sure most of you long time terrier owners are familiar with it, but it took us a bit to catch on. Shadow, however, was very patient with us. This dog so loved to play catch that a ball really wasn't necessary. After a while we learned all we had to do was pretend to throw a ball, having the person on the "receiving end" of the throw, clap their hands together as if they had caught a ball. That fun crazed dog would pursue that ball for as long as a pair of humans could tolerate the barking.

As for temperament, Shadow could not be outdone. This terrier had all the spunk and energy of a fox terrier, but very little of its common aggresiveness towards animals designated as pets. He would cuddle up with kittens and romp with baby rabbits in our home. He never fought over food in his dish--perhaps because he had been an only puppy and never felt a need to compete. There was always enough to go around.
 

Such was our introduction to the world of terriers. We had Shadow for 6 years until he died in an accident. The scene was more heartrending than “Ole Yeller” with my boys sobbing and holding Shadow as he slipped away. A yardful of teenagers helped dig his grave and lay the infamous and much loved rascal to rest.



SWEETIE

Within two days of Shadow’s death, I was searching shelters, online referrals, and contacting breeders as far away as the Mississippi River. None had smooth fox terrier pups available. My only lead was to contact a woman named Winnie Stout near Providence, Rhode Island. It was a six hour drive one way. It was mid August, so I decided we were going to take one more day trip before my son left for his first day of college.

What an amazing experience. We arrived at Winnie’s a bit after lunch. Having grown up around as many as 20-25 dogs at one time, I thought no collection of dogs would phase me. Was I ever mistaken. On some very beautiful property, with stone walls laid up with massive boulders, Winnie had her kennel—housing everything from the most stunning show dogs to abandoned pets. Dogs were everywhere and we just stood there dumbfounded by the magnitude of the assortment.
 

"Sweetie"
CH Hexham Practical Magic

 

CH NATURE'S NOBLEMAN

The boy that was passed over by a prospective show home in Canada has turned out to be my first homebred champion. Winning nothing in Syracuse, NY as a 6 month old pup, “Comet” was kept home until March of 2004. For the first two days of the Salt City Cluster, this boy did nothing. I was losing hope, thinking I was suffering from a bad case of kennel blindness. My fear, however, was soon dispelled.

For the next three shows, Comet won three majors in a row: winner, winner’s dog, and best of winners. I took him out for Montgomery County -- placing second in Open Class Dogs. Comet finished his championship with four majors -- the 4th and final received at his first weekend out after Montgomery County and a 5 point major at that.