ABOUT US

Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs from MARS are owned by Anna Hansen and Family.

MARS is located in the Northeastern part of Illinois (Wheaton), about 30 miles west of Chicago. We are not a kennel, but rather a family that believes in raising, showing and working our dogs. Our dogs are treated as members of our family. While we do not have litters often, when we do, they are family raised and socialized. When we do not have litters we do refer potential puppy buyers to litters that are raised to meet our standards and have parents with passing health clearness and AKC championships.

We have been raising Swissies since 1996. We are proud to be an AKC Breeder of Merit.

Anna grew up showing and raising Keeshonden, in both obedience and confirmation. She is a Registered AKC CGC (Canine Good Citizen) Evaluator. Anna believes all dogs should have a basic obedience understanding. With training a Swissy will make a well-mannered family member.

Anna is a founding member, past president, secretary and director of the Lake Shore Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Club. Anna is also an active member in good standing and past director of the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Club of America and a past director of the American Greater Swiss Breeders Association.

Anna is active in planning many Greater Swiss Mountain Dog events. She has been the past show chair of the 2001 and the 2010 Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Club of America National Specialties. She has also been the obedience chair for the 2008 GSMDCA National Obedience Trial.

She was honored to be chosen to receive the 2011 Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Club of America “Friend of the Swissy” award.

Some of the MARS Swissies have been shown by Diane Engelking. Diane trains, grooms, conditions and professionally presents dogs. She manages her family owned, King's Kennels. King's Kennels boasts many famous German Shorthair Pointers and Rhodesian Ridgebacks.  They are located at 238 Sanders Road, Riverwoods, IL. Diane holds conformation classes and also offers individualized training in King's Kennels training facilities. She is an AKC (American Kennel Club) approved professional handler, #0050. To date Diane has shown over 30 Swissies to their Championship title.

If you are interested in a puppy or adult, please complete our puppy application that is located on this site.