1. Describe the breed in three words. DD: Strong, sweet and hug-able. JH: Striking, sturdy and loyal. SK: Tri-colored, substantial and agile. SS: Strong, sturdy and moderate angulation. DW: Strong, sturdy and balanced.
“This is a carTing dog ThaT pulled a carT laden wiTh huge Milk cans downhill To The cheesery; HE IS THE DRAFT HORSE OF DOGS,
2. What are your “must have” traits in this breed? DD: I always find that question hard to answer, as there are so many things that make them a BMD. When you start looking at single parts you tend to fault judge, so the only one that is a real must have is a solid temperament, as without this you really do not have a Bernese. JH: Balance and temperament. The dog must be balanced to pull a cart or do any work around the farm. By balance he must have bone in proportion to his body type. He also must have the proper temperament. He should stand for examine and not back off. SK: As a breeder, my answers are longevity, soundness and temperament. As a judge, I want to see a good front, head and substance, as I feel this is where the breed is lacking at this time. SS: As a breeder-judge, type is foremost. This is a carting dog that pulled a cart laden with huge milk cans down- hill to the cheesery; he is the draft horse of dogs, not a fine-boned thoroughbred. That being said, I also look for soundness and moderate angulation front and rear; this is a dog that should be moved at a slow, working trot. It is incorrect to look for the type of reach and drive you would want in a Sporting breed. DW: The Bernese Mountain Dog is a large, tri-colored, sym- metrically marked, strong, sturdy, balanced dog of good temperament. These are the traits that define breed type. The beautiful expression, the beautiful moderate length coat and the harmonious balance of the entire dog are the things that I look for in this breed. 3. Are there any traits in this breed you fear are becoming exaggerated? DD: Some are getting too large and heavy-boned, our stan- dard call for sturdy bone and if too excessive, the dog would fail as a good around-the-farm dog. Also with that, many heads are looking more like a Newf or Saint and losing the soft, sweet look so important to the breed. JH: I don’t feel there are any traits becoming exaggerated, but our dogs are being moved too fast in the show ring. They are a draft dog and should be shown in a slow, con- trolled trot not out at the end of a lead with an extended flying kick out around the ring.
noT a fine-boned Thoroughbred.”
popular that showing became an all day affair. I started judg- ing in 1990, I am now approved for the Working group, Gold- ens, Best in Show and provisional for the Non-Sporting group.
DEBORAH WILKINS
Our home is in Prior Lake, Minnesota; however, I am also a “winter Texan” spending October through May in Corpus Christi, Texas. My husband and I enjoy traveling. Recently we enjoyed an 8-day safari in South Africa followed by two weeks on the island of Mauritius. I spend my free time hiking the beach and bird watching. I participate in various activi- ties sponsored by the American Association of University Women. I am a delegate to the American Kennel Club. I spend most of my free time fulfilling my duties in several dog clubs. I have lived with purebred dogs for over 60 years; I’ve been showing since 1988 and judging since 2001.
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