AKC Gazette Columns

AKC Gazette - July 1998

Revisiting the Past

In this 30th anniversary year of the Bernese Mountain Dog Club of America, there is much interest in the breed's history in the United States. Although the breed was recognized by the AKC in 1937, it made very slow progress for the next 30 years. By 1967, 159 Bernese had been registered with the AKC since the breed's recognition. By 1997, 21,922 BMDs had been individually registered with the AKC since 1937. When the BMDCA was formed in 1968, there were 202 total Bernese registered. There were 43 registrations in 1968, the greatest number that had been registered in one year. In 1997 there were 2,022 individual registrations, an indication of the breed's astounding growth. This emphasizes a need for renewed and increased vigilance to protect the breed from exploitation.

The BMDCA's 1997 yearbook includes over 200 pedigrees and a special essay by Mary Dawson commemorating the 60th year of AKC recognition and the 90th anniversary of the Swiss club. To purchase the yearbook, contact Deborah Godfrey, 131 Winters Rd., Butler, PA 16001; phone: (412) 282-8217.

BMDCA's Top Conformation Bitch for 1997 was Ch. Nashem's Taylor Maid, owned by Sara Karl and Ruth Cooper. Top Conformation Dog was Ch. De-Li's First and Foremost, owned by L. Ostermiller.

Results from the 1998 national specialty are in! BB was Schmucki Udo Annabelle, who was also WB. Ch. Swiss Stars Mid Summer's Knite was BOS. Ledgewoods Heart Breaker was WD, with De-Li's Toast of the Town RWD. Villairn's Northern Reflections was RWB.

Awards of Merit went to Ch. Cita V Sagispicher, Ch. Abbey Road Here Comes the Sun, Ch. Tallpine's Dial M for Murder, Ch. Dogwood's Southern Greystone, Ch. Bev's Royal Sun Fendi V BB, Ch. Madi's Diva B Barengraben, Ch. Mentmore's Wmdy Meadow, Ch. Jaberwok's CC V Honeybear, Ch. Merrimac Lemark First Lady, and the WD. High in Trial went to Car-Rae's Ajax V Legend, with a score of 195. Best Puppy in Sweepstakes was De-Li's Look it Up, with Glory's Emma by the Lake as Best Junior and Best in Sweepstakes. Best in Veteran Sweeps was Ch. Grunberg Exactly Right, and BOS was Ch. Imme vom Hexliheim. Best in Futurity was Adesa Stardust Over Lil' Mtn, with Classique's Great Strides BOS. Carrie Barber was Best Junior Handler.

- Julie Crawford, 26391 May Twilley Rd., Delmar, MD 21875