The Bernese Mountain Dog Club of Scotland Committee
To let you get to know the people behind the organising of all our events I asked them to give me a short introduction into their world of dogs, Bernese in particular, so I suppose I should go first.
GEORGE WILSON
chairman ursinebmd@aol.com 01698 860298
As a founder member of the club I am still as enthusiastic and passionate about the lovely breed we have and a great believer in the saying 'A DOG IS NOT JUST FOR CHRISTMAS IT'S FOR LIFE' or why have one?
We got our first (of many and a Newfi) back in 1982 and over the years had both dogs and bitches at present we have two boys (Mac & Otis) we do love our boys! But, one of the most loving, laid back, obedient and the boss was a bitch (Isis) she could hear a crisp bag open at 50 yards. I will tell you a short story about Isis. One year at the Border Union Show, we were also showing two of our boys and a friend (Dougie) that was helping out at a charity stall said to leave Isis with him till the boys had been in the ring. Off she went into the back of the gazebo and within seconds was in her favourite position 'lying down'. A short time later Dougie looked, no Isis, panic! Dougie was frantic asking everyone and anyone 'have you seen a Bernese' when a voice from the next stall said ''is it a big black & white dog, there's one lying in the back of my gazebo. Isis had the call of nature (A WEE) went out under one gazebo but on her return made the mistake of going next door. Isis just looked up and wondered what all the fuss was about, Dougie on the other hand took a little bit longer to calm down. I think the single malt helped................
JEAN McGLASHAN
COMMITTEE jean.mcglashan@blueyonder.co.uk 01506 825753
This will be Jean's 5th year on the committee
My husband Robert and I have had Bernese for 15 years, currently owned and managed by 2 males aged 61/2 and 3.
We have had some success in the ring (dog generally let down by his handler 'me') but now I spend time training and competing with them at agility. The older one has completed his second year of competition and really enjoys it. He is very ''Swiss'' in his approach to it and is very steady, thoughtful and accurate. He never likes to rush ( takes after his dad then! - ED.) The younger one is just starting (Bernese should not start to tackle agility equipment until they are at least 18 months old). He is not ''Swiss'' at all in his approach. He races around like a lunatic and does exactly what he likes in exactly what order he likes! More training (of owner and dog) definitely required.
As I don't show my boys I have their coats clipped during the summer, they definitely feel the benefit and it does grow back so they have a full coat to keep them cosy during the winter. I also think they look fab when they are clipped - but maybe thats just me.................
MURRAY MacLEOD
RESIDENT PIPER 01259 762551
Hello from the 'Laird of Glenochil', I was always surrounded by dogs from a young age, my parents came from a small village in Sutherland called Lairg, where their was our family croft. The dogs at that time were Border Collies (over the years all of them were called 'Speed') then followed by many West Highland Terriers (yes you have guest all of them called 'Chummy'). I didn't particularly like dogs at that time as most of them had a bite at me, at one time or another. Soon after getting married I bought my darling wife Sheila, on our first christmas together a Rough collie (Max) he was a wonderful companion and was part of our family for 12 years. A couple of years had past since we had Max and friends of ours visited one day with this beautiful black, white and tan young dog (Jody) ''A Bernese'' I had never heard of a Bernese never mind actually seeing one!. After going to a few shows, fun days (where there was never a growl or bark out of place) and reading up on them, as a family we decided this was the dog for us, we purchased our first Bernese (Heidi) and are now on our fourth. We enjoy showing but enjoy the friends and acquaintances we have made over the years more.
I am the noisy one at Kelso with the bagpipes and shh! don't tell the kids but I turn up at the christmas party with a beard and all in red.
I love the breed and always will so let me leave you with an extract from a Robert Burns poem ;
'' The Twa Dogs ''
His breast was white, his touzie back,
Weel clad wi' coat o' glossy black;
His gawsie tail, wi' upward curl,
Hung owre his hurdies wi' a swirl.
Now, is this Bernese or what! (upward curl tail could be! -ED)
ISOBEL & JOHN COOK 01236 875757
John is the Vice-chairman and I am the membership secretary and the breed stand co-ordinator. We both work hard to try to ensure success for our club and for the welfare of our breed.
Our first bernese was 'Cassie' and we purchased her through an advertisement in a newspaper. (Not the wisest way to buy a pup - we were naive at that time) We went armed with our cash and a cardboard box to bring our ' little treasure' home in. We asked no questions - we just took one look at her and we were well and truly smitten.
Cassie didn't stay an only 'child' for long - she was soon joined by Skye, Esha, Willow, Oz and Zak. It's funny how addictive Bernese can be.
At the moment we have three Bernese, our lovely girl Phoebe and our two handsome lads Milo and Gus . They share our house with us and we love them dearly. We can't imagine living without them.
Bernese are truly a magical breed.
(Isobel I thought you lived with three handsome lads !!! ED).
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