The Alpenhorn Fall 2021

FALL 2021

HEALTH / BREEDING / DRAFT

THE ALPENHORN THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE BERNESE MOUNTAIN DOG CLUB OF AMERICA

Blade

BISS GCH Indian Hill's Forged in Fire v Full Moon TKN BG# 143335

Welcome New BMDCA Members THE ALPENHORN ISSN 1946-2255 © 2021 Bernese Mountain Dog Club of America

Acting Editor-in-Chief Georgeann Reeve

Advertising Sales and Design Beth Schmoyer

Content Team

BY ANDREA BRACIKOWSKI, MEMBERSHIP APPLICATIONS CHAIR

NEW MEMBERS APPROVED JULY — SEPTEMBER 2021 Jolene Clemmons Bismarck, ND

Lauren Evans Concord, ND

Melissa Foster Laguna Beach, CA

Elizabeth Malcolmson Rockport, MA

Stephanie Biksacky Mary-Ann Bowman, Ph.D. Jennifer Brightbill Robin Hamme Debra Jones Dee McDuffee Renee Meriaux Ruth Nielsen Georgeann Reeve Stacy Slade Susan Van Ocker

Contributing Photographers Eileen Blass Laura Carnes Patty Gill Lisa Kaufman Ruth Nielsen Sue Van Ocker Beth Schmoyer

Production Manager Vacant

Editorial Assistants

Beth Brookhouse Robin Hamme Joye Neff Lara Usilton

Tina Brooks Adrienne Lee Melissa Olson Suzy Weibel

Magazine Design

Lin Teasley, Cottonwood Graphics

Printer

Modern Litho, Jefferson City, MO

Business Manager

Joye Neff, joye.neff@gmail.com All content herein reflects the views of the authors or committees who prepared it and does not necessarily represent the official position of the BMDCA, the Editors, or staff. Publication of advertising does not imply endorsement by the BMDCA or the Editors. Neither the BMDCA nor its committees nor the individual authors make any warranties, expressed or implied, nor representations of correctness of any content including, but not limited to, methods of diagnosis or recommendations of treatment.

None of the articles or information provided is in any way a substitute for appropriate professional veterinary medical care and treatment for your dog. The Editors reserve the right to edit or refuse material. The Alpenhorn publishing decisions are subject to the discretion of The Alpenhorn staff and BMDCA Board. We do not accept anonymous editorial or advertising submissions. No portion of the magazine may be reprinted without prior written permission of the Editors and proper credit to The Alpenhorn.

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SPOTLIGHT ON THE BMDC OF THE GREATER TWIN CITIES. Photo by Rick Brian (Story on p. 14.)

CHECK OUT OUR BMDCA PERFORMANCE DOGS (p. 3–5) AND STUD DOGS (p. 5–8)

PERFORMANCE DOGS

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STUD DOGS

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GET YOUR

2022 BMDCA CALENDAR IN THE BMDCA STORE.

editor's corner WHILE FALL SEASON is officially upon us, the hot and unseasonal weather is not in sync with the calendar. The change from summer to fall has many dealing with extreme weather, either from fire, floods, or high winds. As many of our members have been affected by these types of events, we offer a firsthand account from Ruth Nielsen of Washington State, whose home was sandwiched between two wildfires forcing Ruth, her husband, and their three dogs to evacuate.

Our Health Committee begins a three-part review of the AKC CHF Health Conference, held virtually this year due to COVID concerns. We will include parts two and three in the Winter and Spring 2022 Issues, respectively. Anne Creek and Alice Clark share their Holistic Treatments for Cancer for their Berners, and we provide an article on "Smoke Inhalation and Dogs" from Whole Dog Journal.

Andrea Carlson provides a summary of the use of Essential Oils for Bernese.

Our Regional Club Spotlight features the BMDC of the Greater Twin Lakes Cities and provides insights into their club’s history, events, and their highly successful member recruitment results.

From The Archives, we take a peek into the development of the AKC BMD Standard in 1979 with familiar voices from the past. Digging deep into the archives, we compiled a comprehensive list of our committee chairs through the years for your review and feedback.

Our column, The Book Berners, provides a review of an interesting perspective on Big Kibble and its impact on our dog’s food. New in this issue is a fun crossword puzzle to test your general BMDCA and Bernese knowledge.

Finally, we welcome Lara Usilton who will take the Editor-in-Chief reins beginning with The Alpenhorn 2022 Winter Issue.

— Georgeann Reeve

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in this issue

Fall 2021 Volume 13, Number 4, ISSN: 1946-2255

features 18 Ask a Draft Judge!

Karen Petersen, Sara Steele, Barry Solomon, Alison Jaskiewicz, Ruth Nielsen, and Christine Mann

26 Essential Oils for Pets

Andrea Carlson, DVM BS CVA CVCH CVTP CTPEP CVFT CTCVMP CVMMP

28 The Alternative Treatment of Hemangiosarcoma of Bernese CH Blackrock Echos of Anastasia aka “Echo”

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Anne Creek

30 Dash

Alice Clark

essentials

32 Smoke Inhalation and Dogs Sassafras Lowrey

2 New Members

35 The Saga of Our Life During Fire Season

9 Editor's Corner

Ruth Nielsen

14 BMDCA Regional Club Spotlight

Julie Latterell, BMDC of the Greater Twin Cities

43 Test Your Berner Knowledge

44 HealthBeat Pat Long

46 Berner-Garde Repository Update 48 From the BMDCA Archives

Mary Alice Horstick and Alpenhorn Staff

56 BMDCA Events 58 The Book Berners Lori Friedli

61 Recent Titles 65 Advertiser Index 67 BMDCA Directory

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68 The Alpenhorn Contributors, Advertisers, & Subscribers

On the Cover

BLADE

BISS GCH INDIAN HILL'S FORGED IN FIRE V FULL MOON TKN BG# 143335 Cover photo and photo at left by Lisa K. Kaufman.

BLADE EARNED HIS Championship and Grand Championship quickly and won BOB at the GCSBMDC Specialty his first show out as a special! He is loved by Gail Buchanan and Jim Smalley in WA State and loves hanging out on the beach and amongst their special car collection, which includes this rare 1955 Austin Healy 100S. With only 37 of this model documented in the world, Blade was excited to show off his own awesome breed type together with his 'Best in Show' and European sports car! — Stacey Slade

2021 BMDCA Yearbook Submissions

DON ’T M ISS OU

T!

ENTRIES OPEN:

December 1, 2021 DEADLINE IS:

April 18, 2022 TO UPLOAD ENTRIES, PLEASE GO TO:

bmdcayearbook.org/ • 2021 New Titles • Top Winners • Top Producers • Specialty Winners

• Top Award Winners • Advanced Titles • BMDCA Versatility and Working Dog Awards

• Top Junior • BMDCA M, GM, and MB Draft Dogs

QUESTIONS: bmdcayearbook@gmail.com Fall 2021

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BMDCA REGIONAL CLUB SPOTLIGHT BMDC of the Greater Twin Cities

BY JULIE LATTERELL

ORIGINALLY K NOWN IN 1988 as the “ Upper Mississippi Valley Berner ’s Club,” the name was changed in 1989 to “Boundar y Waters Berners,” and then finally changed in 1992 to the current name, “Bernese Mountain Dog Club of the Greater Twin Cities” (BMDCGTC). Our Club started with a small handful of devoted Bernese Mountain Dog (BMD) owners when an informal meeting of local BMD owners took place on March 27, 1988. The Club’s first fun match was held in June of that year.

There were five Berners entered in Obedience and thirteen BMDs entered in the conformation fun match (four dogs and nine bitches). The nomination and election of the first Club officers were also held in June 1988.

The fledgling Club published the first Issue of the newsletter, Boundary Berner News in the summer of 1988. An early Club membership roster from 1991-1992 shows a membership of 15 households that owned 21 Berners. They were a dedicated and ambitious group! The Club was recognized by the BMDCA in 1991 and became an AKC licensed Club in 2013. The Club held its first BMDCA Draft Test in 2005 and the first Regional Specialty in 2007.

This year the Club is 32 years old and is proud to serve BMDs and their owners who live in Minnesota, Western Wisconsin, and North and South Dakota. From its small but mighty beginning, the Club has grown to nearly 50 member households. We are fortunate to have a number of early Club members who are still active in the Club today.

The BMDCGTC today has an elected Board of Directors, which includes a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and up to five Board members. All positions are elected to serve by the membership.

Education, promoting the pure-bred BMD, breed health, and promoting participation in AKC events have been the guiding tenets of the Club since its inception. Due to the increased popularity of the breed in recent years, the Club has focused on engaging companion dog owners. Through our outreach efforts over the last one to two years, we have increased our Club membership by nearly 50%! While this has increased our membership roster, our focus and goal are to engage our newest members and help educate them about responsible BMD ownership along the way.

To further our mission of promoting the health and well-being of the breed we have had a rescue presence since a November 1990 Board meeting created a Rescue Task Force. This Task Force later became an actual committee which has been led by only a small handful of dedicated Berner lovers over the years. Our current rescue chair and current Club President, Coleen Carroll, has served in this role for over 20 years.

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TOP: Club event at St. Paul Winter Carnival.

MIDDLE: Club meeting — Bauhaus local craft brewery — June 2021. BOTTOM: Winterfest Annual Meeting December 2020.

Photos by Rick Brian.

Our Club also has a Wag-A-Wish Fund that provides financial help to full BMDCGTC members in good s tanding, as defined by

the Club by-laws, who are faced with ex traordinar y veterinar y costs for unexpected care of their Bernese Mountain Dog (subject Fall 2021

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to eligibility guidelines). This is a unique Club-member benefit that, pre-COVID, was supported by an annual fundraiser that included live and silent auction items donated by generous Berner-lovers.

Most Club functions and events take place in and around the Twin Cities metro area. These events have historically been a mix of education, and fun. As stated previously, our recent member outreach ef for ts have focused on engaging pet owners. We have worked diligently to meet them where they are, which has meant holding numerous Club meetings at local dog-friendly craft breweries or hosting informal social gatherings in and around the Twin Cities metro area.

THE FORMAL EVENTS WE HOLD ANNUALLY ARE: • AUGUST - Regional Specialty show held in conjunction with the St. Croix Valley Kennel Club three-day All-Breed show cluster and a one-day Northstar Working Group show.

• SEPTEMBER — Responsible Dog Owner Day • OCTOBER — BMDCA Draft Test • DECEMBER — Winterfest, which is also our Annual Meeting

• Canine Movement Seminars • Health and Wellness Day that includes health testing • Introduction to Performance Events • Awards Banquet • Draft Clinics • Grooming Seminars • How to Photograph your Berner ∙

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Specialty, which was held for the first time in the nor thern lakes region and home territory of Minnesota!

The Club would not be in existence today without the work of generous volunteers who have spanned our 32-year history. These volunteers not only help plan and volunteer at our Club events/meetings, and keep our website updated, but they also help us publish our newsletter, which is published about four times a year.

If you are interested in learning more about our Club or are interested in joining the BMDCGTC please visit our website at twincitiesbmd.org!

In 2019, the BMDCGTC was proud to be a part of the 3-Club consortium that hosted the BMDCA National

About the Author: Julie Latterell has been a member of the Club for nearly 20 years. She currently is a board member and publishes the Club newsletter. She has also served as President, Vice President, Treasurer, Regional Specialty Show Chair, and Draft Test Co-Chair. Julie has also served as the BMDCA President.

A Note From the BMDCGTC President: WE APPRECIATE THE opportunity to highlight the BMD Club of the Greater Twin Cities! Thank you to the BMDCA and The Alpenhorn team for the invitation to celebrate the benefits of belonging to regional BMD Clubs.

On behalf of the BMDCGTC, I would like to thank both current and past board members, volunteers, and Club members for their engagement and involvement. The love and devotion to this breed is what guides the BMDCGTC today, and it is a common thread that has guided the Club since it’s establishment. Our membership recently did a major overhaul of our website, approved a revision of our By-laws, and is currently involved in reviewing our Breeder Referral Program guidelines.

We welcome you to visit our updated website www.twincitiesbmd.org.

We have a small but mighty group of volunteers who do a great job putting on events for more involved and engaged Berner owners, as well as for those who are new to the breed or trying to decide if the breed is a right fit for their family.

OTHER CLUB-SPONSORED EVENTS THAT WE HAVE HELD THROUGHOUT THE YEARS INCLUDE:

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• Dessert Auction Fundraisers • Fun Matches • Club-member camp outs

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It’s an honor to represent the BMD Club of the Greater Twin Cities. On behalf of our membership and our Board, we are grateful for the opportunity to tell you about our Club!

Bernerly, Coleen Carroll BMDCGTC President

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Ask a Draft Judge!

BY KAREN PETERSEN, SARA STEELE, BARRY SOLOMON, ALISON JASKIEWICZ, RUTH NIELSEN, AND CHRISTINE MANN

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DRAFT JUDGES ARE often asked for training advice, and we are always happy to help! We’ve collected some of the more common questions we get from new handlers and those with more experience alike.

We hope the information provided below will help you in your training and ring adventures!

How do I adjust and fit equipment properly on my dog?

KAREN PETERSEN: A certain order of adjustments can make this seemingly knotty problem with endless complications much simpler. It ’s important to adjust both the cart itself as well as the harness so that all equipment works properly for the dog, without impeding forward motion, turns, and pulling loads safely on inclines and declines.

• Shafts should be parallel to the ground and only slightly wider than the dog, with shaft ends at, or slightly in front of, the shoulder points. For BMDs the shaft width is typically 13-14 inches. This is the dog’s steering mechanism, so try not to give them a loose steering wheel while still having enough room so that the dog can lie down comfortably while hitched. Shafts that are too far forward can be a visual barrier to the dog while turning, as well as a physical impediment to rotation of the front end. Shafts that are too far back allow the shaft ends to poke into the dog’s shoulders when they turn—this can be painful and aversive. Shaf ts should ideally end Alice Clark's Dash (BG# 62678) executing a perfect down stay. Photo by Ruth Nielsen.

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at or slightly in front of the dog’s shoulder points. Make sure the shafts are of sufficient length that the dog’s rear and tail never contact the front of the cart or single tree. This is most noticeable when going downhill.

• Brakes on the shaft should be positioned so that the strap to which the harness loops are attached (through which the shaf ts pass) is perpendicular to the ground.

The brakes should not push the forward chest strap forward or backwards at an angle. The traces should be slightly taut, but still allow for about an inch of forward movement of the harness loops on the shaft. If the traces are too long, the shaft loops can pop off the ends of the shafts. The chest s trap should be snug—but not tight—around the rib cage without riding up under the dog’s armpits.

It should wrap smoothly around the body, from the attachments at the center or slightly behind the shoulder blades. The brakes keep the cart from riding up on the dog on a downhill or fast stop.

Maladjusted brakes or too loose harnesses can be a safety hazard, especially if the cart is loaded with cargo or going downhill.

The traces should be slightly taut, but still allow for about an inch of forward movement of the harness loops on the shaft.

If the traces are too long, the shaft loops can pop off the ends of the shafts.

— Peterson

• The chest strap and shaft loops should be snug enough that the car t doesn’t wiggle or sway as 20

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the dog walks or jogs. Do not over tighten, as this can cause discomfort for the dog when sitting or lying down while hooked to the cart.

• Adjust the length of the traces last, once the harness is properly fitted to the shafts and brakes. Traces should be slightly taut; not so tight that it is a struggle to attach them to the harness rings, and not so loose that a visible U-shape is present when the dog is standing or moving. Loose traces allow the dog to pull too far forward on the shafts, away from the brakes (not safe) and possibly all the way off the shaf t itself, causing equipment failure. If the traces are too tight, it impedes the dog’s ability to use its body and legs appropriately to adjust to turns, inclines/ declines, and freight weight.

• Empt y as well as loaded car t s should be balanced over the axle so that the shafts (when parallel to the ground) do not push down very much or pull up on the shaft loops. A small amount of tongue weight (a pound or two as felt at the tip of the shafts) helps to keep the shafts from excess movement.

My dog always takes a few steps before stopping and I have to give him multiple commands. How do I train consistent solid halts?

SARA STEELE: The Moving StandStay (Halt) should be mastered before the dog is ever hitched to the cart. Hitching the dog to the cart too early will confound the issue, as the cart, during halts, has forward momentum. The dog must have a firm Go to Table of Contents

and confident Halt in order to tolerate the possible forward nudging by the cart. The instructions below focus on the Stand-Stay first—once the dog is consistently stopping on command, then the handler can ask for a sit or down depending on the exercise and/or circumstances. If the handler chooses to train the dog to do a Sit or a Down following the Halt, the handler should not do so until after the dog has mastered the Halt itself.

The dog is being asked to do two things in a Halt: a Stand and a Stay.

And, fur thermore, the two things must be done simultaneously, and together they are called a StandStay or more accurately, a Moving Stand-Stay, because it is done while the dog is in motion. It is a very dynamic action — in one moment the dog is moving along the path and in the next moment it has stopped, in a stand. At least, that is what the handler hopes the dog will be doing!

In order to achieve a smart and prompt Moving Stand Stay, the handler should simultaneously give both a hand signal and a verbal command.

— Steele

In order to achieve a smar t and prompt Moving St and-St ay, the handler should simultaneously give both a hand signal and a verbal command. The hand signal can be done with either the left or the right arm. The verbal command can be most anything, but a single syllable word is the fastest and most demonstrative. Words like “Stop,” “Whoa,” “Ho,” “Bleib,” would suf fice. The word “Halt” should be avoided as that is what the judge will be saying,

The skill learned here will also be ver y helpf ul for handler s wish ing to do Advanced Obedience and/or Rally.

How do I teach my dog to back up without body blocking/body pressure?

Is it better to have them back up from the front or the side (heel position)?

Jennifer Brightbill doing back-up exercise with Jaci (BG# 119965). Photo by Ruth Nielsen. and one does not want one’s dog responding to the judge’s orders.

There are three steps to teaching the dog the Moving Stand-Stay. In each case, of course, the handler halts with the dog.

1) While moving, the handler should call out the command while simultaneously giving the hand signal.

The palm of the hand should be facing the dog’s muzzle and have food in it. As the command and signal are given, the treat can be stuffed gently into the dog’s mouth. The handler may wish to repeat this step several times to get the point across to the dog.

2) Everything is done just the same as in Step 1 except that, this time, the palm of the hand should be empty. The handler must take care not to touch the dog or move the arm in what might be construed

by the dog as a threatening manner. If this is successful, and the dog stops smartly, then the step should be repeated a few times to reinforce the successful behaviour.

3) S h o u l d t h e d o g f a i l t o s t o p promptly with Step 2, then the empty hand should give a gentle tap on the nose. This step should bring success in one or two tries, because most dogs are not particularly fond of having their noses touched. If Step 3 works, the handler may go back to Step 2.

Step 2 will be the way it is done in the ring. Now and then the handler may need to refresh Step 3, but dogs seem to have a pret t y firm memory on the nose-touching thing. Teamwork and control are essential here, because, if they are not, the dog may get out ahead of the handler and be unable to see the hand signal.

BARRY SOLOMON: The backing exercise can be a tough one to master.

In terms of training for backing, if your dog can’t back without the cart, they cer tainly won’t do it with the car t.

Start your training with your dog in a somewhat confined area, sideways against a wall such as in a long hallway, or between a couch and a coffee table. There is a tendency for dogs to want to sit rather than back, so it is important to use your training treats correc tly. If you treat at or above head height, their head will go up for the treat and their rear will go down into a sit, so you need to reverse this.

Show your dog a treat and slide it down under their chest and slightly towards their belly. This should make their head drop down and their rear stay up. As you move the treat back beneath them they should start backing to get to it. Continue this training until you have a reliable and hopefully relatively straight back up. Add your command for "back" and start treating less frequently until the dog will back via voice or hand-signal only.

When you begin training while harnessed and hitched to the cart, the same principles apply. Continue to treat below the chest moving the treat slightly back, but close enough that your dog is able to reach down and back to get to the treat. If you Fall 2021

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thing else. Remember that a novice dog going from a stand to a sit may be enough to cover the required one-foot distance. If you still are stuck, you can tr y a sit, a down, or even a short forward—basically anything to get the dog engaged again to hopefully start working.

N o t e t h a t i n a D r a f t Te s t , a ny distance forward will have to be overcome by a longer movement backward to the original location of the backing stick.

TURN TO THE LEFT! TURN TO THE RIGHT! ALL ABOUT TURNS…

Why does the dog seem to prefer one direction over the other?

Kim Perry and Josie (BG# 108717) lining up for the Narrows. Photo by Ruth Nielsen. still can’t break the tendency for them to sit instead of backing, this is where having an assistant is helpful.

Use a spare leash or second set of traces and string underneath the dog’s belly. The assistant applies a gentle lift to prevent the dog from sitting while you practice your back up. If you don’t have an assistant handy, you c an tie the leash or traces to hang between the shafts under the dog’s belly, again preventing them from sitting.

If you still can’t break the tendency for them to sit instead of backing, this is where having an assistant is helpful.

— Solomon

In terms of the handler’s positioning, you are less likely to body 22

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block or apply body pressure if you train from heel position, however, most people stand directly in front facing their dog. The key is for the handler not to move their feet towards the dog or to encroach wi th their body into the dog’s space. Ideally, you would train the back from both positions to give you options depending upon the alignment of the exercise or when your dog chooses to forget what the “back” command means. Since this often happens, it is helpful to remember that if the dog won’t perform the exercise after the first couple of commands, it is unlikely that another couple dozen of exactly the same command will work.

This is where it may be helpful for the handler to switch from one position to another and try again.

If that’s still not working, try someGo to Table of Contents

ALISON JA SKIE WIC Z: All dogs are right or lef t side dominant, just like people. This is most easily identified by observing your dog when retrieving a ball, stick, or other toy. You will find that each dog will most of ten pivot either right or left when turning back toward you. Most dogs are right sided, just like people. What fun if you have a left sided dog!

As you train your dog from puppyhood to relate to you, and orient toward towards you, you will often find that they are initially more comfor table turning toward you than away. You may use this to your advantage by switching sides when teaching turns.

Teaching your dog hind end awareness with platform games will help a dog to comfor tably and confidently turn in both directions.

How do I get my dog to turn consistently in the cart?

ALISON JASKIEWICZ: First be sure that harness and hitching details are symmetrical so the dog is pulling evenly into the harness when moving straight forward. Introduce t ur n s in a w ide - op en area and turn gently in the new direction as though on the arc of a very large circle. Gradually, over time, tighten that arc until the dog is comfortable with tighter and tighter turns. This process will take longer with some dogs than others. Your goal is to gradually develop proficiency, so the dog is comfortable at one level before progressing to the next.

Reward often at every step.

If you find your dog not wanting to turn at all, please check the length of your shafts. If the shafts are too short the dog may be poked in the shoulder by the end of the shaf t when trying to turn. This is uncomfortable. Shafts need to extend just beyond the dog’s shoulders so that the shoulder pushes into the side, not the end of the shaft.

gentler arc until you find your dog’s comfor t level and rebuild slowly and carefully.

My dog breaks his stay, especially in the group exercises. What methods work for training solid stays?

RUTH NIELSEN: In general terms, training a stay means taking into consideration the three Ds: • Duration - how long the dog stays • Dis tance - how far away the handler is • Distractions - what other things are going on around the dog, including the presence of other dogs or people or anything of interest to the dog

Why does my dog lean his/ her butt on the opposite shaft when turning?

It’s important to consider each of these things separately. Don’t increase the difficulty of more than one element at a time. If you want your dog to stay for a longer period of time then only increase duration at that point— don’t increase the distance at the same time. When you add distractions, that makes the exercise much harder for the dog so you might want to decrease both duration and distance while you work on adding distractions.

ALISON JASKIEWICZ: It is natural for a dog’s hind quar ters to shif t gently in the opposite direc tion from their head when turning. If your dog is leaning hard or twisting within the shafts then he/she is uncomfortable or uncertain what is expected and what to do with his/ her body. This could happen if you have tightened the arc of your turns too quickly. Return to turning on a

In order for the dog to understand and feel comfortable in a stay, reward the dog DURING the stay so the dog will continue the behavior.

If you ONLY reward the dog when the stay is over the dog will be anticipating the reward and be eager to move since the stay itself is not rewarding. For example, if your dog is in a down stay, walk back to your dog, calmly give him/her a reward

while he/she remains in the down position, and then walk away again while reiterating your down/stay command. Don’t reward the dog for getting up or moving. Praise / treat the dog for maintaining the down stay position. Help your dog understand that the reward will be delivered to him while he maintains the stay—there is no reward for getting up or moving. If your dog is unable to maintain a stay at the duration and distance you are working on, make one (or both) of those factors easier so the dog can be successful and unders tand what you want.

You can shorten either the time or distance so the dog is successful, and then gradually increase those factors again to build on success.

When you are getting ready for a Draft Test be sure to practice stays in a group setting with other dogs.

Even the presence of one other dog can help your dog understand that he needs to ignore that dog and maintain the stay. Ideally, you should practice with dogs that have a solid stay to help your dog successfully ignore the distraction. The other dog(s) don’t even need to be hitched to a cart if you just want to work on distractions. Arrange for “stay dates” where friends bring their dogs just to practice a “group stay.” It doesn’t have to be a draft practice if you just want to work on stays. Remember to go back to your dog and reward success so the dog will continue the behavior.

One tip that could help your dog be successful in a group stay during a Draft Test is to enlist the help of a “friendly judge.” Leave your dog in the stay position and walk away as you would in a test. The “ friendly judge” is a person standing by as a judge might be at a Draft Test. Have Fall 2021

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the “friendly judge” (FJ) walk up to your dog and very calmly reward the dog (using whatever treats you typically use for reward) and then walk away. The dog should maintain the stay as he does when you reward him during practice. Make sure to have your helper deliver the reward while the dog is successful. The idea is NOT to have the FJ correct your dog, since you want the dog to see the presence of the judge as a good thing that might result in a reward—not a scary thing.

The FJ can be particularly helpful when you are training an out of sight stay since this is a way for your dog to be rewarded while you are not visible.

When you are getting ready for a Draft Test be sure to practice stays in a group setting with other dogs.

— Nielsen

If you know your dog has a tendency to break a stay at a particular time— for example, the dog tends to get up after about two minutes—you can help increase the duration by having the FJ reward the dog at around 90 seconds, before the dog moves.

Then, assuming the dog maintains the stay, reward again after two minutes. The frequency of the reward depends on the dog’s behavioryour goal is to continue the stay and not have the dog move. Frequent rewards can help—then reduce the frequency of the rewards as the dog is more comfortable and consistent with his stay.

Another trick that c an help you with stays during a test is the “stay cookie.” This is different than the rewards delivered while the dog is maintaining his stay. This is a spe24

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Draft Books by BMDCA Members: Just a Walk in the Park: A Guide to Draft Dog Training Barry Solomon, ISBN 978-1537200231 (2016) Carting with Your Dog: Positive Draft Training for Fun and Competition Laura Waldbaum, ISBN 978-1617810244 (2011)

cial cookie that only gets delivered when the exercise is finished, and you have given the dog your “ok we are done” signal. The “stay cookie” is something you show the dog when you are getting ready to walk away on the stay—you can even tell him he gets this cookie when you are all done. Then put the “s tay cookie” in the cart along with the leash. That way the dog can’t help himself to the treat and the only way he gets the special “stay cookie” is to successfully complete the stay.

As you practice this ritual show the dog the treat along with the leash.

Eventually the treat is hidden in the leash but it’s still there. At the test there is, of course, no treat but you can still show the dog the leash and remind him he will be rewarded for the stay. Building a pleasant association with the ritual of the “stay cookie” can help your dog maintain his s tay when you use the same ritual with the leash during competition. This can also be calming for the handler—you know what to tell your dog because you have practiced the routine with success. The dog is comfortable with the stay because you have built pleasant associations with the exercise.

Even though the group stay in a draft test is a “three minute stay,” Go to Table of Contents

be sure to practice stays for longer than three minutes. Keep in mind, there is the time it takes to get all the teams set up and ready, as well as the time it takes to return to your dog. That can add up, depending on how fast other teams are moving.

Make sure your dog understands not to move until you give him your verbal release command. Just returning to your dog should not be a cue for your dog to get up or move.

You can practice walking back to your dog and then walking away again to reinforce the idea that your dog needs to stay until you give the verbal release cue. If you are using a “stay cookie” as a reward, build in a delay where you stand quietly next to your dog before ending the exercise and delivering the reward.

I have trouble lining my dog up straight for the narrows. He is always darting to the side, trying to go around me. How do I fix this?

CHRISTINE MANN: The BMDCA Draft Regulations clearly state that the handler, the cart, and the dog all need to travel through the Narrows.

This could feel quite daunting to a

novice team. But if one trusts their dog, it is really a very natural path forward for the dog.

Too often the handler will position themselves directly in front of the dog/team at the entry of the narrow obstacle and “inch” along to keep the dog aligned in the center between the narrow uprights. This creates a puzzlement for the novice dog. The dog will more than likely try to step around the handler. It is not a natural path forward. Nine times out of ten, the dog will automatically set herself up NATURALLY to be centered between the narrows and proceed through. It is the handler who gets nervous and tries to make it better through various attempts to reposition.

If the handler really finds the need to orchestrate the exercise, they can set a centerline for the team a short distance before the entry to the narrows. The handler can then go to the end of the leash (again centered in the narrows or beyond the obstacle).

Still holding the leash, call the dog/ team to them. This will keep the

dog/team traveling in a straight line to the handler. With this method the handler needs to make sure the dog/ team is through the narrows and the handler does not turn around too soon as the dog/s will follow their lead and intuitively move to the left or “heel” side of the handler.

lel position. Just let the team walk through these ver tical markers.

This way the team is comfortably acquainted with the obstacle and finds the natural center line within.

With this method, the team learns in a very natural way how to navigate the center.

With this method the handler needs to make sure the dog/team is through the narrows and the handler does not turn around too soon as the dog/s will follow their lead and intuitively move to the left or “heel” side of the handler.

As an experiment, set the narrows t wo feet or more wider than the cart. Put the dog in a “wait.” Go to the other side of the narrow area.

Call the dog to you. See how they navigate the situation. If the dog is able to complete the narrows successfully on her own, it might mean the handler is overmanaging the situation.

Another method of successfully navigating the Narrows is to start initial training with the narrows in a very wide "V” shape with the wide end toward the team. The narrow end will still be far wider than the cart. Just start walking through the uprights. Repeat. And repeat!

The handler needs to trust their dog/s with this exercise. The dog does not need to break gait or attempt to work around a nervous handler. Natural working ability is within each Bernese. Please give the team/s the time and confidence to execute these exercises successfully. A well-prepared team in all exercises will be easily identified and rewarded!

— Mann

Gradually, over time, bring in the wide end of the uprights to a paral-

Ziva (BG# 127313). Photo by Eileen Blass.

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Essential Oils for Pets

BY ANDREA CARLSON, DVM BS CVA CVCH CVTP CTPEP CVFT CTCVMP CVMMP

ESSENTIAL OILS FOR pets have become very popular. Choose oils that are true, pure, and therapeutic grade, distilled by steam with low pressure and low temperature, not by chemical solvents. Quality definitely matters— you get what you pay for. Look for essential oils that are bottled in amber, cobalt, or violet glass bottles.

Look for important information about the oils (either printed on the label, on the manufacturer’s website, etc.): • Latin name of the oil (e.g.

Lavandula angustifolia) • Common name of the oil (e.g. Lavender) • How the oil was extracted • Country of origin • Method of cultivation (e.g. organic, cultivated, wild harvested, etc.)

• The words "100% pure essential oil" My favorite brands are Young Living, Do Terra, Animal EO, and Plant Therapy. "Now" essential oils are readily available through major retailers and are of good quality.

Some Examples of Oils and Their Uses (Each oil has many uses, and many other oils can be used for the same issue.)

IMMUNE SUPPORT OR ANTI-CANCER: frankincense- boswelia carterii

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RESPIRATORY: cedarwood- cedrus Atlantic ANTI-VIRAL: melissa- Melissa officinales ANTI-BACTERIAL: lemon- citrus Limon ANTI-FUNGAL: geranium- pelargonium asperier

CALMING: lavender- lavendula officinales or chamomile- matricaria recutita

BURNS: lavender

Lavender is the mos t versatile essential oil and is a great place to start. It is very safe and can be used for multiple issues including burns, anxiety, fungal, or bacterial infections, nausea, itchy skin, and boosts the immune system.

Essential Oils in Animal Care, A Naturopathic Approach, Sarah Reagan, Kim Bloomer & Jeanette Thomason

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BLOAT: coriander-coriander sativum

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY: copaiba- copaifera officinales

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE ABOUT ESSENTIAL OILS AND THEIR USE IN PETS, PLEASE SEE THE FOLLOWING REFERENCES:

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DIGESTION: peppermint- mentha piperita

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ANTI-BEE STING: lemon NAUSEA: ginger- zinger officinales STOP BLEEDING: everlast- helichrysum italicum

How To Use Essential Oils

Essential oils can be inhaled, applied topically, or ingested. The following are guidelines for how much oil to use with each method.

INHALED: 1-4 drops in a diffuser in large room that pet can choose to leave

Here Are Some Useful Recipes INJURED PAW SOAK RECIPE 1-gallon warm water 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar 1/4 cup brewed green tea 2 drops of lavender 2 drops of frankincense

TOPICAL: 5 drops into 15 ml (1/2 oz) into a carrier oil like extra virgin olive oil to dilute. Apply to abdomen or between pads or ear flaps.

1. Mix ingredients together 2. Soak paws for 10 minutes, 1-2 times per day, then rinse off

PETTING: 1 drop of oil in hands, rub together and pet on dog

10 drops of lavender 10 drops of frankincense 10 drops of myrrh 10 drops of copaiba 2 tsp colloidal silver Aloe Vera juice

MISTING: 5 drops in 1/2 oz of water, shaken and misted on dog INGESTED: 1-2 drops rubbed on gums or mixed in fatty food like canned or raw fish

HOT SPOT RECIPE

1. Mix first five ingredients in a 1 oz glass sprayer bottler 2. Top off with Aloe Vera juice 3. Shake well and spray on hot spot 2-4 times per day

FLEA AND TICK COLLAR RECIPE (courtesy of Dr. Karen Becker) 10 drops citronella 10 drops geranium 5 drops of patchouli 5 drops of cedar 1. Mix ingredients together 2. Apply 5 drops to collar or a bandana There are also plans to have a BernerU class on Essential Oils at the 2022 National Specialty!

About the Author: Dr. Andrea Carlson is an integrative vet and owner at Southlake Animal Hospital in Merrillville, IN. She is a certified veterinary Chinese acupuncturist and herbalist. She is also certified in Chinese massage, palliative and end of life care, Chinese food therapy, and animal chiropractic. She is a certified Chinese veterinary medical practitioner.

She has had Berners since 2009 and breeds under the kennel name Singing Sands. All of her dogs are raw fed and naturally raised.

First Aid with Veterinary Medical Aromatherapy, Dr. Nancy Brandt DVM, CVC, CVA Essential Oils for Natural Pet Care, A veterinarian’s Desk Reference for the Top Health Concerns of Cats, Dogs & Horses, Melissa Shelton DVM, Holistic Veterinarian Essential Oils for You & Your Pet, Balance | Vitalize | Enhance Sherry Losby

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Echo

The Alternative Treatment of Hemangiosarcoma of Bernese CH Blackrock Echos of Anastasia aka “Echo”

BY ANNE CREEK

Sensing my concern, the oncologistat Med Vet, Columbus suggested trying a treatment that had been used in a clinical trial at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. The Penn Vet trial used a Coriolus versicolor mushroom, known as Yunzhi mushroom, to treat dogs with hemangiosarcoma. I could treat Echo and not make him go through surgical trauma after he had done so not that long ago!

FIRST, A LITTLE background information. My beautiful Berner, Echo, was undergoing routine diagnostic exams in preparation for a teeth cleaning. A chest x-ray showed a mass in one of his lung lobes, which was subsequently diagnosed as lung cancer. Echo was 9 and in excellent health. As the lung mass appeared to be isolated, I opted for surgical removal of his lung. The surgery was successful and there was no metastasis noted. The only recommendation from the oncologist was to perform scans of his remaining lung and abdomen every six months, so that is what we did.

And this was when our alternative medicine journey started. About a year and a half later, Echo was 10.5 years and still in excellent health (or so I thought). One of Echo’s routine scans showed a mass in the spleen, and it was diagnosed as hemangiosarcoma. The oncologist suggested surgical removal of the spleen. I was torn as I had already removed Echo’s lung at 9 years old and struggled with the idea of another surgical procedure for a seemingly healthy dog of 10.5 years. Sensing my concern, the oncologist at Med Vet Columbus suggested trying a treatment that had been used in a clinical trial at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. The Penn Vet trial used a Coriolus versicolor mushroom, known as Yunzhi mushroom, to treat dogs with hemangiosarcoma. The Yunzhi mushroom has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for more than 2,000 years. The compound in the mushroom that is believed to have immune-boosting properties is polysaccharopeptide or PSP. Some studies have suggested that PSP also has a tumor-fighting effect. During the Penn Vet trial, the owners were instructed to give their dogs capsules of I’m-Yunity, compounded by Penn pharmacists, at differing strengths. It was found that the dogs receiving the 100 mg dosage had a median survival time of 199 days. Further trials were held to confirm and refine results.

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I have always used alternative medicine in conjunction with traditional medicine, so this option excited me. I could treat Echo and not make him go through surgical trauma after he had done so not that long ago! My oncologist told me to go to the website for I’m-Yunity and order the capsules. They were expensive—about a dollar a pill—and I was to give him 2 capsules twice daily: a cost of $4 daily or $120 per month. I started Echo on this regimen.

At the same time, I also consulted with my vet who practices Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM).

She is an instructor at the Chi Institute in Florida and has been published in the American Journal of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (AJTCVM). Her practice is limited to acupuncture, chiropractic, Chinese herbs,

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its with my TCVM veterinarian. She examined Echo, adjusted the dosages of the supplements based upon her energy evaluation, and toward the end, did regular acupuncture to help him with his hind end, which was getting weaker.

Echo (BG# 60270) and Anne performing therapy duties. Photo by Agility Ability. and Food Therapy. I had used her for years, beginning with chiropractic work on my horses, and I wanted her advice on any other complementary herbs that might help along with the I’m-Yunity. She uses energy work to determine deficiencies in the major organs (as defined

by Traditional Chinese Medicine) and will recommend food changes, supplements, and whether acupuncture would be beneficial. She recommended some additional Chinese herbs to boost Echo’s immune system (Wei Chi Booster) and added an herb known to retard tumor growth (Stasis Breaker). Both herbs were sold by the Chi Institute and purchased through her.

Echo celebrated his 12th birthday on 6/15/20. It was an amazing celebration, but I knew it would be his last as it was getting harder and harder for him to walk. In his final two months, he needed the Help ‘Em Up Harness to go outside to potty. But with this treatment, Echo lived a very full life for two years after his initial diagnosis. He continued to be an awesome therapy dog during this time and travelled constantly with me. He lived an unbelievable life for an unbelievably wonderful dog.

About the Author: Anne Creek fell in love with the breed and has owned Berners since 1988. She has earned titles on her dogs in conformation, obedience, and rally. She is married to her husband Phillip and together they also breed and race thoroughbred horses. They split their time between Lexington, Kentucky and Columbus, Ohio. Anne is a retired CPA.

So, this became the normal regimen with Echo. We never went back to the oncologist. We just had monthly visFall 2021

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Dash

BY ALICE CLARK

DASH, AT 12 YEARS, 10 months of age, was diagnosed with histiocytic sarcoma in early February of 2020. The first warning sign was discovered by his rehabilitation vet when she felt enlarged popliteal lymph nodes (those at the back of his knees). (Dash had been seeing his rehab vet about once a month for the las t few years, receiving acupuncture and manual therapy in treatment of his arthritis and low back pain.) The lymph nodes were aspirated, and analysis performed by Colorado S t a t e U n i v e r s i t y Ve t e r i n a r y Teaching Hospital.

The results came back with a diagnosis of erythrophagocytic histiocytic sarcoma. Erythrophagocytic means that the cancer was destroying red blood cells. This was consistent with anemia that had been present for a while— going back to late 2019. We followed up with an x-ray of his lungs and found no evidence of cancer there. An abdominal ultrasound found abnormalities in his spleen and one enlarged mesenteric lymph node. There was also mild mineralization in his kidneys.

With my other Bernese Mountain Dogs, Camber and Lyric, I had proceeded with conventional treatments when they were diagnosed with cancer. But because of Dash’s advanced age combined with a diagnosis of histiocytic sarcoma it just didn’t make sense to go in that direction. We would make the best of every day we had together and be grateful for the many wonderful years we had shared. But in discussion with Dash’s rehab vet, we felt that it was reasonable to pursue more holistic 30

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Dash (BG# 62678). Photo by Lisa Kaufman. treatments and to try to give him as many good days as possible. I shared with her the Joe Tippens protocol that several Berner owners have followed with their dogs diagnosed with cancer.

THE PROTOCOL IS AS FOLLOWS: (compiled by John Weigler) 1) Tocotrienol and Tocopherol forms (all 8) of Vitamin E (400-800mg per day, 7 days a week).

2) Bio-Available Curcumin (600mg per day, 2 pills per day 7 days a week).

3) CBD oil (1-2 droppers full [equal to 25mg per day] under the tongue, 7 days a week).

4) Panacur C, the above three items every day (7 days per week) and the canine medicine (1 gram per day

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Dash But in discussion with Dash’s rehab veterinarian, we felt that it was reasonable to pursue more holistic treatments and to try to give him as many good days as possible.

for 3 consecutive days per week). Take 4 days off and repeat each week. Each gram of Panacur C has approximately 222 mg of Fenbendazole, in case you are trying a different branded product.

Woods brands.

4) For the Panacur we got the liquid form used for goats.

It was much cheaper than getting from a vet. This could be obtained from a local vet or livestock supply store.

Additional detail about the protocols can be found at https://cdn.website-editor.net/4dcb0b7185374fe5898 d4ec7af91eb8d/files/uploaded/Joe%2520Tippens%25 27%2520Protocol%2520and%2520Scientific%2520 Backing.pdf

In March of 2020 we made other adjustments. We also increased his dry vitamin E to 1600 IU (800 IU am and pm), and my vet also recommended adding Bilberry Extract (about .7 ml twice daily) and Bromelain (500mg, one per day). There are studies showing that both inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis of cancer cells. (https:// pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20132040/ and https://www. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6338369/)

The rehab vet did some research on the protocol and determined that there weren’t any contraindications for pursuing it outside of one study, which showed bone marrow hypoplasia associated with fenbendazole (generic for Panacur) and that there was some merit to the various citations in favor of these items in the fight against cancer. We would closely monitor his red blood count as a precaution.

WE VARIED FROM THE PROTOCOL ABOVE IN THE FOLLOWING WAYS: 1) Her research also turned up a study that favored vitamin E succinate (also known as dry vitamin E) over the liquid form (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/ articles/PMC2394445/) and she recommended that we use a dosage of 800 IU per day.

2) We used Curcuvet SA-150 and later Thorne Meriva 500. When giving the Curcuvet we split that between morning and evening meals. The Thorne product was given just once a day.

3) We added a turkey tail mushroom supplement— 500mg in the am, 500mg in the pm. There are many brands on the market. One that is well known is I’m-Yunnity. We chose not to use that one as it was difficult to get at the time and much more expensive than other brands. I used both Swanson and Double

We discontinued the CBD oil pretty quickly (March 2020) as that seemed to agitate him. After five months we discontinued the Panacur, as his anemia was progressing, and he was very weak and having some appetite issues.

Retrospectively, after his necropsy, it seems that he had a bleed in his spleen at this same time. Whether or not that was related to the Panacur we can’t really say.

We monitored the size of his popliteal lymph nodes at each monthly visit to his rehab vet. At one point they were smaller in size, and by the end of Dash’s life they had not increased in size in any appreciable way.

In December 2020, ten months post diagnosis, the ultrasound was repeated and we found that the mesenteric lymph node had increased in size by just millimeters.

The splenic nodules though had grown appreciably— doubling or tripling in size. However, no cavitation or increase in blood flow was seen in any of the tumors (which would indicate the propensity to bleed or become necrotic).

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SMOKE INHALATION AND DOGS REVIEW THIS INFORMATION NOW TO PREPARE YOURSELF FOR A QUICK AND SAFE EVACUATION.

BY SASSAFRAS LOWREY

With wildfires burning, poor air quality can have negative health impacts on dogs.

I HAVE BEEN watching in horror all the hear tbreaking news reports of people and animals rescued and missing in the California wildfires. As firefighters battle the blaze (which at the time of writing is still not contained), animal welfare groups are working around the clock to rescue dogs from the fire. Meanwhile, across parts of California, including areas not in the path of the wild fires, air quality is being ranked as some of the worst in the world. Smoke inhalation is not only dangerous for people—it can also have very serious consequences for dogs.

VISIBLE SYMPTOMS OF DAMAGE FROM SMOKE INHALATION IN DOGS Dr. Tina Wismer, Medical Director of the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, explains that, “With smoke inhalation, the amount of smoke a dog is exposed to will affect the symptoms. Animals that are caught in a fire can have difficulty breathing, inflammation and burns in the airways, and weakness. In some cases, dogs may initially appear normal and then develop a buildup of fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema) up to 24 hours later.”

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She further explains that dogs living near wildfires and breathing smoke may also experience eye irritation. Your dog may experience watery or red eyes, coughing, runny noses, and panting if exposed to wildfire smoke.

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Be prepared! It will likely be dark, smoky, windy, and hot. There may be airborne burning embers, no power or telephone, and poor water pressure. Remember, there is nothing you own worth your life!

Please evacuate immediately when asked.

This checklist was adapted from Wildfire Evacuation Checklist, University of Nevada, Reno Extension publication #FS-06-07. Funding for this project provided in part by a Community Fire Assistance Agreement with the Bureau of Land Management— Nevada State Office in cooperation with University of Nevada, Reno Extension.

University of Nevada, Reno is an EEO/AA institution.

Dr. Heather B. Loenser, DVM Senior Veterinary Officer of the American Animal Hospital Association, also encourages dog guardians in smoke impacted areas to be on the lookout for the following symptoms:

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LONG TERM IMPACTS OF SMOKE INHALATION IN DOGS

HOW TO CARE FOR DOGS IN POOR AIR QUALITY CONDITIONS

Although some symptoms of smoke inhalation are visible right away, dogs who have been exposed to smoke may get sick some time after the exposure.

If you are living in an area where air quality conditions are poor, the best thing you can do is to keep your dog inside as much as possible. Limiting the length and frequency of walks and staying out of outdoor spaces like dog parks is advised until air quality improves. Trick training or Scent Work games are a great way to keep your dog mentally and physically exercised in your house or apartment.

Jordan Holliday from Embrace Pet Insurance explains “once your pet has been rescued from a fire, he or she may appear pretty normal. Unfortunately, initial appearances can be deceiving. Even if your dogs didn’t come into contact with fire and get burned, they may have severe internal issues that need to be addressed.”

Holliday cautions, “The most common cause of fire-related deaths in pets is not skin damage from burns, but organ damage from carbon monoxide toxicity.

During a fire, carbon monoxide replaces the oxygen in the air. When a pet breathes carbon monoxide instead of oxygen, his organs will not be able to function correctly.” This is why it’s so important any dogs being rescued from wild fire impacted areas are seen by veterinarians.

SMOKE EXPOSURE IN DOGS: MINIMIZING RISK The most important thing you can do if your dog has been exposed to smoke is to get him out of the situation as soon as possible. If your dog has any of the above symptoms of smoke toxicity, Dr. Loenser advises you to get your dog seen by a veterinarian to receive oxygen therapy.

Dr. Loesner explains that veterinary hospitals have oxygen cages that allow (all but the largest) dogs to rest in an oxygen-rich environment. Giant dogs that are too large for the oxygen cages can be provided oxygen therapy through a nasal cannula which allows oxygen to flow into a dog’s nose.

“Treating a dog with oxygen is one of my favorite treatments because I love seeing the look of relief when they realize they can breathe easier,” says Dr. Loesner.

Dogs being rescued by first responders are increasingly being treated with oxygen therapy on the scene, but Dr. Loenser advises that any dogs rescued from wildfires or any other fire should be directed to a veterinarian within an hour of being rescued.

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••• The most common cause of fire-related deaths in pets is not skin damage from burns, but organ damage from carbon monoxide toxicity.

••• Humans in areas impacted by wildfires are being encouraged to wear face masks or respirators to minimize the risks associated with breathing smoke. There are a few different masks on the market for dogs such as Dog Pollution Mask, and goggles (Doggles) that may reduce eye irritation from the smoke.

Unfortunately, unlike masks for people, these masks are less readily available. Having just moved with my dogs from New York to Oregon (which in recent years has had more issues with wildfires like neighboring Northern California), I am considering buying air pollution masks for my dogs.

Of course, this means once I have the dog pollution masks, I’ll need to begin slowly desensitizing my dogs to wearing them. If an air quality emergency were to occur, my dogs need to be comfortable with wearing and breathing through something on their faces—a sensation that might feel strange to anyone.

DOGS MOST AT RISK FOR COMPLICATIONS FROM SMOKE EXPOSURE Smoke inhalation is dangerous for all dogs regardless of breed or age, but there are specific concerns with some breeds. Dr. Loenser explains that dogs with short Continued on page 66

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The Saga of Our Life During

FIRE SEASON STORY AND PHOTOS BY RUTH NIELSEN

Fitzroy (BG# 125953) on fire watch at sunset.

THE FOLLOWING IS a compilation of Ruth’s Facebook posts when wildfires forced her evacuation from her home.

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PART 1:

Fire Watch at Sunset-July 14, 2021 We are too close to the fires…it’s scary and nerve wracking and heart wrenching. I’m so very grateful for the fire fighters who are out there putting their lives on the line. We see the fire creeping closer to our home and the winds are picking up…the main road we travel to get to the city is closed because of the fires. I’m incredibly sad that the mountains I love and some of my favorite spots are burning

PART 2:

My Dilemma-July 1 , 2021 One car / One dog / multiple fires– and 24 hours to decide what to take..

If you have to leave in a hurry you grab the essentials…

If you have more time to ponder what might fit in the car in case everything burns up then it starts to get stupid– at least it did for me!

Fitzroy and I were entered in an agility trial near Seattle, so I had planned to leave home for the agility trial- staying in a hotel. Then the fires started and were getting closer to home– the road that was our most direct route to Seattle closed due to the fires– and it seemed to make sense for all of us to leave.

PLAN A: Fitzroy and I would head to the agility trial while hubby Chris would take the girls River & Hazy to stay with a friend in Seattle and then we’d reunite in Seattle after the agility trial and see what happens next.

Plan B: Fitzroy and I left– Chris and the girls stayed. I packed my car thinking I might not get home again- and that was incredibly tough. Only so much room and what 36

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to take. Because we were not being officially evacuated and the fire fighters are doing everything possible to keep the fires contained it made sense to Chris to stay.

Plan C: Fitzroy and I are at the agility trial. It’s a great distraction for a million different reasons. We are fine but I am feeling displaced for sure. New fires have started– not near our house– but other areas have been evacuated. Chris said he would leave with the girls and head to Seattle this afternoon.

Huge thank you to everyone who has expressed concern and support for us. I’m incredibly grateful for all the wonderful messages and good wishes and prayers.

I know many others have gone through this heartbreaking dance with fires and other natural disasters and I hope we will get back home ok.

In the meantime, I’m especially grateful for Fitzroy giving me something else to focus on since I can’t change the fires and it would be a bad thing for me to strangle my husband- (I do love him dearly but…)

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PART 3:

Getting the Band Back Together

Fitzroy on our brief visit to the house after evacuating.

This Saga started with my photos of the fires near our house at Sunset– followed by pictures of me packing up to leave with Fitzroy as the fires got worse. Fitzroy and I had planned to leave anyway for an agility trial but the fires meant packing to leave not knowing when we’d be back…and combine that with the added question of if/when Hubby Chris would leave to join us with the Girl Dogs…

I’m happy to report the Band is Back Together Again!

Fitzroy and I have reunited with Chris, River and Hazy in Seattle at a very dear friend’s house. I can’t thank our friend enough for taking us in– adding 2 adults and 3 big dogs to a household is not for the faint of heart but our friend has been very welcoming and generous, and we are grateful to be in a safe place away from the toxic smoke levels and growing fire hazard surrounding our home. It’s a shock to be back in the city after the peace and solitude we had grown accustomed to in the mountains- but cooler temps and clear air is welcome!

We are monitoring the fire situation constantly. For those that have been through this you know even better than I what this feels like– not knowing how it will play out is incredibly stressful, but we are all safe and taking things one step at a time going forward.

Thanks so much to everyone who expressed care and concern for us– It means a lot!

PART 4:

Wonderful Friends Thanks again to everyone who has posted such wonderful messages of support and caring– it means more than I can say! My heart is just aching right now being away from our home and “doomscrolling” as the fires are worse and getting closer to our home.

On the absolute plus side we are all in a great place with wonderful friends in Seattle . I’m amazed at how resilient the dogs are as they have very quickly adapted to being in someone else’s home without the great outdoors at their paws. We have our own room and the dogs learned immediately which room is “theirs” and that’s where they hang out unless they are at our feet.

The weather in Seattle is cool so they can literally “chill”– so nice for them! They are a little bit on guard since they aren’t accustomed to people and dogs walking by– At home we see NO ONE unless it’s a friend coming to visit! I’m working on convincing them that they do not need to protect or warn us about people walking by or the neighbors enjoying their yards when we are sitting outside. The Tiny Trio is readjusting to city life– but I’m sure their hearts are in the mountains as mine is.

I’m grateful for distractions like agility and getting together with friends- and holding hard onto hope that our home and surroundings will survive.

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••• The closer I got to home the more I just wanted to pull over and gawk as I passed burning hills with huge smoke plumes and fire camps and heavy equipment.

•••

The view from our deck at night (after evacuating).

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talking about vacationing visitors and family- I’m talking about friends who lived with us for many months– sometimes more than year– for various reasons including relocating, job searching, school, breakups– whatever can happen that might leave one needing a home for a while. I lost track at 10 when I was counting up the number of friends over the years who were part of our household for as long as they needed to be. I was happy we had a room we could offer, and it was always a richly rewarding experience to share space and “home” with people we cared about.

And isn’t K ARMA wonder ful- because now we are the ones in need of a place to stay after leaving our home because of the fires– and we have amazing generous and kind friends who have of fered us places to stay while we ride out the fires at home. I couldn’t be more thankful for the gestures of support and kindness that have come our way. While we are hoping and praying hard we will be able to return home safely eventually– in the meantime we are vagabonds! It’s not easy to relocate with two adults and three big dogs and we are so very lucky to be surrounded by KINDNESS. Fitzroy on our deck during the fires — nothing to see but smoke.

PART 5:

Kindness and Karma

There is so much on my mind as we are well into Week 2 of evacuation from our home because of the forest fires raging in our backyard.

Thinking about KARMA. Chris and I have always had a guest room in our various homes over the years for friends who needed a place to live for a while. I’m not

Thank you again to everyone who has posted such thoughtful caring messages– it means so much to us.

The Dogs are handling it extremely well and I have not killed Chris, so these are all good things. I’m not posting any Fire photos because it’s too depressing but I’m deeply grateful for the firefighters who are working so hard to save homes and structures as the fire keeps moving.

It’s an Adventure! Not the kind of Adventure I normally prefer but an Adventure nonetheless….

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PART 6:

How long does a forest fire keep burning?-July 30, 2021

Question: How long does a forest fire keep burning? It’s been a little over 2 weeks since Fitzroy and I left home (joined later by Chris, River & Hazy) to escape the forest fires threatening our home and neighborhood. Since we left the fires have expanded as fires do and we have been closely watching all the updates on social media and any other news about the status to see when we might go home again.

We’ve been staying with friends and enjoying some very pleasant Seattle weather. It seems unreal to be in the city with blue skies and traffic and people and all the city things when my heart and headache for the mountains and our home surrounded by views and nature and peaceful solitude. A big part of me wanted to go home just to be there and see for myself what was happening.

I kept thinking of things I wished I had grabbed when I left– what about this thing or that thing? Really– if I’m going to be homeless indefinitely I could think of a few more things I wanted to have from home…would having more of my “stuff” with me make it any easier to be gone?

Because I knew people were still able to go to their homes in our neighborhood I decided to make a quick trip home to check things out and pick up the things I was missing. Our Evacuation Status is Level 2 (on a scale of 1-2-3)– which means Be Ready to Leave. (Level 3 is Go Now but we decided to leave before it became a crisis so we could safely exit with the dogs.)

My “quick trip home” with Fitzroy was another adventure.

Because of road closures due to the fires it was about a 5 hour drive so I figured I would stay at the house if it was ok or grab my stuff and stay somewhere else. I took Fitzroy because I wanted his company. He’s been pretty attached to me recently- more so than in the past. I’m not sure if that has anything to do with being vagabonds but I’m grateful for having him at my feet– literally.

The drive home was surreal. It was beautiful and clear for hours– no sign of smoke– and I marveled that the destructive fires were so well hidden and tucked away by intermittent peaks. I drove by blackened hillsides that had been burned in past fires and I knew the landscape was changing closer to home. It wasn’t until I was about 30 miles from home that the smoke and fire really became apparent.

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The closer I got to home the more I just wanted to pull over and gawk as I passed burning hills with huge smoke plumes and fire camps and heavy equipment. The road to my house was marked with barricades indicating it was closed except for residents– the fork in the road heading closer to the fires was closed and monitored by camo-clad women that I assume were National Guard. I was tempted to go talk to them but I didn’t want to interrupt their jobs, so I kept going creeping closer to home.

My house was fine. Ash was falling in the air and the only view was smokey orange haze and a red ball sun. I took some pictures but there was no way to capture the sense that I had driven onto the set of some creepy science fiction movie. My eyes burned and I had a headache in very short order.

I attended a local fire briefing and felt that staying at the house would be ok for one night. Even though the air was bad and it was hot I really wanted to sleep in my own bed…

Once it got dark the view shifted from smoke to active flames across the valley from me. I was stunned to watch trees exploding into flames and see that my “view” was a wall of red. I knew the fire was not as close as it seemed– but it still made me think about the power of the fire and the destruction taking place just a few miles away. I woke up in the middle of the night to the eerie red glow of the flames– again reminding myself that the flames were not heading my way.

When I got ready to leave in the morning there was only a wall of smoke and nothing to see where normally I’d be gazing off into the mountains. Smoke was stinging my eyes– I’m sure that’s the only reason I was crying.

I’m encouraged that it appears our home will weather this particular fire storm but right now the fire is still too close for comfort and the air quality is so bad we just have to wait it out.

I’m continually grateful for friends who have taken us in and made us feel safe and welcome. Thanks so much to everyone who has expressed care and concern- and if you’ve offered us a place to stay we can’t thank you enough! Friends will get us through this little Adventure.

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so happy they raced around in circles and barked at each other in an explosion of joy! Of course, I immediately had the Tiny Trio pose together on their favorite picnic table– it was great to have a view that was mostly clouds instead of all smoke. All three dogs are smiling– even River!

My first morning back at home was a delightfully cool 60 degrees instead of the recent heat waves in the 90’s and triple digits. Fitzroy joined me for a cup of coffee on the deck where we enjoyed views of the mountains across the valley from us. The last time I was here with Fitzroy our view across the valley was nothing but smoke and flames– it looks so normal now!

After returning home — the fires closest to us are under control and the view is back.

PART 7:

Homecoming!-August 18, 2021 We are all HOME at last!

After being away from home for about a month because of the fires we have all finally returned! The dogs were

This afternoon Fitzroy and Hazy and I took one of our favorite local hikes where we saw no one and no evidence of the fires.

The fires are still burning but thanks to the Herculean efforts of the firefighters no homes or structures were lost in our area.

The roads are open and evacuation levels are removed. We can smell the smoke, but the flames are not at our doorstep.

We are incredibly happy to be home and deeply grateful to our friends who have supported and helped us get through this. We so appreciate having places to stay and offers of help . Fire season isn’t over yet but I’m hoping we are past the worst of it for our neighborhood.

Sending prayers and hoping for the best for those folks who are still evacuated. We could all use some rain!

About the Author: Ruth Nielsen lives in a remote small town in the North Cascade Mountains in Washington with her husband, Bernese Mountain Dogs Fitzroy & Hazy and Newfoundland River. She is a passionate photographer and is known for her photos of adventures in the mountains with her dogs posted on Facebook and Instagram (@mazamadog).

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Test Your Berner Knowledge CREATED BY THE ALPENHORN CONTENT TEAM

Do you have a theme that you would like to see featured in a puzzle?

Please send your thoughts and ideas to Lara Usilton, Editor-In-Chief at larausilton@hotmail.com Answers on page 65.

ACROSS 4 Has served as Futurity Chair since 1999 7 In France, Berners are known as Bernnois _______ 8 1st Health Test tracked by BMDCA 10 Number of champion offspring required for the title of Top Producing Male 12 Long time AKC Gazette columnist 14 Number of judges who have judged BOB twice at the National Specialty 15 Husband and wife that started what is now known as Berner-Garde 16 Natural Gait (2 words) 17 Number of points required for AKC Puppy of Achievement 18 BMD Standard - Dentition is _______ 19 Bitch that has won the National Specialty Best of Breed twice (call name) 21 US State which has hosted the most BMDCA National Specialties 22 FCI Group for Bernese 23 AKC Group for Bernese 24 BMD Swiss Canton

Henrix (BG#13844) enjoying the forest views. Photo by Patty Gill.

DOWN 1 Unlimited communication to your dog is permitted in this AKC Sport 2 High in ______ 3 BMD Standard - These are a disqualification (2 words) 5 Required by the BMDCA for every BMD to enter a National Specialty (2 words) 6 BMDCA Highest Draft Award 9 Coefficient of _______ 10 The Deutsch name for Berners is Berner _____ 11 BMD Standard - Eyes are slightly _______ 13 Number of points required to achieve AKC Championship 15 City where first Independent National Specialty was held 20 The first President of the BMDCA Fall 2021

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HealthBeat

AKC’S CANINE HEALTH FOUNDATION’S

13th Bi-Annual National Parent Club Canine Health Conference

BMDCA Health Commi ee

BY PAT LONG, MEMBER OF THE BMDCA HEALTH COMMITTEE

The following is Part 1 of a three-part series summarizing the presentations from the AKC CHF Conference. Part 2 will run in the Winter 2022 Issue, and Part 3 will run in the Spring 2022 Issue.

ON AUGUST 13, 2021, the AKC's Canine Health Foundation held its 13th bi-annual National Parent Club Canine Health Conference virtually.

Presentations were given over three days, with topic s about how research is helping to improve canine health. The Bernese Mountain Dog community was well represented with at least eight BMDCA member attendees, four of whom were members of the BMDCA Health Commit tee (Dr. Toby Erlichman, Julie Jackson, Pat Long, and Joye Neff). The presentations have been summarized to share with our community. We have made liberal use of the CHF's conference handouts that provided abstracts. Summaries of the sessions will also be featured in future issues of The Alpenhorn.

AN UPDATE ON GENETIC EVALUATION OF LABRADOR TRICUSPID VALVE DYSPLASIA AND BOXER ARVC K athr yn M . Meur s, DV M, Ph.D., DACVIM (Cardiology), is a Professor and the Associate Dean of Research 44

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and Graduate Studies at the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Meurs has a Ph.D. in Genetics from Texas A&M University, and her areas of interest include familial aspects of cardiovascular disease, especially cardiomyopathy.

Some definitions: • A trait is inherited if there is a genetic predisposition, and the trait can be present at bir th or develop later.

• A trait is congenital if it is present at bir th, but it is not necessarily inherited.

• Penetrance is the degree to which a mutation causes clinical signs within a population. Many diseases have about a 20 - 80% penetrance.

• Expression is the severity of the clinical disease for the individual.

The environment may play a role.

Tricuspid valve dysplasia (T VD) is an inherited congenital hear t defect observed most commonly in the Labrador Retriever. Some dogs have only a mild form of the defect and can live comfortably. In contrast, others can have significant valvular abnormalities, leading to the development of conges tive heart failure. The defect has been shown to be an inheritable trait in the Labrador Retriever and is suggested to be consistent with a single Go to Table of Contents

gene defect. A mutation was found to be associated with T VD. Dogs with the mutation are at risk. Four affected dogs were found without the mutation, which raises whether there are other mutations.

The Bernese Mountain Dog community was well represented with at least eight BMDCA member attendees, four of whom were members of the BMDCA Health Committee.

Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is an inherited heart disease diagnosed most commonly in the Boxer dog.

It is an adult-onset disease, with 6-8 years the average age of onset. It appears to be an autosomal dominant trait with incomplete penetrance, and the risk of the disease increases with age. A causative mutation for ARVC in the dog was found in the striatin gene; however, this mutation does not explain all af fec ted cases. A second causative variant was found using DNA samples collected from affected Boxer dogs that are negative for

Subaortic stenosis (SAS) and Pulmonic stenosis (PS) are the most common inherited heart diseases for which multiple breeds are over-represented.

SAS is a constriction that causes pressure overload on the left ventricle. Only one genetic mutation has been found to date, an autosomal dominant in Newfoundlands. In other breeds, it seems to be a recessive trait.

Regardless of severity, infections should be treated immediately, and perioperative antibiotics should be used due to endocarditis risk. the striatin mutation. Researchers are working to determine if dogs that have both mutations have more severe diseases.

THE ROLE OF ECHOCARDIOGRAPHIC EXAM IN THE SCREENING FOR MYXOMATOUS MITRAL VALVE DISEASE IN CAVALIER KING CHARLES SPANIELS Michele Borgarelli, DVM, Ph.D., DECVIM-CA (Cardiology), is a Professor of Cardiology and director of the Comparative Cardiovascular Laboratory at Virginia Tech, Virginia.

In 2019 he was awarded of Zoetis Animal Health Award for animal research. He is past president of

the European Society of Veterinary Cardiology (ESVC).

Myxomatous mitral valve disease ( M M V D) r e p r e s e n t s t h e m o s t common cardiovascular disease in dogs and one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in this species. In Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (Cavs), the disease is considered to be influenced by genetic factors. Cavs have a very high incidence of the disease, and auscultation is used to identify clicks or murmurs. It has been shown that echocardiography is a better diagnostic tool. 79% of Cavs diagnosed without murmurs or low-grade murmurs when young can show echocardiographic evidence of more than trivial MMVD when they are over the age of 5. Research using 3D echocardiography found that Cavs have a different mitral valve structure: flatter and more rounded.

Research is being done to determine if the mitral valve structure can identify dogs with a greater risk of early onset of the disease.

The question was asked about how to breed away for a disease that is so prevalent. Dr. Borgarelli indicated that it was not possible, but that they are working to breed away from the younger onset version of the disease in some countries.

CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE IN DOGS Samantha Kovacs, BS, DVM/Ph.D., is a DV M/Ph.D. candidate working in the Stern Translational Cardiac Genetics and Pharmacogenomics Laboratory.

Joshua Stern, DVM, Ph.D., DACVIM (Cardiology), is a Professor of Cardio-

logy at the University of California, Davis. He currently ser ves as the Chief of Service for Cardiology at the UC Davis Veterinar y Medical Teaching Hospital. He works in the clinic at UC Davis and is a member of the Center for Companion Animal Health. Dr. Stern completed his cardiology residency through Nor th Carolina State University and earned his Ph.D. through research and graduate studies with Washington State University Veterinary Cardiac Genetics Laboratory.

Subaortic stenosis (SAS) and Pulmonic stenosis (PS) are the most common inherited hear t diseases for which multiple breeds are over-represented. SAS is a constriction that causes pressure overload on the left ventricle. Only one genetic mutation has been found to date, an autosomal dominant in Newfoundlands. In other breeds, it seems to be a recessive trait.

Research is ongoing. Mild cases require no treatment, but more severe cases are treated with beta-blockers. Any infection should be treated immediately, and perioperative antibiotics should be used due to the risk of endocarditis. For more details on diagnosis and genetics, see the recent article by Ortiveros and Stern: https://cgejournal.biomedc e n t r a l . c o m /a r t i c l e s /10 .118 6 / s40575-021-00103-4 Pulmonic stenosis causes pressure overload on the right ventricle.

There is a breed predisposition, and 4% of bulldogs comprise about 50% of all PS cases. Other brachycephalic breeds are overrepresented. The mode of inheritance in bulldogs seems to be recessive, and research indicates a strong association on chromosome 1, but the genetics appear to be complex. Murmurs Fall 2021

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detected in puppies can save lives.

Treatment can be unnecessar y; treatment consists of beta blockers, or a balloon valvuloplasty to “pop” the stricture, depending on the severity of the disease.

SAS Q&A A significant murmur can be detected in puppies, but mild cases may not be diagnosed until around one year.

CHAGAS CARDIOMYOPATHY IN DOGS INFECTED WITH TRYPANOSOMA CRUZI Ashley Saunders, DVM, DACVIM (C a r d i o l o g y) , i s a P r o f e s s o r o f Cardiology and Assistant Department Head for Teaching at Texas A&M University. She is board certified in the specialty of cardiology by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.

The protozoal parasite, Trypanosoma cruzi, is transmit ted by triatomine insect vectors and causes myocarditis and cardiac morbidity, including heart failure and sudden death in humans and dogs. It is suspected that between 6-7 million people are infected, with another 75 million at risk. About 30% of people affected have clinical heart disease, which is challenging to diagnose and treat.

T. cruzi in dogs has increased, particularly in the southern United States and Central and South America, where the insec t vec tors are encountered. Risk factors for T. cruzi infection include living in or traveling to an area with infected kissing bugs. Infected dogs with travel history or translocated from the south have been diagnosed in northern regions of the United States.

Berner-Garde Repository 455 samples as of 10/11/2021

The prevalence in dogs has been increasing. About 6-13% of Texas shelter dogs have tested positive, about the same rate as for hear tworm. Prevention is done by insect ve c tor c on t rol and awarene s s .

Treatment consists of antiparasitics and management of heart arrhythmias. Even once the parasite is eliminated, the heart damage has been done. Clinical signs include sudden death, heart arrhythmias, signs of heart failure, and it is often mistaken for cardiomyopathy.

Diagnosis methods tes ted on a group of 10 affected dogs showed a normal ECG, use of a holtor identified arrhythmias in several dogs, and MRIs showed heart abnormalities in 7 out of the ten dogs.

Much work remains, and additional research is ongoing.

Berner-Garde Repository Update The total number of tumor tissue samples that the Repository had as of 10/11/2021 is 455.

The Bernese Mountain Dog DNA and Tissue Repository (BMD Repository) is a joint project sponsored by the Berner-Garde Foundation and Michigan State University with support from the Bernese Mountain Dog Club of America. The BMD Repository facilitates research for improving the health and longevity of Bernese Mountain Dogs. BMD owners and breeders voluntarily submit their dogs' DNA and tumor tissue samples to the Repository to support health research into genetic diseases. The Berner-Garde Foundation also operates the Berner-Garde Database, an open health database for Bernese Mountain Dogs.

The BG Database and the BMD Repository work in tandem. DNA samples are of little value without the accompanying health and pedigree information that the BG Database provides. The Alpenhorn displays the Berner-Garde number (BG#) of every Berner pictured in the magazine. Visit bernergarde.org to learn more about the BMD Repository and to access the Berner-Garde Database.

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D C M A B A e r h c t h i m v o es r F Report on

Proposed Standard

1979

BY MARY ALICE HORSTICK

The following article is from the BMDCA February 1979 Newsletter. This is one of a series of articles, (though not the first in the series) which appeared in several newsletters discussing the proposed changes to the AKC BMD Standard.

I hope that you enjoy this reflective look back.

References cited in ( ) in this article are : (AKC) - The Complete Dog Book, Official Publication of the AKC (the edition is not known, and it is now in its 20th Edition) (Lyon) - The Dog in Action, McDowell Lyon, All Breeds, Illustrated (1977).

STANDARD DISCUSSION: Forequarters, hindquarter, tail, gait.

BEC AUSE FOREQUARTERS, HINDQUARTERS and tail are the contraptions with which the dog is supposed to move, we will also discuss gait this month. This is slightly out of order as the proposed standard has the sections on Coat and Color and Markings before gait, but we feel that the standing structure of the dog is too closely related to the moving structure and would like to keep some continuity of thought.

PROPOSED STANDARD: Forequarters: Shoulders well-laid-back, flatlying and well-muscled. Forelegs straight and strong with the elbow well under the shoulder and never loose.

Pasterns slightly sloping. Feet round and compact with well arched toes. Dewclaws may be removed from front legs.

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Hindquarters: Thighs broad, strong, and muscular.

Stifles well-bent, tapering smoothly into the hocks.

Hocks well let down and straight. Dewclaws should be removed from rear legs.

Tail: Bushy, reaching to the hock, carried slightly suspended. Faults: tail curled over the back, kink in tail.

Gait: Natural working gait a slow trot, but capable of speed and agility in keeping with use in draft and droving work. Good reach in front. Powerful drive from the rear transmitted through a level back. No wasted action. Front and hind legs on each side follow through in the same plane, increased speed, legs may converge toward the center line.

VOCABULARY: • Shoulder: the region created by the shoulder blade and supporting muscles. (Lyon) • Laid-back (shoulder): a shoulder blade inclined backward from the joint to the top at an efficient angle for the dog's work or action; 45 degrees being the most efficient angle. (Lyon) See figures 1A (Dec. 1978 issue) and 7.

• Pastern: commonly recognized as the region of the foreleg between the carpus or wrist and the digits. (AKC) • Dewclaw: an extra claw or functionless digit on the inside of the leg; a rudimentary fif th toe.

(AKC, Complete Dog Book) • Thigh: the hindquarter from hip to stifle.

• Stifle: the joint of the leg between the thigh and the second thigh. The dog's knee. (AKC)

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AKC Bernese Mountain Dog Standard GENERAL APPEARANCE: A wellbalanced dog, active and alert; a combination of sagacity, fidelity and utility.

HEAD: Skull flat, defined stop and s trong muzzle. Dewlaps very slightly developed, flews not too pendulous, jaw strong with good, strong teeth. Eyes dark, hazel-brown, full of fire.

Ears v-shaped, set on high, not too pointed at tips and rather shor t. When in repose, hanging close to head; when aler t, brought slightly for ward and raised at base.

NECK AND BODY: Body rather short than too long in back, compact and well-ribbed up. Chest broad with good depth of brisket. Loins strong and muscular.

L E G S A N D F E E T: F o r e l e g s straight and muscular, thighs well developed and stifles well bent. Feet round and compact.

Declaws should be removed.

TAIL: Of fair thickness and well covered with long hair, but not to forma flag; moderate length.

When in repose, should be carried low, upward swirl permissible; when alert, may be carried gaily, but may never curl or be carried over back.

COAT: Soft and silky with bright, natural sheen; long and slightly wavy but may never curl.

COLORS AND MARKINGS: Jet black with russet brown or deep tan markings on all four legs, a spot just above forelegs, each side of whi te c hes t mar k ing and spots over eyes, which may never be missing. The brown on the forelegs must always be between the black and white.

Preferable, but not a condition, are: white feet, tip of tail, pure white blaze up foreface, a few white hair s on back of neck, and white s tar-shaped marking on chest.

• Hock: the tarsus or collec tion of bone of the hindleg forming the joint between the thigh and metatarsus. The dog's true heel. (AKC) • Hocks-well-let-down: a term which is synonymous with hocks close to the ground; this produces a relatively short distance between the hock joint and the ground, a short cannon bone, which reduces the leverage tax on the Achilles tendon and lessens fatigue. (Lyon) • Gait: the manner in which a dog walks, trots or runs. (AKC)

1937

HEIGHT: Dogs 23” to 27 1/2”; bitches 21” to 26” at shoulder.

FAULTS: Too massive in head, light or staring eyes, too heavy o r l o n g e a r s , t o o n a r r ow o r snipey muz zle, undershot or over s hot mou t h, p endulous dewlaps, too long or Setter-like body, splay or bare feet, tail curled or carried over back, cowhocks and white legs.

SCALE OF POINTS General Appearance................15 Size and height............................5 Head............................................15 Body............................................15 Legs and feet..............................15 Tail ...............................................10 Coat.............................................10 Color and markings...................15 Total............................................100

COMMENTS: Ron Smith, Ontario, Canada: "Forequarters". Please add something to the pastern comment to clarify that pasterns are not sloping because they are weak. "Tail". I do not agree that tails are always slightly suspended. Many BMD's carry their tails very low when set up and carry them quite gaily when not in motion, though not over their back. This is quite acceptable in my opinion. "Gait". You mention leg movement in the same plane. A lot of BMD's Fall 2021

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wide track in front and single track in the rear at full trot. Should this be mentioned?

Gini Shambaugh, Penn: "Forequarters". I think it should still state "Dewclaws should be removed."

My feeling is that dewclaws detract from the appearance of the leg and front and cause problems by being torn off, etc. They can also get caught in eye corners (this rarely happens, but once is too often).

Beverly Barney, Mass: Dewclaws may be removed from front legs. "Can" would be more positive.

"May" be sounds like we would rather see them left on. Dewclaws should be removed from rear legs.

"Should be" doesn't help the judge or breeder.

Either "can be" or "must be" would be more positive.

Fig. 7 Shoulders (see also Fig. 1A, 2A, 3A)

Arthur Hesser, N.Y.: "Paws". I would say they should be mentioned; short, round and compact (cat paws).

Mary Dawson, Penn: Forequarters looks alright.

"Hindquarters”, I do not think that "well bent stifles" are what our dogs have or should have. Draft dogs should not have them too well bent (see Lyon pp.

79-80; 196-197; also see standards for other heavy draf t dogs). "Moderately bent stifles" is a little wishy-washy, but may be better. "Tail"- o.k. "Gait".

Why limit "the natural working gait" to a slow trot?

I am sure all gaits are used, including the walk, for both draft and droving work. Again, eliminate "agility", substitute "activity" for "speed and agility". I suggest starting out "Gait reflecting strength and activity in keeping with use in draft and droving work." otherwise, fine.

Fig. 8 Rears (see also Fig 1A)

Arnold Woolf, Maine: Other than gait, standard looks pretty good. Better include cowhocks as a fault. Your gait is so erratic now and you won't improve it without penalizing cowhocking BMD's.

COMMITTEE RATIONALE: It's a bit hard to imagine trying to write a brief ar ticle on these sec tions when some people have written entire books on the anatomy and/or movement of the dog! It is also difficult to explain the proposed standard section by section when it is the coordination and balance of the whole dog which is our prime interest. The structure of 50

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From Front and Rear the dog has been considered by the Standard Committee primarily with the consideration of getting the most efficient movement our of our WORKING dog. We have already established that

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the BMD is generally a farm dog used for light draft and some droving work. He must have stamina to pull his load and also some amount of speed.

Though I have received one comment that we are dreaming if we think that the BMD is still used for this type of work, rest assured that I am one owner who does use my dogs for these purposes and am not alone in this world by a long shot. Though it may be from the joy rather than the necessity of seeing my dogs enthusiastically pulling a load of vegetables or firewood or playfully ushering sheep, how important it is that they do their job without tiring! Many breeds have had certain characteristics determined quite simply by the fancy of their admirers. If this is to be part of our criteria, then perhaps the key word is "moderation". Very often people who are seeing a BMD for the first-time remark that the beauty of the dog is that it is just a "normal" dog, nothing exaggerated, nothing to excess. With the working ability and the "normalness" of the BMD in mind, the Committee has worked to keep each part of the Standard in balance with the other parts.

In the "forequarters" section, we have described the shoulders as "well-laid-back" to impart to the judge and breeder the desirability of angulation of approximately 45 degrees (see figure 1A, BMDCA Newsletter, Dec. '78 issue, and 7). It is at this angle that the dog gets most efficient use of his muscles (Lyon, v 6).

Note that the proposed Standard also calls for "stifles well-bent", which generally goes hand in hand with proper rear angulation. This rear angulation is necessary for the power, drive and follow through needed for the dog to pull a load without tiring. The angulation in the rear must be balanced with that in the front. A dog with straight shoulders, a common fault in many BMD's, and well-bent stifles will have poor movement in that the front end will not be able to utilize the power coming from the rear. Likewise, a dog with good front angulation and straight stifles will not have powerful movement because there will be little ability for the leg to extend the force from the rear. A dog that is straight in both front and rear will probably have smoother movement than a dog that is out of balance but will be lacking in reach and drive. As Mary Dawson has noted, a well-bent

stifle is not always desirable in some breeds. The Alaskan Malamute standard calls for moderately bent stifles, but also calls for "moderately sloping" shoulders. Moreover, the Malamute is a heavy draft dog and is not used for any herding or droving work. The Siberian Husky, Samoyed and Rottweiler standards call for well-laid-back shoulders and wellbent stifles. "Pasterns slightly sloping" may imply to some a weakness mentioned by Ron Smith, but this impression should be corrected by the preceding sentence "forelegs straight and strong". "Slightly sloping", we feel, is an improvement on the Swiss Standard: "pasterns giving slightly". The necessity for the sloping pastern is for the dog to absorb the shock of the impact of the front assembly coming down when moving and assures a smoother gait.

Dogs that lack such slope do not have the cushioning or spring (Lyon p. 152). Sloping pasterns are not the same thing as broken down or weak pasterns.

In a weak pastern, the bones are not doing their job, but are putting the burden of the weight on the foot muscles and would unnecessarily tire the dog (Lyon p. 154).

Mr. Hesser's comment regarding paws is exactly what the proposed Standard has said in the description of feet. ("Feet" is the term asked for by the AKC.) "Round and compact with well-arched toes" implies that the foot is also short. To add "cat paws" would be redundant. ("Cat-foot: a deep, round, compact foot which is characterized by a short third digit bringing the toes nearer the base or heel pad, resembling a cat's paw." (Lyon, p. 268) "The short round, compact foot like that of a cat."

(AKC, p. 648).

Mr. Woolf's comment that we should mention cowhocks certainly brings out a problem that we have with our breed. The Committee has taken its cue not to mention the fault from the AKC by stating our case in positive terms. "The standard should list only such faults as are peculiar to the breed, and should not attempt to list faults which are obvious from the positive description of the dog. If the positive description specifies "hind legs straight as viewed from behind", it is generally not necessary to mention that "cowhocks are a fault". Perhaps we are unclear in that we have omitted "as viewed from behind", which is the intent of this sentence in the hindquarters section.

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Ah! Dewclaws! Those funny digits that none of us really like, but that come on the forelegs of most imported dogs and many American-bred dogs. Those that feel that rear dewclaws should be removed are in a vast majority. Removal of the rear dewclaws is how both the current U.S. and Swiss Standards are interpreted. The usage of "may be removed" in the forequarters section permits but does not require the breeder to remove front dewclaws. At this point, we do not feel that the removal of front dewclaws is one of our major concerns. In the AKC "Guide for Writing Breed Standards", we are asked to specify whether dewclaws "may be, are generally, should be or should not be removed, distinguishing between dewclaws on the forelegs and those on the hind legs in each case." (Underlining's mine; it's AKC's wording, not ours!) The Committee does not feel strongly enough that the front dewclaws should or should not be removed.

Should we dock tails because they frequently knock ever y thing of f cof fee tables or sometimes get caught in doors?? When the Standard Committee did a survey a number of years ago, the section on "tail" was the one section of the current U.S. Standard which most people felt was adequate. Well, we have greatly changed this section, not because we felt the current Standard inadequate, but because the Swiss Standard is more concise. The current U.S. Standard's section on tail is wordier than the combined sections on forequarters, hindquarters and gait, which are actually just lumped together. The tail is essentially an extension of the backbone and, as such, "is a barometer to the set of the pelvis and the value of the muscles attached to the pelvis and croup". (Lyon, p. 223). A tail that is slightly suspended, we hope reflects the proper structure of muscles and bones in the rear assembly. The argument that many BMD' s carry tails higher or lower than we ask for as the ideal does not make that tail carriage necessarily desirable. By taking the wordiness out of this section, we have tried to minimize the overemphasis on tail carriage in the current standard. The faults listed, we felt, are a problem in the breed. Note that "tail curled over the back" is listed as a fault, but not "tail carried more or less than slightly suspended".

Considering that the current U.S. Standard has no section on gait and the Swiss Standard's translation is awkward and difficult to translate, the Committee 52

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drew up this section with considerable reflection on the purpose of the Bernese Mountain Dog as a working dog, suited for light draft work and droving. All dogs, walk, trot, canter, and gallop when circumstances call for each gait at which he would be pulling a cart most efficiently. A slow trot keeps the cart rolling once the dog gets it going, but is not as tiring as a fast trot. A walk is also used as the least tiring and smoothest pace in pulling a cart but is not known for the speed necessary for droving, and whether we like it or not, all breeds are judged in the ring at a trot.

The tendency for many exhibitors to race their dogs around a ring frequently covers up poor movement which would be easily observed at a slow trot. As Ron Smith points out, many BMD's have a "tricycle" gait; they move wide in front and close in the rear, which we feel is nor proper movement. For this reason, we have stated that the "front and hind legs on each side follow through in the same plane. At increased speed, legs may converge toward a center line." (The Committee's original wording here was revised, clarified and improved with the help of the AKC.) With this wording, the single-tracking and double-tracking dog are both allowed, but the dog which has a combination of the two is not desired.

When pulling a cart (which is actually a pushing action), two factors are involved, balance and force.

A dog having the breadth in front and rear needed for the power to pull a cart may start out to double track for best balance and force . As his speed increases, the center of gravity is balanced over a center line, the dog brings his feet closer to this line and he throws his weight straight forward, first onto one foot then the other. The dog which is moving wide in front is not utilizing fully the drive coming from the rear that is now from side to side rather than straight a:head. The case of why we need proper angulation and good muscling to assure us of an efficient cart dog has been greatly simplified and understated above.

I urge anyone who is interested (or confused) to refer to McDowell Lyon's Dog In Action and/ or Rachael Page Elliott's Dog Steps, Illustrated Gait at a Glance, both published by Howell. If you have any questions or comments regarding the proposed Standard, we welcome them with open arms!

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Committee Chairs through the Years THE HEALTH OF any organization is solely dependent on the strength and generosity of its volunteers. With this thought, we aspire to recognize all of those committee chairs who gave their skills, time, and effort that helped build the BMDCA into what it is today.

With the digitizing of our historical records, we were able to perform a comprehensive search through newsletters, board minutes, and The Alpenhorns to put together for the first time a list of our committee chairs throughout the years. As humans compiled this list, there are bound to be a few areas that need correcting.

We are asking our membership to help us ensure that this list is as accurate as possible. If you can contribute to the accuracy of this list, please send an email to BMDCAarchive@gmail.com.

We also hope that once you have reviewed the list of BMDCA volunteers that you will thank them when you next see them and that you will be in the next generation of volunteers to ensure the health and longevity of our organization.

On behalf of the BMDCA Board and our members—thank you! — Georgeann Reeve

AKC DELEGATE 1893-1993 ������� Mary Jo Thomson 1994-2001 ������ Sharon Smith 2002-2006 ������ Lilian Ostermiller 2007-2010 ������� Denise Dean 2011-2021 ������� Sara Karl THE ALPENHORN EDITOR 1985-1987 ������� Denise Dean 1888-2008 ������ Elizabeth Pearson 2008 ���������������� Laura Caprara 2009-2012 ������ Nancy Melone 2013 ���������������� Michele Keck 2013-2018 ������� Robin Hamme/ Dawn Freeland 2019—2020 ����� Sharon Montville/ Georgeann Reeve 2021 ���������������� Georgeann Reeve / Lara Usilton AGILITY 1999-2001 ������ Michael Bond 2002-2010 ������ Clark Osojnicki 2011-2021 ������� Kris Osojnicki

AKC GAZETTE 1981-2018 ������� Julia Crawford 2019-2021 ������� Marjorie Geiger ASSISTANCE & GUIDANCE 2004-2009 ������ Roxanne Bortnick 2010-2015 ������� Darcy Babbs 2017-2021 ������� Linda Dalton AWARDS 1983-1984 ������� Denise Dean 1985-1987 ������� Karen St Michel 1988-2001 ������ Michele Walker 2002-2004 ������ Patti Morgan 2005-2021 ������ Renee Jacquier BREED AMBASSADOR 2013-2020 ������ Carol Lynn Fox 2021 ���������������� Wendy Kirk BREED STEWARD 2006 ���������������� Anne Copeland/ Beverly Hilmes 2006-2012 ������ Anne Copeland BREEDER EDUCATION 2005-2015 ������ Linda Seaver 2016-2020 ������ Dawn Cox

2021 ���������������� Linda Seaver / Heather Austin BREEDER REFERRAL 2005-2021 ������ Adam Conn BULLETIN 2005-2016 ������ Karyn Beyer 2016-2019 ������� Denise Peck 2020-2021 ������ Karyn Beyer BYLAWS 1983-2000 ������ Julia Crawford BYLAWS & NEW CLUB FORMATION 2001-2009 ������ Julia Crawford BYLAWS & REGIONAL CLUB RELATIONS 2010-2012 ������� Julia Crawford 2013-2015 ������� Gene Hamme BYLAWS 2016-2017 ������� Anne Summers 2019-2021 ������� Linda Dalton REGIONAL CLUB RELATIONS 2016-2020 ������ Georgeann Reeve 2021 ���������������� Carol Lynn Fox

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CANCER 1991-1993 ������� Lori Jodar DRAFT 1991-1993 ������� Paul Emerson 1994-1998 ������� Beverly Barney 1999-2002 ������ Christine Mann 2003-2009 ������ Phil Atkinson 2010-2019 ������� Jennifer Brightbill 2020 ���������������� Jennifer Brightbill / Julie Bacon 2021 ���������������� Jennifer Brightbill EDUCATION (OWNER) 2004-2005 ������ Susan Ablon 2006-2010 ������ Carol Stephenson EDUCATION PUBLIC 2004-2007 ������ Beverly Hilmes EDUCATION / INFO SERIES 2002 ���������������� Ruth Reynolds 2002-2021 ������ Robin Hamme BMDCA FILE MANAGER 1991-1997 ������� Martin Packard 1998-2003 ������ Margrit Kitchin 2004-2014 ������ Pat Long FUTURITY 1991 ���������������� Gail Whitesell 1992-1993 ������� Roxanne Bortnick 1994-1998 ������� Valerie Shingledecker 1999-2021 ������ Sandy Dunaway HEALTH 1991-1993 ������� Stephen Harris 1994-1995 ������� Lori Jodar 1996-1998 ������� Kathy Berge 1999-2009 ������ Kevin Curran 2010 ���������������� Debby Jones 2011-2014 ������� Julie Jackson 2015-2016 ������� Sue Van Ocker 2017-2018 ������� Sue Van Ocker / Toby Erlichman 2019-2021 ������� Toby Erlichman HEALTH AUCTION 2013-2018 ������� Debbie Miller Butler 2020-2021 ������ Kim McIntyre HERDING 2001-2004 ������ Marjorie Cherry 2005 ���������������� Marjorie Cherry / Mary Dowski 2006-2011 ������ Mary Dowski 2012 ���������������� Mary Dowski / Renee Meriaux 2013-2021 ������ Renee Meriaux 54

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HISTORIAN 1968-1972 ������� Mary Dawson 1973-1982 ������� Francis Lockhart 1983-1986 ������� Carolyn Lockhart 1988-1994 ������� Anneliese Belknap 1995-2004 ������ Nancy Mayer 2005-2016 ������ Cindy Stauch 2017-2020 ������� Julie Bacon INHERITED TRAITS 1997-1984 ������� John Caulwell 1985-1990 ������� Gretchen J.D. Johnston INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS 2003-2005 ������ Herb Hoffman 2006-2008 ������ Debbie Lyons 2009-2011 ������ Katherin Skerl 2012-2021 ������� Tracey Keith JUDGES EDUCATION 1991-1993 ������� Sylvia Howison 1994-2001 ������ Deborah Mulvey 2002-2013 ������ Mary Alice Eschweiler 2014-2021 ������ Deb Wilkins JUDGES SELECTION 2009-2021 ������ Susan Henderson JUNIOR ADVISOR 1997-1978 ������� Donna Paramore 1979-1981 ������� Kathy Miller 1982-1990 ������� Carla Bankston 1991-2004 ������ Michelle Ostermiller 2004-2007 ������ Breanne Dunaway 2008-2011 ������ Molly Settles 2012-2016 ������� Anglea Merfeld 2017-2021 ������� Debbie Jones LEGISLATIVE 1996-2001 ������ Stephanie Sotiros 2002-2018 ������ Ruth Nielsen LIAISON OVER SEAS 1982-1986 ������� Christina Ohlsen MEDALLION PLAQUE 2001-2004 ������ Susanne Hoffman 2005 ���������������� Susan Henderson 2006-2009 ������ Not recorded 2010-2011 ������� Jeffrey Nowak 2012-2021 ������� Candy Konicki MEMBERSHIP 1971-1976 ������� Martha Decker 1977 ��������������� Janice Ahrens 1978-1979 ������� Lilo Holzer 1980-1981 ������� Linda Williams 1982-1986 ������� Kathy Milar 1987 ���������������� Becky Wolfert Go to Table of Contents

1988-1999 ������� Mary Jane Mielke 2000-2002 ������ Jennifer Durrance 2003-2004 ������ Laurie Farley MEMBERSHIP APPLICATIONS 2005-2006 ������ Stephanie Sotiros 2007-2008 ������ Adele Hershey 2009-2011 ������ Adele Swenson 2012-2015 ������� Randal Dowler 2015-2019 ������� Barb LeTorneau 2020-2021 ������ Andrea Brackowski MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL 2005-2011 ������ Stephanie Bicksacky 2012-2015 ������� Dee McDuffie 2016-2019 ������� Suzanne Lintzenich 2020 ���������������� Alexis Smith 2021 ���������������� Pam Weir SPECIALTY COORDINATOR 1985-1988 ������� Denise Groesbeck 1989-1992 ������� Linda Seaver 1993 ���������������� Deb Mulvey 1994-1997 ������� Joanne Prelberg 1998-2003 ������ Cindy Still 2004-2009 ������ Susan Henderson 2010-2012 ������� Nancy Van Horn 2013-2021 ������ Dottie Schulte NEWSLETTER EDITOR 1968-1969 ������� Fred Pyle 1970-1971 ������� Julia & Elizabeth Crawford 1972-1973 ������� Sylvia Howison 1974-1978 ������� Dora Gruber 1979 ���������������� Ellen Picard 1980-1981 ������� Martha Decker 1982 ���������������� Rachael Adams 1983-1985 ������� Janice Lebeuf OBEDIENCE / RALLY / TRACKING 1971-1975 ������� Hugh O’Hagan 1976 ���������������� Millicent Buchanan 1977 ���������������� Gail Palmer 1978 ���������������� Virginia Shambaugh 1979-1981 ������� Beverly Barney 1982 ���������������� George Coulter 1983-1986 ������� Marjorie Reho 1987-2007 ������� April Rifenburg 2008-2013 ������ Jennifer Donnelly Schoffstall 2014-2017 ������� Angie Hanson 2018-2021 ������ Stephanie Biksacky OFA 1970-1978 ������� Barbara Packard

1979 ���������������� Not recorded 1980 ���������������� Peggy Hindman 1981-1982 ������� No recorded 1983 ���������������� Peg Long 1984-1985 ������� Martha Reisinger 1986-1987 ������� Sandy Hawkins 1988-1991 ������� Nancy Buillard ONLINE STORE 2013-2021 ������ Susan Henderson PUBLIC RELATIONS 1976-1980 ������� Becky Wolfert 1981-2002 ������ Ruth Reynolds 2002-2005 ������ Robin Hamme 2006 ���������������� Anne Copeland / Beverly Hilmes 2007-2011 ������� Karyn Beyer PUBLICATIONS / YEARBOOK 1970-1975 ������� Julia Crawford 1976-1977 ������� Mary Dawson 1978 ���������������� J. Edward Rice 1979 ���������������� Diane Peterson 1980-2014 ������ Mary Dawson 2015 ���������������� Deborah Godfrey

2016-2021 ������ Teresa Dominquez RECORDS 1970-1975 ������� Barbara Packard 1976-1989 ������� Mary Alice Horstick 1990-2007 ������ Alison Jaskiewicz 2008-2021 ������ Gary Galunas REGIONAL CLUB COUNCIL 1985-1989 ������� Sandy Caulwell 1990 ���������������� Karen Ward 1991-1995 ������� Deb Wilkins 1996-2001 ������ Roni Leighty 2002-2007 ������ Nancy Pixton 2008-2013 ������ Julie Latteral 2014-2015 ������� Signe Strawser 2016-2017 ������� Stephanie Biksacky 2018-2021 ������ Lisa Baldwin RESCUE 1991-2000 ������ Beth Friichtenciht 2001- 2020 ����� Kathy Deyo 2021 ���������������� Dawn Letry SOCIAL MEDIA 2017-2021 ������� Lisa Kaufman

SPECIALTY DNA 2010-2021 ������ Renee Jacquier SURVEY 2006-2021 ������ Mary-Ann Bowman WAYS N MEANS 1972-1976 ������� Martha Reisinger 1977-1978 ������� Sabino Sabin 1979-1981 ������� Denise Groesbeck 1982-1986 ������� Dotty Lawrence 1987-1993 ������� Carol Evert 1994-1998 ������� Deborah Godfrey 1999-2004 ������ Lynne Hawkinson 2005-2007 ������ Vicky Whitney 2008-2011 ������ Dottie Schulte 2012-2014 ������� Beverly Hilmes 2015-2016 ������� Lynn Nelson 2017-2018 ������� Sherry Von Engel 2019 ���������������� Vacant 2020-2021 ������ Jon Weir WEBSITE 2004-2010 ������ Hugh Hayes 2011-2020 ������� Ann Milligan 2021 ���������������� Adam Conn

Amber (BG# 101868) and Bridget (BG# 175751) helping Brig (BG# 175781) with his down stay.

Photo by Sue Van Ocker.

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BMDCA Events

REPORT COMPILED BY WEBSITE COMMITTEE

SPECIALTIES

SUPPORTED ENTRIES

NOVEMBER 5, 2021, BMDC OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA Specialty with Sweepstakes at Solano County Fairgrounds, Vallejo, CA in conjunction with Yosemite Kennel Club. Judges are Carol Lynn Fox (Regular) and Valerie Horney (Sweepstakes). Superintendent is MB-F www.infodog.com. AKC National OwnerHandled Series. Ringside luncheon with the judges, pre-order by 10/29. Raffle to be held after luncheon.

NOVEMBER 4, 2021, BMDC OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA Supported Entry at Solano County Fairgrounds, Vallejo, CA in conjunction with Yosemite Kennel Club. Judges are Robert L. Vandiver and Valerie Horney. Superintendent is MB-F www.infodog.com. AKC National Owner-Handled Series.

NOVEMBER 6, 2021, SIERRA WEST BMDC Specialty with Sweepstakes at Solano County Fairgrounds, Vallejo, CA in conjunction with Contra Costa County Kennel Club. Judges are Georgeann Reeve (Regular) and Christine McClean (Sweeps). Superintendent is MB-F www.infodog.com AKC National OwnerHandled Series. Ringside luncheon and raffle.

JANUARY 7, 2022, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA BMDC at Empire Equestrian Park and Polo Field, Indio, CA. Judges are Michael Forte (Regular) and Mary Dowski (Sweeps).

Superintendent is BaRay Events Services, dogshows@barayevents.com.

JANUARY 15, 2022, BMDC OF GREATER SEATTLE with Sweepstakes at Western Washingron Fairgrounds, Puyallup, WA. Judges are Denise Dean (Regular) and TBD (Sweeps). Superintendent is BaRay Event Services, dogshows@barayevents.com.

NOVEMBER 7, 2021, SIERRA WEST BMDC Supported Entry at Solano County Fairgrounds, Vallejo, CA in conjunction with Contra Costa County Kennel Club. Superintendent is MB-F www.infodog.com MARCH 18, 2020, MASON-DIXON BMDC Supported Entry at York Expo Center, York PA in conjunction with Celtic Classic Cluster. Judge is Luis F. Sosa. Superintendent is RauDogShows, info@raudogshows.com

BMDCA DRAFT TESTS NOVEMBER 6 & 7, 2021, PIEDMONT BMDC of SC Draft test at Anderson Recycling Center 3027 Mall Road, Anderson, SC 29625. Judges are Dan Brodigan / Bob Schmidt for both days.

Secretary Dawn L. Paine, 1220 W. Gilbert St., Hendersonville, NC 28792, 864-270-3114, dpaine1959@hotmail.com

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JANUARY 22-23, 2022, GRAND CANYON STATE BMDC at Royal Arabians 1660 N. Lindsay Mesa, AZ 85213. Judges are Patti Davieau / Bob Schmidt for both days. Secretary Meryl Bergstein, 3863 E. Linda Ct,.Gilbert, AZ 85234, 480-8378549, meryl@bergsteinaz.com

PERFORMANCE EVENTS None

MEETINGS, ETC. None

SUBMIT EVENTS AND CHECK THE LATEST LISTINGS ONLINE AT: WWW.BMDCA.ORG/ EVENTS/CALENDAR

Chilly (BG# 97065) catching the sun.

Photo by Patty Gill.

MARCH 19-20, 2022 MASON-DIXON BMDC with Sweepstakes in conjunction with Celtic Classic Cluster at York Expo Center, York PA 17404. Judges are Cathy Burlile (Regular) and Susan Morrill (Sweeps) on 3/19 and Beverly Vics (Regular) and Shira Barkon (Sweeps) on 3/20. Superintendent is RauDogShows, info@raudogshows.com.

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NOVEMBER 19, 20 & 21, 2021, LONE STAR BMDC Draft test at George Bush Park 16756 Westheimer Parkway, Houston, TX 77082.

Judges are Ruth Nielsen / Larry Bohlig on 11/19, Lori Kennedy / Ruth Nielsen on 11/20, and Larry Bohlig / Lori Kennedy on 11/21. Secretary Renee Jacquier, 21415 Bentrgrass Court, Katy, TX 77450, 281-797-2321, rjacq16804@aol.com

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The Book Berners We Are What We Eat… And So Are Our Dogs MEDIA REVIEW BY LORI FRIEDLI, MSLIS

HEALTHY EATING IS as important for our beloved Berners as it is for us. For the 2021 Alpenhorn Health issue, this reviewer has chosen a new and comprehensive title that speaks to this topic.

In 2013, David G. Wellock's Health and Nutrition for Dogs and Cats: A Guide for Pet Parents explored the rise of the pet food industr y and helped readers to untangle the various myths involving what they feed their pets. He taught readers how to decipher food labels, understand our pets' nutritional needs throughout their lives, and advocated for honest foods to feed them.

BIG KIBBLE: THE HIDDEN DANGERS OF THE PET FOOD INDUSTRY AND HOW TO DO BETTER BY OUR DOGS

BY SHAWN BUCKLEY AND DR. OSCAR CHAVEZ

Big Kibble is a timely addition to this body of knowledge. Like its predecessor, as readers will note when observing the "skull and bones" on the book jacket cover, this book will be considered controversial.

Buckley and Chavez describe themselves as "pioneers and disruptors in the dog food industry." They introduce their book, noting that: 58

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This book intends to aler t pet parents to the issues—and all too often the perils—presented by "Big Kibble's" mass-produced, feedgrade food to raise awareness.

The oper ative words "Big" and "Kibble," the authors note, are comparative to "Big Pharma" and "Big Tobacco," terms used to describe "highly profitable, rapacious industries," whose modus operandum maximize gains over the well-being of their customers.

The book's introduction and early chapters provide an updated outline of the pet food industr y, covering its history and listing its significant players. They discuss the common practice of "gobbling up" independent pet food producers, which gives them the capability of sourcing huge quantities of ingredients from the best-priced handful of suppliers. This sourcing is problematic as it makes it possible for one tainted protein or vegetable to end up in hundreds of food brands.

Readers can find a "Kings of Kibble" insert on p. 92 Buckley and Chaves also critique Big Kibble's influence and involvement in veterinary programs, their granting of scholarships, their support of research, and their donations and sponsorship of university programs, all of which promote bias. Dr. Chavez, a veteriGo to Table of Contents

nary nutritionist and university professor, note that veterinary students do not find many classes about this subject in their curriculum choices.

The authors also critique government regulatory processes (or lack thereof) that pet food producers optionally adhere to, offering an inside look at the shocking lack of regulation within the pet food industry.

They also recount some sad stories involving pet food poisons, revisiting the largest pet food melamine recall in 2007 and the 2017 pentobarbital (the euthanasia drug of choice) poisoning. They also examine the more recent dog jerky treat sulfonamide poisoning incidents that remain under court review.

Buckley and Chavez's simple message is that our dogs give us so much that it is our obligation to feed them well! They present a fascinating look at the history of the commercial dog food industry. The authors refer to dog food as "dog feed" because it is regulated by the animal feed industry, which started 150 years ago, and they note "took off like a greyhound." In 1860, dog

food pioneer American engineer James Spratt, an engineer working in England, noticed in the Liverpool seapor t that dogs were scar fing down hardtack, a non-perishable foodstuf f that sailors took to sea made of flour, salt, and water. He thought it might be good to make "beefed-up" biscuits and patented them as Meat Fibraine Dog Cakes.

Other industries, including bakeries, noting the popularity of the Spratt cakes, entered the market too. The National Biscuit Company (Nabisco) purchased one of these bakeries and, with their market presence in grocery stores, were able to bring the dog food business to many more consumers.

Dog food advertising became popular in the early 1920s. New dog foods became available, including canned dog foods produced by Illinois food producer Chappel, who used horse meat in its Ken-LRation wet food. When metals for canning were rationed during the wars, dog "Chow" (note the military connotation) was promoted. It was marketed as handy, clean, healthy, easy to store, and easy to prepare, and bec ame hugely popular in A mer ic an households. T he Pe t Food Industry Trade Association actively marketed the health benefits of eating nutritionally balanced kibble instead of eating human table food. Buckley and Chavez tell us, "By the mid-1980s, Big Kibble Had Arrived." Highly processed human foods also grew in popularity in the post-WWII economy.

Buckley and Chavez pose some fundamental questions, among them: If pet food production companies claim to love their consumers, how can they allow their foods to poison our beloved dogs?

The title of Chapter 5 is "You Can't Judge a Kibble By It s Cover: Misleading Labels, False Advertisements and Lax Regulations That Let It Slide." In this chapter, the authors detail serious health concerns about the pet feed industry. Some of the many ideas the authors touch upon include unhealthy ingredients in dog food; confusing information about what ingredients are in dog food, and the virtual impossibility for consumers to have unhealthy products removed from the market or sue producers of toxic foods.

AAFCO, the Association of American Feed Control Of ficials, was founded in 1909, whose purpose was to set regulation legislation.

There is no federal agenc y specifically designed to oversee and regulate companion animal food.

Thus, there is no national definition of ingredients that can and cannot be used in animal feed. While AAFCO is tasked with setting the rules, they have no power to enforce them. This power is shared between the s tates and FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine. Curiously, the AAFCO's regulations are endorsed by the pet feed industry, Big Kibble companies being primary players in t he A mer ic an Feed Indus t r y Association, the National Grain and Feed Association, and the Pet Food Institute. The authors attended an annual meeting in 2014 and concluded that "AAFCO can operate at cross purposes with the values of many pet parent s—and even, with the health and safety of our pets." At this meeting, the discussion centered on whether Zinc Hydrochloride, whose chemical formula included 54% Zinc, aiding in cell growth and cell repair and other heavy metals such as arsenic, lead cadmium, and mercur y can be

listed as "Zinc". Zinc Hydrochloride is not a clean ingredient, but Big K ibble companies simply label it "zinc." Benign-sounding ingredient s in kibble can mask some dangerous and disgusting material. Veterinarians objec ted, but their counsel was ignored. AAFCO approved this—what the authors refer to as "heavy metal soup." Zinc Hydrochloride can be found on page 418 of the A AFCO Of ficial Publication, the feed makers "bible."

AAFCO allowable food ingredients also include: "dietary fiber" (ground pecan shells); "distressed pet food" (pet food that can't be sold in stores because its packaging is torn or it is past expiration date); "crude proteins" including dried poultry and other animal waste.

They discuss the common practice of "gobbling up" independent pet food producers, which gives them the capability of sourcing huge quantities of ingredients from the best-priced handful of suppliers. This sourcing is problematic as it makes it possible for one tainted protein or vegetable to end up in hundreds of food brands The packaging on dog food creatively promotes healthy ingredients that are not necessarily in the food. The authors refer to the mislabeling for food containers as "The Art of Creative Writing: AKA Pet Feed labels 101." They describe AAFCO regulations for graphics as well as text. They use up-scale pet Fall 2021

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food to explain this point. The food is packaged in a bag that shows a rack of lamb on it s cover. The AAFCO rules state that only 25% of the ingredient (in this case lamb) is necessary for that ingredient to be lis ted on the packaging and that the cut of the meat in the food does not have to match the graphic.

The authors also note that labelers do not always reveal that the lamb on the packaging might be lamb meal, which is an extruded product.

Descriptor words on canned foods like "dinner," "plat ter," "recipe" mean that there is a requirement of only 10 % of the ingredient within.

The rest can be water. The word nuance "with" can be used for foods that contain a mere 3% of the ingredient included on the label. The authors include lists of brands that use the "3% With Rule."

"When Meat is a Four Letter Word: Using Our Pet s as Four- Let tered Recycling Machines" discusses rendering industries, adulterated foods, 4D meats (that come from dead, dying, destroyed, or diseased animals) and the way they are transported and handled, and food recalls and withdrawals. This chapter is too horrifying to address in this review, but it is of significant importance. Similarly, the chapter "How Mold on Grain—Not Grain—Harms Our Dogs: The Problem with Mycotoxins and the Grain-Free Solution, or You Don't Want GrainFree—You Want Mycotoxin-Free" is an essential and new addition to the canon of food literature. It discusses aflatoxicosis, the DCM (dilated cardiomyopathy—a condition in which the heart muscle weakens and becomes enlarged) puzzle. As of the writing of Big Kibble, this puzzle has not been solved and presents a list of symptoms that dogs may suffer if they are taurine deficient.

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Part 3, "Good Friends deserve Great Food," is the por tion of the book readers will return to many times over. We are all aware of the dangers of eating overprocessed foods.

Cancers and other chronic disease threats in humans and pets have been documented over many years.

Kibble is overprocessed.

Buckley and Chavez advocate eating a whole food, nutritionally balanced diet. Their advocacy led the authors to open JustFoodForDogs.

Big Kibble is not meant to promote their business but to educate people about the importance of good food in any pet's diet. Chapter 10, "Fact Versus Fiction in Dog Nutrition," debunks ten big myths about what our dogs should and should not be eating. This chapter is rich with charts containing nutrition and caloric content of various foods, cooked food and raw food value comparatives, what temperatures foods should be cooked at, and more.

There are insert panels that define the Nutritional Needs of Dogs. An insert entitled "Leave It" serves as a refresher course about the food we humans love that our dogs should avoid eating. Real answers to nine common questions follow in the section "Can My Dog Eat Popcorn?"

The authors provide recipes created in their lab for consumers to cook for their dogs. It is important to note that there is a vitamin mix that JustFoodForDogs sells included in this chapter that is a component of all the recipes provided.

Though Big Kibble is about the business of feeding our pets, it also presents a rich catalog of "everything dog." There is much commentary about why we bring dogs into our lives, about dog laws and regulations, and about how we care for Go to Table of Contents

them. Buckley and Chavez believe that loving animals makes us more human. They speak to the history of veterinary medicine, what new services are available at current veterinary clinics and specialty practices, and what prices. The authors also include lovely anecdotes throughout Big Kibble. There is one about an immigrant family who got a dog to fit into American culture because they think all Americans love dogs!

Why? Because 85% of American dog owners believe their dog is a member of their family. Big Kibble is rich with facts like this one.

Big K ibble's c atalog of the dog indus tr y includes a wide range of pet produc ts, including those for pets and those bought for pet parents to enjoy, as well as a wide range of healthly options for dogs, e.g. physical therapy sessions. Also mentioned are: dog magazines and literature, five-star dog care resorts, "bring a dog to dine" venues, dog playgrounds built atop luxury apartment house roofs, and dog spas. Readers will even find a list of companies that allow dogs in the workplace. Our nation's dog economy is vast!

Buckley and Chavez ask, "Where oh where is nutrition in all of this?" Their answer is evident to them, and they strive to explain this to readers! Big Kibble is a big book, even though it is only 309 pages long.

About the reviewer: Lori Friedli is a librarian, a citizen of the United States, and the Canton of Bern, Switzerland. She loves all of the four-footed. Members of her advisory team, who sit on Mommy's feet while she reads her books, are Book Berners Älpi and Lumi, who, Mommy says, have extraordinarily good taste in dog literature and treats!

Recent Titles

April 1 – June 30, 2021

REPORT COMPILED BY TINA BROOKS

The following are as provided by BMDCA Records Chair Gary Galunas via the AKC, BMDCA Draft Chair Jennifer Brightbill, and individual Bernese Mountain Dog owners who submitted proof of titles earned from the American Herding Breed Association for their BMDs through the Berner-Garde database. Address inquiries about errors or omissions to Gary Galunas and Jennifer Brightbill. If your BMD’s AHBA Herding title was not included, it therefore might not be recorded in the Berner-Garde database; send an email and attach a scanned copy of the AHBA Certificate to Renee Jacquier, RJacq16804@aol.com. In the subject line, note, "Submission of AHBA Title for Awards Processing." Please include your dog’s full registered name and its Berner-Garde number.

NOVICE DRAFT DOG CH Blackrock Xquisite Xtravaganza TKN (B); Shaeffer CH Riverwood’s The Fennel Countdown (D); Sirico, Sirico, Wood Diana Diamond Of Olviya (B); Wescott GCH Wintergreen’s Every Sailor’s Dream CGC (D); Van Ocker Car-Rae’s Peregrine Took BN RE CGC (D); Burgess, Jennings CH October’s Beyond The Stars CD BN CGCA CGCU TKI (D); Gasper CH Shersan’s Quiksilver N Gold CD RE FDC CGC TKP (D); Motz GCH Friesian’s Grand O’Highland’s Irish Lass RN FDC NFP (B); Leone O’Highland’s Ez On The Eyes Von Mtf RN NFP (D); Leone Werlwind’s Fanatic Irish Luck (B); Switzler Baran’s Jolly Buster Boy (D); Baran CH Swiss Silhouette’s Yakety Yak He’s A Class Act CDX (D); Kugler Mamemo’s Moet CGC (B); Simons GCH Wagontale’s When The Sun Goes Down CGC (D); Temples Wagontale’s Picking Wildflowers On The Kaibab (B); Henseler GCH Aria’s Northern Son CD RE THD CGC (D); Wetmore

Jenda Locamotion CD RN FDC CGC TKI (D); Delk GCH Tanzanite’s Once In A Sapphire Moon CD (B); Montville GCHTanzanite Jade Glade PT FDC (B); Montville Brechbuhler’s Nice ‘n Spicy TKN (B); Brightbill Rainier’s Northern Light V Relentless NAP NJP TKA (B); Dalzell DRAFT DOG Spellbound’s Vegetable Stu NDD BDD ANDD (D); Kreutzfeld Wildblume’s Wildcard BN RA NJP NFP ANDD (B); DeHart Winridge Hidden Pearl Of Wisdom CD BN RE AXP AJP OFP CGC TKN NDD (D); Saks BRACE NOVICE DRAFT DOG CH Valkyrie Winterfest Storm CD RN FDC CGCA TKI DD (D); Start CH Windfall’s Appleton Of My Eye FDC DD (D); Zablotny Trillium’s Taking The World By Storm CD RI CGC TKN NDD (B); McCune Wagontale’s Pearly Storm Queen NDD (B); Torling CH Highlands You’ve Got Big Plans RN AXP OJP CGCA TKN ATT NDD (B); Anichini

CH RACH Stonehills Maximum Security From Bergnergarden CDX BN RM2 RAE2 CGCA TKI ANDD MDD (D); Cramer-Hammann GCH East Coast’s Tug On My Heartstrings CD BN RN FDC OAP NJP OFP BCAT DD (D); Biehl GCH Powderkeg’s Keda My Heart CD BN RE FDC MXP MJP XFP CA BCAT CGCA CGCU DD (B); Biehl Jura’s Formal Affair At Skye DD (D); Beyer CH Swiss Silhouette’s Yakety Yak Edokan Likes That CD PT CGC TKN NDD (D); Cviklova Summers’ Ahquabi Firefly TD MDD ANDD (B); Berge Anastasia’s Dark Fury CD BN RI CGC TKN NDD (D); Dalton, Mauss Summers’ Wheel In The Sky V Charleston Pl RN CGC TKN NDD (B); Hommel GCH Sevens Heir To The Throne RI TKA ANDD MDD (D); Nielsen BRACE DRAFT DOG Werlwind’s Only One Four Me BN CGC ANDD BNDD DD (B); Petersen Jura’s Formal Affair At Skye DD (D); Beyer

ADVANCED NOVICE DRAFT DOG CH Lilloete Mamemo Du Haras De La Vergne RN NAP OJP NFP CGC TKN MDD BDD (B); Simons Werlwind’s Creme De La Creme CD NAP NJP SCN SIN SBN CGC DD MBDD ABNDD (B); Petersen CH CT Backcountry Xcelsior TKA DD ABNDD BDD (D); Atkinson CH Swiss Star’s Ready To Rumble V Starbourn CD BN RI CGC NDD (D); Knapp GCHB Kaibab’s Incandescently Bright VCD2 NFP DD BDD (B); Bowman Stonehill For Auld Lang Syne CD BN RE CGC TKA DD (D); Falk, Waltersdorf MASTER DRAFT DOG CH Right On The Edge From Orsina’s Land CD DD BDD ANDD (D); Horney Werlwind’s Only One Four Me BN CGC ANDD BDD DD (B); Petersen Zuri CD PCD RI FDC DD BNDD (B); Berg Werlwind’s Creme De La Creme CD NAP NJP SCN SIN SBN CGC DD MBDD ANDD ABNDD (B); Petersen

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ADVANCED BRACE NOVICE DRAFT DOG Blumoon’s Six O’Clock News CD PCD BN RI OAP NJP CGC ANDD DD BDD (D); Kennedy CH CT Backcountry Xcelsior TKA DD BDD (D); Atkinson CH Right On The Edge From Orsina’s Land CD ANDD MDD BDD (D); Horney MASTER BRACE DRAFT DOG Mount Cheam Inice UD RM TDX FDC CGCA MDD BDD ANDD ABNDD (B); Longstreth North Star’s Singing In The Rain BN TD FDC CGC DD BDD (B); Longstreth Werlwind’s Creme De La Creme CD NAP NJP SCN SIN SBC CGC DD BDD ABNDD (B); Petersen CH Winridge Lets Roll CD ANDD ABNDD MDD BDD (D); Giannone CH Right On The Edge From Orsina’s Land CD ANDD MDD BDD (D); Horney CH Triple B’s Higher Path RI TDX TDU FDC TKI ANDD DD ABNDD BDD (D); Jezek Blumoon’s Six O’Clock News CDX PCD BN RI OAP NJP CGC DD BDD ANDD ABNDD (D); Kennedy CHAMPION CH Alpenspirit Money Makes Money (B); Meyers CH Bear-Acres It Ain’t My Fault (B); Wright CH Blackrock Yes To Yuengling (B); Cox, Moody CH Blumoon’s Charge It To Twelve Oaks CD RI (D); Dominy, Keith CH Blumoon’s Leaping The Rubicon (B); Olson CH Borealbreeze O Snap It’s Santa CGC (B); Davis CH Classique VonKlett I’ll Take That Bet FDC CGCA CGCU TKI (D); Fitzgerald

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CH Copelands Annie Up And Steel The Show (B); Copeland CH Crowned Royalties Prince Of The Forest (D); Record CH Deerpark Sam I Am (D); Hoeflinger-Carrizo CH De-Li’s Tasting The Good Life (D); Ostermiller CH Devon’s New And Lasting Impression CGCA CGCU TKN (B); Conroy CH Essence Of Love Aurika (B); Loflin CH Four-T’s If You Ain’t First, You’re Last (D); Thomas CH Greenway’s Divine Work Of Art (B); Gallizzo, Laveran CH Hickory’s Perfect Cup O’ Joe (D); Rosky CH Jaberwock’s Lady Luck’s Lily (B); SchneideK CH Jura’s Formal Affair Crown Jewel (B); Galaba, McIntyre CH Lavender Hills No Place Like Home (B); Prellberg CH L-Sin Sheridan’s Zinnia (B); Leo, Namovicz CH Madland’s Bless The Broken Road By Indianland CGC TKN (B); Madland CH Marben’s McKenna V Crimson Harvest (B); Dekker-Collins, Gerli CH Nashems Diamond In The Ruff PT FDC TKI (D); Jezek, Karl CH October’s River Song RI CGC TKI (B); Shanholtz CH Quellen’s Kape Dressed Sidekick (D); Bass, Hayes CH Red Rocks Into The Mystic HT FDC (B); Porter CH Rely On Eli Van’t Stokerybos (D); Bunch CH Rivermountains Bad To The Bone & Reckless (D); Forde CH Schurlike Cooper Myers (D); Hurst, Schoorl CH Signature’s Soaring To The Summit (D); Larsen

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CH Spring’s Blade Runner CGCA CGCU (D); Fuselier, Smith CH Summers’ Don’t Stop Believin V Charleston Pl CGC ATT (D); Doyle, Summers CH Oleka’s It’s Time Samantha (B); Evans CH Pawgate’s Erlking (D); Schwoeble CH Swiss Charm Ragnar Northern Chills (D); Walter CH Tollhaus I’m A Rebel Just For Kicks BN (B); Balsiger CH Tong’s Bad And Boujee (D); Barnett CH Witchways Taking Care Of Business (D); Harrison CH Xcalibur’s Hat Trick (B); Greenwood GRAND CHAMPION GCH Aria’s Northern Son RA THD CGC (D); Wetmore GCH CT Backcountry Xcelsior TKA (D); Atkinson. Bennett GCH Bear Mountain’s Fearless One- Der (B); Edwards, Hyden, Sullivan GCH Belnois Whitemtns Pemigewasset FDC CGC (B); Beck-Wilczek GCH Bjorns Bindi Sky V Lindenhof RE CGC TKI (B); Bootes GCH Copelands Annie Up And Steel The Show (B); Copeland GCH Cor Caroli’s Mission to the Stars CD RN (D); Bernard GCH Deerpark Take It To The Limit RN FDC CGC (D); Dial GCH Greenway”s Timeless Legend V Oleka (D); Gallizzo, Laveran GCH Highlands You’ve Got Big Plans BN RN AXP OJP CGCA TKN ATT (B); Anichini, Farrell, Washburn GCH Indian Hill’s Forged In Fire V Full Moon TKN (D); Buchanan, Gerow, Slade, Smalley GCH Ingvar Spelniony Sen (D); Bammel

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GCH Jura’s American Beauty Stella Blue V. Zenith TKN (B); Olson GCH Malicloy Hear Me Roar V Bjorns RN CGC TKN (D); Taylor, Wright-Wagner GCH Nashems One More Moondance At Red Rocks RN HT FDC (D); Karl GCH Peacefield’s Imperial Intrigue (D); Cain-Denk, Starbird GCH Rely On Eli Van’t Stokerybos (D); Bunch GCH Swiss Silhouette’s Aurvandil (D); Leary, Story GCH Trailbound’s Jumpin’ Jack Flash (D); Keck GCH Valkyrie Winterfest Storm CD RN FDC CGCA TKI (D); Guimond, Start GRAND CHAMPION BRONZE GCHB Blackwater Oh What A Night (B); Sanvido, Reeve GCHB Demitra’s Prelude To A Milestone CD BN RA PT FDC CGC (D); Maxwell, Beckman GCHB Olympusruns Something Wicked This Way Comes RN CGCU TKN (B); Berta, Mann GCHB Driftless Born On Fire V Brookhills (B); Scott, Richter, Buonpane GCHB Kaibab’s Jigsaw Puzzle AXP AJP (B); Jaskiewicz, Sontag Bowman GCHB Vida’s Whale Of A Time (D); Sherwood GCHB Greenway’s Divine Prince George (D); Cook, Gallizzo GRAND CHAMPION SILVER GCHS Swiss Silhouette’s Blue Moon Rising (B); Lusk GRAND CHAMPION GOLD GCHG Trailbound & Azures American Ride (D); Zelenka, Keck

COMPANION DOG Anastasia’s Dark Fury CD BN RI CGC TKN (D); Dalton, Ellis, Mauss GCH Aria’s Northern Son CD RE THD CGC (D); Wetmore GCH Bjorns Bindi Sky V Lindenhof CD RE CGC TKI (B); Bootes CH Blumoon’s Princess Puttanesca CD (B); Mann GCH Blumoon’s Princess Runs With Shoes CD (B); Mann Brighteye 40-Love CD BN RN MX MXJ MJB NAP NF (B); Schmitz CH Brighteye Lone Star CD (D); Boehme, McClure Car-Rae’s Peregrine Took CD BN RE CGC (D); Burgess, Dowski, Jennings Chalina’s Dempsey CD BN RN TKA (D); Arbuthnot, Slade GCH Deerpark Take It To The Limit CD RN FDC CGC (D); Dial GCH Friesian’s Grand O’Highland’s Irish Lass CD RN FDC NFP (B); Leone Kaibab’s Justice For All CD RN (B); Simidian, Sontag Bowman GCH Lilloete Mamemo Du Haras De La Vergne CD RN HT OAP OJP NFP CGC TKN (B); Simons Maine’s Elf Confidence CD RN TD (B); Kingsley, Williams Maine’s Just Football Hero CD PCD BN RE FDC CGCA TKN (D); Baldwin CH October’s Beyond The Stars CD BN CGCA CGCU TKI (D); Eschweiler, Gasper Outlaws Ring Them Bells CD BN (D); Savageau Rosier’s River Song CD RN FDC CGCA (B); Elders CH Serendipity Grand Slam CD BN RN CGC (D); Kurz, Wendorf Snowpaw’s Ursa Stratton Mtn Bear CD RN FDC (B); Cheney Stargirl F1 Kimster CD BN RA CGC TKN (B); Young

GCH Tanzanite’s Once In A Sapphire Moon CD (B); Homa, Montville Winridge Hidden Pearl Of Wisdom CD BN RE AXP AJP OFP CGC TKN (D); Saks COMPANION DOG EXCELLENT Maxima’s Kingdom Prince Kodiak CDX BN RE TD FDC CGC (D); Longstreth Mollie Malone CDX BN RE CGC (B); Eldon CH Sevens Ready Set Go! CDX RN BCAT TKA (B); Slade CH Swiss Silhouette’s Yakety Yak He’s A Class Act CDX (D); Kugler, Leary UTILITY DOG GCH PACH Kaibab’s Invitation To The Dance VCD2 UD MXP5 MXPS MJP4 MJPB PAX XFP (D); Jaskiewicz, Sontag Bowman BEGINNER NOVICE CH Highlands You’ve Got Big Plans BN RN AXP OJP CGCA TKN ATT (B); Anichini, Washburn Lavender Hills Going Places BN RN CGC (B); Parr, Sarsfield R-Gs Surprise! Autumns Legacy Lives On BN RN CGC TKN (B); Rhodes-Griffith CH Serendipity Grand Slam BN CGC (D); Kurz, Wendorf Spring’s Never Tell Me The Odds BN RA CGC (D); Fuselier, O’Bryan CH Spruce Peak Luca Von Edelweiss BN RN TD FDC CGC (D); Davis Stargirl F1 Kimster BN RN CGC TKN (B); Young Swiss Silhouette’s Aptly Put BN TD (D); Leary, Longstreth Veritas Mamma’s Excuse To Drink BN (D); Cramer-Hammann

RALLY NOVICE Bernvonrust Sakbut Ace Buxton CDX RN TD (D); Chapman, Sharlow Epona’s Star Of The Midway RN (B); Worcester Harmony’s Shall We Dance RN (D); Gibbs, McLaughlin Highlands Frankly I Don’t Give A Damm RN CGC TKN (B); Washburn Jura’s Formal Affair At Skye RN (D); Beyer GCHB Kaibab’s Incandescently Bright VCD2 RN NFP (B); Bowman, Sontag Bowman GCHS Lavender Hills Sin City RN (B); Crawford-Gorath, Parr Licorice Fern’s Summit To Sahale RN BCAT (B); Lusk, Monnie CH Nashems Diamond In The Ruff RN PT FDC TKI (D); Jezek, Karl Owl Creeks I’m No Angel RN (B); Friendlander R-Gs Surprise! Autumns Legacy Lives On BN RN CGC TKN (B); Rhodes-Griffith CH Serendipity Grand Slam BN RN CGC (D); Kurz, Wendorf Sevens Forever In A Frenzy RN TKI (B); Slade Spring’s Never Tell Me The Odds RN (D); Fuselier, O’Bryan Stargirl F1 Kimster BN RN CGC TKN (B); Young Stonehill Collects Taxes From Beulah Stormfront RN (B); Granger, Waltersdorf Summers’ Wheel In The Sky V Charleston Pl RN CGC TKN (B); Hommel, Summers CH Tollhaus It’s Hard To Be Humble CD BN RN (D); Balsiger Veritas Mamma’s Excuse To Drink BN RN (D); Cramer-Hammann GCH Wagontale’s When The Sun Goes Down RN CGC TKN (D); Temples

RALLY INTERMEDIATE Horizons Walk This Way RI TKN (B); Wescott Epona’s Star Of The Midway RI (B); Worcester Algrand Berni Bond James Bond RI CGCA CGCU (D); Geiger, Knowles East Coast’s Peace A My Heart CD BN RI PT FDC CGCA CGCU TKI (B); Biehl GCH East Coast’s Tug On My Heartstrings CD BN RI FDC OAP NJP OFP BCAT (D); Biehl CH Hoosier Roos Amayzing Mayzie RI FDC NJP NFP CGC (B); Thompson, Thompson, Whitton-Smith Oleka’s Que Up Rembrandt At Hartwood RI FDC NAP NFP CGCA TKI (B); Airgood Skylyn’s Xtreme Velocity At Sochi BN RI CGC TKN (D); Cordier, McLean Spring’s Never Tell Me The Odds RI (D); O’Bryan, Fuselier Zorza RI (B); Roof, Roof RALLY ADVANCED CH Bjorns Bindi Sky V Lindenhof RA CGC TKI (B); Bootes Campana Hard River CD BN RA (B); Duryea, Hill GCH De-Li’s Jukebox Jam V Triad’s CD RA CGC TKP (D); Ostermiller, Still Riverstead’s Holly, Holy CD BN RA (B); Larson, Warburton Smokehouse Chef’s Choice RA CGC (D); Minden Spring’s Never Tell Me The Odds RA CGC (D); Fuselier, O’Bryan Stargirl F1 Kimster BN RA CGC TKN (B); Young Trillium’s Taking The World By Storm CD RA CGC TKN (B); Farley, McCormick, McCune Zuri CD PCD RA FDC (B); Berg

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RALLY EXCELLENT GCH Aria’s Northern Son RE THD CGC (D); Wetmore CH Bjorns Bindi Sky V Lindenhof RE CGC TKI (B); Bootes Bob’s Jubilee RE FDC CGCA CGCU (B); Geiger RALLY ADVANCED EXCELLENT Mollie Malone CDX BN RAE CGC (B); Eldon AGILITY COURSE TEST 1 JWW Queenstown Hero V Snowking RE ACT1 ACT1J CGCA CGCU TKN (D); Korotki NOVICE AGILITY Brighteye Bellissima Vita NA (D); Wettengel NOVICE AGILITY PREFERRED CH Right On The Edge From Orsina’s Land CD NAP (D); Horney OPEN AGILITY PREFERRED Hayfields Grand Fight Like A Girl At Frankford CD BN RE FDC OA NAJ OAP NJP OF DD CGC TKA (B); Bacon GCH Lilloete Mamemo Du Haras De La Vergne RN HT OAP OJP NFP CGC TKN (B); Simons AGILITY EXCELLENT PREFERRED Winridge Hidden Pearl Of Wisdom BN RE AXP OJP OFP CGC TKN (D); Saks MASTER AGILITY EXCELLENT PREFERRED 6 GCH PACH Kaibab’s Invitation To The Dance VCD2 UD MXP6 MXPS MJP4 MJPB PAX XFP (D); Jaskiewicz, Sontag Bowman MASTER AGILITY EXCELLENT PREFERRED 10 PACH2 Brighteye Peridot Gem Of The Sun MXP10 MXPC MJP9 MJPG PAX2 T2BP TKN (B); Miller

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MASTER AGILITY EXCELLENT PREFERRED 11 PACH3 Brighteye Peridot Gem Of The Sun MXP11 MXPC MJP10 MJPC PAX3 T2BP TKN (B); Miller MACH6 PACH3 Brighteye Shasta On The Rox MXC2 MJG3 MXP11 MXPC MJP11 MJPC PAX3 NF T2B (B); Osojnicki MASTER AGILITY EXCELLENT PREFERRED 12 MACH6 PACH3 Brighteye Shasta On The Rox MXC2 MJG3 MXP12 MXPC MJP12 MJPC PAX3 NF T2B (B); Osojnicki PREFERRED AGILITY EXCELLENT 3 PACH3 Brighteye Peridot Gem Of The Sun MXP10 MXPC MJP10 MJPC PAX3 T2BP TKN (B); Miller MASTER GOLD AGILITY MACH Tennescott My Huckleberry Friend CD RN MXG MJS XF T2B (D); Schwartz MASTER CENTURY AGILITY PREFERRED PACH2 Brighteye Peridot Gem Of The Sun MXP10 MXPC MJP9 MJPG PAX2 T2BP TKN (B); Miller NOVICE AGILITY JUMPER Anatar’s Let’s Raise A Toast NA NAJ NF (D); Donnelly-Schoffstall NOVICE AGILITY JUMPER PREFERRED CH Hoosier Roos Amayzing Mayzie RN FDC NJP NFP CGC (B); Thompson, Whitton-Smith CH October’s River Song RI NJP CGC TKI (B); Shanholtz GCH Rainier’s North Face Of Eiger RN OAP NJP CA CGC TKA (D); Dalzell

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CH Right On The Edge From Orsina’s Land CD NAP NJP (D); Horney Wagontale’s Exclusive Design BN RA NJP (B); Clark Wagontale’s You Better Shape Up HT NJP TKA (D); Meriaux, Temples, Van Arsdale Zuri CD PCD RA FDC NJP (B); Berg OPEN AGILITY JUMPER PREFERRED Blumoon’s Six O’Clock News CDX PCD BN RI OAP OJP CGC (D); Kennedy EXCELLENT AGILITY JUMPER PREFERRED Winridge Hidden Pearl Of Wisdom BN RE AXP AJP OFP CGC TKN (D); Saks MASTER EXCELLENT JUMPER PREFERRED 10 PACH2 Brighteye Peridot Gem Of The Sun MXP10 MXPC MJP10 MJPC PAX2 T2BP TKN (B); Miller MASTER EXCELLENT JUMPER PREFERRED 11 MACH6 PACH3 Brighteye Shasta On The Rox MXC2 MJG3 MXP10 MXPC MJP11 MJPC PAX3 NF T2B (B); Osojnicki MASTER EXCELLENT JUMPER PREFERRED 12 MACH6 PACH3 Brighteye Shasta On The Rox MXC2 MJG3 MXP11 MXPC MJP12 MJPC PAX3 NF T2B (B); Osojnicki MASTER BRONZE JUMPER Brighteye 40-Love BN RN MX MXJ MJB NAP NF (B); Schmitz, Hotze Brighteye Shimmering Gallexi RA FDC MX MXJ MJB TKN (B); Osojnicki

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MASTER CENTURY JUMPER PREFERRED PACH2 Brighteye Peridot Gem Of The Sun MXP10 MXPC MJP10 MJPC PAX2 T2BP TKN (B); Miller PREFERRED AGILITY CHAMPION 3 PACH3 Brighteye Peridot Gem Of The Sun MXP10 MXPC MJP10 MJPC PAX3 T2BP TKN (B); Miller AGILITY FAST NOVICE PREFERRED CH Brighteye Lone Star CD NFP (D); Boehme, McClure CH Hoosier Roos Amayzing Mayzie RN FDC NFP CGC (B); Thompson, Whitton-Smith BCAT CH Sevens Ready Set Go! CD RN BCAT TKA (B); Slade East Coast’s Peace A My Heart CD BN RI PT FDC BCAT CGCA CGCU TKI (B); Biehl “Mini” Cooper RI BCAT CGCA CGCU TKI (D); Swift CH Timbo Majowy Skarbiec RI BCAT CGC (D); Ronca DCAT Summers’ Anastasia Moonstruck Bonanza Jellybean FDC DCAT SWN CGC TKN ATT (B); Lakas

Answers

Crosswordd puzzle on page 43

advertiser index BERNESE MOUNTAIN DOGS BISS GCH Indian Hill's Forged in Fire v Full Moon TKN • Blade..................................................... Cover BISS GCHB Greenway’s Divine Prince George • George............................................Inside Front Cover CH Blackrock American Ride to Brightwater CGC • Harley.........................................Inside Back Cover CH Swiss Star's Ready to Rumble v. Starbourne CGC BN CD RN NDD RI RAT1 VD ANDD • Rumble..................................................................................... Back Cover PERFORMANCE AWARD ADVERTISING SECTION Summers’ Anastasia Moonstruck Bonanza Jellybean CGC ATT FDC DCAT TKN SWN SBA RATS CW-ScR2 CW-SD2 ORT NADAC TN-N • Bean......................................................... 3 Blumoon’s Six O’Clock News CDX RI OAP OJP ANDD ABNDD DD MBDD BMDC Working Dog Award Excellent • Browkaw ................................................................................. 3 CH Riverwood’s The Fennel Countdown NDD FDC • Fennel................................................................. 4 GCH CH CT Backcountry Xcelsior TDX2 TKA ANDD DD ABNDD BDD BMDCA Versatility Dog Award • Kelyn.................................................................................................. 4 BISS GCHS Can CH Ayehli's Nanu-Nanu! BN RE NDD TKI JHD-s BMDCA Versatility Dog Award • Mork................................................................................................... 5 STUD DOG ADVERTISING SECTION GCH Ayehli's Around The World in a Day CGC • Atlas............................................................................ 5 CH Chalina's Dempsey CD RN NDD TKA RATI • Deuce.......................................................................... 6 Cedar Creek's Pot Of Gold • Dublin....................................................................................................... 6 MOHBIS GCH CH Malicloy Hear Me Roar V Bjorns RN CGC TKN • Roary.............................................. 7 GCH Canton Sur I Feel It Coming • Salmon........................................................................................... 7 GCHB Vida’s Whale Of A Time • Shamu................................................................................................. 8 CH Sunshine's Cream of the Crop • Teddy............................................................................................. 8 CLUB ADVERTISING AND MORE BMDCA National Specialty • March 27—April 2, 2022..........................................................................1, 17 Remembering Jon Cons.........................................................................................................................10-11 2021 Yearbook.............................................................................................................................................13 2022 Grand Canyon State BMDC Regional Specialty • February 3, 2022...............................................42 BMDC of Southeastern Wisconsin Back to Back Specialties • March 4 & 5, 2022...................................47 Mason Dixon BMDC Back to Back Specialties and Sweepstakes • March 18, 19 & 20, 2022.................57

Milo (BG# 124181) playing with his 'baby'.

Photo by Laura Carnes.

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DOWN: 1…Rally 2…Trial 3…BlueEyes 5…AKCDNA 6…GMDD 9…Inbreeding 10…Sennehund 11…Oval 13…Fifteen 15…Pontiac 20…Brown ACROSS: 4…Dunaway 7…Bouvier 8…Hips 10…Six 12…Crawford 14…Five 15…Packard 17…Ten 18…Complete 19…Taylor 21…California 22…Two 23…Working 24 …Bern

Dash, continued from page 31 (a traditional Chinese medicine)—two in the am, two in the pm. The rehab vet said that they had had several of their client dogs (who had Lymphoma or histiocytic sarcoma) on this supplement and she felt like they were seeing positive results. It was not terribly expensive and seemed to tick many of Dash’s boxes, so it seemed worthwhile to try. It can only be purchased through a vet.

When the end came for Dash, it came quickly, but not in the way we expected. He was having more and more difficulty standing and walking. In February of 2021 at 13 years, 10 months of age, his body gave out. He was in too much pain and we let him go. We had to let him go on a weekend, so the delay in performing the necropsy created a less than ideal situation. CSU was able to confirm the two masses in his spleen that we had seen on the ultrasound at his initial diagnosis in February of 2020. There was also a new mass in his lung with round cell tumors. But the degradation of the tissues prevented further identification of the tumors.

The necropsy concluded that intervertebral disk disease was the life-limiting factor for Dash. The spinal cord was compressed in multiple segments by discs which led to the extreme pain that he was experiencing.

Up until the very end, with the exception of a short period in the summer of 2020 (which we now attribute to the bleed in his spleen), Dash’s appetite continued to be excellent. We are all familiar with that most dreaded of symptoms—loss of appetite in the progression of cancer and histiocytic sarcoma in particular. Did the fact that that didn’t happen to him indicate that we were making progress in stalling the cancer? Or was Dash just one of those lucky dogs where the disease progresses more slowly? I’ve also heard people say that cancer in very senior dogs is less virulent. Maybe our efforts didn’t change the course of his disease. We can never know for sure. But certainly, with a disease that typically takes our dogs so very quickly after diagnosis (with or without chemotherapy), Dash’s longevity makes these holistic treatments worthy of consideration.

About the Author: Alice Clark has owned Berners since 2007. Her first BMD was bought as a pet, but she quickly discovered the joys of performance events and has put titles on 4 dogs in Draft, Obedience, Rally, Herding, and Agility. She is now working on finishing her first Conformation dog.

Smoke Inhalation and Dogs, continued from page 34 noses—bulldogs, pugs and Boston terriers, to name a few—are especially at risk.

Additionally, Loesner explains that very young and very old dogs of any breed can be more fragile and at risk for medical complications from smoke inhalation.

TAKE PRECAUTIONS The wildfires in California are a good reminder about the importance of having an evacuation plan for your family including all of your dogs.

Natural disasters can strike at any time and it’s important to be prepared. Make sure your dog is wearing a collar with updated identification tags. In your vehicle it’s a good idea to have easily accessible digital copies of proof of vaccination, photos of your dog (in case they become lost), spare leashes, food, and any prescriptions your dog might need.

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Jordan Holliday advises to, when developing an evacuation plan, have a designated person in your household responsible for evacuating the dog. If no one is able to get your dog(s) out, this person needs to, “let the fire department personnel know that he or she is still inside the home. Have your pet microchipped so that in the event your pet is able to escape, you can find him or her after the fire. Place a sticker or identification in the window of your home so that fire department personnel know there is a pet in the home if a fire breaks out when you aren’t there.”

About the Author: Sassafras Lowrey is an award-winning author and Certified Trick Dog Instructor. Sassafras lives and writes in Portland, Oregon, with her partner, a senior Chihuahua mix, rescued Cattle Dog mix, Newfoundland puppy, two bossy cats, and a formerly semi-feral kitten.

Reprinted with permission. Originally Published in Whole Dog Journal - November 21, 2018 Updated: September 16, 2020.

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BMDCA Directory OFFICERS

CHAIRS

PRESIDENT GEORGEANN REEVE Leesburg, VA 571-528-5095 georgeannbmdca@gmail.com

AGILITY KRIS OSOJNICKI 651-351-0319 machberner@gmail.com

VICE PRESIDENT MIREILLE BISCHEL Walnut Creek, CA 925-947-2361 mireilleken@gmail.com SECRETARY, RECORDING ADELE SWENSON Lehi, UT 84043 (801) 635-6216 aswensonbmdca@gmail.com SECRETARY, CORRESPONDING ANN GHIORSO Foster City, CA 94404 650-358-0511 aghiorso@comcast.net TREASURER PAM WEIR Anderson, IN 46011 765-683-1927 bernergirlin@gmail.com DIRECTORS CINDY BECKMAN San Francisco, CA 94123 (415) 776-8575 blunotebmd@gmail.com MARJORIE GEIGER Kalama, WA 360-673-6387 marggeiger@yahoo.com VAL HORNEY Aurora, CO 303-903-5685 valhorney@comcast.net SARA KARL Colorado Springs, CO 719-534-9056 karl3106@comcast.net

RUTH NIELSEN Seattle, WA 206-912-0993 rnielsen@nielsenlaw.com AKC DELEGATE SARA KARL Colorado Springs, CO 719-534-9056 karl3106@comcast.net

ALPENHORN EDITOR-IN-CHIEF LARA USILTON 859-498-2516 larausilton@hotmail.com ASSISTANCE AND GUIDANCE LINDA DALTON 253-988-0804 kevlin1297@msn.com AWARDS RENEE JACQUIER 281-797-2321 RJacq16804@aol.com BMDCA BULLETIN / ECOMM KARYN BEYER 925-330-5060 Karyn.beyer@gmail.com BMDCA INFO SERIES ROBIN HAMME 828-694-3864 robinhamme@aol.com BMDCA YEARBOOK TERESA DOMINGUEZ 505-750-3842 BMDCAYearbook@gmail.com BREED AMBASSADORS WENDY KIRK 307-699-1917 wendy@silverstar.com BREEDER EDUCATION LINDA SEAVER 914-234-6024 linda.seaver@gmail.com BYLAWS LINDA DALTON 253-988-0804 kevlin1297@msn.com DRAFT JENNIFER BRIGHTBILL 503-358-1071 jbrightbill@me.com FINANCE PAM WEIR, TREASURER 765-683-1927 bernergirlin@gmail.com

FUTURITY SANDY DUNAWAY 308-995-4149 BMDCAFuturity@gmail.com

ONLINE STORE SUSAN HENDERSON 714-993-6898 phender@hotmail.com

HEALTH TOBY ERLICHMAN, VMD 610-873-7349 health@bmdca.org

RECORDS GARY GALUNAS 248-641-8581 ggalunas@bernerpaw.com

HEALTH AUCTION COORDINATOR KIM MCINTYRE 831-484-1808 kimimc333@yahoo.com

REGIONAL CLUB COUNCIL LISA BALDWIN 206-368-5455 lisa@shiretech.com

HERDING RENEE MERIAUX 805-374-9975 meriaux1@earthlink.net

REGIONAL CLUB RELATIONS CAROL LYNN FOX 602-743-2460 carollynnfox@gmail.com

HISTORIAN VACANT

RESCUE DAWN F. LETRY 469-323-2038 CrystalCreek4@gmail.com

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS TRACEY KEITH 618-236-6475 wyndriftbmd@earthlink.net JUDGES EDUCATION DEBORAH J. WILKINS 612-747-4418 abbeyroadbmd@gmail.com JUNIOR ADVISOR DEBRA JONES 503-931-2710 lazyjbernese@msn.com MEDALLION PLAQUE CANDY KONICKI 440-286-5029 lmtndog@aol.com MEMBERSHIP APPLICATIONS ANDREA BRACIKOWSKI 615-406-9371 bmdcaabracikow@gmail.com MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS PAM WEIR (Acting) 765-683-1927 bernergirlin@gmail.com OBEDIENCE/RALLY/TRACKING STEPHANIE BIKSACKY 801-253-3244 dogwoman67@q.com ONLINE BREEDER REFERRAL ADAM CONN 978-461-1763 olbr@bmdca.org

RESCUE GALLERY PATTI FINLEY bmdmemories@att.com CAROLYN PAIGE cjpage@icloud.com SPECIALTY COORDINATOR DOTTIE SCHULTE 970-392-1806 dotties911@aol.com SPECIALTY DNA ACCOUNTABILITY RENEE JACQUIER 281-797-2321 RJacq16804@aol.com SURVEY / EVOTE MARY-ANN BOWMAN 406-777-7308 msontag@qwest.net TOP TWENTY SARA KARL 719-534-9056 karl3106@aol.com WAYS AND MEANS JON WEIR 765-683-1927 bmdcawandm@gmail.com WEBSITE ADAM CONN admin@bmdca.org

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The Alpenhorn Contributors, Advertisers, & Subscribers ABOUT THE ALPENHORN

The Alpenhorn is published four times per year by the Bernese Mountain Dog Club of America and its many volunteers.

Edition

Issue Focus

Winter (Jan. — Mar.) ....................Veterans/Rescue Spring (Apr. — June) ....................Activities/Training/Puppies Summer (July — Sept.) ...............National Specialty Fall (Oct. — Dec.) ...........................Health/Breeding

EDITORIAL

Georgeann Reeve, Acting Editor-in-Chief Author, Reader, and Photo Contributions The Alpenhorn Editor considers contributor content at any time. Please be aware that authors/photographers do not receive financial compensation for manuscripts/photographs accepted for publication, and that submission does not guarantee publication. The Alpenhorn publishing decisions are subject to the discretion of magazine staff and the BMDCA Board. Manuscripts/photos can be submitted for consideration at any time and are subject to editing. Photos must be provided in high resolution. Photo release required, photographer will be credited.

Manuscripts/photos that have been accepted for publication by The Alpenhorn staff must have been received by The Alpenhorn Editor no later than the following Content Deadline dates for each issue: Winter...............Nov. 1 Spring................ Feb. 1

Summer.........May 1 * Fall...................Aug. 1

* For National Specialty-related material, the date will vary by specific National Specialty and be announced annually. For all other material, May 1 is the standing deadline date.

Send author, reader, and photographic contributions to: Georgeann Reeve, georgeannbmdca@gmail.com

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Subscription Rates . US First-Class postage upgrade: add $20 to subscription rate . Non-Member US subscriptions: $55 per year . International Subscriptions: Canadian subscriptions $75/year; Mexico and all other Int'l and Overseas $95/year Int'l subscriptions payable in US funds to “BMDCA”. Contact the Subscription Manager for payment details. Single & Back Issues (as available, US only): $20 including postage. US only missed copies, depending upon availability, will be replaced after the following waiting period: 1st class mail recipients—30 days after shipping date. Bulk mail recipients—45 days after shipping date. Mailing of missed copies is subject to $5 postage fee.

Manage your subscription online, or send subscription, single-issue, or address change requests to: Linda Sullivan, 43 Old Quarry Road, Woodbridge, CT 06525, northbridge@optonline.net, 203-393-3460.

PURCHASE ADS AND MANAGE SUBSCRIPTIONS ONLINE PURCHASE ADS: www.bmdca-store.com/Advertising_c_37.html SUBSCRIPTIONS: www.bmdca-store.com/Subscriptions_c_38.html

ADVERTISING

Beth Schmoyer, Advertising Sales & Design Joye Neff, Business Manager

Advertising Rates & Availability AD TYPE (Color ad unless otherwise noted) RATES Cover ................................................................................................ $400 Inside Front Cover ..........................................................................$275 Back Cover .......................................................................................$275 Inside Back Cover ...........................................................................$250 Two Page Spread ............................................................................$525 One Page ..........................................................................................$200 Half Page .......................................................................................... $150 Half Page/Promotion/Template ..................................................$100 B/W Dog Memorial with approx. 1.5 x2 Photo .......................... $50 Non-BMDCA Members: 2x the published ad rate (not eligible for sales).

Regional Club Rates:

Black and white (B/W) One Page and Half Page ads are available to clubs only: One Page…$62.50; Half Page…$37.50.

Regional Clubs receive one Half Page B/W ad free per calendar year for advertising events (no upgrades). Custom Ad Designs are available to clubs at a 50% discount off standard ad design fees. Color ads and Premium Spaces not eligible for club discounts.

Ad Design Fee…$75 applies for non-camera ready artwork submissions.

Advertising Order Placement

Contact Beth Schmoyer regarding Ad Sales and Design: baschmoyer@rcn.com or 610-868-5569. Online reservations and payment can be made anytime.

If mailing payment, please send to (note new mailing address): Joye Neff, Business Manager, 108 Minnock Drive, Mars, PA, 160461308, joye.neff@gmail.com, 724-799-8399.

Ad Reservation (purchase) Closing Dates: Winter...........................Nov. 1 Summer........... Specialty Specific Spring...........................Feb. 1 Fall......................................... Aug. 1 Due to publishing complexities, The Alpenhorn Editor and staff cannot guarantee in-home dates. Please place time-sensitive ads well in advance of your planned event.

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