Swiss Tradition in Black and White

Marlies Bugmann
Zumaya Productions (2006)
ISBN 1894869656
Reviewed by Joanne Benham for Reader Views (10/06)

The Bernese Mountain Dog is a breed native to Bern, Switzerland.  Although dogs of their type are believed to have been around for centuries, it wasn’t until 1902 that an effort was made to establish guidelines and breeding standards for these hard-working farm dogs.  The Bernese Mountain Dog is beautifully marked, with a glossy black coat, white booties, a white blaze on the face, a white chest and a white-tipped tail, all highlighted with tan markings.  These dogs were an all-purpose farm dog, used for herding, pulling a farm cart, protection and family pet.  A funny by-product of the perception of these dogs as a farm dog was the preservation of their innate genetics and characteristics.  Had they been seen as a popular dog, worthy of carrying a pedigree, they would probably have been subject to the whims of the fanciers and much of the original dog could have been lost. 

Today, the parent breed club in Switzerland closely regulates the breeding of the Bernese Mountain Dog.   Their guidelines are so strict that even something so seemingly inconsequential as white stockings instead of white booties or excessive white on the face or neck will eliminate the dog from inclusion in the breeding program.  The papers on the dog must say “barred from breeding” and the dog sold at a greatly reduced price.  All potential breeding stock must pass stringent health tests and no dog is allowed to be bred before the age of fifteen months as this is the minimum age to have them x-rayed for hip and elbow dysplasia.  They must pass conformation, temperament and qualification exams before four judges before being admitted into the breeding program. These strict protocols have enabled the Swiss club to produce wonderfully healthy dogs with great temperaments that are envied around the world

“Swiss Tradition in Black and White” is educational as well as fun to read.  Even if you are not an aficionado of the breed, you would still find the section on breeding protocols very interesting.  If only some of the highly over-bred dogs here in the US would establish equally stringent guidelines, we might be able to save some of our wonderful dog breeds.

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