Boston & District Canine Society

Boston and District Canine Society 2nd July 2026 - Bernese Mountain Dog

Firstly, I would like to extend my thanks to Boston show society for the kind invitation to award my first set of CC’s in this breed.

Also, a big thank you to everyone who entered and allowed me the pleasure of judging your lovely dogs.

The weather was not as hot as it had been just prior to the show but it was still very warm and this made me take the decision not to move the dogs as much as I might have, had the weather been cooler, hopefully the exhibitors understood this and were happy I gave every exhibit as much consideration as the next.

I was pleased with the quality of the entry, especially the open bitch class, I was not surprised to see every one in this class held a champion title, I was spoiled for choice and just couldn’t go wrong. I was delighted to hear that my bitch CC winner gained her UK title on the day to go alongside her Spanish one, she then went on to BOB and took a super 3rd place in the working group which pleased me no end.

Bernese Mountain Dog - Junior Dog - Entries: 1 Absentees: 0

1ST - Waldershelf Fine n Dandy (Mrs A & Mrs E Manix & English)

This super young male at just a couple of weeks over 12 months of age was a super start to my first CC appointment for this breed, his breed qualities shone through and it took all the way to open dog before I found another to challenge him for the CC, I could not however find another male to take the RCC from him today and although he is young to be gaining such awards, he thoroughly deserved it today, I was even more pleased with myself when I discovered he and my DCC winner share the same dam, his super qualities are evident from nose to tail, he presents a good shape in profile, he has a pleasing head which is at just the right stage of development for his age, he has dark almond eyes and his rims fit well, he has good definition in stop and strength in skull, his neck is strong and flows into well placed shoulders, he holds a firm top line static and moving and he stands on strong well boned limbs, on the move he presents good reach in front and drives from the rear, he is true coming and going and his strength in hocks is evident as he goes away, he was presented in super coat condition, a very worth RCC winner and one I will watch with interest.

Bernese Mountain Dog - Yearling Dog - Entries: 1 Absentees: 0

1ST - Etterbern Gozan to Stepdashar (Mrs S Watson)

This 14 month old male scores well in head, which has good proportions, kind almond shaped eyes brown in colour, and enough stop, his neck has ample length and flows well into his moderately angled front assembly which is matched nicely to his rear angles, he holds a firm top line, ideally I would like a tad less length to his loin, he has strong hocks which show on the move, he could be a little tidier in the front coming towards you but you have to remember he is still a young dog and is sure to tighten as he matures, he was presented an a super jacket which is beautifully marked.

Bernese Mountain Dog - Post Graduate Dog- Entries: 2 Absentees: 0

1ST - Norburylou Karias Star (Miss M Austen)

This 3 and a half year old male scores well in head, he has dark eyes of good shape with close fitting rims, he stands on well boned limbs, he has a reasonable front for depth and width of chest and his angles front and rear are moderate and well balanced, he scored over 2 with a slightly better topline, he was presented in good coat, his tail could have a bit more furnishing, he moved with a steady gait on side profile and moved well on the up and down.

2ND - Oakbern Ripsaw Rye (Mrs Cs & Mr Ri Lindsay)

For me this 3 year old male was a tad weak in pasterns and his topline was a tad softer than ideal, he has a pleasing head, his neck is strong and flows well into his shoulders, he is nicely balanced in angulation fore and aft and has good strength in his hocks as he moves away, presented and handled well.

Bernese Mountain Dog - Limit Dog- Entries: 4 Absentees: 2

1ST - Fancy Pants von Romanshof at Bulldaxit (Imp Pol) (Mr G & Mrs J Cox)

This 2 year old male is not the biggest, he is well balanced and compact, he has a pleasing head piece which has a nice eye for shape, could be a tad darker in colour, his neck is strong and of the correct medium length, he stands on well boned strong straight limbs when viewed from all angles, he has ample angulation at the front and super angles to the rear, his top line could be a tad firmer, he was presented in a super jacket and he moved out well.

2ND - Bernervalley Lord of Isle (Mr B Cartey)

A much larger male and one I have had the pleasure of judging before and one I do still admire, sadly I felt he was carrying a bit too much weight today which spoiled his profile and gave him a bit of roll on the move, he has a lovely head and a super clean eye of good shape and colour, his ears are set and used well and he has great strength in his neck, although his top line is good the extra weight did show in this area, he is well matched for both front and rear angles and he moved with reach and drive. 

Bernese Mountain Dog - Open Dog- Entries: 4 Absentees: 1

1ST - Ch Waldershelf Bjorn to Be King JW ShCEx OSW (Mrs A & Mr I & Mrs E Manix & Manix & English).

I had the pleasure of judging this super male at an open show last year and I absolutely loved him then and I was thrilled to see him walk into the ring today, he is looking even more impressive than I remember last year, what an absolute credit he is to owners and breeder, he is put down in the highest of order and he just doesn’t put a foot wrong, his head is so well balanced for skull and muzzle ratios, his ears a set beautifully and frame his head so well, he presents a super shape in profile both static and on the move, he stands on strong well boned limbs and super feet, he has depth and width of chest, his top line is super strong and his underlines compliment it perfectly, he has super angles fore and aft and his muscle tone on his thighs is top class, as he was last year his coat condition and presentation is from the top drawer, on the move he has power yet is light and agile, he is so true coming and going, he really is a truly outstanding example of the breed and I had no hesitation in awarding him the CC, he pushed so hard for BOB but was just pipped by the also outstanding bitch, I was so lucky to have such super dogs for my first CC appointment, I just could not go wrong.

2ND - Esp Ch Devael Think Big Start Small at Waldershelf (Imp Esp) (Mr S J & Mrs J & Mrs E V Green & Green & English)

Another really lovely male who presents a lovely shape in profile both static and on the move, he has good strength in skull and muzzle and has reasonable strength of jaw, he has a strong neck which flows into a super front assembly which is matched well with his rear angulation and strong hocks, he stands on well boned limbs and good feet, on the move he is light and has good reach in front and a powerful rear action, he was presented in a gleaming black jacket and handled well, he was very much considered for the RCC and didn’t do anything wrong to not get it, I just loved the junior male and felt him a closer fit to my CC winner today.

3RD - Ch Kernow Dollar Promises at Maxjabar ShCEx (Mr O & Mrs M Copeland)

Bernese Mountain Dog - Veteran Dog - Entries: 1 Absentees: 0

1ST - Ch Cullumbern Milano JW ShCEx OSW (Ms K Bird)

What a super boy this almost 8 year old male is, he is still in tip top shape and put in a super performance on the move, he has a lovely head with the most appealing expression, his eyes are of correct shape and colour, he uses his high set ears to his advantage and he has great strength of under jaw, his strong neck flows into well placed shoulders and he holds a super strong topline, he stands on well boned limbs and good feet and has lovely angles to the rear, presented in a good jacket, a very worthy winner of best veteran in breed.

Bernese Mountain Dog - Good Citizen Dog Scheme Dog - Entries: 1 Absentees: 0

1ST - Kernow Blue Mist (Miss M Austen) 

This 6 year old male has the most beautifully marked headpiece and was presented in a super jacket, he has enough bone and substance and reasonable strength of top line, he would benefit from a tad more width in front, he has lovely balanced angles at the rear and good strength in hock, moved out well in side profile and on the up and down.

Bernese Mountain Dog - Minor Puppy Bitch - Entries: 2 Absentees: 0

1ST - Kernow Winter Wonderland (Mrs J & Mrs K Harris & Hayward) 

This puppy of just 6 months old gave me plenty to think about, she caught my eye as soon as she came in the ring, her static balance at this age was outstanding and she presented a lovely profile shape on the move, her confidence on the initial move around the ring shone through, but when it came to hands on examination, she was at first a little shy, she did however improve enough for me to be able to judge her fully and when she set sail on the move she was back to full confidence again, she has such a pretty head piece, she stands on well boned limbs and holds a super top line for one so young, I just loved her so forgave the initial nerves which she thankfully over came when it mattered.

2ND - Kernow Prize at Maxjabar (Mr O & Mrs M Copeland)

This puppy is also just 6 months of age and another lovely puppy, she didn’t quite match 1 on the move today and isn’t yet as balanced, she has a lovely head with the most appealing eyes which have lovely tight fitting rims, she stands on well boned limbs and is well angulated fore and aft, I felt she was carrying a tad more weight than ideal but she is just a baby so I’m sure that will change as she grows.

Bernese Mountain Dog - Puppy Bitch- Entries: 1 Absentees: 0

1ST - Waldershelf Drama Queen (Miss A & Mr R Purdy & Simpson)

This 10 and a half month old bitch puppy is another super example from this kennel, she scores well in head which is well balanced in skull and muzzle ratio’s and retains femininity, she is well proportioned in body, she does need to drop into her chest still but that will come as she matures, she has good strength of neck and holds a firm topline, I found her strength of hocks exceptional for this age, she moved out well on side profile and on the up and down, she gave me a little scare in the best bitch puppy challenge when she became slightly unbalanced but just for a few strides and was then back on track beautifully. Best puppy Bitch and Best puppy in breed.

Bernese Mountain Dog - Junior Bitch - Entries: 4 Absentees: 1

1ST - Liskarn Love Me Like You Do (Mr S & Mrs L Oliver Bridges)

This bitch of 15 months impressed me no end with her strength of frame throughout, she has a well-balanced head with almond eyes medium to dark brown in colour, her ears are set on just right and they frame her head to complete the picture, she has great strength in her neck and it flows into super shoulder placement and a good return of upper arm giving her a good fore chest, she has depth of chest and she holds a strong topline at all times and she stands on well boned limbs and good feet, once she settled she moved with a ground covering gait with super drive from the rear, she was presented in super coat and muscle condition, I feel she is going to be a top contender once she matures. 

2ND - Hokus Pokus von Romanshof at Bulldaxit (Imp Pol) (Mr G & Mrs J Cox)

This bitch also at 15 months of age was not at quite the same stage of development as 1, her head whilst pleasing does not quite match that of 1 yet, her eyes are a pleasing shape, they could be a tad darker in colour, she stands on well boned limbs and has a well-balanced front and equally good rear angles, she holds a firm top line both static and moving, she really does come into her own on the move which won her the 2nd spot in this class today, one with a bright future, I’m sure.

3RD - Etterbern The Euphrates (Dr H & Mr R Burnikell & Rae)

Bernese Mountain Dog - Yearling Bitch - Entries: 4 Absentees: 0

1ST - Roesilbern Fors Fortuna JW (Miss J A & Mr D Wright & Kirk)

This almost 20 month old bitch is well off for both size and substance, she is well balanced and has good strength in her frame, she stands on well boned straight limbs and good feet, she scores well in head, her eyes are beautifully set and are a lovely almond shape and super dark in colour, her front assembly is good and straight viewed from the front and well angulated form side view, she has depth of chest and a solid topline, her rump is lovely and broad and her tail is set on well, she has pleasing rear angles and was presented in a super jacket, she moved out with a balanced stride and was true coming and going.

2ND - Arvella Captivating Callie (Mesdames R, J & E King, Green & Dedman)

This bitch of 21 months of age scores well in head, she does not quite have the width in skull to match 1 but she is balanced in head ratios, she does have a good topline but you do need to get hands on her as her coat can distract from this otherwise, she has reasonable bone and super rear angles and strong hocks, she has a nice broad rump and she moved round with a balanced and powerful gait.

3RD - Pelhamdreams Yellow Ribbon Around Kingsfleet (Mrs D & Mrs M Driver & Goodchild)

Bernese Mountain Dog - Post Graduate Bitch - Entries: 6 Absentees: 1

1ST - Seanri Hello Again at Timarabai NAF (Miss M E & Mr T J Bailey & Williams)

At just over 2 years of age this bitch presents a solid frame, great muscle definition and a well-balanced profile, her angles both front and rear compliment each other well, she has a strong neck, she is well ribbed and has a strong loin which in turn gives for a firm topline, she has a good broad rump and she was put down in a coat of the best order, she has a pleasing head, to be critical her eyes are a tad rounder than ideal, she has a well balanced steady gait with good foot fall, she holds her profile strong on the move, a lovely bitch who headed a nice class here today.

2ND - Oskevabern Hellraiser JW (Mrs L Wood)

I thought this bitch to be very similar in type to 1, she did score over 1 with a better eye shape, she has a lovely head piece, I felt 1 had a slightly firmer top line, and stronger neck and slightly better angles but only just, this bitch also moved out well and was clean coming and going, she was slightly out of coat today but that’s perfectly acceptable due to the weather conditions of late, both these bitches are lovely examples of the breed and sure to change places many times.

3RD - High Oaks Still Water Run Deep to Roesilbern (Imp Ita) (Miss J A & Mr D Wright & Kirk)

Bernese Mountain Dog - Limit Bitch Entries: 3 Absentees: 1

1ST - Hundii vom Durrbachler Wald at Arvella (Imp Nld) (Mesdames R, J & E King, Green & Dedman)

This 4 and a half year old bitch presents a lovely shape in profile, she also scores well in head with a good eye for shape and is medium brown in colour, she has a strong broad neck and a super front assembly, she holds a strong topline at all times and has a lovely broad rump and well-muscled thighs, she stands on strong well bone limbs, her hocks could be a tad stronger when stacked but they do produce a strong gait in action, she moved with balance and purpose, presented and handled well.

2ND - Oakbern Kodiac Gold (Mrs E Worrall)

This bitch was a taller bitch than 1 and has a narrower frame throughout, her head is in balance to her frame and although I thought her loin a tad long she did hold a good firm topline, she scores well in angles front and rear and did produce a nice positive gait in profile.

Bernese Mountain Dog - Open Bitch - Entries: 5 Absentees: 1

1ST- Esp Ch Devael Shame to Fame at Waldershelf (Imp Esp) (Mr S J & Mrs J & Mrs E V Green & Green & English)

This outstanding bitch of 5 years old just blew me away, she is so well balanced that she just cannot help but stand perfectly square every time she comes to a stop, she just falls into the perfect stack naturally every time, she is a good sized bitch yet so light on her feet, she has the most beautiful head piece, her skull is strong and flat, she has good definition in her stop and strength in muzzle with a strong underjaw, her eyes are a lovely almond shape, medium brown in colour and set so well, her ears sit high and are the correct size and shape to add to the picture, she has a broad strong neck and her shoulder placement is from the top drawer and is complimented by her length of upper arm which is returned at the perfect angle, this gives her a good fore chest, she has width and depth in chest and is well ribbed with a super strong loin, I loved her broad rump and I found her so well muscled throughout, she stands on strong straight limbs and has super strength in her hocks, this shows on the move, she has great reach in front and such power at the rear yet its effortless and light in foot fall, she was presented in a super black jacket with rich tan markings and crystal clear white, her furnishings were ample, more than we are probably used to, she just has that heir about her that oooozes quality, although this class was one of such quality the first place had to be hers and then the CC just couldn’t go anywhere else today and although I loved my DCC winner she just pipped him to Best of Breed and put in a super performance to win 3rd spot in a super group, I was delighted to find that I had awarded her, her 3rd CC to take her UK crown today, huge well done. 

2ND - Ch Rodiveco Tatiana Arette to Liskarn (Mr S & Mrs L Oliver Bridges)

Another outstanding bitch of 4 years of age who was so unlucky to meet 1 today, I have had the pleasure of judging this beautiful girl when she was just a puppy, she has most certainly delivered on the promise she showed back then, today she was most certainly wearing her Sunday best, she was put down in a quality jacket which was squeaky clean and she has such super muscle tone underneath that beautiful coat, she also has such a lovely head, her skull is broad and her muzzle strong and straight and despite the evident strength she retains her feminine charm, her front assembly is well balanced, she has depth and width in chest, her shoulders are laid back well and you can feel the muscle there as you go over her, she holds a super firm topline at all times and another with a lovely broad rump, she produces a super side gait on the move and has good strength in hocks as she moves away, she is a tad closer in rear action than 1 was, she was handled to perfection and I had no hesitation in bringing her back in for the RCC which she deserved hands down, it was such a close decision between these two beautiful bitches, one of those times you wish you could give out 2 CC’s.

3RD- Ch Waldershelf Can’t Ignora JW (Mr S J & Mrs J & Mrs E V Green & Green & English)

Bernese Mountain Dog - Veteran Bitch Entries: 1 Absentees: 0

1ST - Stepdashar Winters Wish (Mrs S Watson)

At 9 years of age this bitch is still in fine fettle, she has a pleasing head, good strength of neck, a well angulated front and good depth in chest, she has a strong loin and a reasonable tail set, she scores well in angles fore and aft and she moved out well for her age producing a lovely shape in profile.

Bernese Mountain Dog - Good Citizen Dog Scheme Bitch - Entries: 2 Absentees: 0

1ST - Pelhamdreams Yellow Ribbon Around Kingsfleet (Mrs D & Mrs M Driver & Goodchild)

This bitch was 3rd in a good yearling class, she has a pretty head which is nicely marked, her chest has good depth and she has width to her rump, her topline could be a tad firmer and I would like a tad less slope in croup, she has lovely rear angulation and she moved out nicely in both side profile and on the up and back.

2ND - Beraisy Somebody to Love (Miss C & Mr D Handley & Walton)

A larger bitch than 1 who has a nice head but I just preferred that of 1, this bitch has lovely shoulder placement and a reasonable top line, I would like a bit more angles at the rear, she moved with purpose and held a nice shape on the move.

Main Winners:-

DCC - Ch Waldershelf Bjorn to Be King JW ShCEx OSW (Mrs A Mr I & Mrs E Manix & Manix & English)

RDCC - Waldershelf Fine n Dandy (Mrs A & Mrs E Manix & English)

BCC - Esp Ch Devael Shame to Fame at Waldershelf (Imp Esp) (Mr S J & Mrs J & Mrs E V Green & Green & English)

RBCC - Ch Rodiveco Tatiana Arette to Liskarn (Mr S & Mrs L Oliver Bridges)

BOB - Esp Ch Devael Shame to Fame at Waldershelf (Imp Esp) (Mr S J & Mrs J & Mrs E V Green & Green & English)

BP - Waldershelf Drama Queen (Miss A & Mr R Purdy & Simpson)

BV - Ch Cullumbern Milano JW ShCEx OSW (Ms K Bird)

Kirstie Forster (Megalmar) Judge