The Bernese Is A Loyal Of The Swiss Alps

By MRS. L. EGG LEACH

Questa vom Sumiswald the small wagons, filled with baskets, is an excellent specimen to the market place, in Berne. of the Bernese Mountain Dog. She is exceedingly fond of EVERTHELESS, they were Children, as are all mem- passed by unnoticed for many bers of the breed years. Their brave deeds were never brought to the notice of the public, at home or abroad. Still these did their duty, year in and year out, often under the greatest hardships, and without the kindly and loving care that are bestowed on the St. Bernards by the monks at the Hospice.

HERE are four species of Swiss but it is the one with which I am most Their masters—the basket weavers — mountain dogs, • or familiar, having always had the good were reared in a hard school. Work and "Sennenhunde," as they are fortune to have some in my near neigh- poverty was often their lot. They lived called in . They are: the borhood, which I could watch and miles from anywhere, in some lonely Appenzeller Sennenhunde from the study individually. mountain valley or hamlet, and their Canton of Appenzell, the smallest of I am not a fancier of this breed, but I only recreation was the long tramp, the four species; the Entlibucher have watched it closely, without taking beside their wagons, on market-day. Sennenhunde, from Entlibuch in the any active part, for very many years, Canton of Lucerne; the Grosse and my admiration has never waned. Theirs was no easy life, and the dogs Schweizer Sennenhunde—large These mountain dogs, although a very shared it. Swiss—the largest, and the draught- old Swiss breed, do not share the dogs of Switzerland; and the Berner world-wide fame of their near rela- It was in the market place that the Sennenhunde, the only long-coated tives, the St. Bernards, from the dogs were noticed. One man related he one, and the acknowledged aristocrat Hospice of the Great St. Bernard. In remembered his parents speaking about of them all. fact, until a few years before the great the dogs. Yet it was a long time before All are tricolor, black, white, tan. war, they even were not very well they were brought out of exile.” No one But in this breed, the light tan mark- known in their own country, Switzer- really cared about them, and they were ings are never encouraged — they land. For a great many years, they often crossed with all sorts of breeds, can best be described as a rich, seemed to have been quite forgotten. often choosing their own mates, until russet-brown. The old people in the Canton of Berne the time came when they were almost an At one time, there were many with knew them well, but in time, they were extinct breed. whole white collars and fore-legs. seldom seen. Then it was, in the year 1892, that this But of late years, the fanciers have one man went in search of some good preferred more black, and the white specimen. is now confined to chest, feet, tip of HE three other species were used tail, and in most cases, to a white to herd the cattle on the Alps. But I will mention no names, as there are stripe, or blaze up the foreface. the Bernese species, of which I many that may not be left out, and It is the Bernese, the long-coated am writing, belonged mostly to the names would convey nothing to my species, which I have chosen for my basket weavers in and around the readers. Suffice it to say, that, in a subject. It may not seem quite fair to Canton of Berne. These dogs were used short time, others followed his good the fanciers of the other three to draw example, and a few good specimens species, were unearthed to try and build up a JUNE 1, 1935 18 American Kennel Gazette

breed that had been sadly neglected.

Why such lovely dogs should have remained unnoticed for so long a The Bernese does not time, no one seems to know. Some make friends easily put this down to the craze for with strangers. Here is foreign breeds, especially British Ajax vom Buchegg- ones. Personally, I do not think this berg, a dog that is could make any difference. These very well known dogs were simply passed by. that he could not T is all very mysterious when understand the few you consider the age of the words I could—or breed. Some declare that the dog thought I could— can be traced back as far as the speak of his lan-

Romans. Others say it originated guage, for they from the dogs of Tibet. No one were not compli- seemed to have seen their value in the past, as a pure-bred, national mentary at all. I have since learned breed. much about the draught-dogs, and am He has no harness on. The children have Let me relate how and when I first fully convinced that they are happier attached a piece of rope to his collar, made the acquaintance of these Ber- at work than when idle. and he is rushing up and down the road, nese dogs, many years ago, before barking for all he is worth. they were brought to the notice of And one, belonging to another neighbor, the public and before their club was HE man told me later on that he I can see rolling in the snow with formed. My interest in them at first was from the Canton of Berne, the children, letting them snowball him was purely a sentimental one. I had and his dog was a "Dürbächler," to their hearts' content. It is a pretty only just arrived in Switzerland, the name by which they were then sight. where I have resided now for more known. than 30 years. Since I have learned more about the Love of children, faithfulness to their One day, I saw from afar, what I breed, I now know that this was not a master and his family seem to be very thought was a tricolor collie, well-bred specimen. It was many years strongly developed in this breed, there is harnessed to a small wagon, filled after that, before I saw a really good no treachery in their nature. Their with milk-cans, taking the milk from dog. owners do not like to see them leading a house to house. I had read much The Bernese species are seldom to be lazy life. One authority on Swiss breeds about sled-dogs and had seen many seen in harness now. They soon found once said of them, as well as of the St. photographs of them, but T had favor with the richer classes, and are Bernards: "they are trained when born." never seen a dog in harness before; valued very much as housedogs and above all, one of my lifelong companions, especially where there One would really think there was some favorites. It was too much for me. A are children. truth in this statement, for they love dog was a companion and friend to They are passionately fond of chil- work of any sort. me, not something to be used as a dren. It is no unusual sight to see them beast of burden. pulling along a wagon full of children, HEY were used to hardships in the I think I lost my head at the time. I for the fun of the thing. old days, and I do not think they forgot, for the moment that I was in As I am writing, I can see one of my will ever lose their working quali- a strange land, and that strange neighbor's Bernese dogs, pulling some ties. They can be trained to anything lands had strange customs, I had children along the road in a sled. within reason. still much to learn. Not only was my interest awakened, but my indignation was aroused at such a sight. When the dog came nearer, I saw that it was a totally different breed. But to me it was a four-footed friend. I had never read nor heard of this breed before, and my interest soon developed into admiration. The dog was well cared for, and his master seemed kind to him. Certainly the master did not deserve the bitter reproaches I gave him. I am thankful to this day

Of the four species of the , the long-coated ones are the aristocrats

June 1, 1935

19

I have been told that one or more have been exported to America, but I do not know to which part of that continent.

TILL I believe they have not yet been brought to the notice of the American public, neither have they been recognized by the . At the special shows, held for Swiss breeds from time to time, in Switzerland, some splendid specimens are to be seen. It is here the novice can learn During the great war, they were much by watching the placings of the trained, by the Red Cross, in best dogs and bitches. Their judges are Germany. One dog was sent from Bernese puppies are adorable. They mostly very thorough with the Swiss Switzerland to be trained for that soon grow into excellent house dogs breeds, and carefully overhaul the work. The result was splendid, and and splendid companions exhibits. A cow-hocked and badly proved their ability for such work, in balanced dog has no chance with them, time of war. and movement is one of their greatest Within the last few years, they have "fads" if I may call it so. It is time made great strides, both in quality and the number of exhibits at the well spent to watch them sorting out and quantity. I think I may say that Swiss shows increased from year to the weedy specimens. some of the champions of to-day are year. It took many years before the Faking is not done, and this breed has as perfect as they can be bred. pioneers succeeded. not been ruined by too drastic in- I will now relate how the Bernese breeding. Neither is there any question species of Swiss mountain dogs were UT they did not give in. And in of changing their type to suit some brought to the fore, and saved from the end, they had the whim, which has so often spelt dis- becoming an extinct breed. satisfaction of having good aster. It was not an easy task these Swiss results. Faults were rapidly bred out, The Bernese dogs are still what patriots set themselves when they and the public began to admire them. nature meant them to be; unfaked, use- first tried to find some pure-bred They were now an established ful and good all around dogs. When specimens for the foundation of their national Swiss breed, of which the well cared for, a dog anyone can be breeding stock. Outside of the country is proud. proud of. Canton of Berne, there were few, if A year or two ago, they were men- If my readers will kindly look at the any, that could answer this purpose. tioned in the doggy press in England. photographs of Ajax vom Buchegg-berg The first was unearthed, as I men- But the quarantine law of that and Rea vom Diirrbach they will see tioned before, in 1892, at a place country has, up to the present time, one of the best braces in the country. called Dürbach, in the Canton of spoilt all efforts to get some Ajax is a well-known stud-dog, and in Berne. For many years they were imported into the British Isles. great demand for good bitches. called "Dürbächler" after this place. The quarantine kennels are very ex- Then other pioneers set to work, de- pensive, and no one cares to take the If they picture to themselves a well- termined to save what was left. Soon plunge with a new breed. balanced dog, standing from 25 to 27 more breeding stock was found, and inches at shoulder, bitches up to 25 the breeding of the pure-bred inches; with jet black, silky, and Dürbächler began in earnest. slightly wavy coat of medium length; Rea vom Durrbach is another out- white markings on chest, feet, tip of N 1907, a club was formed, called standing specimen of the Bernese dog, tail, and on foreface; rich russet-brown the Dürbächler Club.-.About a a breed still natural and unfaked markings distributed over muzzle, year later, on finding these dogs thighs, under body, and tail; with a all over the Canton, the pioneers brown spot over each eye, which may decided to change their name never be missing; dark brown eyes, To "Berner Sennenhunde," which seem to invite the name they are now trust; ears V- shaped known by. The old name and set on high, hang- was dropped, except in ing close to head; flat, some cases where the broad, well-developed owners are loathe to skull; medium stop and drop it altogether, and short, broad muzzle; the club was renamed the level mouth; long Berner Sennenhund Club. bushy tail or brush, From then on, the breed carried low, slight never looked back.The pio- upward swirl per- neers worked hard to missible; compact, not achieve what they had not determined to do. Soon the dogs were to he seen all over the country, (Continued 0n page 131) 20 American Kennel Gazette

The Bernese Is A Loyal

Dog Of The Swiss Alps

(Continued from page 20) too long body; straight, muscular fore- deep love and adoration for the only legs and well-developed stifles; and an master he had ever acknowledged. all around sound, robust dog. They There is one of these dogs on each will have formed a picture of a really side of my house. We are friends, as The article presented good specimen of the Bernese species far as they make friends, a friendly of Swiss mountain dogs. wag of their tails. Here our friendship here is a recreation of They are very active, alert dogs. Not ends. If I put out my hand to touch boisterous in a rough way. Also not them, they walk away. I have never quarrelsome, unless attacked, and then touched them since they were puppies, The Bernese Is A Loyal they know how to take care of and they are old dogs now. themselves. They are very hardy. An I think this is a lovely trait in any Dog Of The Swiss Alps outside kennel, free from draughts; breed, and I have never noticed a bad By filled with good straw in winter; good, one in these dogs. wholesome, doggy food; and a few The best recommendation for any MRS. L. EGG LEACH minutes grooming daily are all they breed is that of the non-fancier. We need to keep them in the pink of are all too apt to be blind to the faults condition. of our favorite breeds, but not so with They are extremely faithful; a real the faults of others. I only hope I have The article was published one man's dog. They do not make done these dogs the justice they friends with strangers. It is always deserve. I have tried to give you my by the hard for them to get used to a new opinion of the breed, and that opinion American Kennel Club home, and for that reason they should has never altered in all these years. in the June 1, 1935 be bought young. Outside of their I am sure if some of the American master's domains they have no inter- citizens, who visit Switzerland, could AKC Gazette. ests; in fact, this trait has often been see the best strains, the Bernese their undoing. To show what I mean, I species of Swiss mountain dogs would will relate something which happened soon take its place at the side of the not so very long ago: St. Bernards in America. The dog well A neighbor bought one of these dogs deserves it. - Please note - as a puppy, and as the dog grew older, I would never advise anyone to buy Certain advertisements and other haphazard. As in all breeds, there are he tired of him for some reason article text segments have been good and bad strains. In the best unknown. He then sold the dog, when removed as they do not pertain to strains the faults have been, for the about 2 years old, to a good home, this article. Additionally, some minor most part, well bred out. Only two some miles away. adjustments in the original layout and After a few days, the dog was to be remain which give the breeders some formatting have been made. seen, lying out in the road in front of trouble. They are: too gaily carried his old home. He was returned to his tails and curly coats. But in some This historical article is presented for new owner again and again. But he strains, even this has disappeared. The always returned. He never went inside coat must be wavy, but it should never educational purposes. We would like his old home, because a rival of his curl. to thank the AKC for supporting the own breed had taken his place. Beside the Berner Sennehund Club Sport of Pure-bred Dogs and the He would follow the children to and there is an Association for Swiss Bernese Mountain Dog fancy. from school, as he had done in the old breeds, called the Zuchtverband. This days, but they were forbidden to Association guards the interests of all encourage him. In despair, they took Swiss breeds and their breeders, helping them with breeding and other to chasing him away, even stoning him, but he stuck to his post in front problems. of the gate. Neighbors fed him out of The Swiss breeders have also not pity, but he ate scarcely enough to been spoilt, and their prices are not keep him alive, until one day, lying in fancy ones. I have never heard of a front of his old home, he was run over fancy price being charged for a Swiss and died in the arms of his old master. breed yet, The man told me that he would never I hope the time will come when the forget that dying look. No reproach, Bernese mountain clogs may be called only a “a coming breed” on the other side of the Atlantic.

June 1, 1935 American Kennel Gazette