The Bernese Mountain Dog Club of Ireland
​Breed Specialty Show
Saturday 25th May 2024

The Club Specialty Show took place at Naas Racecourse on Saturday 25th May with a wonderful entry of 47 Berners for Breed Specialist judge Elin Normannseth from Norway (Kennel Lee Armand). A lovely day greeted exhibitors at the County Kildare venue and the Committee had the ringside well adorned with trophies and rosettes and  a selection of cakes and food for the exhibitors and visitors. The Show was once again generously sponsored by Dr Clauders Dog Food, with lots of product on offer for the winners.
 
This year as part of a new initiative, we had a brief training class for the less experienced owners and their dogs, so they could get an idea of what the judge was going to expect of them in the ring. This was then followed by a parade of some of the Berners that have been rescued and rehomed by the breed Club in the last year, this was warmly welcomed by those in attendance and it was great to see how these lovely dogs have bloomed and bonded with their new owners.
 
The first class of the day was Puppy Dog and both puppies were graded Very Promising and the winner was Marigold Murray’s homebred “Mavrknahkohe Piz Bernina”. Junior Dog was won by Elaine O’Neill and her “Platinumbear Elroy” and he was graded Excellent. The next class was Intermediate Dog with three entries, all of whom were graded Excellent and the winner was Alison Erskine’s Junior Champion “Auseireroyale Watchman”. Graham & Linda O’Neill won the Adult Dog class with their homebred “Theobear Cronulla” and once gain he was graded Excellent. The biggest male class of the day was Open Dog with seven entries and the winner was Fiona Stafford-Byrne’s Polish imported Junior Champion “Up To Date Van Romanchof”. Champion Dog class was won by David & Jackie Benson with their Dutch imported “Ch & GB.Ch Seamus De Zandvijver at Bernervalley” and he went on to win the Dog Green Star for Best Male with the Reserve Green Star going to Alison’s Jun Ch “Auseireroyale Watchman”.
 
After a short break, the female classes began with Puppies and the winner was David & Jackie Benson’s, homebred “Bernervalley All About Me”.  There were four Juniors entered and the winner was Fiona Stafford-Byrne’s “Mountain Crystal Zendaya”. The Intermediate Bitch class had 5 entries and the judges choice for top spot was Julie Ann Wright & David Kirk’s “High Oaks Still Water Run Deep to Roesilbern”. There were four entries in the Adult Bitch class and the winner was Diana Bukartaite’s “Euphoric Epic Win Kaustantis Zvilgsnis”. The Open class was the largest class of the day with eight entries and topping this class was Gillian O’Sullivan & Eamonn Farrell’s “Platinumbear Victorias Secret”. There were four Champion females and the winner was Julie Ann Wright & David Kirk’s “Objet D’Art Du Hameau De Baika Avec Roesilbern”. The final class of the day was for two lovely Veteran females who were both graded Excellent and the winner was Valerie Hughes’ “Ch & GB.Ch Werlwinds Celtic Dream for Carraigbern”. Judge Elin Normannseth chose Julie Ann Wright & David Kirk’s two females for Green Star and Reserve Green Star, with the top spot going to their Champion “Objet D’art Du Hameau De Baika Avec Roesilbern”.
 
The day completed with Best in Show awards and this years Best In Show winner was Julie Ann Wright & David Kirk’s “Ch Objet D’art Du Hameau De Baika Avec Roesilbern” with RBIS to David & Jackie Bensons “Ch & GB Ch Seamus De Zandvijver at Bernervalley”. Best Puppy in Show was David & Jackie Benson’s “Bernervalley All About Me”, Best Junior in Show was Fiona Stafford-Byrnes “Mountain Crystal Zendaya” and Best Veteran in Show was Valerie Hughes’ “Ch & GB.Ch Werlwind’s Celtic Dream for Carraigbern”.
 
Many thanks to all who attended and supported the day and we look forward to welcoming you all back next year when we will have a Double Specialty Show in conjunction with the BSD Club & Navan Shows, so the opportunity to compete for four Green Stars over the weekend of the 24th & 25th May 2025.