Vilma wrote: << The issue of "aggression" (an often overused and misused term which actually covers a very wide range of behaviors) seems to be getting more and more common in our breed. I would love to get together a group of Berner lovers, ideally w/ an interest in training/behavior, who are willing to help these dogs on a one on one basis, supporting each other in these endeavors, etc.>>
Vilma, I completely agree with your statement above. Further, as more and more Berners are commercially and BYB produced, I feel we will see a steady population increase of BMDs with poor temperaments and health issues flooded into a market not prepared and/or unwilling to deal with their problems. A great many people seem to complain about this situation but, so far as I can see, the only major projects acting as real, viable deterrents are BARC, breeders who protect the BMD gene pool and the BMD clubs/people who pro-actively educate about BMD health and temperament issues. (This is one reason I feel its important to be supportive of my local and parent BMD Clubs). Adult BMD Rescue is just one more step in protecting the BMD breed, and I feel its a job which is only going to get bigger with time. As a breeder, I feel offering Rescue is an inherent part of my personal responsibility to participate in where possible. While the Berner you mentioned is too far away for my help (and sounds like you have him covered anyway), I am ready and willing to support whatever BMD Rescue and Rehabilitation efforts I can in my area (Montana/Wyoming/Dakotas). I have many years' experience rehabilitating large homeless and abandoned dogs and successfully re-homing them.This is a personal passion of mine. This means I'm happy to participate in any BMD Rescue/Rehabilitation effort you create so long as I can cover BMDs found/released in my area. And I already spend a LOT of effort online educating PPOs and others who contact me for more info about this wonderful breed. Please mark me down as a BMD Rescue contact in Montana, Wyoming and Dakotas. I'm willing to drive anywhere in these states if necessary to help a Berner in need.And I know a few other BMD people in Montana who feel the same commitment as me. Kind Regards, Esther Wilson WilPower Kennels Lavina Montana http://www.wilpowerkennels.com __________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail Plus - Powerful. Affordable. Sign up now. http://mailplus.yahoo.com
