I have spent over 35 years in Bernese Mountain Dogs, my original breed being German Shepherds! I will never forget the first time I laid my eyes on a Bernese Mountain Dog! It was 1989 at a dog show. I watched a woman walk by with two of the most beautiful dogs I had ever seen. I remember running after the woman to ask her what kind of dogs they were! “Bernese Mountain Dogs from Switzerland”, I was told, and I knew I had to have one!
CH JoVal’s Sky’s The Limit V Bev’s, known as “Sky” became the foundation of the Bernese Mountain Dogs of Indian Hill. I have consistently bred top quality dogs over the past 34 years, including CKC, AKC, BISS Indian Hill’s Infinite Justice (Uppy), winner of the 2003 BMDCA National Specialty and multiple specialty winner, world renowned AKC/CKC/INT/NORDIC/BISS Showtime V Keilissa (Chomper), AKC/CKC/INT/MULTI CH Indian Hill’s Blizzard of Oz, Indian Hill’s Velvet Revolver, Best in Futurity 2008 BMDCA National Specialty, BIWDG AKC/CKC CH Indian Hill’s Unleash the Dragon (Drako), Best Jr. in Sweeps 2010 BMDCA National Specialty. I have owned and finished several imports including CH Zandrina’s Hubert, GCH Lad’s Diva, National AOM winner, CH Lad’s Grace, CH Millenium Star Esperanto Tequila (Russia) and my most recent import from Australia, CH Malicloy Now You See Me. I also attended and exhibited at the World Dog Show in Stockholm Sweden with an entry of almost 300 Berners! I brought home a ribbon for 4th Best Champion Male with my Ozzie; what a thrill! I am honored to breed and co-own the 2018 & 2019 Westminster BOB winner, GCH VonEngel’s Designated Driver V Indian Hill. Most recently, Indian Hill’s Forged in Fire V Full Moon has won both the BMDCA National in 2022 and in the same year, won the Canadian National. He is a multiple Best In Show and Multiple BISS winner. This year, 2024, GCH Indian Hill’s Bring Me to Life was Best of Breed at Westminster Kennel Club over many of the top dogs in our country, making Indian Hill a 3 time Best of Breed winner at Westminster. I continue to produce Champions and loving companions and have exported several puppies who have become foundation stock for kennels in Russia, Sweden and Japan. I now share my home with several up and coming dogs and my veterans.
I began judging in 2008 and have officiated supported entries, All-Breed Shows and Specialties throughout the United States and many countries throughout the world. I am also approved by AKC for Newfoundlands, Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs, German Pinschers, Australian Shepherds, Tibetan Mastiffs, Giant Schnauzers and Finnish Lapphunds.
In 2008, I travelled to Europe and was a guest judge in Germany. In 2013, I had the honor of visiting St. Petersburg, Russia to judge the First Annual Berner Sennenfest with other invited experts from around the globe. I also judged the Danish Specialty, which was an experience I will never forget and was able to visit kennels in Norway and Sweden! In 2016, I was invited “Down Under” to judge an Australian Specialty show and ended up bringing back a very special male that finished in 3 weekends and has produced some beautiful pups to move forward with. Still, the highlight of all assignments remains judging Veterans and Non-Regular classes at the 2012 BMDCA National Specialty in Gettysburg.
I believe judging carries a monumental responsibility to the breed and I hold this near to my heart. Although I feel the standard is open to some amount of interpretation, I strive to judge based on what I feel are the most important characteristics of a Bernese: proper Breed type and structure, sound movement and temperament – not necessarily in this order. Without proper temperament, a Bernese is not a Bernese. Correct structure is essential to permit a BMD to do the work for which he was bred. I also believe exhibiting should be fun for all and pride myself on creating a relaxed and enjoyable environment for all who enter my ring!
