It's A Berner-ful Life: Disappointed

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Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Disappointed

Well, it looks like we won't be doing a draft test this year.

At the beginning of the year, I was unsure if we would be ready to enter the DDX test. A couple months ago, I decided that we could be ready. We just needed to tweak our behind-the-cart skills and Bosley needed to get used to wearing the backpack for the backpack portion of the test. I was getting excited to enter.

There is one draft test a year in our province. This year it is being held in conjunction with the Alberta Kennel Club's big summer show at Spruce Meadows. The premium list for the draft test came out a couple weeks ago. There is no DDX being offered. They are only offering the DD test this year. I am not sure why as draft tests usually have small entries, so there should be plenty of time to test the few DDX dogs that would enter. The only reason I can think of is because the location it is being held at. The DDX test is very demanding, both in skill and in the type of terrain that you need to navigate. The backpack portion is usually in heavily treed areas with streams and challenging obstacles. The Spruce Meadows area is very flat and bare.

I guess Bosley will have another year (at least) to get used to wearing that evil backpack.

5 comments:

RuthJune 8, 2011 at 9:21 AM
He looks very proud to be pulling a cart!
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onecollieJune 8, 2011 at 10:53 AM
that is too bad Kim! Is there any DDX tests anywhere else in AB this year?
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KimJune 8, 2011 at 11:10 AM
No Jolene. That is the only test on the prairies this year. I think the only other test left to happen this year is on the altlantic coast and that is a bit far to go.
So I will need to wait.
They usually only have draft tests in the spring and fall otherwise it is too hot. Maybe that is part of the reason that that Spruce Meadows didn't hold the DDX test. The DDX freight load is heavy and the pack is heavy so it could be dangerous for the dogs to pull all that weight on a 30 degree day in full sun.
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AnonymousJune 9, 2011 at 1:23 AM
What a disappointment, Kim! There are often draft trials on Vancouver Island but I guess you checked those ones out. David Denys would know about anything happening anywhere. In any case, Bosley certainly looks ready!
Rick
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Amber-MaeJune 10, 2011 at 11:51 AM
He looks so handsome with that cart.
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An Extraordinary Dog For Extraordinary People

"The Bernese Mountain Dog is different from most other dogs in many respects. Take his size, for example. Everything about a fully grown Bernese is big and strong, massive and mighty; his body, his paws, his teeth , his tongue, his tail,his emotions, his responses, his will, his good, and when they exist, not-so-good habits. Anyone who wants to adopt a Berner needs to think large. A Berner cannot be carried to the vet's in a basket; a struggling Berner cannot be pulled along on a leash; a fully-grown Bernese cannot be forced into a down position by the use of a hand-or even two. A Berner cannot be bathed in a sink, scooped up with an arm, or lifted across a puddle. A Berner slurps water with a bigger tongue from a bigger bowl (and thus slobbers more water on his folks); his coat takes longer to brush; he must go for longer walks. A Berner's paw leaves bigger , deeper, muddier tracks in the house, in flowerbeds, in the car, and on clothes; he shakes off more water upon entering the house after a hike in the rain; his tail wags with greater strength at a higher lever; he barks less frequently, but louder. A Berner bounces more merrily, mourns more deeply, sulks more sadly, resists more strongly, clings more closely, and loves more intensely. A Berner Sennenhund requires more than the little finger. He needs the whole hand, no both hands; no, still not enough. A Berner needs the total person."

---excerpt from"The Bernese Mountain Dog A Dog of Destiny" by Bernd Guenter.