I have owned and loved dogs for as long as I can remember. My love of Bernese Mountain Dogs started in l982 when I first encountered the breed and I have owned them since l985, breeding my first litter in l988. During this time to present day, I have strived to breed Bernese with a consistency of type and soundness. I have always had the breed standard uppermost in my mind when planning matings , hoping in each generation to improve upon the last. I was mentored in my early days in the breed by beginning by Mrs Brenda Griffifiths of the “Forgeman” kennel and Mrs Diana Cochrane of the “Duntiblae” kennel. From these two knowledgeable ladies, I learnt about breed type. My foundation female was out of a Forgeman female sired by Ch Duntiblae Dark Protector. I began my “Nellsbern” family in l985 and to date have bred 22 litters. The highlights of my show career include having bred/owned seven BMD UK champions and many more Bernese that have won one or two CCs and high awards at championship shows. I have also bred many other companion Bernese who have never seen the inside of the show ring, yet to their owners they are “Champions” in their own right. I have won Best of Breed at Crufts in l992 when I made my male dog, a champion the same day. I also won BIS at the BMDC of GB Ch show in l998 with Ch Nellsbern Elsa. I met the world renowned geneticst, Dr Malcolm B  Willis (1935 - 2011)  in 1986 and we married in 1990. He was my best friend, husband and mentor on dogs in general. We shared a love of both Bernese Mt Dogs and GSD as well as 25 years of happiness together. My breeding programme was put on hold from 2007 when he became terminally ill and I have not bred now for a number of years. I hope to rectify this soon. 

When officiating in our breed, I naturally obey the judging rules of the country. I prefer the FCI system where a critique is written on every dog in the class. I believe that judges should have a thorough knowledge of the breed; integrity and adaptability are also important traits for all judges. I have a friendly, outgoing approach towards dogs and owners and I find this a great asset when judging. I view each appointment with great interest and look forward to getting into the ring and to actually "hands on" judging the dogs. I am a permanent  student of canine anatomy,  so any excuse to evaluate dogs is welcomed by me and I love judging. At all times, I consider it an honour and a pleasure to be invited to judge. 

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On my initial examination of a dog presented in the ring, I look for harmony, balance, breed type, sound movement and shape, with correct coat and markings being the icing on the cake. I like a male to look like a male with obvious masculinity, similarly I seek a female to be feminine. I look for everything in moderation in a Bernese, remembering it is essentially a working breed. Beautiful typey heads are a bonus, as are strong bone and ample substance. In movement, I look for willing, easy movement, free action with good reach and drive, whilst keeping the outline with, of course, the correct tail carriage. An outgoing friendly temperament always completes the picture. Of course the perfect dog has never been born, but the search for it continues and judges are ever hopeful that he/she might pop up at a show where they are officiating!!

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I started judging in 1989 and first awarded CCs to Bernese Mountain Dogs in the UK in l992. To date, I have judged the breed at ch show level eleven times since (one can only judge every  18 months at CC level in the UK). I judged the breed at Crufts in 2008 and am judge elect for Midland Counties ch show in October 2017.  To date I have judged Bernese in Australia, Austria, Canada, Czech Republic (3 times), Denmark (3 times) Germany,  Ireland, Holland, Hungary (twice), Italy (3 times), Finland, (2 times), Norway (3 times), Switzerland,  Slovakia, and the USA where I judged the both sexes at the Regional Specialty in Wisconsin in March 2010 and the American Specialty (National) males and BOB in 2013.  As well as Bernese Mt Dogs, I award CCs in German Shepherd Dogs, Leonbergers (judged them at Crufts in 2013)  and Smooth Coated Chihuahuas. Earlier in 2017, I passed my exams for Great Swiss Mt Dogs and am now a fully qualified judge of this breed. I had the honour of being invited to judge the first breed club Open show for the Great Swiss Mt Dog Club of GB last April.  In the autumn of this year, I have two other appointments, one in  Belgium, where  I am invited to judge the 21st Anniversary of the Belgium BMD breed club and the other  in Italy,  where I will be speaking to breeders and judges about BMD. 

I have judged BIS and Groups  many times at Open shows in the UK. 

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I am a member of the Kennel Club (since 2006) and am the Features Editor at Our Dogs (now the only weekly canine journal),  published in Manchester since 1895 -  I have worked for them since 1985.  

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I am looking forward to judging in Slovenia, a country I really admire,  in April. After the show it will be good to chat about the breed with fellow judges and exhibitors.  

Here's to a successful show and some super dogs!

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Mrs. Helen Davenport -Willis