“They’re My Passion”

By Joan Harrigan

A steady stream of families comes to a full stop in the middle of Row 21 of Pier 94 on Tuesday afternoon, drawn in by the charms of “Livvy,” a nearly-3-year-old Bernese Mountain Dog bitch.  Her performance in the ring is behind her, and now it is time to relax on the cool cement floor and do what she enjoys most—being petted by children and their parents. “She showed well, but no ribbon,” her owner, Barbara Bych says with a shrug.  It’s clear that a ribbon, even at Westminster, is not the best part of owning this dog.

Livvy rolls over on her back for belly rubs, give kisses—she’s a lovely example of her breed with its typical friendly, outgoing demeanor.  Her registered name is apt—Ch. Alpenspirit Whole Lotta Love, and she dispenses it freely to everyone.  Livvy is owned by Bych, who lives in Warren, N.J. and her Canadian breeder, Mylene Turbide.

Bych is a senior vice president at Wells Fargo Bank, but her passion is the Bernese Mountain Dog.  “I have five who live in my home with me—sitting on the couch, and sleeping on the beds,” she says.  When she sells a puppy, she firmly believes that her responsibility for the dog she bred never ends.  “I love getting the holiday cards from the families, and love seeing the creative Halloween costumes they have for their dogs,” Bych says with a laugh.

Berners have become sought-after family pets, and Bych can understand their appeal—“Men like them because they are brawny and big, and mothers and children like them because they are so family-friendly.” As a responsible breeder, Bych screens her families carefully and explains that this is not a breed that will be happy left home all day.  Her own work schedule often requires that dog walkers come in several times a day, and it’s an accommodation she’s happy to make.

And Berners can certainly shed—Bych owns two vacuum cleaners to keep up with her pack.  “This is not a breed for someone who is bothered by hair,” she says.  “And if you keep an immaculate house and have a Berner—well, you will be cleaning a lot.”

Her own introduction the breed came after a lot of research and planning. “And when I finally saw one as a puppy—it just melted my heart,” she says with a smile.  They mature to be large dogs—Livvy weighs 89 pounds, and males can be much heavier.  However, Bych walks three at a time in her neighborhood—because they have all been trained to look to her for direction and to walk calmly on a lead.

Indeed, in the Bernese Mountain Dog section of the benching area, a number of the dogs lounge around calmly, and a puppy quietly observes the crowds from a crate.  There is no barking, no commotion.  Just a pack of large, furry, totally loveable tri-colored dogs.  All in all, a very pleasant place to spend an afternoon!

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Posted by chesliepickett on Feb 18 2016. Filed under Current Articles, Featured. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.