Welcome to our website - we hope you enjoy browsing and getting to know us a bit better. We offer guidance and insight into the beautiful world of the Bernese Mountain Dog. We are located on a 2 acre block in rural Taranaki with Mount Egmont as our backdrop.
Chris and I met in 1994 when I had 2 German Shepherds (Karma & Kodak) and Chris had a Bernese called Moritz Typhoon Toyah (Toyah) and a Rough Coated Collie (Obie). We later got married in the picturesque city of Murren in Switzerland. In 1993 Chris was looking at importing a male Bernese from Sweden along with Steve & Barbera who were bringing in a bitch. When NZCH Jamakis Lucky Swede - Eiger arrived I could not stop laughing - this dog had huge ears (he could have used them as wings) massive paws and no brain - I didn't know then the impact this funny looking dog would have on my life - he was my best friend and companion and my passion for these beautiful dogs increased with every day I spent with him. We sadly only had Eiger for 7 years and I remember the day I said goodbye to him and questioned if I could give my heart to another Berner. I would not trade those 7 wonderful years of unconditional love for anything and to this day he remains in my heart and thoughts. Our kennel SCHALLENBERG was established in 1995.
Our household now consists of Sienna & Maddison (both from Sennen Bernese in Western Austrailia), Idaho, Fergie, McQueen, Patriot (from Belnois Bernese in Canada), Nevada, Omellia, Cruz and his sister Maya - and our donkey!
When we are not in the show ring you will find us out walking along the Waterfront, or around Pukekura Park. Our Berners are keen runners and we like to keep them fit so most evenings you will see me out running with my running partners - Idaho, Fergie, McQueen, Patriot, Nevada and Omellia.
The main aim of our kennel is to produce mentally and physically sound Bernese who are not only beautiful to look at but are also healthy and loveable companions. In addition to this main aim we are striving to breed Bernese who can compete successfully at an All Breeds Championship Level. My passion is definitely showing in the conformation ring. We will not waiver from our goal of perfecting the unique beauty and temperament of the Berner, and never to breed for fad rather to maintain the original working qualities and purpose as well as wonderful family members. We are proud to own some of the top winning Berners in New Zealand. We have also had the pleasure of owning the National Dog Show Best of Breed Winners - Murren in 2005, Summer in 2006 & 2007 (also winning Intermediate of Group), Dante in 2008 and Sienna in 2010,2011 and 2012 (also winning a BEST IN SHOW at the Eukanuba 7's challenge) and again being short listed for group. In 2009 Emmerson was awarded Reserve of Breed to Lisa Hardegger's beautiful girl Alex who won the honour of Best of Breed. And in 2014 our gorgeous girl Fergie was awarded BEST IN SPECIALTY SHOW under breed specialist Michael Leonard (Ireland) with an entry of 44 Bernese (14 of those imports) - Fergie was only 20 months old and she didn't put a foot wrong - Michael commented that she was "stunning". A very proud day for us. McQueen was also awarded BABY PUPPY IN SHOW.
But our dreams have certainly come true with Idaho who won his first BEST IN SHOW under breed specialist Lyn Brand (Branbern Bernese in Australia) in 2014, then a huge moment in NZ history when Idaho won BEST IN SHOW at the National Dog Show in 2015 (a Bernese has never won this honour), he backed this up with BEST IN SPECIALTY SHOW at the Swiss Show a month later and then in June 2016 he became the first Bernese in NZ history to win his third BEST IN SHOW gaining his GRAND CHAMPION TITLE. So proud of everything this boy has achieved for us.
We believe temperament is the most important concern in a companion dog so we will never compromise on soundness of character nor physical soundness.
Realising our contribution to this magnificent breed can only be small, we are continuing to work together with our friends at home and abroad to further enhance this wonderful breed. We thank Steve & Barbera Tate of Estcarp, Lisa Stevenson of Anahera, Nicole Lennon of Zanzebern in Australia for letting us use her fantastic boy Denzel & David and Gail May of Sennen Bernese in Australia for letting us use their imported male Tas and entrusting us with our beautiful girl Sienna and our new boy Memphis, and to Kim Groves (Avatar Bernese (Can) for sending us some Frozen from her beautiful and impressive boy MBIS, BISS Avatars Try Try Again (Ty) - can't wait to have my own little Tyrant to love!! We also thank Veronique Matte-Paquet (Blenois Bernese in Canada) for sending our new gorgeous boy Patriot - so excited.
We have also been lucky enough to have attended the American Bernese Specialty in 2010 (Wisconsin), 2012 (Gettysburg) 2013 (Loveland, Denver), 2014 (Virginia). 2016 (Frankenmuth) and 2018 (Sturbridge, MA) - and got to meet some incredible dogs and their wonderful owners. Nearly 1000 Berners in one place - HEAVEN!! We also had the pleasure of meeting other breeders from around the world and made some wonderful friends, which will hopefully prove helpful in the future.
Lastly, breeding dogs is not an action that should be considered lightly, there are many issues in breeding any dogs and particularly Bernese Mountain Dogs. I know of no other breed as personable and endearing with such devotion to their family. This is a breed that will totally captivate you.
We hope you enjoy your visit - we welcome all enquiries.
Denver and me - miss you BOO xx
"He is your friend, your partner, you defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion." - Anonymous (in dedication to Eiger, Emmy, Boo, Vevey, Skye, & Murren)
