Planning...

So we've been thinking of breeding Amber again, she had her first litter in 2013 and had six puppies, one of whom was our Cody. She is fully health tested, has an excellent temperament and has been very successful in the show ring. We hadn't especially planned for another litter as I really wanted to see how the puppies turned out first (as well as the fact that we would always keep a pup back, and I wanted Cody two years before we added another). Now I have a good idea of how those other six puppies have developed, we can decide based on their good and bad points, which would be the most suitable sire for another litter. Re-search begins...

Now, a few months later, after many discussions with Amber's breeder, we have found a potential sire. He was imported from Sweden (hence bringing new bloodlines) and is a gorgeous dog. I have spent countless hours re-searching pedigrees, looking at photos of different relatives, reading show critiques and also talking to the dogs owner. They came to our house to visit today, along with their dog (plus two others, one of whom is from the same kennel). He has a lovely temperament, very laid back and friendly. His main 'fault' as such are very light eyes and therefore he couldn't be bred with a female with the same fault; however Amber has good dark eyes so that wouldn't be an issue. Amber has a tendency to 'fly her tail on the move' (I can also see this in a few of the puppies, including Cody) but this dog's tail carriage is normal even on the move

This dog has, like Amber, been fully health tested, had several fantastic wins at shows; including Best in Show at a Bernese Club Championship Show. He has a stunning coat and lovely movement with lots of drive. He isn't the biggest male (weighs 52 kg) but I prefer the more compact, shorter and stockier shape and believe that many Bernese are now too big - they are not supposed to be a giant breed, but a large one!! His lines have also been successful in working and at Obedience competitions, they seem to be very versatile dogs and that's a big plus for me. 

I tried to get some pictures of him but only one turned out okay:

So overall it's coming together, really pleased and now just got to wait until Amber comes into season and hope all goes to plan.