For a long time, I vacillated back and forth about this issue -- Berners and media exposure (much like I did about quality breeders advertising their litters via newspaper and/or internet). I have thought long and hard about both sides, and it has not been easy for me to decide how I feel about it, but I have.
I don't think we can prevent Berners from being in the media, and I don't think we should try. Why? Because they have already been "discovered" and the media types -- just like impatient PPOs -- are going to get them one way or another. If not from responsible owners, then guess who will be lining up to take the cash for the photo shoots? A group that I would imagine would be made up of the same kind of folks who breed dogs for profit. So Puppy Miller X takes his Berner to an ad shoot, gets paid, and is informed that the ad will show up on pg 43 of Dog Fancy in 4 months. Guess what else is going to show up on that two-page spread? A display ad for Puppy Miller X's Berner kennel. Talk about setting things up for instant gratification - and disaster. I don't want to see that, if we can avoid it. If the Berners featured in advertising are from responsible owners or breeders, the chance of that happening is dramatically reduced. We all know Berners are beautiful dogs. They are eye-catching. That's what advertising is all about, and we can't change that. Berners are, and will continue to be, in demand. And, just maybe, with time, if Berners are allowed to be visible, their "novelty" will wear off. And that IS a "good thing." I hate to sound cynical, but I'm trying to be pragmatic. Honestly, do you think that there is anything the Dalmatian people could've done to prevent 101 Dalmatians? Nope. Commerce is a mighty, mighty force. If Disney (or anyone) wants to make a movie about Berners someday, we can't stop it. We can hope to high heaven that never happens. But if it does, I think the Berner community as a whole is ill-prepared to deal with it. I believe we're naïve to think we can keep these dogs "under the radar" and never have to deal with that problem. I believe we should be assuming that it is just a matter of time until something like 101 Berners happens, and should be preparing for that now. I think the best we can do is keep upping our efforts on all fronts, always be open to new ideas, and try everything that just might work in some small way. There is no silver bullet. We have to be creative, dedicated and never give up. Continue and enhance educational and legislative efforts. Endless outreach -- both planned and in everyday contact. Whatever we can to "get the message out" about responsible ownership and acquisition of dogs. But we can't make people not notice Berners, and I think we will shoot ourselves in our collective feet if we try. Berners are already popular, and that's consistently increasing. I believe we have to be proactive to save the breed from disaster. I think it's dangerous to think we can hide them and that will prevent problems. It's too late for that. Why not attempt to manage the media demand, instead of let those less responsible fill it? Just my several cents, Julia Lily & Max Astoria, OR -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] On Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Thursday, November 21, 2002 10:56 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Martha And Berners Julia, You may not be worried about Martha's next dog being a Berner but every time that I see a Berner in the Media, I cringe these days. This exposure brings about more interest and demand for our dogs. I have watched this breed become more and more popular over the years and it is frightening me. Breeders can not properly deal with the demand side of this problem. We are just barely getting up to speed with recognizing inheritable genetic diseases and trying to manage breeding programs to minimize their occurance. It is not a 'good thing' to see life-size pictures of a Berner head on Purina dog food. Berner images on pee- pee pads, flea and tick collars and meds, Flonase commercials etc. Commercials provoke interest and interest creates demand. Demand often gets the wrong people owning and/or breeding these dogs with bad results. I'm not saying to hide your berners under a bushel basket, but to not willingly put them out into the limelight of the general public media outlets. Continue to attend dog events and socialize your dogs. That is definitely a good thing. But lets continue to leave the cute picture taking to the ever present, mixed breeds, golden retrievers and cocker spaniels. The next big thing as far as the media is concerned should be the cuteness factor of all those dogs and cats in humane society shelters. THEY are the ones that need the publicity. Please think about the impact you are about to make everytime the general media wants to cover your event... This is from a reformed thinker who once thought it was going to be a cool thing if we got a group of Berners into the Rose Bowl parade. Jim LaFrom San Jose, CA now get out there and work dem workn' dogs
