Zeigen Naughty Nathalie

17/12/95 - 21/02/06

bred by Kim Haddon, Qld.

Hips 3:2(total 5) Grade 0 - Elbows 0:0

X-rayed and scored at 34 months old

 

Nat about 9 weeks old

Getting into the Christmas spirit
 

Nathalie was my first Bernese Mountain Dog and what a great introduction to the fabulous temperament of the breed. She arrived here at 8 weeks of age with nerves of steel and a heart of gold, which to my mind, is the ideal combination and what has probably sold me on Bernese Mountain Dogs for life. Of course, I was later to learn that temperament can vary quite a lot amongst BMD's, but what they all seem to have in common is an absolute love of their human families and almost human qualities themselves. I guess one has to be owned by one to truly understand what this means. I do not regard Bernese to be the ideal bombproof family dog that will fit into any and every situation but for the right doglover I do believe there is no better breed. But of course....I am biased!!!

Nathalie appears to have a special talent for winning people over, particularly men! She does tend to fawn over visitors, and while this can be an annoying habit, somehow "non-doggy" people tend to end up converted; perhaps not convinced that all dogs are wonderful but certainly persuaded that Nathalie is more than worthy of their attention. More often than not these "non-doggy" people just seem so pleased to have a dog's complete attention and adoration. Perhaps it is her inability (or refusal) to discriminate between people that like dogs and people that don't. Dogs I have had in the past generally kept clear of non doglovers or quickly lost interest. This is not really an option for Nat. In a nutshell, if you visit my place you won't get away without giving her some loving.

I remember once going to the Vet's to pick up Nat and finding her roaming loose around the clinic. Only the receptionist was there and she told me that she just couldn't bear to lock her in a cage and that Nat had cured her fear of large dogs! Now don't ask me why someone would work in a veterinary clinic if they were afraid of large dogs..that's another issue. But basically, this is typical of the affect Nathalie has on people. If only her front dew claws didn't hurt so much when she gave you hugs!!!

Nathalie had three litters for me and was then retired from brood bitch duties and spayed. She proved to be an easy breeder, falling pregnant easily, whelping freely, and has been a very careful and caring mother. That is until the puppies reach about 3 weeks of age and then she finds the whole caper quite tiring and painful as the pups all scratch and claw at her to get their fill at the milkbar! That said, I bet she would rather have puppies clawing at her than endure the measly rations she was getting since being spayed!

Sadly Nat is no longer with us, euthanased in Feb 06 due to back end issues and general issues associated with age.

 

Nat at age 10, a few months before she left this earth.

 

 

 

 

See Nathalie's 1999 litter

See Nathalie's 2000 litter

See Nathalie's 2001 litter

 

Nat in her role as mother

 

 Nathalie with her 2001 litter...1 day old