Come one, come all and learn about or practice your draft skills during the Potomac Valley Club’s (PVBMDC) annual Bernese Mountain Dog Draft event! Become acquainted with our Berners’ Swiss heritage. All novice or experienced dogs are welcome, including other breeds. The Draft Workshop will follow the PVBMDC Match at the same location the previous day. Coffee and drinks will be available, but bring your own snacks if you would like something more substantial. In case of drizzle, the program will go forward; in case of a downpour/thunderstorm, the event will be cancelled.

Dogs would benefit from some obedience training but no draft experience is required. Participants will be introduced to the skills necessary to pass a Bernese Mountain Dog Club of America (BMDCA) draft test. PVBMDC will provide some borrowed equipment and experienced members in draft for help, guidance and instruction. If you have any harnesses or equipment yourself, please bring them. We will have a regulation ring and obstacles set up for introduction and training, followed by a practice run where you can either try out your new skills or improve on existing ones. Qualified BMDCA Draft Judge Barb Gibson from Maine will be on hand to lend her experience, skills and advice. PVBMDC facilitators are Barbara Yoder and Katherine Skerl, who between them have two open draft dogs (DD) and a novice draft dog (NDD). They and other experienced club members will also provide instruction and assistance.

Registration: Click here for the Registration Form.  Please send in your registration forms with a check made out to PVBMDC by Wednesday, September 12 to Katherine Skerl at the address shown on the form. We will also accept late registrations on the morning of the workshop for $20 vs. $15.