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Indian Hill Bernese Mountain Dogs was established in 1990 under the kennel name "Jo-Val"(Joanne Valentin) with the acquisition of Jo-Val's Sky's the Limit V Bevs. This gorgeous girl, bred by Beverly Burney, proved herself time and time again in the breed ring, the whelping box and as an integral part of our family. Sky started her show career under the expert guidance of our friends, Mickey and Pat Von Engel. Michelle Ostermiller took the lead and in 3 shows put 10 points on Sky. |
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CH JoVal's Sky's the Limit V Bevs- |
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While going through a divorce, I was forced to halt Sky's show career. She was bred in 1991 to CH Bev's Baron v Greybern and free whelped 12 beautiful pups, one of which was Jo-Val's Memphis V Soundview. This exceptional pup was co-owned by Beverly Burney and became our first champion. After my life had settled down, Sky's show career again became a focal point. In September of 1995, Sky went Winner's Bitch and Best of Winners for a 5 point major at a supported entry. At 5 years old, she was now a champion. |
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CH JoVal's Memphis V Soundview - |
It was at this time, I became intrigued with Keilissa Kennels. Consistently, the Keilissa show dogs displayed the type and bone I wanted to maintain in my breeding program. In 1996, arrangements were made with LeeAnn Brownstein of Keilissa to breed Sky to CH Keilissa's Magic Moment. This union resulted in 7 beautiful pups. A stand out girl, Indian Hills Spirit, was chosen to carry on her mother's name at Indian Hill. Although Spirit was never shown, she was bred to CH Keilissa's Bi-Onyx and produced our show stormer, Happy (CH Indian Hills Baby Bi-Onyx). At 5 months old, co-ownership of Happy was arranged with LeeAnn Brownstein. In the tradition of her grandmother and shown by handler Lisa Galizzo, Happy won Winners Bitch, Best of Winners and Best of Opposite Sex over many champions at 16 months old at a supported entry . Happy continued showing with Lisa and became our next Champion.
In 2000, Happy was bred to Keilissa's Big Ben. 3 pups resulted, although an emergency c-section resulted in the loss of 1 boy and 1 girl. Chomper, a male, was a singleton! Formally named Indian Hills Showtime v Keilissa, Chomper was raised in the middle of our living room. He was held and loved constantly! At 8 weeks, he was taken to a show in New Jersey for Lee Ann to evaluate. Although there were several potential show homes available and MANY offers to buy him, I chose to keep him as a strong attachment to our family had been established. It was at this show that I met my mentor's daughter-in-law, Sherry Von Engel. Impressed with my pup, Sherry offered to show him. Reluctant to let him go, I passed. After much thought, I contacted Sherry in December and made arrangements for Chomper to go to Virginia! The next day I received pictures of Chomper laying on her couch and upside down on her living room carpet in the arms of her son, Nick. I knew I had made the right decision. Sherry finished Chomper, making Indian Hills third champion. Continuing him as a special, she ranked him in the top 100 in 2001. Chomper was ranked again in 2002, in the top 25 .
In 2001, Happy was bred to CH Winterthur's Magic Dragon. She produced 2 pups, a male and a female. It was becoming apparent that Happy had a "Quality Not Quantity" motto in mind for Indian Hill! The agreement of co-ownership gave LeeAnn pick of the litter. She chose the bitch. After receiving rave reviews from evaluations of several top breeders, we decided to keep the male. Registered as Indian Hills Infinite Justice, my kids would constantly call the pup and say, "Up Up Boy, come on, Up Up boy"…in their attempt to get him on the couch. Against the wishes of EVERYONE, his call name stuck and was shortened to Uppy.
A blocky, big boned pup, Uppy's extraordinary movement was highlighted
at 7 weeks old in a picture that displayed, possibly the most exceptional
side gait and front reach I had ever seen in a puppy this age. To
carry my connection to the VonEngel family 3 generations, Sherry's
daughter, Kasey began showing the pup. After several reserves out
of the 6-9 puppy class, 7 year old Kasey showed Upy to 3 back to back
Best of Breeds followed by 3 Group placements, including a Group 2
behind the top Doberman in the country. Upy finished at 8 months old. Shown out of coat at the Potomac Valley Regional Specialty at 11 months, Kasey again did the unimaginable and took Best of Opposite Sex with Upy over many great specials, including his older brother, Chomper! Uppy again made us proud by taking first in his large Sweepstakes class at The 2002 BMDCA National Specialty. He went on to make the final cut in the National's Best of Breed Competition over some of the country's greatest dogs. |
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In 2004, Indian Hill suffered a tremendous loss with the untimely death of Uppy (Indian Hills Infinite Justice) to histiocytosis. Keeping things on a somber note, Indian Hill took the year to recuperate and took pleasure in watching Uppy's half-brother, Chomper, take the Scandanavian show ring by storm. In one year, Chomper acquired five championships in four countries, for a total of six titles. He also honored Lad's and Indian Hill by winning BOB at the Norwegian National. |
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Indian Hill is proud of its champions and will continue to maintain the high standards set by our foundation bitch, Sky, her beautiful daughter Spirit, and her grandaughter Happy
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