19×24 graphite with a touch of colored pencil. Original available. As of 04-24-12, 740 views and 11 favorited.

CHALLENGES:
FEATURES: GEMS; Shameless Self-Promotion; You Big Softy; Artists Universe (Permanent Feature Gallery 04-28-12);

The Bernese Mountain Dog, called in Swiss German the Berner Sennenhund, is a large breed of dog, one of the four breeds of Sennenhund-type dogs from the Swiss Alps. The name Sennenhund is derived from the German “Senne” (alpine pasture) and “hund” (dog), as they accompanied the alpine herders and dairymen called Senn. Berner (or Bernese in English) refers to the area of the breed’s origin, in the Canton of Bern in Switzerland. This Mountain dog was originally kept as general farm dogs, large Sennenhunds in the past were also used as draft animals, pulling carts. The breed was officially established in 1907. In 1937, the American Kennel Club recognised it as a member of the Working Group.

Like the other Sennenhunds, the Bernese Mountain Dog is a large, heavy dog with a distinctive tricolored coat, black with white chest and or rust colored markings above eyes, sides of mouth, front of legs, and a small amount around the white chest. An ideal of a perfectly-marked individual gives the impression of a white horse shoe shape around the nose and a white “Swiss cross” on the chest, when viewed from the front. A Swiss Kiss is a white mark located typically behind the neck, but may be a part of the neck. A full ring would not meet type standard. Both males and females have a broad head with smallish, v-shaped drooping ears. Height at the withers is 23–27.5 in (58–70 cm) and weight is 65–120 lb (29–54 kg). Females are slightly smaller than males. The breed standard lists, as disqualifications, a distinctly curly coat, along with wry mouth and wall eye. Exact color and pattern of the coat are also described as important. The Bernese was voted “most beautiful dog breed” by Americans on TV (info from Wikipedia).

• Complete 10-17-2005 in 7.26 spread over 2 days