The following article by Mr CV Sudarsan was published by the Indian Kennel Gazette in their September 2003 edition
While Judging in Johannesburg at
South Africa, I had the pleasure of visiting my friend Mr HJ Van der
Merwe who has the largest Bulldog Kennel under the prefix Mervander. The
moment I entered his house my initial reaction was one of shock and
amazement at the number of Bulldogs that his kennel housed. There were
Bulldogs and Bulldogs all over the place and believe me every one of
them looked so healthy and clean irrespective of their age. His set up
was so scientific and so well organised which included a modern clinic
attached to his kennel with an operation theatre with all the facilities
including oxygen and oxygen tent for puppies. His has been a lifetime
contribution to the breeding and improvement of Bulldogs in South
Africa. A man of very few words I found him not only highly
knowledgeable on the breed, but equally dedicated to cause of Bulldogs
and very fanatical of the breed which perhaps is the reason that he has
been able to achieve so much success in the breeding and exhibiting of
Bulldogs. Mr. Van der Merwe, I presume, would be one of those few
breeders who has exported dogs to almost every part of the world where
they have done extremely well in the show ring..
C.V.SUDARSAN (CVS): Thank you very much Mr Van der Merwe for sparing your valuable time to give me this interview for the Indian Kennel Gazette, which is the official organ of the Kennel Club of India. Let me commence by asking you the question that I usually ask every person I interview.
CVS:
When and how did you get interested in dogs? Could you recollect the
year in which you got your first dog and what breed was it? VAN DER
MERWE (VDM): I served the duration of the Second World War in the Far
East. As a South African; I was seconded to the British Navy. I served
in Detalawa in Burma. I was stationed at Coastal Forces Base Colombo,
Ceylon. My duration ended when I left the shores of India late September
1945. Lots of service men were found to suffer from stress, what they
used to call bomb shock. I was fortunate – arriving home in November
1945, I purchased my first Bulldog puppy. What great little friend. I
never had one dull moment with her. As I then continued my studies,
which I left behind for the duration of the war, this dear little friend
was lying at my feet at all times and was there when she was needed. No
therapist in the world could have ever provided the therapy so much
needed than her. Sometimes a little cuddle, sometimes by just stroking
the little head, but always looking in those dark eyes, shining forth a
light of love, which no human can ever give.
CVS: Could you tell us where you
were born? Your interest in dogs was it from childhood or did you
develop it at a later stage? VDM: I was born in Krugersdorp
in the old Transvaal Province in South Africa. I spent most of my
childhood days at boarding schools, I wasn't in contact with our canine
friends much then.
CVS: Could you recollect your
early days with dogs and the first show that you had exhibited and where
was it? VDM: I arrived back in South Africa in November '45. In December
that same year myself and my fiancée visited a Bulldog show and as from
that moment, I was madly in love with the English Bulldog.
CVS: How did you feel at that
show and what were your thoughts thereafter? VDM: At the show I knew I could
never return empty handed without a Bulldog. As I was still in my Naval
uniform, there was a great gentleman, a Bulldog breeder at the time, who
invited me and my fiancée for tea after the show. Lo and behold, to my
great surprise, I was offered the most beautiful bitch puppy that later
became a champion and of course that set the ball rolling.
CVS: Your Kennel name is "Mervander".
Could you tell us what does it mean and does it have any special
significance? VDM: Mervander is my surname
written back to front.
CVS: How long has your
association with dog game been. What are your thoughts now and have you
enjoyed it? VDM: Since 1945 to this day. And
as the saying goes, the more I see people, the more I love my Bulldogs.
CVS: I see nothing else but
Bulldogs all over your place. Obviously you now specialise in Bulldogs.
Have you had any other breed or breeds prior to keeping Bulldogs? VDM: Never, never.
CVS: For what purpose was the Bulldog evolved. VDM: The Bulldog originated in England as a help for the butchers of those days catching a bull in the fields. It grabbed the bull by the nose and held it down.
CVS: What is your kennel
strength at the moment. VDM: I have 40 bitches which is
the foundation of the Mervander kennel because without a good bitch you
can never be a good breeder. We have several champions as stud dogs,
originating from English post war champions. Today they include
bloodlines from Merriveen, Kelloe, Kingrock and Britishpride.
CVS. You seem to be in love with
the breed. What is it that attracted you to keeping and specialising in
Bulldogs? VDM: Their tenacity, their strength and their endurance, but
above all, their absolute sincerity when it comes to my wife and
children. What great protectors!
CVS: Being a Bulldog specialist,
are you fanatical about the breed? How much of tolerance do you have for
other breeds? VDM: Being a Bulldog breeder, I find very little time for
any other breed than my beloved Bulldog breed.
CVS: Would you think of keeping
any other breeds along with Bulldogs? VDM: Never, never, never will
any other breed be tolerated in my Bulldog kennel.
CVS: I am told by a lot of
people that Bulldogs are a problematic breed. What are your comments on
this? VDM: Maybe true there are problems, but these problems are created
by the so-called breeders who do not know the pro's and con's of the
Bulldog.
CVS: What are the problems that
you have experienced in keeping Bulldogs? VDM: The only problem I
experience, which to me is quite natural, by breeding Bulldogs true to
conformation, with a big head, naturally we must then consider at times,
a caesarean.
CVS: What is the temperament of a Bulldog. a) With human beings, b) With other Bulldogs, 3) With other breeds. VDM. (a) With humans, as a rule, very lovable, but there are humans and humans and none that I know has the discernment that the Bulldog has. (b) Very tolerating with other Bulldogs, but also, again, there are Bulldogs and Bulldogs. (c) The Bulldog with other breeds can be considered as the Monarch-of-all I survey and his kingdom none shall dispute.
CVS: Why is it that Bulldogs do
not tie? Any scientific reason? VDM: If you know the breed well, it is
all a matter of the conformation and anatomical build of the Bulldog. It
is very difficult for him to do natural mating and therefore it is very
difficult for a dog and the bitch to tie.
CVS: It is said that most
Bulldogs do not whelp in the normal course and puppies are delivered
only by caesarean. What is the reason for this? VDM: Selective breeding
in the Bulldog for big heads and narrow hindquarters (pelvises), as
prescribed by the Official Bulldog Standard, effectively means that
Bulldog puppies with their big heads must pass through a narrow birth
canal, which is the result of the bitch's narrow hindquarters. To add to
this potential birth hazard, Bulldog bitches in general tend to have
inadequate uterus contraction, which is needed to expel puppies during
the birth process. The combination of these factors is the reason why
purebred Bulldog bitches can very seldom give birth naturally and
requires that caesareans be done as a rule rather than an exception. If
the operation is performed properly, a Bulldog bitch can have several
caesareans in her lifetime without any ill effect to her health or her
fertility. It must be remembered however, that a caesarean, as with any
other surgical procedure, involves a certain amount of risk to the bitch
and to the puppies. Bulldog bitches that poses a higher than normal risk
and requires special attention during caesareans, include old bitches,
those with a history of heart problems and those with very big litters.
CVS: If the pups are to be
delivered only by caesarean, what is the approximate time that the
caesarean would have to be done. Would there be any physical indication
as to the need to perform the caesarean operation at a point of time or
you calculate from the date of mating. VDM: It should always be the aim
of both the breeder and the vet to perform a caesarean on a Bulldog
bitch as close to the natural time of birth as possible. To be able to
do this, an accurate whelping date is essential. Remember, however, that
bitches with large litters tend to whelp a day or two before their
anticipated whelping date and bitches with only one or two puppies can
sometimes overrun their whelping date by a day or two. It is necessary
to inform the vet at least a week in advance that the bitch is due for a
caesarean, so that he will be ready for any unforeseen happenings, As
the whelping date gets closer, the behaviour of the bitch should be
watched very carefully. Take notice of the amount of food and water she
takes in, her mental status (depressed or not), if she is restless, if
she starts nesting (preparing for a place to whelp) and whether her
breathing is normal. If the bitch is very big, it is better for her
during the last week of pregnancy, to get small amounts of food more
often instead of one big meal per day. Normally milk should be present
from about 3 to 7 days before whelping: In a young bitch that is
pregnant for the first time, it is sometimes necessary to stimulate her
milk production by treating her from 3 to 4 days before whelping with
Eglonyl tablets twice daily. When a bitch starts to pant heavily within
a day or two of her whelping date, she has probably gone into whelp and
should be taken to the vet immediately. The same applies for a bitch
that starts with abdominal muscle contractions a day or two before her
whelping date. In this case it can also happen that the first puppy
enters the birth canal and if the fetal membranes should break, a
yellow-brown fluid will become visible. In this case a caesarean should
be done as soon as possible to save the puppies.The body temperature of
the bitch is one of the most useful and reliable signs to determine the
optimum time for a caesarean. Normal body temperature in a healthy
Bulldog bitch can range from 38,0-38,9 °C. Approximately 10 to 12 hours
before actually going into whelp, the body temperature of the bitch will
drop significantly from normal to a level of 37,2 to 37,3 °C for a
short time (a few hours) and then rise again to normal. The 10-hour time
period after the drop in temperature is the ideal time to perform a
caesarean on the bitch. The taking of the bitch's temperature should
start at least 4 days before the anticipated whelping date and it is
important to take the temperature at least 3 times daily (every 8 hours)
so as not to miss the drop in temperature. Once the temperature has
dropped, all food and water must be taken away from the bitch
immediately, in anticipation of the operation. The golden rule for a
caesarean in a Bulldog bitch is always to operate rather too early than
too late.
CVS: Once the C-section is over
what is the next step with regards to taking care of the puppies? Do you
let them suckle the mother immediately or wait till she wakes up from
the effect of anaesthesia? VDM: We usually wait till the
bitch has recovered from the anaesthesia before the puppies drink
–usually about one hour after the end of the operation.
CVS: I am told that most Bulldog
mothers are dumb and lack motherly instinct and do not look after their
puppies as other breeds do. Could you tell us something about this and
if this is true why are they like this. VDM: No, Bulldog bitches are not
dumb at all but because the Bulldog is a man made dog, brought up and
reared by man rather than by their natural mother, it is quite
understandable that they will not have the same motherly instinct than
other breeds. Having said that, I have often, however seen Bulldog
bitches who are very good mothers just as good as any other breed.
CVS: I have heard you telling me
that newborn Bulldog puppies should be kept separately and not with
their mothers. Any specific reasons? VDM: This is part of the
previous question. If the Bulldog bitch are left with her puppies, she
tends to lie down with them and sometimes on top of them without
realising that she might kill them by doing so. This is not done in a
malicious way, rather a question of ignorance.
CVS: Are Bulldogs born with short tails. Why and how is this? VDM: Bulldogs can be born with any kind of tail: long, short, straight or curved.
CVS: The so-called cork screw
tail, some of them are very short and very close to the anal passage
whereas in some dogs there is no screw tail, but just a slightly long
tail hanging down. Which of the two tails are desirable? VDM: The most desirable tail in
the Bulldog is the so-called pump handle tail -a straight tail, not too
long but also not too short.
CVS: Is it true that the
Bulldogs tail will have to be cleaned regularly. V DM: No. A very small
percentage of Bulldogs have tails very close to the anus, which will
need regular inspection and cleaning.
CVS: What are the acceptable
colours in Bulldogs. VDM: The only colour completely
unacceptable is black. All other colours are permissible.
CVS: Are Bulldogs prone to any
particular disease and if so could you name them and are there any
preventive steps that could be taken. VDM: Heat stress is a potential
problem for the Bulldog because of his short upper respiratory tract and
care should always be taken to prevent situations where a Bulldog will
be subjected to severe heat. Skin problems like eczema, which is not
really specific to the Bulldog alone, can be a problem if not attended
to.
CVS: Two exhibitors in India had
lost their Bulldogs sometime ago while taking them for a show and it was
said that the dog died of heat stroke. In case of suspected heat stroke
what is the immediate first aid to be given to the Bulldog? VDM: The best policy of course
is to try to prevent any heat stress by keeping the Bulldog cool at all
times but when he does get heat stress, you must try to cool him down as
soon as possible. The best way to do this is to put him into water, the
colder the better and to keep on rinsing him off with the water. If you
do not have enough water at hand, try to use ice or cold water. Wet his
face, ears and back and his whole body if possible. If a veterinarian is
at hand, he will probably give him a cortisone injection for shock.
CVS: I am told that all
flat-faced dogs (stub) are easily prone to nasal and eye infection. Is
this also applicable to Bulldogs? VDM: The Bulldog is not really
prone to nasal infection as such, but rather to problems caused by a
short upper respiratory tract like difficulty in cooling off, difficult
breathing caused by an elongated soft palate and as said before, prone
to heat stress. Regarding the eye, ectropion, corneal ulcers and
prolapse of the gland of the third eyelid (cherry eye) are conditions
seen in the Bulldogs but not exclusive to the Bulldog.
CVS: The Bulldog is broad in the
front and narrow behind. Where does the dog gets its stability and
balance from? VDM: The Bulldog is heavy, broad
and low in the front quarter and narrow and light in the hind quarter.
He takes most of the weight on the front legs which provide very good
stability and balance.
CVS: Most Bulldogs are undershot
which is permissible. To what extent could the bite be under shot. VDM:
It is not only permissible for a Bulldog to be undershot, it is
essential according to the breed standard. This is one of the trademarks
of the Bulldog which distinguish him from most other breeds who should
have scissors bites. However, the teeth of the lower jaw must not be
visible when the mouth is closed. If this happens, it is an indication
that the mouth is too much undershot.
CVS: It is said that Bulldogs
were used for bull baiting. If this is true, how successful where they
in combating bulls? VDM: Yes, it is true. In fact, many of the
characteristics of the Bulldog can be traced back to the function of
bull baiting. It is difficult to say how successful they were, but the
fact that they were also used for bear baiting and lion baiting, seems
to suggest that at least some of them were very effective.
CVS: With so many Bulldogs in the house, tell us frankly how much of time do you devote for your dogs? To me it looks like you would have to spend the whole day tending to them. VDM: Yes, to attend to such a big kennel is a full time occupation.
CVS: Your Kennels look beautiful and so clean. Are they managed by professional people, such as Managers and kennel boys or do you manage them solely yourself? VDM: The kennel is managed by me and one of my sons, with the help of two kennel boys.
CVS: I am sure you must have imported several dogs in the earlier days. Could you tell us something about your imports. VDM: The Bulldog originated in the United Kingdom and to me the best bloodlines in the world are still in the UK. During the years, I have imported dogs from well-known kennels such as Merriveen, Kelloe, Kingrock and Britishpride.
CVS: Do you still continue to import dogs and if so why do you do this when you have so many at home. VDM: I constantly import new blood into my kennel because of the danger of inbreeding and to improve certain characteristics in my own dogs.
CVS: Do you realize the
consequences of having imported/bred so many dogs, Did you think about
the time and the money that you will have to spend on such a large and
well, maintained kennel? VDM: The breeding of Bulldogs
has always been a hobby and a great joy to me. After I retired, I had
more time available and it was a natural happening that the kennel got
bigger and I started importing more dogs.
CVS: Several people give away
their older dogs by finding good homes, what do you do when your dogs
reaches the super annuation age in your kennel. VDM: Yes, we also do this but
there are some dogs, especially those that we have shown a lot that will
stay with us until they die of old age.
CVS: Since you have so many dogs, have you ever visualised a situation when 25 to 30 dogs become old at the same time? VDM: No it never happens that way because we sell some of the dogs, others are given away and some die before the time. So in the end we usually only have a few left that is kept in the kennel.
CVS: Did you at any point of
time ever think that you could go into the dog breeding on a commercial
scale and if so have you achieved the objectives? VDM: I have never considered my
kennel as a commercial venture. To me the breeding of Bulldogs will
always be a hobby and it will stay that way.
CVS: Some people think it is
wrong to go into dog breeding on a commercial scale? If one were to view
this as a business then it is like any other business such as a stud
farm for horse breeding or a cattle farm? VDM: Personally I do not think
that the breeding of Bulldogs can ever be run on a commercial scale for
various reasons.
CV5: Could you recall any
humorous or funny incident that has happened to you in the process of
the breeding or exhibiting dogs? VDM: Not that I can ever recall
because I take my dogs too serious.
CVS: Some people believe that
the breed or breeds that you keep, to some extent reflects your
personality. How much would you agree with this? VDM: Very much so. I
admire the character and temperament of the Bulldog and I would consider
it an honour if I were to be compared with my breed.
CVS: You have imported quite a few dogs, the dogs that you have imported, how do you select them? VDM: I prefer to go and select a dog myself but I have very good friends overseas who I can trust to examine and select a dog before I import it.
CVS: I am told that the Bulldog
bred by you are all over the world. Could you say something about this?
VDM: Yes, there are Mervander
dogs in countries all over the world, including Alaska, Canada, USA,
Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Spain, France, Italy, Germany, Holland,
Belgium, Switzerland, UK, Sweden, Finland, Croatia, Russia, India and
Australia.
CVS: Several people import dogs. Some do this to improve quality while others do it to achieve success in the show ring and for a vast majority an imported dog is a passport for sale of its puppies. Would you like to comment on this? VDM: I can only speak for myself - my main objective is to improve the Bulldog breed and to preserve it for the future and that is also my motive for importing Bulldogs.
CVS: Have you ever witnessed any big show in any part of the world and if so could you name the show? VDM: The best overseas show that I attended was the Sheffield Bulldog Show in the UK, judged by Mrs Liz Cartlidge of the UK
CVS: German Shepherds and Rottweilers are among the popular breeds in South Africa and seem to be the order of the day. It is said that they give the owners a real macho image. How come with all the resources at your hand, you have not thought of entering into the fray along with other German Shepherd and Rottweiler breeders. VDM: For me there is one breed and one breed only -the Bulldog!
CVS: Is there any other breed
that has fascinated you apart from Bulldogs and if so which is the
breed. VDM: No, only the Bulldog.
CVS: I am sure your show career must have spanned several decades. Have you at any point of time thought that you have had enough and if so why? VDM: Since starting with Bulldogs I have never been without one and I will never be without one. My last friend will be a Bulldog.
CVS: Have you won any major
trophies such as Dog of the year, etc., etc., in your country? VDM: In
the year 2000 Ch. Mervander Thundering Home won the KUSA National Dog of
the Year award. This is the top honour that any champion dog in South
Africa can win and it was the first time in the history that a bulldog
managed to win this title.
CVS: Breeding is an art as well
as science. What is your opinion on this? VDM: To me the breeding of
Bulldogs is like a talent received from God and I give all the honour
and glory of my success to Him.
CVS: How much of importance do you give to compatibility of genes and genetics? Do you go for the genotype or the phenotype? VDM: Of course genetics play a role in the breeding of Bulldogs just as with other breeds and species and, it is important to take both phenotype and genotype into consideration when breeding. But again, this is not the beginning and the end of breeding Bulldogs - I know that without my Creator's blessing, I will never be able to breed anything worthwhile.
CVS: When you breed a litter, how long would you keep the puppies before you give them away? VDM: With the Bulldog, it is a good policy to keep the puppies for as long as possible to see how they develop. For me as an exporter of show Bulldogs this is even more important because I can not afford to make a mistake. Puppies are usually 3 months old when they leave the kennel.
CVS: What is the average size of a Bulldog litter? VDM: Litters can vary from only one to about 10. An average litter size is about5 to 6 puppies.
CVS: What has been the size of
the largest litter in your kennel and what is the largest litter that
you have heard of. VDM: My biggest litter was 12 puppies, but I have
heard of one litter of 15.
CVS: Are there any inherent diseases present in the Bulldog? VDM: If you mean congenital conditions, yes, there is certain conditions which sometimes surface in the breed. Split palate, elongated soft palate and underdevelopment of the trachea (windpipe) is some of the conditions that could be present when puppies are born.
CVS: What do you do when you have puppies born with congenital defects as quoted above? VDM: We always put them down as soon as possible after birth.
CVS: These days dogs are
tattooed and micro chipped. Do you do them at your kennel? VDM: When exporting puppies, the
Kennel Union of SA requires that the dog receives a microchip. This is
done by a registered veterinarian.
CVS. Could you tell us something about your personal life? VDM: I grew up on a farm in the Province of Western Transvaal .I was 16 when I finished school and I immediately joined the Navy. After my training I was seconded to the British Navy and I did duty in the Far East for the whole duration of the Second World War. After returning from the war, I started my studies as a teacher. I was married shortly afterwards and we had three of our own children and seven adopted children. I was in the teaching profession for the whole of my career until retired in 1981.
CVS: What is the size of your family and how much of support and motivation do you get from them? VDM: My wife has passed away and two of my children have emigrated to New Zealand. Four of my sons and two of my daughters are still living with me. We are a very close family, we do everything together and I always have my children's support in everything I do.
CVS: How fond are your children
of the breed that you keep and how much of help do you get from them?
VDM: The kennel is a family
affair and as for me, the Bulldog will always be the only breed for my
sons.
CVS: Most successfully exhibitors and breeders have a motivating figure behind them. Do you have any such person and if so could you name him? VDM: Mr Wassersicht of the Happy kennel of 1940. Breeder of Ch. Happy Colonel Chinstrap and Ch. Sungarth Sovereign, both UK champions. He was my tutor of the Bulldogs and he also gave me my first puppy that became a champion.CVS: Do you exhibit your dogs yourself or do you use the help of a handler? V DM: Me and my sons show our own dogs.
CVS: A good dog in the hands of a bad handler can spell disaster for the dogs. How much do you agree with this dictum? VDM: 100%.
This
photo was taken at the SA Bulldog Club Championship
Show, June 2003. Judges: Dr Jack Brown and Mrs Mickie Brown (USA). FLTR:
Mervander Rain Dancer (Best Puppy), Mervander Xerxus (CC dog & BIS)
and Mervander Belami (CC bitch and Reserve BIS).
CVS: With all your experience
and lifetime dedication to the breed why is it that you have not thought
of becoming a judge? VDM: I did in fact become a judge and I did my
first Bulldog show in 1952. But when I seriously started to breed and
show Bulldogs, I decided to give up any judging, the reason being that
because there are such a lot of Mervander dogs in South Africa, it would
mean that I would have to judge my own dogs on many occasions and you
can just think what repercussions this would have had. How can a mother
judge her children and a lion will always put her cubs first and so will
a jackal. When one day I stop breeding, I will probably judge again but
in the meantime I will always be next to the ring to watch very
carefully if the Standard is applied.
CVS: Do you think climate and
environment play an important role in the development of a dog in
general and Bulldogs in particular? If so do you think the Johannesburg
climate is conducive for Bulldog breeding? VDM: I think extreme climates,
hot or cold, could probably have an influence on the development of
certain breeds. The Bulldog specifically is very adaptable – for
instance, we exported a Bulldog to Alaska and the owner send us photo's
back of him playing in the snow. Here in South Africa, the temperature
can get very hot but our Bulldogs are doing very well. If the Bulldog
breeding is correct in terms of the respiratory system i.e. wide
nostrils and a big barrel chest, the Bulldog can tolerate quite high
temperatures without a problem.
CVS: Each breeder has a separate
formula for feeding their dogs. Do you have any such formula? VDM: A well-balanced dry dog
food is very essential.
CVS: It is said that with
introduction of dry dog food dog maintenance has been simplified and
dogs get the much sought after balanced nutritious diet. How much would
you agree with this? VDM: I fully agree.
CVS: It is said that quite a few
breeders feed their dogs with tripe chicken skin and lamb waste. Have
you ever attempted this and if so what has been the results? VDM: I use it from time to time
for my pregnant bitches and I have found it very good.
CVS: What are the economics of
using dry dog food? V DM: I would say that using dry
food could be economical provided it is a good, well-balanced dry food
that is composed of high quality basic elements which is well absorbed
by the digestive system of the dog. If this is the case, the dog needs
less food to fulfil it's nutritional requirements than a cheap food
could provide and there will also be less problems with skin or other
diseases.
CVS: Do Bulldogs need to be
exercised? V DM: Yes, a healthy Bulldog
needs regular exercise.
CVS: Do you feel that grown up dogs still need to be exercised? You have so many dogs at your kennel. How do you exercise your dogs? Have you ever thought of using a dog walker (treadmill)? VDM: Adult Bulldogs do need exercise, especially if they are to be shown. We have large fenced-in areas of grass where we let our Bulldogs out in groups to play and run around. This is done on a daily routine and the Bulldogs can’t wait to get out. Hence we do not use a treadmill, but it is not that there is anything wrong with a treadmill. I presume if a Bulldog owner do not have much space at home or for whatever other reason, this could be a very valuable method to exercise your Bulldog.
CVS: You have seen a copy of the
Indian Kennel Gazette, what is your impression about it and are there
areas where you would suggest improvement. VDM: I have never seen a copy
but I would very much like to read one.
CVS: Dog breeding in the Western
country is now an industry. What is your opinion about this? Do you
think that there is a scope to make the dog game an industry in our
country also? VDM: I would think that breeding
dogs for specific markets like security, companions for the blind, etc.
could probably be commercially viable but regarding the Bulldog, I do
not think that this could really be economically feasible.
CVS: There are so many small
time dog owners who have taken up to dog breeding and have been breeding
discriminately thereby spoiling the breed and in the bargain getting
themselves and others a bad name. Your comments on this? VDM: A small time breeder
normally does not have the capacity for really good selection of genetic
material to improve his breed and it will then probably in most cases
lead to a deterioration of the quality of the breed.
CVS: It is said that quite a few
breeders treat their dogs for minor ailments. Do you also practice this?
VDM: I am fortunate to have a
son who is a vet as part of the kennel, who treats all ailments.
CVS: How do you foresee the progress of the dog game in the future? VDM: I assume by speaking of the dog game you are referring to the showing of dogs. Over the years I have seen the dog game becoming more and more political, judges loosing their integrity and owners showing dogs for their own ego instead of the love of the dog. This does not bode well for the dog game at all.
CVS: Are there any Bulldog Speciality Clubs in your country and if so what is the role played by them and what is the purpose of the Speciality Club? VDM: Yes, there are 5 Bulldog Speciality Clubs in South Africa. I can only speak for my club, the Pretoria Millennium Bulldog Club who has one sole objective and that is to improve the Bulldog breed and by doing so, to preserve the breed for the future. This is done by educating our members regarding the Bulldog Standard, the breeding of Bulldogs, the showing of Bulldogs, the raising of puppies and all other aspects involved in owning a Bulldog. To do this, we have open days with seminars, shows and also a magazine, which is published twice a year.
CVS: Have you at any time
regretted having acquired so many dogs? VDM: No, not at all.
CVS: There is so much rivalry
among breeders and exhibitors as a result of which one does not use the
services of his competitor’s dog in spite of the fact that this could
go to improve the breed and the gene pool. What are your comments on
this? VDM: I would say that such an
attitude is very foolish and is usually a sign of kennel blindness. I
always look at other Bulldogs to see if I could use new blood to improve
my own breeding.
CVS: What are your views on lack
of sportsmanship behaviour by exhibitors? Is bad behaviour or sledging
prevalent among the exhibitors in your country? VDM: I am ashamed to say, yes,
very much so. Anybody who can not take an honest beating, should not be
exhibiting a dog.
CVS: From your track record, I
find that you have been importing, breeding and exhibiting a lot of dogs
with a fair amount of success. Do you believe that winning a CC with a
dog bred by you would be better than a Best in Show or a Reserve Best in
show win with an exhibit imported by you. VDM: Yes, I agree that I feel
much prouder when I know it is a dog bred by me that has won in the ring
than an imported dog. However, if an imported dog of mine should win BIS
or Reserve BIS, I will be just as pleased for the sake of the Bulldog,
and I will always give the credit to the original breeder of such a dog.
CVS: As a breeder and dog lover, are you choosy about giving your puppies to others? VDM: Yes, very much so. I am very particular to whom I let my puppies go.
CVS: What would be your advise
to new comers who would like to take up to Bulldog breeding and
exhibiting? VDM: Try and visit as many
Bulldog kennels or Bulldog owners as possible. Visit the Bulldog and see
whether you have discernment between a good or a bad specimen. Put your
knowledge to the test. Make sure you are absolutely dead honest with
yourself. If you have no eye for the Bulldog, stay away from the
Bulldog. If you don't have an eye, you will never have love for the
breed and my advice then is, forget the Bulldog. But if you find that
you qualify, get yourself a Bulldog as soon as possible -after all, what
is a home without a stunning Bulldog.
CVS: Do you have any ambition or any specific goal in the dog game and if so when do you think you will achieve it? VDM: I love and enjoy my Bulldogs and my only ambition is to try to breed the perfect Bulldog, something that nobody in the world has yet achieved. In the process one of my dogs, Ch Mervander Thundering Home was chosen as the KUSA National Dog of the Year, the highest achievement that any dog could wish to achieve in South Africa.
CVS: What would you consider
your strongest point? VDM: My strongest point - when
it comes to the breed, I am dead honest. I do not suffer from kennel
blindness and my main aim - I want to breed the perfect Bulldog.
CVS: What would you consider
your weakest point? VDM My weakest point - when it
comes to the Bulldog I am as critical as I am of a political judge. Then
I avoid confrontation at all times, but I can never hide my feelings.
CVS: Is there any shortcut
method to achieve success? VDM: If you meet with a dead honest breeder
and he let you have the best of his breeding stock and you listen to his
advice, you might come out on top sooner than what you expected.
CVS: What has been your happiest
moment in the dog game? VDM: When I won my first Best in
Show with my own-bred Bulldog.
CVS: Is there anything
unfinished that you would like to complete or achieve? V DM: One wish - I would like to
visit India once more and secondly, to breed the perfect Bulldog.
CVS: It was a great pleasure interviewing for the Indian Kennel Gazette. The fund of information that you have given us is highly educative and I am sure will be very useful to Bulldog enthusiast. On behalf of the Bulldog lovers in India, the Kennel Club of India and the Indian Kennel Gazette, I thank you very much and wish you the very best and good health.