Judges » N C Bisset-Berkahn

Dr N C Bisset-Berkahn

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About Me

I received my first pedigree Cavalier King Charles Spaniel in 1983 as a ten-year-old and attended the odd ribbon parade with him. He was primarily a child’s pet however.

In 1988 I took over the training of my sister and her husband’s Golden Retrievers to help them out (they had a young family). This sparked my passion for dog sport and I was away most weekends competing in competition obedience, agility and a bit of working trials training. I was still living at home at this point and was finally allowed to get my own Golden Retriever in 1993. I competed with Laird in obedience and the occasional conformation show.

I instructed for the Napier Dog Training Club and served on committee from approximately 1990 until I left to obtain my vet degree at Massey in 1995. The last 2-3 years of this I was Treasurer for the club.

While at Massey I attended a few obedience tests and ribbon parades but my primary focus was obtaining my degree. I lost Laird while working in clinical practice and while waiting for my new Golden to be born came across a stray hound cross puppy on a Good Friday who I was taking to the pound when they reopened on Tuesday. He ended up staying for 13 years and I competed in obedience and agility with him (as well as my new Golden). During this time I instructed and served on committee for Hawkes Bay Canine Obedience Club, until my daughter was born in 2004.

When my hound cross was getting towards the end, I told my daughter she could research and choose a breed for her very own dog which she could show. She chose a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (without my influence!) bringing me full circle back to my first breed. Sophie and I breed and exhibit our Cavaliers under our kennel name Thistlebrook. I also have a Golden Retriever that I do a bit of obedience work with and Sophie (occasionally) shows.

In 2014 I was integral in reinvigorating the defunct (and gazetted as about to be dissociated) Heretaunga Plains Toy Dog Society, serving as secretary for the club for 4 years. I then became secretary for East Coast Ladies Kennel Association in 2018, a position I still hold.

I have recently branched out in breeds and imported an Italian Greyhound, a breed I have admired for years.

I am really looking forward to learning even more about my great passion and seeing things from the other side.

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