[PyrNet-L] New Book on The Pyrenean Mountain Dog

[Ian Spencer-Brown <ian.spencer-brown@virgin.net>]

It would be true to say that the book, which was published to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of  The Pyrenean Mountain dog Club of Great Britain in 1996, would never have been written if it had not been for the dedication of the late Mrs Constance Prince to the breed.  After writing her first Handbook on the PMD in 1956 and updating it many times to keep up with public demand, Mrs. Prince felt that a full scale book on the breed was badly needed in Great Britain, as with the passing of time "stories" of well known personages; pictures and pedigrees of top dogs etc, as well as important parts of the breeds history would be lost to current generations, so she felt that something had to done about it and decided she would "make a start" and see what she could find.

Even though her enthusiasms for such a project really took off, and together we spent hours and hours  going through old books, making telephone calls and visiting Museums, by the time the Bergerie Kennels moved to Bramshaw in the 1960's and became one of the largest Pyrenean Kennels in this country, not only had Mrs. Prince's devotion to the breed completely taken over her life-style, she had then set herself the task of trying to strengthen existing bloodlines, resulting in the importation of several dogs from the leading breeders in France.

In 1973 for a variety of reasons "Bergerie" closed its doors and all the dogs were found new homes, so now that her days were not taken up with running a busy kennel, Mrs Prince decided to really concentrate on writing the long-awaited book on the breed, and even though she completed several chapters ready for printing; had collected hundreds of photographs of historical significance and had found a publisher, she again had to put it on hold when she was needed to supervise the changeover of their firm in Southhampton.


Unfortunately, her time back in the throes of "business life" did not last for long; her health began to deteriorate and in the middle of the 1980's when we left the New Forest for our current home in Cornwall, as she said she would never be able to Finnish it, Mrs Prince presented me with the whole of her 12 years work, in the hope that one day such a book as she had envisaged, would be completed and published.  When plans were being made for the Diamond Jubilee of the PMDC of GB the Committee agreed unanimously that the Club should go ahead and publish a full-scale book on the breed making use of Mrs. Prince's research.  She was naturally, delighted when she was told, and up until the time she entered a local Nursing Home, as her condition had deteriorated rapidly over her last year; she having never recovered from the worry and trauma of her husband's year-long fight against the cancer which was to end his life, she was kept up-to-date with how the work was progressing.

If it hadn't been for her enthusiasm, dedication for the breed and unsurpassed interest in its history, who knows....this book may never have been written.....we certainly would never have had the basis on which to build such a monumental work.
Constance Prince certainly made her mark on the Pyrenean world - she was a one and only who will never be forgotten.  With all this in mind, the Club were proud to dedicate the completed book to her memory.

As this was the first time such a task had been contemplated by the Pyrenean Mountain Dog Club of Great Britain, it was decided that it should as complete a record as possible.  It should not only include chapters on the Origin and Development of the breed and its introduction into Great Britain, but should show its establishment in the show world, the top dogs of various era's as well as the various personalities in the breed.  It should also include a picture and pedigree of every Pyrenean that had achieved Champion status; with special emphasis on the breed record holders and other top winners.  As it was the intention that the book should become the main work of reference for the breed in Great Britain, it was decided to include chapters on Buying, Raising, and Training a Pyrenean Puppy: Showing and Grooming;  Breeding and the whelping and care of a litter; all these being beautifully illustrated with pet pictures supplied by supportive Club Members.  The Breed Standard is described in detail and with its many illustrations , this important chapter has been commended international by many Judges.

As it was hoped that the book would be of interest to Pyrenean owners in other countries Chapters, written by enthusiasts and experts, were included from most of Europe as well as the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Japan. Considerable interest has also been expressed on the Chapter on the various breed allied to the Pyrenean.

After its official launch at the Pyrenean Stand at Crufts in 1996, it was reviewed by the Dog press and one can do no better 
than end by quoting the following comment.

                               "NOT JUST A BOOK, BUT AN ENCYCLOPEDIA ON THE BREED"

The Pyrenean Mountain Dog Club of Great Britain are delighted to announce that the first issue of 500 copies has now been sold. The second issue is now on sale and is available from any of the following addresses price £32.50

Lorna Ireland, The Gables, Garlands Lane, Barlestone, Nuneaton, Warks, CV13 OJD  Tel 01530 230278

Joyce Stannard, Sandycot, Darite, Liskeard Cornwall PL14 5JS                                 Tel 01579  348860
  
Ian Spencer-Brown via E mail

THIS REALLY IS A MUST FOR ALL PYRENEAN OWNERS AND FOR THOSE CONSIDERING OWNING 
A PYRENEAN IN THE FUTURE.

Growing old is mandatory, growing wise is optional. Ian