Mr. J. Thomas Brown

Tom Brown began his search for a Bernese Mountain Dog in 1985, and a year later acquired Dogwoods Joshua V. Hillbilly “Josh” - a fun loving dog and devoted companion. From this humble beginning his kennel Dogwood Swiss Mt. Dogs emerged, offering the opportunity to be involved with Conformation and Obedience showing, and the start of a breeding program that produced many champions and members of the pet community. This experience also provided a knowledge base for the trials and tribulation, along with highs of the Bernese Mountain Dog, creating a lasting impression and the basis for what has now become a new chapter in the dog world for him--judging the Bernese Mountain Dog.

In 2005, many years after his start and just a few years after the loss of another personal great, CH Dogwoods Southern Greystone “Grady”, Tom delved into the world of AKC Conformation Judging. With the loss of Grady, he decided to offer assistance to the breed through promoting quality in a different venue than breeding and showing, and to become a breeder advocate of the standard through awarding and promoting, as a judge, what he feels the direction the Bernese Mountain Dog should aspire to.

Mr. Brown looks for a well balanced large bone dog with a soft expression and a pleasing sentiment; one that appears to display an unwavering commitment to owner or handler in devotion and confidence. Strength in movement one of most important attributes for him, demonstrating agility in motion through front and rear movement with effortless might. These, in addition to the approved breed standard, make up the ideal Bernese Mountain Dog. Although the perfect dog has yet to be born, he believes our interpretation of the standard and the commitment of our breeders will bring the impossible closer to the truth. It is his goal as an AKC Judge to award and promote quality to those dogs and breeders that best follow and conform to the breed standard.

Tom has served in many executive capacities for various all-breed kennel clubs, acted as Show Chairman for
All-Breed AKC shows, and was the cofounder of the Blue Ridge Bernese Mountain Dog and Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Clubs in the US.

In 2008, Mr. Brown judged the Non-Regular classes for the Bernese Mountain Dog Club of America National Specialty held in Rhode Island.  He also judged the breed at the Potomac Valley Bernese Mountain Dog Club’s supported entry in West Friendship, MD in 2007 and at the BMDCA Regional Specialty in Vallejo, CA in 2006.

He is honoured to have been selected to judge the BMDCC Specialty, and feels a sense of pride in the accomplishment of coming from his novice beginning in 1985 to judging at another National Specialty in 2009.