an interview with hendrik van der merwe (mervander bulldogs)
Sunday, January 11, 2009 9:48 PM                
 
All about "Xerxus" : Supreme Puppy of the Year 2004
  
     
 

Photo © SHOWDOGS

SHOWDOGS: Congratulations on achieving Supreme Puppy with your Bulldog. Please tell the readers the call name and age of your dog.
HJ: We call him "Xerxus" and he is 22 months old.

SHOWDOGS: What are the names of his sire and dam?
HJ: His sire is Ch. Mervander National Lagoon and his dam is Mervander Like A Lady.

SHOWDOGS: You are no stranger to the winner’s podium, but how do you feel about this new title to add to your many great wins?
HJ: I want to give the honour and the glory to our Creator who created both man and dog.

SHOWDOGS: For those who haven’t been able to keep up, what are Mervander's major achievements?
HJ: KUSA National Dog 2000: Ch. Mervander Thundering Home
- Top Bulldog in France 1999 and 2000: Ch. Mervander Colonel Bogey
- Bulldog Bitch of the Year 2002: Ch. Mervander Go For Gold
- Qualifiers for Crufts: Ch. Mervander Go For Gold and Ch. Mervander Lady In Red
- Mervander dogs became champions in France, Spain, Italy, Greece, Belgium, Holland, India, Russia and Alaska.

SHOWDOGS: Amongst these wonderful achievements, is there one that stands out as most significant?
HJ: Winning the KUSA National Dog 2000 event with Ch. Mervander Thundering Home.

 

  
 

SHOWDOGS: To what would you attribute your success over the years?
HJ: Above all, my blessings from Above and hard work.

SHOWDOGS: As is the nature of competitive sport, I’m sure you’ve had a taste of unkind comments aired in public. How do you tend to respond to these statements?
HJ: The only way to respond is to remember that "jealousy makes you nasty" and in order to conquer, you have to stoop at times, but never, ever to their level.

SHOWDOGS: How do you go about deciding on a show campaign programme? Or do you simply attend shows where and when you can?HJ: I always try to select knowledgeable judges for I am still learning myself every day. But I will never allow myself to be educated by a whispering fool because in the end, I shall be the greatest fool of them all.

SHOWDOGS: What made you decide to be owned by a Bulldog?
HJ: When I came back from Burma after WWII, all ex serviceman had a little stress and my therapy, which helped me overcome my stress, was a beautiful Bulldog puppy, given to me by the greatest Bulldog breeder of the day, Mr Wassersicht of the Happy Kennel.

SHOWDOGS: What made you decide to share your life with this breed?
HJ: The Bulldog's characteristics of tenacity, perseverence, loyalty and strength, combined with a very affectionate nature. I realise how much I owe the Bulldog for strengthening my faith, for they always seem to say to me: "love me and ignore the people". I found out that a home without a Bulldog is no real home.

SHOWDOGS: Thank you very much for your participation, Oom Hendrik. SHOWDOGS wishes you well for 2004 and further.

  
                       
         
Contact SHOWDOGS
         
.................... .................... .................... .................... .................... .................... .................... .................... .................... .................... .................... ....................