Building Community, One Bernese Mountain Dog at a Time
May 12, 2026
More than 50 Bernese Mountain Dogs recently gathered in Guelph, Ontario, for a community walk organized by CKC member breeder Karina Freiburger of Freiberners. What began as a simple idea to bring together owners and dog lovers quickly turned into something much bigger, drawing attendees from across Ontario and even the United States.
For Karina, the event was about more than just getting dogs together for a walk. It was about creating lasting connections between people who share a love for the breed.
“The idea for the Bernese Mountain Dog walk in Guelph really came from wanting to create connection, both for the dogs and the people who love them,” she explained. “Bernese Mountain Dogs naturally bring people together wherever they go.”
Karina says she has remained closely connected with the families who have welcomed one of her dogs into their homes over the years, and events like this are an opportunity to strengthen those relationships while watching the dogs grow and mature.
“We have always stayed connected with our puppy families, and events like these are such a meaningful way to continue those relationships while also watching our lines grow and develop over time,” she said. “It gives us the opportunity to observe not only how the dogs are maturing physically, but also to see their temperaments and personalities as they grow, which is incredibly valuable to us as breeders.”
Although this was the first large-scale walk Karina had organized, the response exceeded every expectation.
“Seeing so many Bernese Mountain Dogs gathered together, along with owners, families, and members of the community, was incredibly rewarding and emotional,” she shared. “We had people travel from all over Ontario to attend, and even one couple who drove more than four hours from Ohio just to be part of the event.”
Throughout the day, owners exchanged stories, shared advice, reconnected with littermates, and celebrated the breed they love.
Karina says her experience organizing puppy yoga events in the past helped inspire the larger community walk. Those events originally began as a fun and enriching way to socialize puppies, but they also revealed just how eager people were to connect with fellow Bernese owners.
“The walk felt like such a special way to bring that extended Berner community together,” she said.
For Karina, one of the most meaningful moments was watching owners connect not only with her, but with one another.
“As a CKC member breeder, my relationship with families doesn’t end when a puppy goes home,” she explained. “I truly value staying connected throughout the dog’s life, offering support, guidance, and celebrating milestones alongside them.”
She believes that sense of ongoing support is an important part of responsible breeding and ownership.
“My journey as a CKC breeder of Bernese Mountain Dogs began with a deep love and admiration for the breed itself over 10 years ago,” said Karina. “Over time, that passion grew into a commitment to preserving and improving the breed responsibly through health testing, thoughtful breeding practices, and prioritizing temperament and structure.”
For those considering adding a Bernese Mountain Dog to their family, Karina encourages prospective owners to thoroughly research the breed and connect with reputable breeders.
“Berners are incredibly loving and devoted companions, but they are also a large working breed that requires time, training, grooming, exercise, and commitment,” she said. “They thrive when they are included as part of the family and do best with owners who understand both the joys and responsibilities that come with the breed.”
Following the overwhelming response to the walk, Karina is already planning future community events, including another Berner walk this fall and more puppy yoga classes later this summer.
“I would love to continue creating opportunities for Berner owners and dog lovers to come together through walks, meetups, and other community-focused events in the future,” she said.
To follow along with future events and updates from Freiberners, visit @Freiberners on Instagram.
The opinions expressed by authors on the Canadian Kennel Club Blog and those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not reflect the opinions of the Canadian Kennel Club or any of its employees.
Les opinions et les commentaires exprimés dans le blogue du Club Canin Canadien sont ceux des auteurs et ils ne reflètent pas les opinions du Club Canin Canadien ni de ses employés.
Maddie Demarte
Maddie Demarte is the Social Media and Communications Lead at the Canadian Kennel Club, where she leads social media strategies and content creation. With a strong background in communications, Maddie previously worked as a Communications Officer at the Georgetown Hospital Foundation, focusing on newsletters, social media, and marketing campaigns. Before that, she spent over five years with Rogers Sports & Media, including roles as a Reporter/Editor and Reporter/Anchor, where she honed her skills in journalism, social media best practices, and content production. With a passion for effective communication, Maddie brings expertise in social media marketing, written communication, videography, and online engagement to her role at the CKC.