Welcome to the A.K.A Bernese Mt. Dog web site.  My name is Tracy Bolman and my husband Doug and I live in Holland, Michigan.  We have three children, Ashley who is 10 and twins Kristina and Austin who are 7, thus the name of our kennel "A.K.A!"  We live on 20 acres in Holland where we have three dogs, two cats and three horses. 

I fell in love with Bernese Mt. Dogs 10 years ago when my girlfriend Cindy Bos came into the veterinary clinic where I worked with her Bernese mountain dogs.  It wasn't until about 4 years ago that I bought my first "Berner" from Dr. Randy Carpenter.   I named her Keena and she is the love of my life.  From Keena's first litter I kept a male named "Gus."  I co-own Gus with Michelle Swartz who lives in Ohio.  Gus is currently being shown by Jerry Bish and he lives with Michelle in Ohio.  Gus is a beautiful, big boy who looks just like his father "Oscar" who lives with Laura Caprara.  I also own Layla; one of Keena's beautiful daughters.  I have found it impossible to own just one Bernese Mt. Dog!!      

Our goal is to raise healthy, beautiful, well-socialized Bernese Mt. Dogs.  We do not keep our dogs in a kennel.  They live in our home with our family.  When we go on vacation our dogs come with us.  We try to have one litter every spring.  Our children play a large role in socializing our puppies from the first day they are born to the day they leave.

All our dogs are health tested.  I take my dogs at two years of age to have their eyes, thyroid, heart, elbows and hips checked at Michigan State University.  Keena has all of her clearances and is a very healthy dog. Her results are listed on this site. The health test results for my dogs are also listed on “Berner Garde.” This is a site, which helps track the health of various Bernese Mountain Dogs.

All three of our dogs are considered "show" quality.  Keena comes from a background of numerous champions.  Keena and Gus have both been in the show ring and Layla will soon follow in the spring of 2008.  However, showing is not my main focus.  My main focus is having my dogs here with me on my farm running around with our family.  When we go on trips they love to jump up in our motor home for the next adventure!!   All our Berners love to play in the water. 

 I currently belong to the "Bernese Mountain Dog Club of America" and "Heart of Michigan Bernese Mt.Dog Club"  both of which have helped me in so many ways to learn all that I can about this awesome breed.  When my dogs finish thier health testing the results are posted on the "Berner Garde" web site. This web site makes it possible to track various BMD's and their health. If you feel that a Bernese Mt.Dog is right for you please contact me and I will help you find that special puppy. Thank you for visiting my site and I hope you enjoyed it!