Dr Malcolm Willis ( BSc, PhD, Hon Assoc RCVS )

Malcolm Willis was born in Dewsbury, Yorkshire in May l935. Educated at the Durham Johnston Grammar School (l946 – 53), Durham University (l953 – 57) BSc in Agriculture, Edinburgh University (l957 – 1960) PhD in Genetics under Professor Alan Roberton FRS. He worked as Head of Animal Science in Cuba from l965 to l972 helping to set up the Institute of Animal Science as part of the Havana University. He bought his first German Shepherd Dog in l953 and has had one ever since. He never set out to be a breeder, although he has bred a few litters with his wife, Helen Davenport-Willis who he married in l990. Together they breed and show under the “Nellsbern” prefix where they have made up seven Bernese champions from 22 litters bred.

He first judged GSD in l959 and at Ch level in l978. Has judged at the highest level in Australia*, New Zealand*, Malaysia, Kenya, South Africa*, Barbados*, Trinidad, Eire and the UK, where he was the first English man to judge the “ GSD National” in l988. Malcolm is also a championship show judge of Bernese Mountain Dogs, where he has judged in many countries including Denmark, Holland, Norway, Eire, Australia, the Canadian Speciality in 2002 and American Specialty in 2003. He became the Chairman of the GSD Breed Council when it was formed in l986 until retiring in 2007 through ill health. He was awarded the Australian Breed Council Gold Medal in l988, and the GSD Breed Council Gold medal in 2007, both for services to the GSD breed. He was elected an Hon Member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons in l996. He is the author of nine books, one of which was awarded the Gold Medal by the Dog Writers of America in l996. His titles include three on the German Shepherd Dog, two on Genetics and one on the Bernese Mountain Dog.

Malcolm was Senior Lecturer in Animal Breeding and Genetics at Newcastle University from l972 until l998 when he retired. He has lectured to and advised breeders, breed clubs, Police Forces and students throughout his career. In l978 at an AGM of the Kennel Club, he was responsible for a change of name from Alsatian (German Shepherd Dog) to German Shepherd Dog (Alsatian). He is retired from judging and writing although he occasionally is stimulated to do the latter! He lives in Northumberland with his wife Helen and his eleven dogs and six cats. He is a keen cricketer who played for Newcastle University staff team, taking 388 wickets at 15 a piece taking five plus on 14 occasions.
(* more than once)

'Dr Malcolm Willis judging the Canadian Bernese Speciality in Oct 2002 with his BIS winner Zac van't Stokerybos and owner/handler Lisa Ebnet'