Is a Bernese Mountain Dog right for you?

Temperament: A pure bred dog will be consistent with the breed and hence, will allow families to make an informed decision about how they’ll fit into their family. Still, it needs to be understood that dogs, like people, are individuals and temperaments do vary. The Bernese Mountain Dog Standard states, “The Bernese temperament is one of the breed's strongest assets. Consistent, dependable, with a strong desire to please. Self-confident, alert, good-natured. Attached and loyal to human family; may be aloof or suspicious with strangers, but never sharp or shy.”  

Their strong desire to please means they are happiest when working, and with their people. Hence they may not be appropriate for people who work long hours and can’t spend time with them. Generally, the significant caregiver will be their favourite and training and socialization are needed for them to be well adjusted in the family and household.

Size: Bernese Mountain Dogs are considered large dogs and weights of 80 to 120 lbs are not unusual. Dogs 24.4 - 27.6 inches (62-70 cm); bitches 22.8 - 26 inches (58-66 cm). Height is measured at withers. The stocky, well-balanced appearance is considered a must.

Coat: The Bernese Mountain Dog’s coat is wonderfully soft to touch but if shedding or allergies are an issue, do not get a Bernese Mountain Dog. They need regular (weekly) grooming and have a tendency to matt under their ears.

Exercise: Bernese Mountain Dogs need moderate amounts of exercise.

Health: The BMDCA Health Survey indicates that Bernese Mountain Dogs live an average of 7 - 8 years. Some die younger and many live into their teens, but generally the breed is not considered to be long lived. They’re also affected by orthopedic and other issues, as are most large dogs. For additional information please refer to the following: http://www.bmdca.org/sheets/health.pdf

How to Identify a Reputable Breeder

A reputable breeder will generally be affiliated with a breed club such as the Bernese Mountain Dog Club of Ontario (BMDCO).

It is unusual for reputable breeders to advertise in newspapers as they generally have a strong demand for their puppies and don’t need to. Publications like ‘Dogs In Canada” may contain flashy ads, but that isn’t an indication of ethical behaviour nor does it indicate membership with the Canadian Kennel Club (CKC).

 Reputable breeders want to know if you’ll be able to provide a good home. This means they’ll want to meet and get to know you before they’ll commit to you. In addition, they should try to match you with a pup that fits your life style and situation. For example, if there’s already a male dog in the house it would be normal to suggest a female as they’ll integrate better.

They’ll be realistic about what it means to have a Bernese Mountain dog and won’t try to romanticize it in order to make a sale (puppies don’t come house broken and their chewing can be destructive).

Reputable breeders will be working to breed dogs that are sound in temperament, and health. No breeder has bred the perfect dog or rid the breed of all of its issues but they should give you the feeling that they’re trying. Proof of the parent’s clearances indicating the parents are free of hip and elbow dysplasia will likely be provided and you should be able to meet some relatives of a perspective pup.

Reputable breeders only sell registered dogs and most include a sales contract. The content of the sales agreements can vary but typically include clauses of guarantee and spay/neuter, non-breeding language. In addition, most dogs are sold with CKC non-breeding papers.

It is unusual for reputable breeders to ask for a down payment. A breeder will want you to come back because you really want one of their puppies and not because you’re worried about losing a deposit. Once they’ve done all they can to breed a healthy puppy their priority will be on finding that pup a good home.

Keep in mind that adding a dog to your family is a significant commitment and shouldn’t be taken lightly. It’s worth taking the time to do your homework to identify a good breeder because the pup you bring home will become a member of your family for (hopefully) the duration of its life.

Please note that breeders don’t always have puppies available and hence some wait time isn’t unusual. 

For consequences of not finding a reputable breeder please refer to the following website: http://www.psychopup.com/tb/dontbuy.html
 

Bringing your puppy home

Prior to Bringing Your Puppy Home: 

After you’ve identified a reputable breeder and agreed that one of their puppies is for you, you then need to get ready to bring your puppy home.  This is when your breeder can provide invaluable help deciding whether or not to crate, what food, and other items are appropriate.

Spend time to locate a good veterinarian. Having a vet that you trust can be very important if any health issues develop through out the dog’s life. Something as simple as allergies can be treated many ways and you’ll want to feel confident that your vet does what is right for your dog and you. Get recommendations on a veterinarian and don’t feel shy about checking them out. It could have a significant impact on the quality of your dog’s life.

Your breeder should take care of your Puppy’s first set of shots and have had them wormed or their stool samples tested clear.

After Bringing Your Puppy Home:

Your breeder should provide a feeding schedule and/or guidelines of what and how your puppy should be fed. Please note that puppy’s stomachs are small and hence frequent (3 is typical) meals will be necessary in the beginning to avoid upset. Different breeders will vary which foods they recommend. The important thing is that it be of sufficient quality to supply the required balance and nutrients to support the puppies’ development without causing problems (like allergies).

The first night in your home a puppy will be missing their littermates and can be soothed by knowing that their new “family” is near by. Trying to isolate a puppy at this age can be very upsetting and lead to sleepless nights for the rest of the household. Something that has the smell of their old home can help.

You should take your puppy to your Veterinarian for examination in the first few days. In the initial visit you should establish the schedule of additional inoculations which should be in line with your breeder’s recommendations.

A training facility that offers Puppy school can get you & your puppy off to an invaluable start. Just as with children going to school, puppies will benefit from training. Learning some basics like sit, down, and come can go a long way to making your dog a pleasant & well adjusted companion. Most puppy schools also allow some playtime so dog to dog socialization skills can be developed.

Again take your time to find a training facility that you’re comfortable with and remember that Bernese Mountain Dogs respond well to praise but can “shut down” if treated roughly or negatively.

Also remember that puppies need time to develop and need to rest frequently. It takes a lot of energy to grow!

Dogs need time to get the hang of house breaking and it’s not unusual for dogs to have set backs up until about 6 months of age.  Do not scold your dog if they make a mistake as this can lead to them seeking privacy which can be very inconvenient on the end of a leash! Praise, consistency and patience are key.

 A good resource for training and understanding how your dog thinks is:

           “How to Teach A New Dog Old Tricks” by Dr. Ian Dunbar, IBSN 1-888047-06-2

 Remember you may think your dog is human like, but he looks at you and thinks you’re a 2-legged dog!