So You Want a Bernese Mountain Dog Puppy... Let Me Help You!!

A Puppy Buyers Guide

#1. Make sure your up for the responsibility of a puppy.  We were fairly lucky with Aspen but then again Ray and I are pretty good at loss prevention.  All in all we lost 2 mac power cords (both were my fault), 1 pair of flip flops, 1 sock and a nights worth of sleep until he pooped it out!!!, one of Ray's shirts, and a dog bed.  I found this random video for your viewing pleasure.. she was lucky in my opinion!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rNSu-jSy_4&feature=related.
It can happen to you ;-) Puppies bite, chew, have accidents, and bark. Training your puppy will be a full time job that goes well into their adulthood.  Keep this in mind- getting a puppy is like getting married ***for better for worse, in sickness and in health until death do you part!!***    It's your job to make it work...if you aren't up for the commitment don't get a puppy plain and simple!!


#2. Once you have established that your are ready for a puppy, you then MUST make sure a Bernese is right for you. A few things to do...
-I suggest taking a piece of paper and writing down all things you want in your dog and what you don't. Make sure you also know why you want a Bernese specifically.
-To find out if a Bernese is right for you read books like Bernese Mountain Dogs-A complete Pet Owners Manual, Dog Bible, Bad Dog:A Love Story (these are just some I've read but I'm sure there is more!!)
-visit websites, The Bernese Mountain Dog Club of America is a MUST!!! www.bmdca.org, berner.org, and the AKC is helpful as well www.akc.org/breeds/bernese_mountain_dog/
-Go meet some!!  Dog shows, performance events, and clubs.  Our club has an event every month that brings together berners and their owners  www.twincitiesbmd.org/playpals.php.  Go and ask TONS of questions.  I know many other clubs have similar events, so no excuses find one near you!!

 #3. The next step of contacting breeders can be challenging.  I can't stress and tell you enough how important it is to find a breeder that is motivated by type and health!! It's important for you, your future dog, and believe it or not the future of  the bernese!!  At this point you have probably gotten some names of different breeders, but if not that's okay the Bernese Mountain Dog Club of America has a very user friendly referral page- www.bmdca.org/olbr/OLBR_index.php  You can also google, but be cautious and make sure you are closely evaluating potential breeders.

#4. Once you find someone you may be interested ask about:

a.) Health clearances on their dogs: fair, normal, excellent Hips, fair, normal, excellent Elbows, Eye Exam with normal results , Heart exam with normal results, vWB genetic that is cleared, DM genetic testing results could be carrier or clear.  My best advice for you is to look for this information on the Bernergarde data base www.bernergarde.org but much of it can be found on the OFA website www.offa.org.  I always consider things missing on the Bernergarde as not done or they have something to hide.  You want a breeder that uses the Bernergarde site.. Trust me!!

b.) Next I really think it's important that they are members of the Bernese Mountain Dog Club of America or Bernese Mountain Dog Club of Canada.  Members of these clubs are held to certain standards.  While I still feel your research doesn't stop with a club membership, it is certainly a step closer to finding a breeding program worth supporting.

c.) Further breeding dogs should be shown in conformation.  This is important because you want your dog to have the form and function to be a bernese.  That's why you wanted a bernese in the first place right? Many of the individuals that are spending time showing are doing so to get evaluation on their breedings.  Every breeders goal should be to create a better, healthier, longer lived dog! Quality dogs NOT quantity. Also remember show dogs are family members too!! So while you might just want a pet a family member, you want a puppy that was from a thoughtful breeding.

d.) Also don't be afraid to ask for references on breeders.

#5.  Finally once you have done your home work start contacting breeders.  Expect for them to have lots of questions for you.  It is there job to place a puppy in a home that best fits it's needs.  Also keep in mind that a puppy might not be available exactly when you want one, but be patient and build a relationship with your breeder.  If a certain breeder doesn't work out don't get discouraged, it just means they weren't the right breeder for you.  You buy your breeder not you puppy.  Your breeder should be willing to remain a part of your life from the moment the puppy leaves their home to the moment the dog leaves this earth.  Remember your money is going to support their program so choose wisely.

I've written about this before, but for those that haven't read previous posts I did not do the above things before I got Aspen.  I googled the first breeder I could find and brought my puppy home in haste and impulse.  Though the process I supported a breeding program that I do not feel was a good choice for us and I have learned my lesson the hard way.


It was only after getting him that I started doing research into his pedigree and what I found was horrifying.  If you click on the link below you will read about Oliver and Sammy.  Oliver is Aspen's great grandfather http://costello.mine.nu/berner/nico/akasammy.html

So please please please learn from me and do your home work!! Chose to help support  programs that are making healthier, longer lived berners for all of us to enjoy!!