Is a Bernese the right puppy for you?
Each breed of dog has its Virtues and Drawbacks. Every breed has its own Standard which describes in detail the ideal size, temperament, characteristics, and most importantly, the type. What is not described in the Standard are any breed-specific health problems that may or may not be genetic, how much a big dog will cost in terms of food and medical expenses and whether a Bernese is right for your family and circumstances.
A responsible breeder will go the extra mile to ensure that you are making the right decision for your family even to the extent that he/she may advise you that a Bernese is probably not the best dog for you at this time. Watch out for the breeder who is only too ready to take your money. A responsible breeder is there for the life of the puppy and will always be available to give advice and comfort when things go wrong.A responsible breeder will do the necessary research into health issues and test for known genetic diseases present in the breed.
A responsible breeder will choose breeding pairs that minimise the risk of genetic diseases in their lines.
A responsible breeder will breed for longevity and will endeavour to establish the age of death and the cause of death of dogs in their pedigrees.
A responsible breeder will be willing to share their knowledge and will honestly appraise the quality of the Bernese they produce.
What is their temperament like?
The Bernese Mountain Dog is a breed that is slow to mature. “He is s elf-confident, attentive, vigilant, fearless in every day situations; good-natured and devoted to his own people, self-assured and placid towards strangers ; of medium temperament, docile.” (quoted from the Standard). Training is essential for a large, working dog and it is important that the puppy is exposed to a wide variety of experiences and people from an early age. Given time and patience you will have a companion that is second to none.
Are Bernese Mountain Dogs good with children?
The Standard says, “ Today the Bernese Mountain Dog is well known and appreciated all over the world as a family dog thanks to its striking tricoloured coat and its great adaptability. ” The puppy's new family should have a good understanding of the character of a Bernese Mountain Dog and with this in mind the whole family (children, dog and particularly parents) should be involved in the careful bringing up of the new baby. Many Bernese Mountain Dog puppies go through a “mouthy” phase which can be unwittingly encouraged by young children. Bernese Mountain Dog puppies have “Dog Rights”, (their own toys, somewhere quiet to rest, a good quality puppy food) and these should be protected by the family whilst maintaining a balanced upbringing.
Are they good with other animals?
A Bernese Mountain Dog puppy should have some supervision when being introduced to other members of their new family. Many will grow up happily in an environment where there are other pets but at first the older dog may feel a bit threatened by the newcomer. It is not a good idea to get two puppies from the same litter as quality time should be given to the new puppy whilst he adapts to his new home and another puppy can be added once training and adjustment has been completed.
Are Bernese Mountain Dogs easy to train?
Generally speaking, yes, but some are definitely more tractable than others. Bernese are very anxious to please and training should be undertaken by the person that your puppy has bonded most closely to. A breeder who has selected for working traits can be expected to produce puppies that train readily. A Bernese Mountain Dog's training should begin early at about 10-12 weeks by attending a Puppy Socialisation Class and after that simple household obedience must be done. Bernese Mountain Dogs are large dogs and must be taught to respond to their caretaker. They also have to respect the person who is training them and will look up to a caretaker who is kind and loving but also firm and consistent. A Bernese Mountain Dog will respond well to training and the effort on you part is well worth the end result. Only positive training techniques should be used and you should carefully research the training clubs in your area in order to select one where you feel comfortable.
How much will a Bernese Mountain Dog puppy cost?
Prices vary and may be no indication of quality. Typically a puppy will cost between R4000 and R6000 and it is up to the breeder how much they charge. Be cautious of breeders who will charge extra for a female puppy saying, “You can recoup the cost from the litters she will have”. Or a breeder who wants a higher price for “the pick of the litter” as it is almost impossible to tell how an eight week old puppy will mature and it may not be either the show or breed quality that is desired.
A responsible breeder will have gone to a lot of trouble to ensure that any puppies they breed are as healthy as possible, and also they will adhere to the Breed Standard for Bernese Mountain Dogs. The responsible breeder will have paid a lot for her foundation brood bitch and probably spent time and money in searching for the right male for her. The stud fee will probably be the same as the puppy price and travel/accommodation expenses may have been involved in taking the bitch to the dog.
• X-rays for hip and elbow dysplasia will cost between R500 – R1000 and these have to be done on both parents. A low score for hips is permitted on one of the parents but the other dog must be clear. It is up to you to ask to see the hip/elbow scores for both parents and the breeder should be prepared to give you a copy of the grading certificate.
• Veterinary care for the mother and her babies is high. The cost of food for the little family is high as quality nutrition is vitally important.
• Conscientious breeders show their dogs at shows to assess how their own dogs compare to others, and perhaps check out suitable mates for their bitches. Travelling to shows is time consuming and expensive.
• At Teversal a great deal has been invested in researching bloodlines and visiting breeders overseas in order to select the best possible puppies to enhance our lines. Importing dogs is expensive.
How long will it take to get a puppy?
If you are looking for that special puppy to join your family then be prepared to wait a while until your research has been completed. Look at prospective parents and if possible their progeny from a previous litter. Then when you have decided ask the breeder to put you on the waiting list for a puppy. A responsible breeder will not try to sell you a puppy just to make a quick sale. Ask lots of questions. Some breeders may ask you to sign a contract and you should read this before making any commitment.
What are the health issues in this breed?
The Bernese Mountain Dog is a pure bred dog which has evolved over more than a century. His origins are in Switzerland where they were used as herding dogs, draft dogs and watchdogs on the farms. He has been selected for his size and impressiveness, colour and markings, character and temperament and along with these traits he inherited traits that are not discernable with the naked eye. Some of these are genetic diseases, or familial diseases. Most of the large breeds of dogs suffer with joint problems and for many years now responsible breeders have been testing for hip dysplasia and more recently elbow dysplasia. Cancer is a severe problem in many breeds of dogs and the Bernese Mountain Dog is no exception. Work with a breeder who acknowledges that there are health issues in Bernese Mountain Dogs and who can advise you of what you may or may not expect. A breeder who says that there are no health problems in his/her lines should be treated with caution.
What type of care does this breed require?
Bernese Mountain Dogs need the companionship of a family and they will thrive in a family where there is someone home all day. They do not adjust well to life on their own and should have a good walk at least once a day. Time and effort spent in training will pay handsome dividends resulting in a dog that is well socialised and well behaved. Try to find classes that are using only positive training methods. Bernese Mountain Dogs require quality time to be dedicated to their upbringing and if your time is very limited then perhaps another breed might be more suited to your lifestyle. Grooming is necessary as Bernese shed (a lot) and regular brushing helps to keep your dog in top condition.
A good quality food is needed to ensure that the puppy grows slowly and steadily. There is great stress on the joints during the growth period and care in exercising and play must be taken. Puppy foods for large breeds are readily available.
Veterinary care is ongoing and sometimes high bills are incurred to treat both genetic and non-genetic diseases.
A fenced garden is important to ensure that your pet does not stray. A cool place to lie is important as their black coats attract the heat in summer. Exercise is necessary and a good walk at least once a day will be welcomed once the puppy has grown through his initial growth spurt.
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