Berner-Garde

We have added Koda and her puppies to the Berner-Garde Database (We added individual owner info as "private" so you can decide if you would like to participate)

The Berner-Garde Foundation was established to collect, maintain and disseminate information about genetic diseases observed in the Bernese Mountain Dog.

 Its goal is to help breeders reduce genetic disease while breeding for good temperament and type.

In the future, this collection of information will be the basis for studies researching the cause of genetic disease. 

 It is the hope of all who know and love a Berner that the work of Berner-Garde will lead to an understanding of genetic disease in the breed. 

We plan to continue adding information to the Berner-Garde database as it comes available, including Koda's upcoming OFA test results. (OFA xrays scheduled for Aug 2, 2012)

First Vet Visit & What to feed your Berner

Today I loaded up 9 puppies and 4 kids, and we went on an excursion to the veterinarian's office.  I wish I could have taken a picture, but my hands were very full.  I'm sure we were quite a sight.

The vet gave each puppy a thorough exam, and then administered the 6 week shots.  Every single puppy looked, felt, and sounded perfect and healthy.  The vet and his techs were all very impressed with how well the puppies handled the experience - they were all calm, checking things out with wide eyes.  Once in a while, one would give a little whine, and we would reassure them, and pet them, and they would calm right down.  By the end of the hour-long experience, everyone's tails were still wagging.

Their next visit should be around 8 weeks, when they should receive their next set of shots, and another dose of wormer,

The puppies are also weaned, and are eating their puppy food wonderfully.  We feed them Purina Pro Plan LARGE BREED PUPPY kibble.  That large breed variety is very important for your Berner, regular puppy food will cause them to gain weight too quickly, and cause strain on their joints and hips, which can lead to hip dysplacia or other problems.  Keep them on the PUPPY formula until their first birthday, then you can transition them over to a large breed DOG food

A note about the Purina Pro Plan - Petco's perks program will award you free bags. 

I believe that for every 10 bags, they give you a free one (it must be within 

the same 12 month period).  It doesn't seem like much, but it adds

 up so quickly, so may be a good option for some owners. 

Make sure to ask about it if that is the food you choose to continue with.

Whatever you decide to feed your puppy, make sure you transition them to the new food, even if you are opting for a "raw diet".  All our puppies will come home with a small bag of Purina Pro Plan Large Breed Puppy food.  If changing foods, mix our dog food with your new dog food for a week to avoid too much digestive troubles. Slow transitions are good!  A good resource for berner-specific information on the different feeding options is HERE.

Is a Bernese Mountain Dog right for you?

For me, the biggest questions of compatibility are these:

1. Will this be an indoor or outdoor dog?  If you are looking for an outdoor dog, please find a different breed.  Bernese Mountain Dogs *NEED* to be with their family.  They need to be able to be close to their people, able to see them, hear them, and be near them.  Leaving a berner alone for extended periods of time will stress them out, and create a perfect storm for bad behavior.  Crate training is a good option for when you aren't able to be home.  A crate, in a main room (such as a family room or kitchen), works very well and keeping a berner out of trouble and harm while you aren't home, especially while they are a puppy.  Also, Berners are not suited to hotter climates, so having them indoors helps them stay cooler.

2. Can you deal with shedding?  Berners DO shed.  The more you brush them out, the less hair you'll find in your house, but they do have a couple times a year when they blow out their coat, and its hard to keep up.  If dog hair has you in a panic, and you hate vacuuming, then this isn't the breed for you!

3. Can you love and lose? Bernese Mountain dogs have a shorter life expectancy than most breeds, and can have health issues.  There is a Swiss saying: "Three years a puppy, three years a good dog, three years an old dog and the rest is a gift".  However, most of us who love the breed, feel like any amount of time with a Berner is a beautiful gift.  These dogs will love you dearly for their lives, and be bonded to you always. As for health, we are working to breed out health issues, but they are still there, and can still happen to any dog, regardless of their genetic health.  To me, it is worth the shorter life span, and the health risks to be able to always have the love of a Berner in our home.

There's plenty of other considerations to think of before bringing a Bernese Mountain Dog home (or any dog!), but those are my top three.  There's a lot of compatibility quizzes online, and some of them give great input, while others put importance on items that I don't find to be as much a concern.  They are great sources of information though, and can bring up concerns that may not have been thought of.  

Training a Bernese Mountain Dog

Perhaps the most important thing when training is that it is very important to be very sparing with punishment or scolding while training a Berner.  Because this breed is so people-oriented, they will react badly to being scolded or punished.  Scolding quickly teaches them to be shy and fearful.  Instead, try to work with a lot of positive reinforcement - a Berner loves nothing more than a pat on the head, scratch behind the ear, or a little treat.  Sometimes the best reward you can give is praise.  Gushing praise.  Stay consistent, and your Berner will reward you with a lifetime of loyalty and obedience.

A couple of important training issues you need to address with your Berner Puppy:

Because a Bernese Mountain Dog is such a large and strong breed it is important to begin your leash training as soon as possible. Berners love to pull while on leash (they were bred to pull carts) but with some proper training they will happily trot along-side you.  Consistency is so important.  It just takes a little practice, and your daily walks will soon be great times.

We highly recommend Puppy classes, as it helps your puppy with both socializing and training.  Just be careful to wait until your vet tells you that your pup is ready and has the necessary vaccines.   

Like most dogs, Bernese Mountain dogs can become a little jumpy, especially while they are young.  It's crucial to get your pup out of this bad habit of jumping before he gets too big.  Its much easier to correct when they are small than waiting until the are 80+ pounds and can take you (and your guests) down.

There are MANY different kinds of training beliefs out there, from the "Pack mentality" to clicker training,  You will need to find what works for your puppy and you.  Just remember that your Berner will thrive on consistency and gentle-but-firm rules.  They don't need to you dominate, just be a kind and gentle leader, and they will follow you to the ends of the earth.

Most of all, when training a Berner, if you get frustrated: Take a Break.  Put yourself in a "time-out" to collect and calm yourself.  It is SO much easier for everyone to stay calm with your Berner.  If you yell, get irritated, or frusterated, your Berner will be very sensitive to it, and react poorly.  Being "aloof" is part of their nature, but they need to be nurtured with love and kindness so they don't become fearful or aggressive.