Latest Bernese Mountain Dog Frequently Asked Questions:
I'm trying to figure out what type of dog me and my fiance should get. We want a family oriented dog that is good with babies & little children. We were thinking of a Bernese Mountain dog, but we need more info on them. To anyone who owns a Bernese, what are they like around children? How easy are they to train? Are they violent? & anything else you could think of! Thanks <3
Answer:We have a Bernese Mountain Dog aka Brener She's two and is wonderful with children. They are super friendly and easy to train, sometimes the breed can be a little sensitive and require firm but gentle training. If someone is unfamiliar to the breed I often say they are comparable to the gentle golden retriever. Definitely family oriented and the most dangerous thing about them is their coffee table clearing tail...haha They are a happy dog, always smiling and if you walk out of the room for a moment they are always thrilled to see you again! My sister also has one, and I have heard many say they are like frito lays chips, betcha can't a have just one! Although it is difficult to train two while in the same room, I have met several families who have more than one. They are super with other dogs and pets of a variety. They, like many other larger breeds are prone to hip dysplacia but we kept her on a good brand to promote a slower growth rate with extra protection for their joints.( we fed her "chicken soup for the large breed dog lover's soul" ~ sounds like a mouthful but it is a great brand for a good price with positive results.) I often joke that I'm going to bathe her in "neet hair removal" any that the carpet of fur on my hardwood floor would be the only downside! I don't brush her obsessively but certainly give her some extra attention when she's shedding which is usually twice a year, following winter and a lighter moult coming into fall again. My husband enjoys playing a little rougher with her, she adores him. Our son has both snugly moments and races around the yard with her. And she loves long walks, jogging or bicycling, but aren't necessarily highly energetic dogs. I know a senior who has a male and rarely exercises. The are like chameleon... excitable when you are... relaxed when you are, sad when you are. She is happy to met anyone new and would likely prance around wagging her tail if a burglar came into the house... but you can train them to bark on command, and it is a good firm bark. They are ordinarily quiet natured and not known as a barking breed.
I am thinking about getting a bernese mountain dog and would like hear from some owners of this breed.
Answer:I own/breed Bernese. Pros and cons- Big dogs who like to be close to their owners... sitting on feet seems to be a breed trait. Bred as carting/farm dogs they can be territorial and so need to be socialized. They can be incredibly stubborn as adults so need to be trained as young pups. The average life expectancy is 7.5 years.. which means some die even younger. There is a huge amount of cancer in the breed. As a breed they are prone to orthopedic issues including hip & elbow dysplasia. They are very heat intolerant and find a 60 degree sunny day too hot-- so they are more than willing to dig a nice cool hole in your landscaping to cool off. They shed once a year for 365 days. This is a breed where it is CRUCIAL you buy from a responsible breeder. A responsible breeder will be involved in showing/working their dogs and will have done the necessary health testing before breeding. The dogs will be listed on bernergarde.org so that you can study health checks, average AOD (age of death) of the line and the pedigrees. You can buy a dog less expensively from a backyard greeder or puppymill .. but you will not have the guarantees for health (minimum 3 years) nor the guarantee for temperament. Plus, in my opinion, most poorly bred Bernese are weedy looking and poorly constructed- not what you want in a working breed of dog. Please feel free to email me at animal_artwork@yahoo.com for more information.
I would like to find a Bernese Mountain Dog (puppy), and I would appreciate it if you could lead me to a reputable breeder. Thanks!
Answer:You have not said were you are from so I will give you a list of reputable breeders in the uk. I use to show these dogs there a wonderful breed. http://www.staubachbmd.com/ Ian & Jill Instone North Yorkshire Mr & Mrs H G Roberts Dolpennau Maerdy Corwen Denbighshire LL21 0PD 01490460291 hywel@roberts2632.freeserve.co.uk http://www.kistunder.hu/ please go to www.champdogs.co.uk Also If you go to the kennel club site you can contact them & they will send you a list of breeders The breeders I have listed are reputable breeders, having dogs myself & showing I would not give you a backyard breeder. Please do not buy out of a newspaper. Also you can get from a magazine shop whsmiths mag called our dogs that will also have the breeders
I've gone Ito all the web sites seeing what dog was best for me and i got these two. Alaskan Malamute and Bernese Mountain Dog. I'm looking for a dog to go running with and one that can just chill out with me at times. I have a huge backyard 3000 sqaure feet so it fits either one. Anyone have any wisdom for me?
Answer:My major concerns would be: Providing enough exercise. Alaskan Malamutes MUST have regular opportunities to vent their energy. Otherwise they will become rambunctious and bored -- which they usually express by howling and destructive chewing. Bored Alaskan Malamutes are famous for chewing through drywall, ripping the stuffing out of sofas, and turning your yard into a moonscape of giant craters. Unless you specifically want a large dog for sledding, carting, weight-pulling, or other outdoor-related activities, preferably in a cold climate, I do not recommend this breed. Alaskan Malamutes were never intended to be simply pets. Trying to suppress their "hardwired" drive to work, without providing alternate outlets for their energy, can be difficult. Bounciness. Young Alaskan Malamutes (up to about two years old) can be bulls in a china shop. When they romp and jump, they do so with great vigor, and things can go flying, including people. If you have small children, or if you or anyone who lives with you is elderly or infirm, I do not recommend Alaskan Malamute puppies. The temptation to play roughly is too strong in many young Alaskan Malamutes. Animal aggression. Most Alaskan Malamutes will not tolerate another dog of the same sex, and some won't tolerate the opposite sex either. Most Alaskan Malamutes have strong instincts to chase and seize cats and other fleeing creatures, including deer and livestock. If anything goes wrong in the breeding, socializing, training, handling, or management of this breed, it is capable of seriously injuring or killing other animals. To keep your Alaskan Malamute in, and to keep other animals out, fences should be high, with wire sunk into the ground along the fence line to thwart digging. Gates should have the highest quality locks. Many Alaskan Malamutes are clever escape artists who will go over, under, or through fences in search of adventure. The strong temperament. Alaskan Malamutes are not Golden Retrievers. They have an independent mind of their own and are not pushovers to raise and train. They can be manipulative, and many are willful, obstinate, and dominant (they want to be the boss) and will make you prove that you can make them do things. You must show them, through absolute consistency, that you mean what you say. To teach your Malamute to listen to you, "Respect Training" is mandatory. My Alaskan Malamute Training Page discusses the program you need. Heavy shedding. Alaskan Malamutes shed a LOT. You'll find hair and fur all over your clothing, upholstery, carpeting, under your furniture, on your countertops -- even in your food. Frequent vacuuming will become a way of life. Make sure you're REALLY up for this. Noise. Unless you live way out in the boondocks and have no neighbors, Alaskan Malamutes should never be left outside in your yard, unsupervised. Their deep voice carries a LONG way and the mournful howling will have your neighbors calling the cops to report the nuisance -- or quietly letting your Alaskan Malamute out of his yard so he'll wander away. Frankly, most Alaskan Malamutes are "too much dog" for the average household. This is a serious working dog with tremendous strength. Very few people really have the knowledge, facilities, or skills necessary to manage this breed, or to provide the types of activities that keep him satisfied Bernese Mountain Dogs Berners are outdoors dogs that thrive in cold weather. These mountain dogs are outgoing, intelligent and affectionate and make terrific family pets. The Berners love children but should be supervised with young children because they are large and can knock the toddlers over. Berners should be socialized early with small children and animals when they are puppies. These Bernese are intelligent and very trainable and make good dogs for competitive obedience trials. Berners are fairly tolerant with strangers but still make excellent watch dogs and guard dogs. These mountain dogs should not be trained to be aggressive guard dogs as they are fearsome enough already. First time dog owners can manage very well with this dog breed. Potential owners should only buy Berner puppies from long-established breeders who have broadened the genetic base. Bernese need a moderate amount of exercise. Although they can move very quickly for a large dog, they lack endurance and don’t need long runs. Berners should not be kept in an apartment as they love to be outside in a large, fenced yard. Because this breed’s coat is so heavy, Berners prefer cooler weather. Bernese Mountain Dog defiantly! That Cute Puppy Requires Work Watching a puppy grow can be a rewarding experience, and is often compared to the time requirements of raising a human baby. And just like a baby, you won't discover the dogs' true personality until it is nearing adulthood. Young puppies require large amounts of time; needing to be fed 3-4 times a day, kept in a confined area indoors and le
i have a new puppy, he is suppose to be a full bred bernese mountain dog.but he is solid white in color w/ small patch of very light cinnimon on his back. all the pics i've seen if these dogs are multi-colored. mostly black w/ white chest and some cinnimon.
Answer:I have known of one white Berner (a dog name Snowflake) that had inherited rare recessive genes which caused the white coloration. The only allowable color is Black-White-Rust tri-color. Sounds more like you have a Great Pyrenees
