When embarking on the journey of finding the perfect canine companion, it is crucial to select a reputable dog breeder. Not only does this choice ensure that you bring home a well-bred dog, but it also contributes to the overall health and temperament of your future furry friend.
Understanding the Role of a Dog Breeder
A responsible dog breeder is an individual who is committed to improving the breed. They are not mere sellers, but rather dedicated professionals who breed dogs with utmost care and consideration for the breed’s standards and overall well-being.
Researching and Evaluating Breeders
To find a trusted dog breeder, it is paramount to conduct thorough research and evaluation. The following steps can guide you in making an informed decision:
Conducting preliminary online research
Exploring breed-specific websites: These websites provide valuable information about the breed, including reputable breeders in your area.
Seeking recommendations from reputable sources: Reach out to local veterinarians, breed clubs, and other trusted individuals who have experience with the breed. Their insights can be invaluable in finding a reliable breeder.
Examining breeder qualifications and experience
Verification of breeding knowledge and expertise: Inquire about the breeder’s knowledge of breeding techniques, genetics, and overall understanding of the breed.
Prior experience in responsible dog breeding: A breeder with a proven track record demonstrates a commitment to responsible breeding practices.
Investigating the breeder’s reputation
Checking testimonials and reviews: Look for feedback from previous customers to gain insights into the breeder’s reputation, professionalism, and the overall quality of their dogs.
Contacting references from previous customers: Request contact information for previous customers and reach out to inquire about their experiences with the breeder.
Health Testing and Genetic Screening Practices
A reputable breeder understands the importance of genetic testing for hereditary diseases and takes proactive measures to ensure the health of their breeding dogs. Consider the following factors:
Importance of genetic testing for hereditary diseases
Genetic testing plays a vital role in identifying potential health issues that can be passed on to offspring. A responsible breeder ensures that their breeding dogs undergo relevant tests specific to the breed.
Required health screenings for breeding dogs
Hip and elbow dysplasia evaluations: These evaluations assess the joint health of the breeding dogs to avoid passing on debilitating conditions.
Eye and heart examinations: Thorough eye and heart screenings are essential to identify potential genetic abnormalities.
Living Conditions and Environment
The living conditions and environment in which the breeder raises their puppies have a significant impact on their overall health and temperament. Consider the following factors:
Evaluation of the breeder’s facility cleanliness
A clean and well-maintained facility is indicative of a breeder’s commitment to providing a healthy and nurturing environment for their dogs and puppies.
Socialization and environmental exposure for puppies
Interaction with other dogs and animals: Puppies that have positive social interactions with other dogs and animals tend to have better social skills and overall temperament.
Familiarization with various household sounds: Exposing puppies to different sounds in a home environment helps them become accustomed to everyday noises, reducing anxiety in their new homes.
Nutrition and Care for Breeding Dogs and Puppies
A responsible breeder understands the nutritional requirements for their breeding dogs and puppies. Consider the following factors:
Understanding the breeder’s feeding practices
Inquire about the breeder’s feeding practices to ensure that they provide a balanced and appropriate diet for their dogs and puppies.
Knowledge of nutritional requirements for puppies
Reputable breeders have a solid understanding of the specific dietary needs of puppies at different stages of development.
Vaccination and deworming schedules
Responsible breeders adhere to an appropriate vaccination and deworming schedule to safeguard the health and well-being of their puppies.
Socialization and Temperament Assessment
Socialization plays a crucial role in shaping a puppy’s temperament. A reputable breeder focuses on socialization and temperament assessment through the following methods:
Breeders’ methods for socialization
Responsible breeders introduce their puppies to various environments, stimuli, and experiences to ensure they become well-rounded and adaptable companions.
Evaluating puppies’ temperaments
Introduction to different environments: Puppies that are exposed to diverse environments from a young age tend to be more confident and adaptable.
Interaction with other dogs and humans: Positive interactions with both dogs and humans help puppies develop good social skills and a friendly temperament.
Training and Early Development
Early training and exposure to basic commands and household routines contribute to your future dog’s behavior and manners. Consider the following factors:
Breeders’ approach to early puppy training
A trustworthy breeder initiates the training process by teaching puppies basic manners and introducing them to household routines.
Exposure to basic commands and household routines
Puppies that are introduced to basic commands, such as sit, stay, and come, have a head start in their early development and are more receptive to training.
Breeder Support and Post-Adoption Assistance
A reliable breeder goes above and beyond to provide ongoing guidance and assistance even after you bring your puppy home. Consider the following factors:
Availability of guidance and support
Reputable breeders are readily available to answer any questions or concerns you may have throughout your dog’s life.
Assistance with potential behavioral issues
A responsible breeder provides assistance and guidance in addressing any behavioral issues that may arise as your puppy grows into adulthood.
Ethical Breeding Practices and Responsible Ownership
Responsible breeders prioritize ethical breeding practices and promote responsible ownership. Consider the following factors:
Breeder’s commitment to responsible breeding
A reputable breeder demonstrates a commitment to breed-specific standards and ensuring the long-term health and well-being of their dogs.
Screening and adoption process for potential owners
A detailed screening process indicates a breeder’s dedication to finding suitable homes for their puppies, ensuring responsible ownership.
Summary
In conclusion, finding a trusted dog breeder requires extensive research and evaluation. Consider the vital factors discussed in this article to make an informed decision that will result in a healthy, well-bred dog.
Bernese mountain dog puppy in female hands, care for animals, newborns
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Can I trust breeders without official certifications?
A: While official certifications can provide some reassurance, it is essential to evaluate breeders based on their reputation, experience, and commitment to responsible breeding practices.
Q: What is the significance of health guarantees?
A: Health guarantees provided by reputable breeders show their commitment to breeding healthy dogs and the willingness to address any potential health issues that may arise.
Q: How can I ensure the dog I choose will have a good temperament?
A: By selecting a reputable breeder who focuses on socialization and temperament assessment, you increase the likelihood of bringing home a dog with a well-rounded and friendly disposition.
Q: What kind of ongoing support should I expect from a breeder?
A: A responsible breeder should be available to offer guidance and support throughout your dog’s life, answering any questions or concerns you may have along the way.
Q: What should I prepare before bringing a puppy home?
A: Before bringing a puppy home, ensure that you have all necessary supplies, such as food, bedding, toys, and a safe and welcoming environment prepared to ensure a smooth transition for your new four-legged family member.
Glad to hear it! If you’re like us, you’ll spend, or have already spent, hours researching everything there is to know about the Bernese Mountain Dog (Berner for short). Information about the history, health, physical characteristics, personality traits, and breed standards are all easily gleaned off a multitude of websites and, from that aspect, this blog does the same. However, as BMD owners, we’ve added our personal experience with the breed that will, hopefully, allow you to gain a better understanding of what life is like with a Bernese Mountain Dog.
The Berner is a great breed but they’re not for everybody. They have certain characteristics that weren’t necessarily mentioned during our own research. It wouldn’t have stopped us from bringing our Berner, Molly, into our family but it would have certainly come in handy. I’ll get into all that in a bit but first, let’s start with one of the things that brought you here in the first place….information about the breed.
History
The breed dates back more than 2,000 years during the occupation of the Swiss Alpine area by the Roman Empire. During this period, the Romans brought with them different Mastiff-type breeds known as Molossers. Molossers are large dog breeds used for protection against predators and driving livestock. However, these breeds weren’t well-adapted to colder climates, as indicative of the region, so they were bred with the local Swiss mountain breeds better suited for the local weather conditions. The result was a large, powerful, hardy breed perfectly adapted for the Swiss Alpine climate and topography.
The Bernese Mountain Dog, is one of four Sennenhund (German word for “Mountain Dog”) breeds. The two most well-known are the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the Bernese Mountain Dog. Lesser known are the Appenzeller Mountain Dog and the Entlebucher Mountain Dog. Although all four breeds were used as farm dogs for various reasons, the latter two are smaller, more agile breeds primarily used to herd cattle whereas the larger two were used to protect and drive cattle. Although history does not specifically give credit to anyone coining the name “Bernese”, it is, however, attributed to the city of Berne, a city within the Canton of Bern in western Switzerland where the breed was heavily concentrated.
You’ll read conflicting information regarding when the breed was brought to the United States so I won’t claim to know that answer, but it is safe to say that the Berner was brought to America sometime between 1905 and 1936. The American Kennel Club (AKC), however, officially recognized the breed in 1937 and today is a member of the Working Group.
Physical Characteristics
Two things come to mind when describing a Berner from a physical standpoint. They are beautiful with long silky black hair and they are stout. All purebred Berners have the same tri-coloring that is black, white, and rust. Their body, head, tail and legs are primarily black with a white stripe between their eyes and surrounding the nose as well as down their chest and the tips of their paws and tail. Rust is just above their eyes, on their jowl area and lower third of their legs. They are a bit longer than they are tall with males standing 25 to 27.5 inches and females about 23 to 26 inches at the withers. They are broad-chested and have very strong hindquarters and legs. Males can weigh between 90 to 120 pounds while females come in between 70 to 100 pounds. Our Molly is an outlier, she stands at 27 inches and peaked at 115…she’s the Bea Arthur of female Berners! As stated earlier, the BMD was primarily used as a farm working dog but, because they are so strong, they were also used to bring produce, cheese, and milk to the local markets and were even nicknamed “Cheese dogs”. To this day, Berners are trained to pull carts in parades and competitions.
Care
If you don’t care for “sheddy” dogs or there’s someone allergic in the household then the Berner is not for you. These dogs shed, a lot! The good part, if there is a good part about dog shedding, is that they shed in clumps so it’s a little easier to see and there aren’t necessarily these single strands of hair everywhere. Berners shed the most during the two primary shedding seasons of the Fall and Spring so, during these periods, Berners need to be brushed/combed daily. All other periods Berners should be brushed at least twice a week and bathed twice a month, minimum. That said, it’s still a dog hair tumbleweed situation in our house even though we brush her frequently. Seriously, we could knit a Berner pashmina with all the hair we vacuum and sweep up! Their nails grow quickly so you’ll need to keep on top of trimming them….unless you like being eviscerated in your nether regions because Berners like to “Paw” you for attention. Additionally, they can be prone to ear infections, like most drop-eared breeds, so be sure to keep an eye on that and consult your vet should you see redness, irritation, or discharge or you smell a foul odor.
Like any other dog, Berners need exercise. They’re probably not going to play fetch for 30 minutes (or at all for that matter) or win any fastest dog competition but they should be free to run and/or walk at least 30 minutes a day. But be careful. Berners are prone to heat stroke so their physical activity must be closely monitored when outside in warmer weather. Remember, Berners were bred for the extreme climate conditions of the Swiss Alps, not, say, the flatlands of north Texas where we currently reside.
We adopted Molly when we lived in Pennsylvania which reminds me of a story. One February in Pittsburgh, the morning temperature was down in the -20s Fahrenheit. There was snow outside on the ground and ice on the inside of our windows (yes, we needed new windows!). The local news reports were warning people to keep their pets inside as the extreme cold could prove detrimental to animals. Not a problem at our house. We couldn’t get Molly INside! She was too busy making nose trails in the snow. Looked like someone rode a unicycle around the backyard for a half an hour. After suiting-up like I was going on an arctic expedition, I chased her around the backyard for a few minutes, all while my wife laughed and laughed and laughed. Finally, she (the dog, not my wife) had enough of the chase and sprinted into the house. “Stupid dog!” I remember saying as I thawed myself next to the fire. The take away?…Berners are colder weather dogs and will become a snowcanine if you let them.
Temperament
Berners, generally, are good-natured dogs and love to please their owners. They are self-confident, friendly, alert, and willful. When I say willful I actually mean stubborn! Although they are obedient for the most part, it may take some additional persuasion, either verbally or with a treat, to get them to do what you want. They can be good watch dogs but not because they’re aggressive, quite the opposite. They can make good watch dogs because they are big and intimidating. They have deep barks and, although rarely used, it’s enough to stop a person in their tracks if they don’t know any better. They are great with kids and generally accepting of strangers IF they are socialized at a young age. If Berners are kept isolated to just a few family members then they can be aloof and untrusting of strangers. But that’s not our Molly, she’s never met a stranger. She loves everybody especially those who would give her a scruff, which brings me to another point. Berners lean…on you….to get attention. If you don’t maintain a solid footing you can find yourself on the floor getting pawed, climbed on, licked and slobbered on, all with a big smile on your face.
Potential Health Issues
Up to this point the Berner sounds like a great breed, and you’re right. However, like everything, there’s a downside. The life expectancy of Berners is typically 7 to ten years. Bummer, I know. To start with, the gene pool is not huge with Berners. As such, they are prone to certain diseases like hip dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy (hind quarters paralysis), eye retinal atrophy and cataracts, bloat, Von Willebrand’s Disease (improper blood clotting), obesity, and the big one….cancer.
If you’re seriously considering adopting a Berner then do yourself a favor, consult with responsible breeders who screen their dams and sires for their medical history as a means to avoid contributing to the likelihood of their puppies developing these diseases.
Conclusion
If you’ve read our blog “The Story of Molly” you know that, prior to adopting a Bernese Mountain Dog, we were hesitant because of their reduced lifespan. If you’re anything like me, I don’t handle the loss of a pet well. Actually, I turn into a blithering slob for a bit… it’s ugly. Our hesitation subsided after speaking with a Berner owner at the time when she said, “…yes, Berners don’t typically live as long as other breeds, about eight years on average, but it will be the best eight years of your life.”. She was right.
We assume that you’re visiting this page because your dog is suspected to have or has recently been diagnosed with Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI). It’s likely that you’ve been going through a worrisome time as your furry companion has been displaying symptoms that made you think the worst. We understand how you feel.
Molly is our Bernese Mountain Dog. One day a few years ago, I noticed that she had lost a little bit of weight. At the time, I didn’t think much of it as she had become more active as we entered cooler temperatures of the Fall season (Berners hate the heat, LOVE the cold). Fast forward a couple of weeks… one night we were all in the family room watching TV when Molly started whining out of the blue, a behavior very out of the ordinary. I figured she just needed to go out and do her business (although normally she would just stand at the back door). Outside we went when I noticed she had a very loose and pale-colored stool. Once again, I didn’t think much of it as I thought she had an upset tummy after eating something she shouldn’t (also typical of Berners!). Shortly thereafter, she started to become very restless and would meander around the house without purpose. It was at that point we decided to take her to the vet to see what was going on.
How is EPI Diagnosed?
After a couple of misdiagnoses (another story!), and us at our wits’ end, the vet recommended we conduct a serum trypsin-like immunoreactivity (TLI) blood test. A TLI test checks for the presence of trypsin, an enzyme that helps digest protein in the bloodstream. Naturally we agreed and, sure enough, the test showed that Molly’s blood contained very low levels of trypsin. Molly had EPI.
What is EPI?
After hearing the diagnosis, we heard the full explanation of what EPI is, how dogs get it, and how to treat it. Basically, the pancreas has two purposes: The first is to produce insulin to remove sugars from the blood and transfer to cells. When this process is performed poorly, the dog may have diabetes. The second is to produce hormones to breakdown fat, protein, starch, and carbohydrates in cells. When the pancreas fails to accomplish this effectively, the dog will more than likely have EPI.
Symptoms of EPI
Although Molly experienced most, but not all, of the classic symptoms of EPI, it only takes a few to cause concern and lead to a diagnosis by your vet.
Gradual weight loss
Ravenous appetite
Eats own feces
Soft stool or diarrhea that is yellow or pale in color
Eats unusual things
Excessive gas
Whining
Restlessness
Meandering about
Flaky skin/rough coat
What Causes EPI in Dogs?
There’s no definitive method of determining exactly how or why any particular dog develops EPI. Basically, there are three reasons leading to the diagnosis: present at birth (congenial); hereditary (genetics); or the result of a pancreas injury, infection, or inflammation. For us, we suspect Molly got this disease from the time we lived in the Pittsburgh area. We had a very large backyard that was frequented by deer, a lot of deer…. looked like a petting zoo out there sometimes. Unbeknownst to us, Molly enjoyed snacking on deer droppings. It was a regular deer poop smorgasbord! This, we think, led to her ingesting giardia (to which she was diagnosed), a single-celled microscopic parasite that causes severe gastrointestinal distress. We’ll never know for sure, but we have our suspicions that the giardia disease caused damage to Molly’s pancreas.
How is EPI in Dog Treated?
Here’s the “oh thank goodness” moment. EPI in dogs can be treated with pancreatic enzyme supplements or fed a diet of pancreas meat of other animals. Not a big fan of the latter as pancreas meat is only available from butchers, is sometimes hard to find, expensive over time (especially with large dogs), and the prospect of handling raw organ meat may not be the most appealing to many people. So, we went the supplement route. The enzyme supplement must be prescribed by your vet and comes in two forms, pill and powder. We initially tried the pill option but didn’t have much success as the pill didn’t break-down fast enough in Molly’s system. The vet then recommended we try the powder option and we had immediate positive results. The deal with the powder is that it has to be sprinkled on the dog food, moistened with water, then must sit for at least 15 minutes prior to consumption. Small price to pay for a happy, healthy dog.
Dogs with EPI may experience an associated vitamin deficiency. In Molly’s case, she was deficient in vitamin B12 (cobalamin) but other dogs may experience low levels of folate and/or vitamin K as well.
To complement EPI treatments, there are times when vets will prescribe a diet that is highly digestible, low in fat and low in fiber. As each dog is different, I highly recommend speaking with your vet before making any dietary changes. The less you affect your dog’s already compromised digestive system, the better.
Molly was diagnosed with EPI about six years ago. At this writing she’s over 10 years old when Berners only typically live no more than eight. She is proof that, with the right plan and care from their owners, dogs with this disease can live full and happy lives.
Picture it, Pittsburgh, 2013. A cold winter’s day in January. Trees are bare, Christmas decorations have been taken down, light snow on the ground and the kids are back in school after the holiday break. I’m at work sitting in my office tapping on the keyboard oblivious to the phone call I’m about ready to receive. My iPhone rings and my wife, Kris, was displayed on the screen. Naturally I answer it only to be greeted with a somber-toned voice of melancholy. “What’s wrong” I say. “I’m lonely” she states followed by “I want a big fluffy dog to keep me company”. After taking a moment to unpack that statement I responded “Oookay, what’s going on?”. “It’s lonely in the house with the kids in school all day. I want a dog to keep me company and here’s what I’m thinking…” from there I hear a list of big, hairy, sloppy dog breeds that she has been Googling for the last few hours followed by a barrage of dog faces in my text messages. And I just don’t mean big, I mean giants! Mastiffs, Great Pyrenees, Newfies, Berners, Saint Bernards, etc.… I chuckled a bit and said, okay, let’s do some research and pick one. And so it began…
We moved to Pittsburgh less than a year earlier. Prior to the move, our black lab, Onyx, had to be put down due to illness. We all missed her terribly so the fact that Kris and I were talking about getting another dog made us both very happy and excited. We both individually began our research of the different giants breeds that would be the right fit for our family and living conditions. Kris kept migrating toward the Bernese Mountain Dog and would send me Berner puppy pictures constantly. As I researched the breed I learned that the BMD is the perfect dog for our family, big, loving, good with kids. The only thing that caused hesitation was that they don’t typically live long, seven to 10 years on average.
One day, my wife was at a school function and struck up a conversation with another mom. Somehow they got on the subject of dogs and the woman mentioned, ironically, that they had a Bernese Mountain Dog. My wife couldn’t believe it. Was this destiny? Kris’ face lit-up and asked to hear about their Dog and the woman obliged enthusiastically. She went on to say that the Berner is “…the best breed in the world, great family dog, very affectionate, smart”. Kris was happy to hear this but mentioned the longevity issue. The woman stated: “Yes, Berners don’t typically live as long as other breeds, about eight years, but it will be the best eight years of your life.”. That was it, sold! Enter the second phase…the search for BMD breeders.
The search didn’t last long. I was mentioning to a colleague at work that we were looking to adopt a Bernese Mountain Dog puppy. This person mentioned that another coworker has a Berner and that I should talk to him…which I did. Turns out that the coworker got his dog, Ranger (I can remember dog names but not people!), from a breeder in Ohio and followed with their contact info. We called and, luckily enough, they had a new litter that was going to be available soon. A couple of weeks later, we arrived at the facility and had our pick of the litter. We wanted a “lively” dog that had some energy and would be interest in the kids. All of the puppies were huddled together in a black, brown, and white mass…except one. This one was chasing my daughter around the patio area. She was a good size, had classic Berner markings, and had that energy. She was the one.
The three-hour drive back to Pittsburgh was a fun one. We had a new puppy in the car after all. Kris says, “What do we name her?”. Of course, the kids took the opportunity to perform a rapid-fire naming session covering everything from “ Annabelle” to “Zelda”. Someone, and I don’t remember who, blurted out “Molly, Oh Golly Miss Molly”. We all simultaneously yelled, “Yea!”. And there it was. Welcome to the family Molly!
