Deciding to purchase a purebred puppy to add to your family is an exciting prospect. Bernese Mountain Dog puppies, in particular, are heart-melting cute. However, making hasty decisions about breeders to speed up the process can have regretful consequences. The Bernese Mountain Dog is prone to health issues and has one of the shortest lifespans for dogs. Finding a reputable breeder can be critical to a long and healthy life for your new family members.
How to find a Bernese Mountain Dog breeder?
You can use several internet databases to find a reputable breeder of Bernese Mountain Dogs. The Bernese Mountain Club of America has a comprehensive list of breeders. This database allows you to put in your location to find breeders near you. Not every breeder will have a litter available or puppies that haven’t been spoken for, so it is important to reach out and let breeders know who you are and that you are looking. They may require you to fill out applications or interviews before they will put you on their waiting list.
The American Kennel Club also hosts a puppy marketplace. This database provides information on the breeder and how they may be affiliated with the KC. You can see if they have earned any KC distinctions like ‘breeder of merit’ and what KC affiliated organizations they may belong to. This can be useful in determining which breeders are reputable.
Why is it important to find a reputable breeder of Bernese Mountain Dog puppies?
Finding a reputable breeder of Bernese Mountain Dogs is important because the Bernese Mountain Dog suffers several genetic predispositions to cancer and mobility-related conditions. One study found almost 50% of Bernese Mountain Dog deaths are due to cancer. In addition, they are prone to hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and arthritis.
The Bernese Mountain Dog is beloved the world over, and responsible breeders are making choices not based on how much money they can make but on how they can help the breed become healthier. By choosing reputable breeders, you are contributing to the breed’s longevity.
How do you determine if a Bernese Mountain Dog Breeder is reputable?
A Bernese Mountain Dog breeder should be considered reputable if they are concerned about who you are as the future caregiver for their puppy if they have health and genetic testing available to review, and if they have the lineage and health history of the parents. Additionally, they will provide contracts or bills of sale that guarantee the puppy will be returned to the breeder if the new owner has to rehome the dog.
A good breeder for any type of dog will make sure those buying their puppies are ready for the task emotionally, cognitively, and economically. Good breeders of Bernese Mountain Dogs will want to make sure buyers understand the challenges of a puppy and the specific challenges of the breed. Bernese Mountain Dogs are large dogs with a propensity for illness, making them a long-term economic commitment. Feeding and caring for these dogs will not be cheap.
A reputable breeder of Bernese Mountain dog puppies will put them through a series of medical tests, including hip and elbow x-rays, eye exams, cardio tests, DNA, and blood tests. These tests should be readily available to potential buyers, and breeders should be able to explain the test results and why the tests were done. The Bernese Mountain Club of America has a list of health screenings to use as a reference.
Finally, a reputable breeder will provide a puppy’s pedigree and family health history. Breeders who are actively looking to improve the health of the breed are often registered with Berner-Garde, a database of Bernese Mountain Dog DNA and health histories. You can put the name of a breeder in the database and find the health certificates, titles, pedigrees, relatives, and litters for all of their dogs. This information is much more valuable than a Kennel Club registry. Registry with the KC does not give any indication of health or genetics.
How much do Bernese Mountain Dog puppies cost?
A Bernese Mountain Dog puppy can cost between $ 1500 and $3000. Cost is not necessarily a reflection of good breeding, so make sure to research potential breeders. Reputable breeders often incur many costs when trying to successfully and responsibly produce a litter. The Bernese Mountain Dog is prone to several genetic disorders, and the costs for testing and x-rays for a litter of puppies can get quite high. Breeders may profit very little or not at all from a litter of puppies.
Responsible breeders may be slightly more expensive, but the extra cost upfront can save you money and heartache later. Veterinarian costs can get into the tens of thousands of dollars for cancer or mobility issues. A Bernese Mountain Dog with healthy genetics can mean more money available to take your energetic pup on adventures rather than the vet.
Bringing a Bernese Mountain Dog puppy home.
Puppyhood with any dog is always an adventure, and the Bernese Mountain Dog is no different. The breed is easy to train, and with a few supplies and attention, your Bernese Mountain Dog should be an excellent addition to your home.
What supplies should you buy for your Bernese Mountain Dog puppy?
The best products for a Bernese Mountain Dog puppy include a harness that will fit, a brush for their double coat, and the right-sized feeding and bedding supplies. If you want to use crate training, a crate that will grow with your pup will be needed.
What kind of crate should you get for a Bernese Mountain Dog?
A Bernese Mountain Dog will grow quickly in its first year. They will gain up to 80lbs and grow a foot to a foot and a half taller. A crate purchased for your puppy should be roomy enough to accommodate this rapid growth.
A crate height of 30 inches with a length of 40 should be sufficient to serve your Bernese Mountain Dog’s needs during their first year. There is a range of price points for crates.
Crates with a more modern furniture-like design like this may be made with wooden slats and tough plexiglass. These will feel more open, while some dogs may prefer the cozy den feel of a more traditional crate like this.
What kind of food bowls should a Bernese Mountain Dog Use?
A stainless steel or ceramic food and water bowl that can hold 2-4 quarts is needed to feed your Bernese Mountain Dog. Stainless steel dog bowls are long-lasting, hygienic, and easy to clean. Amazon carries several options of reasonably priced stainless steel bowls. Ceramic bowls can be more aesthetically pleasing and are less likely to slide around if your dog likes to push their bowl. This Spunky Junky sizeable ceramic dog bowl is a reasonably priced option.
What should I use to groom my Bernese Mountain Dog?
The Bernese Mountain Dog has a thick double coat. This keeps them warm and cozy in the summer but easily overheated in the winter. A good dog brush is required to keep their coat looking healthy and free from mats. You may want to make sure you invest in an undercoat rake. This device will ensure dead hair from the undercoat gets ‘raked’ away, leaving your pup cooler and reducing the chances of uncomfortable mats. The MaxPower Planet Pet Grooming Brush can be purchased on Amazon and has many 5-star reviews.
What kind of harness and leash should I get for my Bernese Mountain Dog?
Walking your active Bernese Mountain Dog will require a harness and leash. There are many good products for this purpose. It is important to find a harness that is adjustable for your growing pup, can be used in the car and on the trail, is safe, and is going to last. The Rabitgoo No-Pull Harness fulfills most of these requirements. It is adjustable at the neck and chest and is easy to put on and take off.
A retractable and tangle-free leash can make taking your Bernese Mountain Dog for a walk a pleasure. However, retractable leashes can sometimes be less durable than woven rope, so look for something heavy-duty like the Mighty Paw Retractable Dog Leash for your large breed dog. This leash is heavy-duty and has a reflector strip for walking at night.
Once you have your supplies and your puppy is ready to come home, you will want to make sure you know how to train your Bernese Mountain Dog. Many resources are available online; the KC offers many helpful training articles. There are also many good books on training dogs, including several written only for the Bernese Mountain Dog.
A Bernese Mountain Dog can become a precious member of any family. The effort put in on the front end to find a reputable breeder will pay off long term. Once you know your Bernese Mountain Dog puppy will be coming home, there are plenty of products and resources to ensure it is a successful transition,
