Bermese mountain dog

The Bernese is one of the worlds most beautiful dogs imo.

A lady who bred them lived near me and I got to know her dogs well and the only drawback that I could see was they were short lived. All hers were lucky to reach 8yrs but maybe that was her strain and they have improved longetivity since them. They are big dogs.
 
As they are a large, weightbearing breed, if your friend is buying a pup, I would urge your friend to only buy a pup from parents with low hip scores, 0:0 being the lowest and 53:53 being the highest, I personally don't like to see people breeding from anything over a total of about 15.
If they are reputable breeders, they won't mind showing her certificates from the BVA with the score on.

I know she probably only wants a pet, but it's important to reward responsible breeders and any dog can get HD, pet, showdog, otherwise, x-raying isn't a failsafe, but it certainly helps narrow things down.

Also check for any other hereditary complaints.
 
Dobiegirl said:
The Bernese is one of the worlds most beautiful dogs imo.

A lady who bred them lived near me and I got to know her dogs well and the only drawback that I could see was they were short lived. All hers were lucky to reach 8yrs but maybe that was her strain and they have improved longetivity since them. They are big dogs.
Click to expand...

aw thanks
ive had read that they do get some sort of cancer and good family dogs
my friend was looking at the bermese cross lab which hopefully ive talked her out of having as another fashionable breed with a price tag!!
 
CaveCanem said:
As they are a large, weightbearing breed, if your friend is buying a pup, I would urge your friend to only buy a pup from parents with low hip scores, 0:0 being the lowest and 53:53 being the highest, I personally don't like to see people breeding from anything over a total of about 15.
If they are reputable breeders, they won't mind showing her certificates from the BVA with the score on.

I know she probably only wants a pet, but it's important to reward responsible breeders and any dog can get HD, pet, showdog, otherwise, x-raying isn't a failsafe, but it certainly helps narrow things down.

Also check for any other hereditary complaints.
Click to expand...
thanks
i'l pass this onto her..i think shes been reading up about them and it will be a family pet..its a shame they didnt go to crufts this yaer and talked to some breeders there esp in discover dogs and maybe they would find another suitable breed as i think it maybe to big for them..yes they have a big enough house/garden and shes there in the house mainly in the day
ive been looking ..they are quite pricey arent they !!..i could buy two/three kc whippys for that money lol
 
I gather the life span is still very short in this breed :(and that would make me very wary. It's heart breaking enough when they get to a good age and go, but 8 is nothing. Brig is 8 soon and hopefully will be with us for years yet.
 
We have a bermese x lab (rescue) who comes for sleep overs, very good with baby and very quick learner but I do insist on house rules for a dog that size!
Thing we noted was that he could reach everything on the sideboard, dining room table, kitchen worksurface and everything except the top of our six foot bookshelf. Literally TV on wall is within reach, the lot!
Brave choice unless you live up a beanstalk.
 
yes my friend who infact my neighbour has only gone and got one of these dogs..tonite on its way home
a 7 week old from a breeder..not sure where£600

they havent had dogs before..as im aware
and its a male,i have two entire females..great


lets hope it all works out :(
 
Yikes, impulsive!

I was reading about how traumatic big dogs can be for 'counter surfing' and how hard it is to stop them os they can reach anything.
 
That's probably cos you do this really odd thing with yours called 'training', much like me. This other forum has people whose dogs actually walk over the cooker-bizarre! One person says she's taken the knobs off her cookery so the dog doesn't burn down the house!
 
:p

I honestly have to say none of mine have shown any inclination to get on higher surfaces. Probably because their hips are buggered :p

I do remember watching 'It's Me Or The Dog' and there was a dalmatian up on the worktops and I was squealing at the TV, 'Don't LET her DO that!!!!' :p
 
Only danger with big dogs is their tails of mass destruction ! ! You can easily train dog to ask to go on sofa. Dylan sits and puts a paw up.

As for counter surfing I'm dreading him getting bigger! He doesn't take stuff on coffee table, but has a thing for yoghurt pots but that is my fault entirely.
 
The worst thing my golden retriever ever did was empty ash tray with his tail and pinch empty sweet wrappers.As a pup he presented guests with socks and bras.Like you said its all in the training.:)
 
I had a gorgeous Bernese X Cavalier King Charles (accidental cross) and he was fabulous. Very very trainable and easy to do anything with. They are a fab breed but do have several genetic complaints which give them a very short life. Kidney issues can be a problem but would not be as prevalent as HD etc.
 
UUUrrrggghhh...it`s BERNESE as in BERNE in Switzerland;nothing whatever to do with Berma...or BURMA, Rangoon or anywhere else :D. Eight is the usual max age, so some die even younger,and Yes bone cancer is a big issue.
 
We bought our BMD from an Accredited Breeder, Have a look on the Kennel Club website and use the "search for a breeder/puppy" function. We bought ours from Jayne Davies in Glos, although I don't think she is going to have another litter but she is very nice and obviously knowledgable and would no doubt recommend somebody.

Another highly recommended breeder is Shandy Bridges in Penzance. Infact one of her dogs is our puppies sire and her dogs have a proven show record, many champions. She has her own website - Kernowanimals and she also has Quarter horses.

You can use the Kennel Club website to check Hip and Elbow scores, you just need the dogs kennel name and put it in the search box for health tests.

If you want any info just let me know. :)

Here is a pic of our 6 month old

murphyyyy.jpg
 
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aww gina your dog is so handsome

yes ive seen my neighbours bernese little puppy and its so cute and lovely called 'DOUG'
Its not KC as apparently the markings werent right for showing so the breeder didnt regisiter them hence being a little cheaper..

neighbour said that the litter had hip score but slightly high
showed be the printed out pedigree(northernmeadow mean anything to you lot,thats what i can remeber atm)

she got an appointment with vet next week for jabs
 
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