Common
Questions
1.
Do they Shed?
Yes. Bernese are a heavily coated breed. They go through
periods of very heavy shedding about twice a year. In addition they shed lightly
always! This is not a breed for neat freaks. They will always leave hair when
they get up. I strongly recommend a good vacuum!
2.
What is the average lifespan?
The current average life expectancy of a
Bernese Mountain Dog is 7 years. The breed suffers from many health problems including,
but not limited to, Cancer, Bloat, Hip and Elbow displasia, Progressive retinal
atrophy, Von Willebrand's Disease, and auto immune diseases. No line of Bernese
is perfectly healthy. For more information on health problems please visit www.bmdca.org/info_sheets/health.pdf
.
3. Do
they drool?
Yes. Berners, ideally, are a dry mouthed breed of dog. This
refers to the fit of the dog's lips. The perfect berner would have a very "tight"
fit. In reality they range from very tight to very loose. Even in the case of
a tight lip, if you are eating something that smells good, you will probably have
some drool.
4.
How big do they get?
Size can vary, the BMDCA standard states that dogs
are 25 to 27-1/2 inches, bitches are 23 to 26 inches. There are dogs that come
in under and over the standard. If you are interested in a berner know that they
are a giant breed. These are big dogs that are going to want to sit on your feet,
lean on your legs and if at all possible, sleep in your bed! They will need space
in the car for vet visits and play trips.
5.
Are they good family pets?
Yes, berners make great family dogs. They are
loyal and fun loving. BERNERS ARE NOT BLACK GOLDEN RETRIEVERS!!!! Yes I have been
given that description! These are working dogs. They were originally bred to pull
carts, herd the livestock and guard the farm. No they are not going to protect
you like a rottie, but without proper socialization and training they could become
fear biters or nervous nellies. Some berners can be shy. It is important to get
puppies out and shower them with positive interactions with strangers, kids, other
dogs and strange noises. It is no fun to have a socially backward berner!
6.
Are they easy to train?
Yes, but they MUST be trained. Berners want to
please their owners, but you must show them what is pleasing. In my opinion there
is nothing cuter that an 8 wk old berner puppy, but in a matter of months that
20 pound ball of fur is going to be an 80-110 pound terror if you don't teach
it manners. I require puppy kindergarten and at least basic obedience for all
of my puppies and feel strongly the all dogs should have this experience. There
is no excuse for a 100 pound menace!
7.
Do they get along with other animals?
In general berners place nice with
other creatures. It is important to expose them to others when they are young
and to teach them what is acceptable. When these dogs hit adolescence they, like
most breeds, will push to see how far they can get. It is important to notice
unwanted behaviors and nip them in the bud.
8.
Are they good with kids?
Yes and No. Most berners like kids because they
are a great opportunity to snarf food from! Socialization is the key to harmony
with any child-dog relationship. Children must be taught how to handle a dog,
and vice versa. YOUNG KIDS SHOULD NEVER BE LEFT UNATTENDED WITH A DOG. Leaving
a young kid alone with a dog is a recipe for disaster. Kids and dogs mix well
with socialization and supervision!
These are just some common questions I get asked. For more information on the breed you can visit www.bmdca.org or email me, I am happy to answer any questions. One thing you will find with breeders is that they love to talk about their dogs and their breed!