Purchasing a Bernese Mountain Dog Puppy

Summary

There are three main considerations in purchasing a Bernese Mountain Dog; temperament, health, and show qualities. For those interested in a family pet, temperament and health are most important. For those interested in a show dog, in depth study of the breed is advisable. Purchasing a brood bitch or stud dog requires an even higher level of care and the consideration of additional factors. It takes patience and persistence to find the right puppy. Rushing to buy the first pup available is typically the biggest mistake novice buyers make.

My Ideal Breeder

Defining what makes a good breeder is not as easy as it seems. Equally good breeders have different styles. There are also valid differences of opinion as to what constitutes a good breeder. The following is a composite profile of my ideal breeder.

• Pedigree research. My ideal breeder extensively researches all mattings because this is the only way to find and avoid problems. Every line and every dog has problems. First the breeder has to discover them, second, avoid the serious ones, and third, not double up on the ones that can't be avoided. See the litter check list for a list of items to check.
• Testing. My ideal breeder does hip and elbow x-rays and submits them to the GDC or OFA. She does CERF examinations every year, a brucillosious test on both parents, and thyroid checks.
• Outcrossing. My ideal breeder does not inbreed or linebreed because I have no interest in a kennel's consistency of type and outcrossing carries fewer genetic risks.
• Experience. My ideal breeder has been active with Berners for at least 5 years before they start breedng because it takes a long time to climb the learning curve and become truly knowledgeable. Be warry of breeders who start breeding right after they first get a dog. Most breeders only stick around for a few years or a few litters before quitting.
• Priorities. My ideal breeder puts temperament first; health, soundness, and intelligence second; and show qualities third because these are my priorities.
• Followup. My ideal breeder requires me to take hip and elbow x-rays of my dog (both show and pet dogs) because this gives them feedback on what they are producing. They also want other important information about health, temperament and conformation. They will stay in touch for the life of my dog and will want to know when and why he died. Because of this, my breeder can tell me everything about all the puppies they have previously produced.
• Socialization My ideal breeder gives individual time to each puppy every day for proper simulation and healthy human contact.
• Kennel My ideal breeder has a clean, safe kennel which you are welcome to visit.
• Showing. My ideal breeder actively shows their dogs because going to shows is like going to school. Its where breeders learn much of what they need to know. They do not show to win ribbons - they show to learn. Also, if your pup's parents were shown you are more likely to find information on them.
• Motivation. My ideal breeder has a long term plan to improve the breed over many generations because the way it is today isn't good enough. They can give very specific goals for every mating and explain exactly why the particular sire and dam were chosen. They do not produce dogs to replace ones they lost or for their family and friends. They do not breed for a living.
• Club Membership. My ideal breeder supports rescue organizations, humane societies, and other animal welfare organizations. My breeder is also an active member of their local and national clubs because this is a good way to learn the breed. It also indicates a willingness to support the breed and other owners.
• Berner-Garde. My ideal breeder actively participates in the Berner-Garde database because this indicates a willingness to share information for the betterment of the breed overall.
• Openess.. My ideal breeder provides a pedigree and sample contract when contacted. They explain how they decide to place their litters. They share all the research and planning they did on this litter. They let you visit their kennel and spend as much time as you need to ask questions. They will provide references of their previous puppy buyers.
• Contracts. My ideal breeder has a clear contract explaining exactly what my obligations are including requirements to neuter pet quality dogs and to X-ray all dogs for hips and elbows.

Researching A Litter

To help organize your research, download and print the litter check form. A through breeder will have done all of the necessary research long ago so your task will not be as daunting as it first appears. In addition to the relatives found in the pedigree you should also inquire into the siblings and half siblings of your puppy if any exist from previous litters.

• Temperament

  The breed standard calls for Berners to be: "alert and good-natured, never sharp or shy. The Bernese Mountain Dog should stand steady, though may remain aloof to the attentions of strangers." This description is generally accurate. The most common temperament problem is excessive shyness. This can be general or specific to a particular type of person such as men with beards. Aggressiveness towards people is rare. Some Berners are aloof to the attentions of strangers, however many are just the opposite.

  When you observe a litter you will notice that the pups have varying personalities. Some are more outgoing than others. For a show dog this is a good trait. For an obedience dog, a more easy going temperament may be better. Some obedience trainers like a dog to be a little on the reserved side. A Berner who is truly shy is not appropriate, but can still make a nice pet when placed in the right home.

  There are two steps to finding a temperamentally sound puppy. First research the pedigree looking for unsound relatives. Second, do a puppy aptitude test (PAT) on the litter, or better yet, get the results of a test that has been properly done by someone experienced in this area. For a recent review of PATs with enhancements see the American Kennel Club Gazette article By Dr. Gail Clark, August 1995, p. 62. The original Gazette article on PATs, based on work by Jack and Wendy Volhard, appeared in March of 1979 by Melissa Bartlett. A web page temperament test summary of this earlier article is available. A score sheet for this test is available in Appendix A of The Beautiful Bernese Mountain Dog by Russ and Rogers.

• Genetic Health

  Bernese Mountain Dogs are prone to several ailments that have a genetic basis. Responsible breeders will thoroughly research a potential mating and be willing to share this information with you. Most of these illnesses are polygenic meaning that more than one gene is involved, and that the right combination of these genes is required for the disease to express itself. With polygenic inheritance (also called complexly inherited) a problem can skip a generation and lie hidden only to show up again in a later generation. For this and other reasons it is important to investigate all of the close relatives in a mating.

  Known genetic illnesses
  

  • hip dysplasia
  • elbow dysplasia
  • hystiocytosis
  • mast cell tumors
  • glomerulonephritis
  • hypomyelinogenesis (trembler)
  • ectropia and entropia

  Investigating your puppy's pedigree for hip and elbow dysplasia is fairly easy. All reputable breeders X-ray their breeding stock and submit the films to either The Institute for Genetic Disease Control in Animals, GDC, or the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA). These organizations will read the X-ray and rate the dog. Dogs that pass are issued a number and those that do not pass are not. It is a simple matter to ask your breeder for these numbers. You should look at both parents and all four grand parents at a minimum. The best evidence of a dog's genetic makeup is the puppies it has previously produced, therefore you should check the x-ray results of dogs from earlier litters if they are old enough to have been x-rayed.

  Checking for cancer and other problems is more difficult. The   GDC maintains a registry for histiocytosis and mast cell tumors, however it can only have records from owners who have taken the time and gone to the expense to have biopsies taken and submitted. There are no registries for other common Berner ailments. One approach used by some breeders to improve longevity is to look at the life spans in the pedigree and to identify the cause of death in as many ancestors as possible. You should ask you breeder for this information although it will be difficult to verify.

  A variety of heritable eye problems, including ectropia and entropia, can be detected by a veterinary ophthalmologist during an examination. The Canine Eye Registration Foundation (CERF) will register dogs who pass this exam and issue a number. Unlike hip and elbow numbers however, the CERF number is only good for one year since some eye problems can develop later in life. Ask your breeder for these numbers as well.

  Hypomyelinogenesis (trembler) is a recessive trait first seen in 1986 and since traced back as far as Duntiblae Nalle, a British dog. To date the disease has not been found outside the UK although carriers of the gene may exist anywhere. If two carriers are mated 1/4 of the puppies will get the disease and another 1/2 will be carriers themselves.

  Autoimmune disorders appear to be very common in Berners, although I have not seen any authoritative statement that they are hereditary. These disorders may manifest themselves in many ways only some of which are understood. Problems to look for in the pedigree are:

  • use of thyroid supplement
  • chronic allergies
  • aseptic meningitis

• Show Qualities

  Picking a show prospect is always a gamble, and even experienced breeders sometimes sell a puppy they later wish they had kept. If you are a novice, either let the breeder select your puppy for you or get someone with experience to help you. Even experts seek advice in picking out a pup. Dogs are judged according to a written standard , however, interpreting the standard is not easy. See the reference page for a list of books and videos that can help. A few general rules for picking a show prospect include:

  • select for good balance, and angulation at about six to eight weeks of age
  • wait for nine to 12 weeks of age to see fronts
  • look for nicely shaped dark eyes although the eyes will get a little darker with age
  • puppies will loose white in the face, tail, and paws as they age
  • the tail set will stay constant, but tail carriage will comes down a little
  • heads change a lot while growing up, look for a straight muzzle in profile and lots of stop
  • the ear set will stay constant but the ear length changes
  • the bite can change as the head matures and you can't count teeth
  • very outgoing puppies may be showier when adults

  Finally, you will never go too far off if you pick the one you fall in love with. No matter how your show career turns out, if you raise your pup right you will always have a faithful friend.

Finding Breeders

Most important, never buy a dog from a pet shop. There are few absolutes in the dog world but this is one of them. The brutal histories behind pet shop dogs and the disgusting ways they are bred are almost beyond belief. Instead, you should obtain your Berner or any dog from a breeder, rescue organization, or humane society.

There are several ways to find a breeder and you should try as many of them as you can. As you make your initial contacts, ask for additional names to call. With time and patience you can network your way all over the country and even the world. It is worth while to keep good notes of all your conversations and keep any written material you receive well organized. As you finalize your decision all of this information will be helpful.

Unfortunately, there is no sure method to find a superior breeder or dog. The national and local clubs can give you a start, but always remember that they cannot guarantee the services of their breeder members. Even a few good references is not enough to assure success. Finding a truly good dog takes hard work - there are no shortcuts.

• See the contacts page for a list of Bernese Mountain Dog club contacts.
• Publications that contain classified advertisements from breeders can help get you started, but remember that none of these have any serious screening process for the listings. The worst puppy mill's advertisment may be right next to one from a upright breeder.
  • The American Kennel Club Gazette
    Published monthly, available by subscription, and contains classified advertisements from breeders.
    
  • Dog World
    Published monthly, available on newsstands, and contains classified advertisements from breeders.
    
  • Dog Fancy
    Published monthly, available on newsstands, and contains classified advertisements from breeders.
    
• Many cities have training kennels where serious dog enthusiasts attend. These people will have personal contacts in the area that can lead you to a breeder, and they can also help you find dog shows and other dog events.
• Dog Shows are held all over the country and provide a good way to see lots of dogs and meet lots of owners. If you subscribe to the AKC Gazette you will receive their events magazine which contains a schedule of upcoming shows. The AKC also posts this schedule on its events web page. At all-breed shows each breed will have an assigned ring number and starting time which is determined about 10 days before the show. Call someone who is entered to get this information. In the Midwest and Rocky Mountain States you can find this information for dog shows superintended by Jack Onofrio on his web page.

Contracts

Most breeders use a contract to formally state the conditions of the sale. There are about as many types of contracts as there are breeders but a few general trends are found. First, there is usually a distinction between pet and show dogs. At about seven weeks of age a breeder will evaluate a litter and select one or two show prospects - the rest will be designated family pets. A good breeder demands high quality homes for all of their pups, but if possible will place the show prospects with people who like to show. Pets are normally sold with a requirement that the owners neuter the dog at an appropriate age. Pets are sometimes sold with a "limited" registration from the AKC that prevents any of their offspring from ever being registered which may cut down on casual backyard breeding. Limited registration may be changed by the breeder to full registration at a later date which allows for more complicated contracts in which a breeder and owner can wait and see how a pup grows up.

There is a wide class of contracts in which the breeder retains some of the breeding rights to the dogs they sell. These may involve co-ownership or not. There is potential for abuse in some of these arrangements as people who simply desire a family pet become breeders by proxy without knowing what they are doing. If you are not ready to be a fully responsible breeder in your own right, then be wary of becoming involved in someone else's breeding plan. When problems arise you don't want to hear yourself telling a puppy buyer that you're just the "co-breeder" and you don't really have any answers. Finally, be very certain that you understand exactly what you obligations are in this type of contract.

Show dogs (and sometimes pets as well) may come with a guarantee that they will pass their hip and elbow x-rays. If they fail, the breeder may replace the dog or refund part of the purchase price - usually back to a pet price. More and more breeders are now requiring that all of their dogs be x-rayed for hips and elbows when they are old enough. This includes pet and show dogs since they all provide valuable genetic information which will help improve the breed in the future. Most contracts contain a buy back clause that requires buyers to sell the dog to the breeder or give her the right of first refusal if the owner must get rid of the dog. This is consistent with the principle that a breeder is ultimately responsible for the life of every dog they breed.