
SO, YOU WANT A BERNESE MOUNTAIN DOG!
You’ve seen pictures of Bernese puppies (which are the cutest ever!), and may have met beautiful, calm adults. Although initially Berners may seem to be the ideal pets, they are not for everyone. There are some DISADVANTAGES! Listed below are the many areas that need careful thought and consideration before you bring one into your home. Speak with a reliable breeder before making a commitment. Get the facts before you buy!
SIZE: Berners are large dogs. They fall into the category of giant breeds. Fully-grown males range from 24-28 inches at the shoulder and weigh from 85-120 pounds; females stand 23-26 inches and weigh 65-100 pounds. They normally possess extremely active tails, making a clean sweep of any coffee table. A 6-month old puppy can weigh between 55-65 lbs, but it is still a baby mentally and can easily (but unintentionally) knock a small child down.
EXERCISE: While Berners are not a hyper breed they do require daily exercise to keep fit and adjust to the role of the calm house pet most people desire.
SHEDDING: Yes, they shed! They are a long-coated breed and shed a minimum of twice a year. This “blowing of coat” will result in more than the occasional dog hair in the butter, on the furniture, hair bunnies in the kitchen, and making the mother-in-law’s new white dress somewhat hairy. If you are fastidious in the home, DO NOT GET A BERNESE! A good thorough brushing every day during this molt is beneficial. THIS IS NOT AN IDEAL BREED FOR ALLERGY-PRONE INDIVIDUALS.
HEALTH & CARE: As in any large breed, hip and elbow dysplasia are a concern to all Berner owners. Purchasing a puppy whose parents have been certified to be free from dysplasia will better your chances of having a strong and capable pup. Cancer is also a serious concern in the breed. There are several eye conditions that are known to occur in Bernese, including cataracts and PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy). Other health problems that Bernese
owner may have to deal with include: allergies, bloat, thyroid, epilepsy, and heart conditions. Most breeds of dog have some of the above noted conditions, and some Berners will never have any of these problems, but we feel that it is best for you to know the worst. If you wish more information on any of these conditions, there is a list of links to websites on these and other medical issues on BMD Health Information Links and the Health Issues page on this website.
In addition to being members of the BMDCC, our breeders should also be members in good standing of the Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) and adhere to the CKC’s Code of Ethics.
BUYERS TAKE NOTE:
Breeders should be able to provide a pedigree for each of their breeding dogs and the puppies being produced. They should be able to provide proof of any health clearances that have been completed on their dogs either by providing paper copies upon request or directing the buyer to their records on Berner-Garde (BG) or the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA). At the very minimum, health clearance certificates for Hips, Elbows and Eyes should be available, as well as clearances for Heart and Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) (SOD1A & SOD1B). All puppies produced by our breeders must be registered with the CKC, and the buyer must be provided with their registration papers within six months of their puppy purchase.
Breeders should provide lifetime support and should always be willing to take a puppy back, regardless of the age or reason.
Our breeders do not engage in the breeding of mixed breed dogs nor will they sell to those that are or may wish to.
Our breeders are always happy to talk with you and to answer any questions that you might have.
Updated June 2022. Note: The “BG” numbers after the Breeders’ names can be used to search for their profile in the Berner-Garde Database.
Breeder Name | Kennel Name | Location | Contact | Breeding Bernese Since | Litter Plans |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
BRITISH COLUMBIA | |||||
Conzatti, Laura BG 18981 | Pawsonlake (Reg’d) | Lake Country, BC | 250-766-5500 | 2011 | No litters planned for 2022 |
Gowans, Trish BG 37674 | Seabern (Reg’d) | Victoria, BC | 2022 | ||
Knowles, Madeline & Geoff Huber BG 4231 | Swisskiss Perm (Reg’d) | Victoria, BC | 1996 | Enquiries welcome | |
Miller, Ingrid BG 50088 | Baybern (Reg’d) | Mill Bay, BC | 250-743-2428 | 2013 | 2022 |
Vaartstra, Anita BG 14777 | Bernergold (Reg’d) | Merritt, BC | 604-302-3136 | 2008 | Summer 2022 |
Van Klaveren, Bernadette BG 7685 | Double Dutch (Reg’d) | Nanaimo, BC | 1996 | Fall 2022 | |
YUKON | |||||
Joanisse, Leslie & Don Allen BG 31366 | Borealbreeze (Reg’d) | Whitehorse, YT | 2005 | Enquiries welcome | |
ALBERTA | |||||
Banziger, Doris BG 29643 | Blue Feather (Reg’d) | Donalda, AB | 403-883-2214 | 2016 | |
Corpataux, Ursula BG 22549 | Creo (Reg’d) | Erskine, AB | 403-742-3337 | 2011 | Spring & Fall 2022 |
Doig, Kim BG 9014 | Susa (Reg’d) | Didsbury, AB | 403-586-1596 | 2002 | Spring & Summer 2022 |
Greaves, Maureen BG 60170 | Delagrea (Reg’d) | PO Box 10183 Airdrie, AB T4A 0H5 | 403-226-4953 | 2008 | Enquiries welcome |
Johnson, Coreen & Steve BG 19021 | Tailspinbmd (Reg’d) | Leduc, AB | 780-986-4821 | 2014 | Spring 2022 |
Moran, Liz BG 20128 | Sennenridge (Reg’d) | Okotoks, AB | 403-938-3551 | 2012 | Spring & Summer 2022 |
Newlove, Denise BG 18583 | Nitroberner (Reg’d) | Bowden, AB | 403-227-5610 | 2011 | 2 Litters Spring 2022 |
Shelstad, Monica BG 60306 | Prairiegems | Taber, AB | 403-330-6551 | 2007 | Enquiries welcome |
MANITOBA | |||||
Kelly, Tammy BG 29037 | Kelbern | Brandon, MB | 204-727-7655 | 2012 | 3 Litters 2022 |
Larkin, Claire & Simons,John & Simons, Jen BG 20122 | Afterberner (Reg’d) | Winnipeg, MB | 204-668-3720 | 2010 | Summer 2022 |
Mulder, Lynne BG 5875 | Blakoke (Reg’d) | Winnipeg, MB | 204-224-1636 | 1998 | Enquiries welcome |
ONTARIO | |||||
Gowan, Alison & Barbara BG 9184 | Gowans (Reg’d) | Hagersville, ON | 1997 | Summer & Fall 2022 | |
McCallum, Nancy BG 34065 | Alpenbliss BMD (Reg’d) | Delhi, ON | 519-983-8315 | 2015 | Spring & Fall 2022 |
Muller, Vivienne BG 60053 | Falcon Lake (Reg’d) | Freelton, ON | 905-659-7043 | 1999 | Spring 2023 |
Nagel, Simone & Bart BG 16154 | Mount Magic (Reg’d) | Tiny, ON | 705-529-6242 | 2007 | 2 Spring & 1 Fall 2022 |
Robertson, Cindy BG 2448 | Chasseron (Reg’d) | Uxbridge, ON | 905-852-0389 | 1987 | Spring & Fall 2022 |
Rouillier, Leon & Lesley BG 9461 | Bernvonrust (Perm Reg’d) | Spring Brook, ON | 613-395-3574 | 1996 | Enquiries welcome |
Wagenblast, Angela BG 2142 | Wagenblast (Reg’d) | Caledonia, ON | 905-808-8854 | 1994 | Fall/Winter 2022 |
Ward, June BG 8459 | Kumnc (Perm Reg’d) | Tiny, ON | 705-245-2724 | 1995 | Fall 2023 |
Willis, Patricia Anne BG 11169 | Gelbachler (Reg’d) | Mattawa, ON | 705-744-3652 | 1992 | Enquiries welcome |
QUEBEC | |||||
Clavel, Josée BG 15927 | Michaudville (Reg’d) | St-Bernard-de- Michaudville, QC | 450-792-2477 | 1999 | Summer & Fall 2022 |
Lessard, Edith BG 32124 | Dudswelriver (Reg’d) | Bishopton, QC | 2015 | Fall 2022 | |
Matte-Paquet, Veronique BG 14217 | Belnois (Perm Reg’d) | Aston Jonction, QC | 2005 | Summer & Fall 2022 | |
Racine, Nicole BG 4982 | Imier (Reg’d) | Bécancour, QC | 819-294-2424 | 1999 | |
Rimmer, Helen & Guy BG 14783 | Baergli (Reg’d) | Pincourt, QC | 514-425-1044 | 2005 | Spring/Summer 2023 |
Schulze, Birgit BG 32397 | Summum (Reg’d) | Mont-Tremblant, QC | 819-681-7539 | 2001 | Summer 2022 |
NEW BRUNSWICK | |||||
Bennett, Wendy BG 2508 Fisher, Bonnie BG 32123 Bellusi, Lori BG 12549 Julian, Jenn BG 60287 | Backcountry (Perm Reg’d) | Nerepis, NB | 506-757-2555 | 1995 2009 2008 2019 | No litters planned |
Ibelshauser, Lisa BG 12880 | Stockli (Reg’d) | Willow Grove, NB | 519-373-2251 | 2007 | Enquiries welcome |
Pellerin, Jessica BG 22845 | Azhar (Reg’d) | Ste-Marie-de-Kent, NB | 506-955-9982 | 2011 | |
NOVA SCOTIA | |||||
Collins, Terry BG 44443 | GaBriett (Reg’d) | Mount Uniacke, NS | 902-221-6620 | 2019 | No litters planned 2022 |
LeBlanc, Kim BG 38440 | Kidanga (Reg’d) | Meteghan, NS | 902-645-2659 | 2016 | Fall 2022 |
Moeller, Claudia BG 21769 | Cape Bernese (Reg’d) | Whycocomagh/ Portage, NS | 902-756-2865 | 2013 | Enquiries Welcome |
Myra, Janice BG 28193 | Myra Mountain (Reg’d) | Mount Uniacke, NS | 902-866-1096 | 2012 |
BMDCC Breeder List, updated June 2022
BMDCC Member-Breeders: To be eligible to apply to be on the Breeder List, a breeder must have been a BMDCC member for one year, have all their Berners listed in the Berner-Garde database with all testing listed for their breeding dogs. If you have been a BMDCC member in good standing for at least one year and would like your name added to the Breeder Directory, please download and complete the Breeder Directory Application Form and return to: June Ward.
This depends on the individuals involved – the child, the dog, and perhaps most importantly, the parents. The Bernese is NOT a always the best choice of breed for a family with small children. Many Berner puppies go through a “mouthy” stage that can be unwittingly encouraged by young children. Many Berners’ bodies grow faster than their “brains” which can be a challenge to the inexperienced dog owner.
Most Bernese puppies will be able to adjust to the other members of their new families – human, canine, feline and other pets. The greater the size difference, the more supervision and training may be required. Also, much depends on the individuals involved. Some Berners are more nurturing, while others may have a stronger prey drive. The majority are somewhere in the middle and will respond to guidance in regard to their interactions with other family members.
Berners prefer to stay close to the family and do not tend to wander. However, any breed if left alone for extended periods will get bored and go looking for something to do. If the puppy cannot be watched, he should be safely secured in a fenced yard or dog run. Better yet, in the house with the family.
With the training essential for ownership of a large working breed, adult Berners are generally gentle, easy-going and tolerant. They do not do well when isolated from people or activity. This breed can be slow to mature, and young dogs can be very active compared to the trained, often mellow adult. While Berners should not be shy, this tendency does run in the breed. Due to temperament concerns it is very important to expose Bernese to a wide variety of people, places and other animals, especially in their first year of life. However, caution should be taken not to over-face a sensitive dog.
Bernese generally like to please their people, but you must earn their respect. Some dogs can be challenging and take more work. Bernese are also smart enough to manipulate their owners. Generally, most Bernese are sensitive, impressionable dogs. Some may be “soft”. Bad or scary experiences are hard to overcome and are best anticipated and avoided. Only positive training techniques should be used. These dogs have lots of heart and owners need to understand their dog’s unique, psychological make-up. Your breeder should be able to assist you with training advice and methods.
Prices of puppies will depend on a variety of factors—locality, availability, quality. The prices now average around $2500.00 – $2800.00 in Canada. Higher cost does not necessarily equate to higher quality. Be sure to that you fully understand the terms to which you are agreeing when purchasing a puppy, particularly if you are asked to provide a large deposit up front—you may find it is non-refundable.
Berners require a moderate amount of exercise to maintain good health and condition. Some individuals are natural athletes while others have couch-potato tendencies. To keep them fit they should go for at least two brisk walks daily.
Dog shows are a good place to start when you are determining what type of dog your family prefers. Once you have narrowed down the selection to a couple of breeds, contact breeders and owners in your area. You can get a listing of breeders in the Dogs Annual magazine or through the breed clubs. See as many dogs as you possibly can. Even if the breeders are not planning a litter… go and see their dogs anyway. The more information and experience that you can gather on the breed the better informed you will be when you do get a chance at purchasing a family companion.
Up to a year wait is not unusual. With the COVID pandemic, many breeders delayed their breeding plans, and now have a 1-2 year waiting list. It will depend mostly on the type of home you can provide and what interests you have in the breed. Expect to wait longer for show/breeding potential pups since they are fewer in numbers than pet quality. Likewise if you wish to purchase from a particular breeder. Most breeders will want to meet you if possible and then put you on a waiting list if you are both in agreement of you getting a puppy from that particular breeder.
It is considered quite common to ship a puppy from one part of the country to another part or even to another country… do not be afraid to contact breeders outside of your area. However there are a few drawbacks… you will not likely be able to see both parents of the litter of meet the breeder in person. You can request a list of references of previous puppy buyers and a video tape or pictures of the parents of the litter and possibly littermates as well. You should expect to pay for any shipping fees and the cost of a shipping crate. Although buying a puppy sight unseen can be a bit more risky, it is done successfully time after time. As long as you are dealing with a reputable breeder, you will likely be very happy. It is common courtesy to advise all the people with whom you have left your name that you have found your companion