Bernese Mountain Dog for sale

Bernese Shepherd for sale: breed

The Bernese Shepherd, affectionately called the Berner (and known as the Berner Sennenhund in the Swiss homeland), is instantly recognizable with its shiny, tricolored coat and white "Swiss cross" on its chest. Beneath that beautiful coat is a sturdy dog, fit for hard work.

The Berner was originally a vital part of farm life, serving to herd cattle, protect the family and pull wagons loaded with goods for sale in nearby villages. Although good workers, they almost disappeared in the early 20th century when other means of transportation became accessible to farmers. Fortunately, a handful of fans sought to preserve the breed.

Besides being strikingly handsome, the Berner has a wonderful temperament. These dogs are known for being loyal, affectionate, eager to please and intelligent. They are easy to train if you give them time to analyze what you want them to do.

The Bernese Shepherd is calm but sociable, and sometimes even a little crazy when playing with the family. They do well with children of all ages and adults, but are not a good choice for people who live in apartments or don't have a large, enclosed yard to play in. Berners should live with their family. They are happiest when they can participate in all family activities.

Because it was bred as a working dog, the Berner loves to learn and can be easily trained. Since they are very large, typically about 100 pounds, when they are mature, early obedience and socialization training is recommended. Prospective owners should be aware that Berners are slow to mature, both physically and mentally; they may remain puppies for some time. In addition, the Bernese Shepherd is known to have a "soft" personality; their feelings are easily hurt and they don't respond well to harsh correction.

Despite, or perhaps because of, their beauty and excellent temperament, Bernese Shepherds are often short-lived.

Bernese Shepherd for sale: brief history

One ancient breed, the Molosser, stands out as the most versatile, well-traveled and influential in the development of a variety of Mastiff-type dogs, including the Bernese Shepherd.

The four Swiss Sennenhund breeds (Appenzeller Sennenhund, Entlebucher Sennenhund, Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and Berner Sennenhund) are thought to have developed as crosses between the Swiss Alpine farm dogs and the Molosser or Mastiff-type dogs that the Romans brought with them when they invaded the Alps in the first century.

The Berners may have been working on Swiss farms for more than 2,000 years, quietly tucked away on small holdings in the Alps, where they pulled carts, accompanied their animals, stood guard and provided loyal companionship to their owners.

It is known that until 1888, only 36% of the Swiss population worked in agriculture and needed a powerful dog that could look after cattle and pull a cart full of goods. But in 1899, the Swiss became interested in preserving their native breeds and founded a dog club called Bern. Members included breeders of a variety of purebred dogs.

In 1902, the Swiss Dog Club sponsored a show at Ostermundigen which drew attention to Swiss mountain breeds. Two years later, breeds took a big step forward with several events: at an international dog show held in Bern, the Swiss dog club sponsored a class for Swiss "shepherd dogs", which included the Bernese Shepherd. This was also the first year these dogs were referred to as "Bernese". And in the same year, the Swiss Kennel Club recognized the Bernese Shepherd as a breed.

During World War I, showing and breeding dogs took a back seat. But after the war, the first Bernese Shepherds were exported, first to the Netherlands and then to the United States - although the breed was not yet recognized by the American Kennel Club.

In 1936, two British breeders began importing Bernese Shearlings, and the first Berner was born in England. Also in 1936, the Glen Shadow kennel in Louisiana imported a female and a male Berner from Switzerland. By early 1937, the AKC sent Glen Shadow a letter stating that the Bernese Shepherd was accepted as a new breed into the working class.

World War II again interrupted the breed's progress outside its native land, but after 1945, imports and registration resumed in the United States.

In 1968, the Bernese Mountain Dog Club of America was founded, with 62 members and 43 registered Bernese Mountain Dogs. Three years later, there were over 100 members in the club. Meanwhile, the breed, which had become extinct in England during World War II, was reintroduced to Britain.

The Bernese Mountain Dog Club of America became a member club of the AKC in 1981. In 1990, the AKC adopted the current Bernese Shepherd standard.

Bernese Shepherd for sale: size

Males, on average, are between 63 and 71 centimeters tall and weigh between 36 and 52 kilograms. Females are between 58 and 66 centimeters tall and weigh between 31 and 43 kilograms. Individuals of the breed may be smaller or larger.

Bernese Shepherd for sale: personality

The Berner is an affectionate, intelligent and alert dog. It is also gentle, calm and tolerant. It loves to be with the family and thrives when included in family activities. Their large size is one of its most notable characteristics and, of course, early training is essential to teach them how to behave properly in the home and with people.

The Berner is protective of the family, though not usually aggressive. He shies away from strangers and is generally a bit timid, so exposing the Berner puppy to a wide variety of people, animals and situations is important.

Temperament is affected by a number of factors, including heredity, training, and socialization. Puppies with nice temperaments are curious and playful, willing to approach people and be held by them.

Just like any dog, the Bernese Shepherd needs early socialization: exposure to lots of people, sights, sounds and experiences when young.

Regularly inviting visitors and taking him to busy parks, dog-friendly shops and on leisurely walks to meet other people will also help him polish his social skills.

Bernese Shepherd for sale: health

Bernese Shepherds are generally healthy, but like all breeds, they are prone to certain health conditions. Not all dogs of this breed will have any of these diseases, but it is important to be aware of them if you are considering this breed.

If you buy a puppy, find a good breeder who will show you the health papers of the puppy's parents. Health certificates show that a dog has been tested and recovered from a particular ailment.

• Cancer: Various forms of cancer affect large numbers of Bernese Shepherds and can cause early death. Symptoms include abnormal swelling of a part of the body, lesions that do not heal, bleeding from any body opening, and difficulty breathing or eliminating. Treatments for cancer include chemotherapy, surgery and drugs.
• Hip dysplasia is an inherited condition in which the thigh does not fit snugly into the hip joint. Some dogs show pain and lameness on one or both hind legs, but you may not notice any signs of discomfort in a dog with hip dysplasia. As the dog ages, arthritis may develop. Hip dysplasia is hereditary, but can be aggravated by environmental factors such as rapid growth due to a high-calorie diet or injury.
• Elbow dysplasia: this is a hereditary condition common to large-breed dogs. It is thought to be caused by different growth rates of the three bones that make up the dog's elbow, causing joint laxity. This can cause great pain. Your veterinarian may recommend surgery to correct the problem or medication to control the pain.
• Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA): This is a family of eye diseases involving gradual damage to the retina. At the onset of the disease, affected dogs become night-blind; they lose their daytime vision as the disease progresses. Many affected dogs adapt well to their limited or lost vision as long as their surroundings remain the same.
• Por portosystemic shunt (PSS): This is a congenital abnormality in which the blood vessels allow blood to bypass the liver. As a result, the blood is not cleared from the liver as it should. Symptoms, which usually occur before the age of two, may include but are not limited to neurobehavioral abnormalities, lack of appetite, hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), intermittent gastrointestinal problems, urinary tract problems, drug intolerance, and stunted growth. Surgery is usually the best option.
• Von Willebrand's disease: found in both dogs and humans, this is a blood disorder that affects the clotting process. An affected dog will have symptoms such as hemorrhaging, bleeding gums, prolonged bleeding from surgery, prolonged bleeding during heat cycles and occasionally blood in the stool. This disorder is usually diagnosed between the ages of three and five and cannot be cured. However, treatments including cauterization or suturing of lesions, transfusions before surgery and avoidance of specific medications can be used.
• Panosteitis: At about five to 12 months of age, the dog may start limping first on one leg, then the other - then the limping will stop. There are usually no long-term effects. Rest and restricted activity may be needed for a while if the dog is in pain. The best thing you can do for your Berner is to feed him a high-quality food that doesn't have too much calcium or too high a percentage of protein, which some think could cause panosteitis. Ask your vet for their recommendations.
• Gastric dilatation: This is a life-threatening condition that can affect a Bernese Shepherd, especially if he is fed a large meal a day, eats quickly, drinks large amounts of water and then exercises vigorously after eating. Some believe that many meals a day and the type of food could also be factors for dilation. This problem occurs more commonly in older dogs, but can occur at any age. Gastric dilatation occurs when the stomach is expanded with gas or air and then twisted. The dog can't burp or vomit to get rid of the excess air in the stomach, and the normal return of blood to the heart is impeded. Blood pressure drops and the dog goes into shock. Without immediate medical attention, the dog may die. Gastric dilatation may be suspected when your dog has a distended abdomen, drools excessively and burps without vomiting. He may also be restless, depressed, lethargic and sluggish with a rapid heart rate. It's important that your pet gets to the vet as soon as possible. There are some indications that gastric dilatation is inherited, so neutering dogs that develop this condition is recommended.

Bernese Shepherd for sale: care

Bernese Shepherds are not suited to apartment living. The best choice is a home with a large, enclosed yard. Because the Bernese is a working dog, it has lots of energy. In addition to yard play, he needs a minimum of 30 minutes of vigorous exercise every day; three times that amount keeps this sturdy dog in top condition.

With its thick, beautiful coat, the Bernese is a natural fit for cold climates. He loves to play in the snow. He doesn't allow strenuous exercise when it's extremely warm; limit exercise to early morning or evening when it's cooler.

You'll need to take special care if you're raising a Berner puppy. Like many large-breed dogs, Berners grow rapidly between four and seven months of age, making them susceptible to bone disorders and injuries. They do well on a high-quality, low-calorie diet that keeps them from growing too fast.

In addition, don't let your puppy run and play on hard surfaces (such as the sidewalk), jump excessively, or pull heavy loads until he is at least two years old and his joints are fully formed. Normal play on grass is fine.

Bernese Shepherd for sale: feeding

A diet for the Bernese Shepherd should be formulated for a large breed with high energy and exercise requirements. Please consult your veterinarian or professional nutritionist for feeding advice. His dietary needs will change as he grows. Stay up-to-date with these nutritional requirements.

Note: How much your dog eats depends on its size, age, build, metabolism and activity level. Dogs are individuals, just like humans, and not all dogs need the same amount of food. It almost goes without saying that a highly active dog will need more food than a less active one. The quality of the dog food you buy also makes a difference - the better the dog food, the more nutrients and satiety it will provide, without you having to constantly check the bowl.

Bernese Shepherd for sale: coat color and brushing

The Bernese Shepherd's coat is superb: a thick double coat. Most of the body of the Bernese is covered with black, rust and brilliant white hair. There is usually a white marking on the chest, which looks like an inverted cross, a white swirl between the eyes and on the tip of the tail.

Beauty comes at a price, however, and in this case, the Berner is very furry. It sheds moderately all year round, and heavily in spring and fall. Brushing several times a week helps reduce the amount of hair around the house and keeps the coat clean and tangle-free. Brushing periodically, every three months, will maintain the groomed look.

Brush your dog's teeth at least two or three times a week to remove tartar buildup and the bacteria that lurks inside. Daily brushing is even better if you want to prevent gum disease and bad breath. Remove your nails once or twice a month. Start getting him used to being brushed and examined when he's a puppy. Frequently handle his paws and check his mouth. With a positive experience full of praise and rewards, you'll lay the groundwork for easy vet exams and other maneuvers when he's an adult.

Bernese Shepherd for sale: relationship with children and other animals

The Bernese Shepherd is an excellent pet and is usually gentle and affectionate with children who are kind and considerate to animals. Being so large, they can accidentally injure small children.

As with every breed, however, you need to teach children how to approach and touch dogs and always supervise any interaction between them to prevent any biting. Teach your child never to approach the dog while eating or sleeping or to try to take the dog's food. No dog, however friendly, should be left unattended with a child.

Berners get along well with other pets, although there is more of a size difference, so there needs to be more supervision and training needed to keep everyone safe.