Bernese Mountain Dog Puppies
WE HOPE TO HAVE A LITTER OF BERNERS AVAILABLE
FALL OF 2010
Play Time!
WE URGE ALL APPLICANTS TO RESEARCH THE BREED THEY DESIRE TO SHARE THEIR LIFE WITH
ORIGIN
The Bernese Mountain Dog (also called Berner Sennenhund or Bouvier Bernois) is a versatile breed of farm dog originating in the canton of Berne in Switzerland. Few dog breeds can match the stunning appearance of the Bernese Mountain Dog with his satiny black long coat accented by patches and snippets of white and rust, and few can equal his quiet work ethic and easy-going temperament. Neither a scrapper nor a workaholic, the Bernese pursues his dual career as family companion and helpmate with skill, friendly assurance, and devotion.
One of a quartet of Swiss breeds known as mountain dogs, the Bernese developed as a cattle drover and cart dog in Alpine villages. He was a farm dog extraordinaire, herding cattle, hauling milk and other products to market, and watching over the family. But though his ancestors entered Switzerland with the Romans and he served his masters well, the Bernese Mountain Dog nearly died out as a breed early in the 20th Century. But for the dedication of a handful of fanciers, we would not know the breed today.
Like the Newfoundland, Great Pyrenees, and St. Bernard, the Berner's roots go back to the Molosser dogs of the Romans, large mastiff-type dogs that drove and guarded the cattle herds of the invading armies and protected outposts. Also known as the Berner Sennenhund in Switzerland, he takes his name from Berne, the canton of his development; senner, the stockman he worked for, and hund, the German word for dog. Each summer, the senner and his hund drove the cattle to the Alpine meadows to graze and watched over the animals until time to return to the valley for fall and winter.
STANDARD
Measured at the withers, dogs are 25 to 27½ inches; bitches are 23 to 26 inches.
Dogs 85-110, bitches 80-105. Though appearing square, Bernese Mountain Dogs are
slightly longer in body than they are tall. Sturdy bone is of great importance.
The body is full. Head
- Expression
is intelligent, animated and gentle. The
eyes are
dark brown and slightly oval in shape with close-fitting eyelids. The
ears
are medium sized, set high, triangular in shape. gently rounded at the tip, and
hang close to the head when in repose. When the Bernese Mountain Dog is alert,
the ears are brought forward and raised at the base; the top of the ear is level
with the top of the skull. The
skull is flat on top and broad,
with a slight furrow and a well-defined, but not exaggerated stop. The
muzzle
is strong and straight. The nose
is always black. The lips
are clean and, as the Bernese Mountain Dog is a dry-mouthed breed, the flews are
only slightly developed.
TEMPERMENT
The temperament is self-confident, alert and good-natured, never sharp or shy. The Bernese Mountain Dog should stand steady, though may remain aloof to the attentions of strangers.Bernese are outdoor dogs at heart, though well-behaved in the house; they need activity and exercise, but do not have a great deal of endurance. They can move with amazing bursts of speed for their size when motivated. I They enjoy hiking and generally stick close to their people.
The Bernese temperament is a strong point of the breed. They are affectionate, loyal, faithful, stable and intelligent. The majority of Bernese are very friendly to people, and other dogs. They often get along well with other pets such as cats, horses, etc. They are very trainable provided the owner is patient and consistent in training; Bernese need time to think things through. They do not respond well to harsh treatment, however Berners are very willing and eager to please their master. Bernese love to be encouraged with praise and treats. The breed is very sweet and good with children, despite their great size. Overall, they are very stable in temperament, patient, and loving.
Bernese Mountain Dogs are quirky, loving dogs, craving love and affection. They love to lean against people, sit on their feet, or lie down under their legs while people sit.
The Bernese calm temperament makes them a natural for pulling small carts or wagons, a task they originally performed in Switzerland. With proper training they enjoy giving children rides in a cart or participating in a parade.
Bernese Mountain Dogs are slow to mature, and can display puppy-like tendencies up to 2 1/2yrs of age.
Health surveys of Bernese Mountain Dogs in Denmark, the UK, and USA/Canada all show that this breed is very short-lived compared to breeds of similar size and purebred dogs in general. Berners have a median longevity of 7 years in USA/Canada and Denmark surveys and 8 years in UK surveys. By comparison, most other breeds of similar size have median longevities of 10 to 11 years. The longest lived of 394 deceased Berners in a 2004 UK survey died at 15.2 years.
Cancer is the leading cause of death for dogs in general, but Berners have a much higher rate of fatal cancer than other breeds. In both USA/Canada and UK surveys, nearly half of Berners died of cancer,compared to about 27% of all dogs.
Berners also have an unusually high mortality due to musculoskeletal causes. Arthritis, hip dysplasia, and ligament rupture.
GROOMING
Black with white chest and tan (or rust) colored markings above eyes, sides of
mouth front of legs and a small amount around white chest. The
coat
is thick, moderately long and slightly wavy or straight. It has a bright natural
sheen. Extremely curly or extremely dull-looking coats are undesirable. The
Bernese Mountain Dog is shown in natural coat and undue trimming is to be
discouraged. The Bernese coat is slightly rough in outline, but not at all harsh
in texture. The undercoat is fairly dense; the coat is quite dirt and weather
resistant. A good brushing every week or two is sufficient to keep it in fine
shape, except when the undercoat is being shed; then daily combing or brushing
is in order for the duration of the moult.
Bernese Mountain Dogs shed year-round, and drifts of fur are to be expected, yet
the Bernese Mountain Dog tends to be one of the better hypo-allergenic dogs with
a longer coat.
More About The Mommy: Elsa "Imapup's Done Up'd the Ante"
Elsa might be one of the most photogenic dogs we've ever had the pleasure of loving. She is a classic Berner and comes from
lines that we have adored for years. Elsa had a serendipitous entry into our program and we have been so grateful to see her darling face every day!
More About The Daddy: Logan "Imapup's Legendary Shenanigans"
With the bar set high by our Golden Retriever Sires Logan exceeds our expectations for what a quality Berner must represent. Logan is a well behaved, confident Sire with loads of charm. His movement is breathtaking. He has a delightful, boyish temperament.
The Mikula Family
920-208-8511 or 414-573-0772
KinshipCompanions@gmail.com
