Bernese Mountain Dogs
- Thread starter Dakotah
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I don't have much experience with them but there were a few of them at the doggy daycare I used to work at a few years back. They were very sweet and docile. Very cuddly, they would lay next to you, beside you, on you, and if you were standing up they would just go right under your legs and position themselves right there. I found them very sweet natured from my experience with them.
My trainer friend has had to work with many of them and would never get them; she says lots of the males are asshats. My groomer friend who rescues BMD; unfortunately agrees with her. The females don't seem to be quite so knobby; maybe hold out for a female; less impressive to look at; but easier to work with.
I've met 3. Beautiful, magestic dogs. Everything about them is amazing, the way their coat "rolls" when they walk, there gait...the huge smile.
My brother was seriously considering them if he didn't get a Beagle. They have a multitude of health problems and very short lifespan (the only reason I probably will never own one).
These 3 were gentle, sweet, and were awesome with little 5lb Jake. Two of these were owned by a trainer in FL and the other was one I ment while at an agility class.
My brother was seriously considering them if he didn't get a Beagle. They have a multitude of health problems and very short lifespan (the only reason I probably will never own one).
These 3 were gentle, sweet, and were awesome with little 5lb Jake. Two of these were owned by a trainer in FL and the other was one I ment while at an agility class.
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I've spent time with a lot of really crappy ones, and two very, very nice ones (from the same breeder).
My friend lost her (well, her husband's) Berner at eleven and a half - and he was the first dog from his litter to die. I was extremely impressed with his health; right up until the last couple months he was very sound and healthy. They got a puppy not long ago from the same breeder/lines.
As far as the males being jerks - I think it's sort of relative. Although it seems many people push them as being very "golden" in personality, the well-bred ones I've met are not, and I don't think they are supposed to be. Ted was a more intense dog than that. Very lazy and quiet most of the time, but with a definite edge of protectiveness, both towards the property and his people. Probably very mild compared to a lot of breeds, but I think more than what many people expect from a dog like a Bernese. He was also a very alpha male, but in a really nice way; he would fight sometimes with intact males (he was neutered), but otherwise his presence alone took care of issues. In a pack with 5 fairly dominant females, he was sort of the voice of reason
.
I've posted these before, but this is the new guy:
I really need to get some new pictures of him!
My friend lost her (well, her husband's) Berner at eleven and a half - and he was the first dog from his litter to die. I was extremely impressed with his health; right up until the last couple months he was very sound and healthy. They got a puppy not long ago from the same breeder/lines.
As far as the males being jerks - I think it's sort of relative. Although it seems many people push them as being very "golden" in personality, the well-bred ones I've met are not, and I don't think they are supposed to be. Ted was a more intense dog than that. Very lazy and quiet most of the time, but with a definite edge of protectiveness, both towards the property and his people. Probably very mild compared to a lot of breeds, but I think more than what many people expect from a dog like a Bernese. He was also a very alpha male, but in a really nice way; he would fight sometimes with intact males (he was neutered), but otherwise his presence alone took care of issues. In a pack with 5 fairly dominant females, he was sort of the voice of reason
.I've posted these before, but this is the new guy:
I really need to get some new pictures of him!
I see so many of them in class and like the Goldens in my area, they prove time and time again to be good natured, intelligent and stable dogs. Unfortunately for some reason they're very common here, cropping up in our local 'puppy pimp' pet stores...makes me fume!
I'd say out of the 30 or more that I have through classes and private training every year, maybe 2 will have had issues, mainly with timidity/shyness, which is so not typical to the breed. Other than that I kind of think of them as Goldens in a bigger tri-colored outfit.
Only drawback, and only if it's an issue to you, is the hair.....when they leave class, they leave an entire dog behind in fluffy clumps. Life span is a darn shame too. This is my Vets breed, they have 3 of them and two are over 6 years...they're already preparing themselves..
I'd say out of the 30 or more that I have through classes and private training every year, maybe 2 will have had issues, mainly with timidity/shyness, which is so not typical to the breed. Other than that I kind of think of them as Goldens in a bigger tri-colored outfit.
Only drawback, and only if it's an issue to you, is the hair.....when they leave class, they leave an entire dog behind in fluffy clumps. Life span is a darn shame too. This is my Vets breed, they have 3 of them and two are over 6 years...they're already preparing themselves..
Berners can *almost* top Aussies for "cutest puppies"...
I've met a handful and for the most part they were ok. A little densely goofy and a couple knew how to throw their weight around to try and get what they wanted but otherwise, nifty dogs. A little too hairy for me though.
I've met a handful and for the most part they were ok. A little densely goofy and a couple knew how to throw their weight around to try and get what they wanted but otherwise, nifty dogs. A little too hairy for me though.