Any Bernese Mountain Dog Owners here?

[Disneynutbsv]

If there are..post, I have a question for you
Thanks!!

 

[OzFan]

We were proud owners of a BEAUTIFUL Berner, unfortunately the breeder that sold him to us bred the lines to closely and he was diagnosed with hip dysplasia (sp) when he was only 6 months old. He was constantly in pain even though he was on meds, since he was young surgery was not an option. He couldn't even get up and walk, I had to help him up and help him with the bathroom. After talking to the Bernese Mountain Dog club here in Illinois, and many conversations with the vet, we decided with a heavy heart to end his suffering. He was only 9 months old. They are extremely loyal dogs. They truly love their owners. So, I may not be an expert but I may be able to help with questions.

 

[Disneynutbsv]

We were proud owners of a BEAUTIFUL Berner, unfortunately the breeder that sold him to us bred the lines to closely and he was diagnosed with hip dysplasia (sp) when he was only 6 months old. He was constantly in pain even though he was on meds, since he was young surgery was not an option. He couldn't even get up and walk, I had to help him up and help him with the bathroom. After talking to the Bernese Mountain Dog club here in Illinois, and many conversations with the vet, we decided with a heavy heart to end his suffering. He was only 9 months old. They are extremely loyal dogs. They truly love their owners. So, I may not be an expert but I may be able to help with questions.

I'm so sorry! I know how hard it is to let your furry friend go!
We got back from the vet yesterday and she (and many other people) have told me they believe my Koda is bernese mountain dog mix (not sure with what, lol). Anyhow, I was pretty much wondering about their temperment and how they are with kids? He's a big boy already (14 weeks old and 22 pounds, vet said very typical) and getting bigger! At what age did you get your pup? Thanks for any info you can give.

 

[Papa Deuce]

I'm so sorry! I know how hard it is to let your furry friend go!
We got back from the vet yesterday and she (and many other people) have told me they believe my Koda is bernese mountain dog mix (not sure with what, lol). Anyhow, I was pretty much wondering about their temperment and how they are with kids? He's a big boy already (14 weeks old and 22 pounds, vet said very typical) and getting bigger! At what age did you get your pup? Thanks for any info you can give.

Any dog can be good or bad with kids, BUT, here is the good news! BMD's are very well known for loving kids and their families. We wanted one so much. But after doing research we found that they have about 7 or 8 "good" years and then the rest tends to be not so good.

I really wish we could have gone that way, but with very young kids, we did not want them to experience the death of a dog at such a young age.

But Berner's are AWESOME dogs!

 

[OzFan]

The Berners are supposed to be the BEST dog you can have for children. They have a wonderful temperment. But they need to be socialized with everyone in your family. I am a true believer in that ANY dog can be vicious. Your dog is what you make it. That being said, our berner actually grieved for us when we went on vacation. He didn't eat, wouldn't play and when we got back he had lost about 9 lbs. They LOVE their families with everything they have got in them. Ours was like a big black rug. My girls would lay down with him and they would all watch TV togehter. He was 9 weeks when we got him. He was a birthday gift for our then 14 year old. She had wanted a Berner for 4 years, and when she made straight A's on her report card we gave in. We should have investigated the breeder more carefully ( that was entirely our fault). She bred brother and sister and we didn't find out until we got the papers. AKC contacted us and we were told our puppy could not be registered because of the violation of their breeding practices. Good Luck with your puppy! He will truly be a blessing to your family! Pure Bred or not!
PS: Prure Bred Berners only have a life span of 8- 9 years! Hopefully he does have some other kind of doggie in him!

 

[Disneynutbsv]

Any dog can be good or bad with kids, BUT, here is the good news! BMD's are very well known for loving kids and their families. We wanted one so much. But after doing research we found that they have about 7 or 8 "good" years and then the rest tends to be not so good.

I really wish we could have gone that way, but with very young kids, we did not want them to experience the death of a dog at such a young age.

But Berner's are AWESOME dogs!

Thanks, I did read that on the web about their life span. I wish I knew what he was mixed with?

 

[Disneynutbsv]

The Berners are supposed to be the BEST dog you can have for children. They have a wonderful temperment. But they need to be socialized with everyone in your family. I am a true believer in that ANY dog can be vicious. Your dog is what you make it. That being said, our berner actually grieved for us when we went on vacation. He didn't eat, wouldn't play and when we got back he had lost about 9 lbs. They LOVE their families with everything they have got in them. Ours was like a big black rug. My girls would lay down with him and they would all watch TV togehter. He was 9 weeks when we got him. He was a birthday gift for our then 14 year old. She had wanted a Berner for 4 years, and when she made straight A's on her report card we gave in. We should have investigated the breeder more carefully ( that was entirely our fault). She bred brother and sister and we didn't find out until we got the papers. AKC contacted us and we were told our puppy could not be registered because of the violation of their breeding practices. Good Luck with your puppy! He will truly be a blessing to your family! Pure Bred or not!
PS: Prure Bred Berners only have a life span of 8- 9 years! Hopefully he does have some other kind of doggie in him!

Well...he doesn't have the typical white face mask as others do, he has a bit of white on his chest and of course on his huge feet!! He's got the same coloring as my golden retreiver on his face. So, who knows, lol. Anyhow, he's getting to be mr. social butterfly I own a hair salon and I bring him down with me and he is loving all of the attention he's getting. Once he gets a bit bigger I'll be leaving him home with my golden and then they will play all day! In May, we are signed up for obedience training. He's such a lovable wonderful pup, I was just curious about the breed itself

And I forgot to add that when we go on vacation my mother (who is staying with us this summer) is taking care of all of my pets, so there will be someone that he knows with him all the time

 

[simba928]

My aunt had a Bernese Mountain Dog. His name was Mario after ex-hockey player Mario Lemieux (I hope the spelling is right, especially since his sister-in-law is one of my teachers.) He was the sweetest dog. He was always by my aunt's side. He was her baby. Then my aunt and uncle got a St. Bernard mix. They liked eachother, but Mario was always jealous whenever the new puppy got attention and he didn't. Then my aunt had a baby. He was ok with the baby, just a little jealous that he didn't get as much attention as before. The dogs were my aunt's kids. She would take them camping and hiking and for runs in the park. She used to teach school, so she would bring Mario into school occasionally. Shortly after my aunt had the baby, they moved closer to me. Within a few months, Mario was diagnosed with cancer. He had an open wound on his chest that wouldn't go away. He had to wear a t-shirt to keep from getting puss and blood all over the place. Before long, they decided to put him to sleep. They had him for like 12 years I think.

But he was always great with kids. When I was 5 or so, my aunt and uncle's friend had a boat. My aunt and uncle took me on it and they brought Mario along. There is a picture in my aunt's house of me sitting by the dock right next to Mario. I remember that he jumped in the river after my aunt did (they were practically inseperable). He couldn't swim and my uncle and his friend had to drag that big dog out of the river back into the boat. LOL.