Bernese Mountain Dogs

[crs7568]

We are very close to getting a Bernese Mountain Dog for our children and I have done research on the breed, but nothing beats first hand accounts of people who have actually owned one. Anyone out there ever owned a Bernese Mountain Dog and if so, would you recommend one?

 

[Loubon]

Here is Max who we have had for 6 years.

<img width = "400" SRC="http://www.patmedia.net/maddmaxx/yb/IMG_0106.JPG">

He is great. A great family dog and great with kids. Mine were 10 and 5 when we got him.

Check out this site for all of the pictures and information you could possibly ever want on the breed: Bernese Mountain Dogs

 

[amid chaos]

Fantastic dogs. i grew up with them and then had one when we were first married. My husband is ready for another one.
I would highly recommend this dog...superior family dogs.

 

[miste76]

I've heard that they are great family dogs but very very expensive. Good Luck with your new furbaby. With that said:
Please, Please do not buy from a pet store. There is a rescue group for the BMD that often gets puppies in also. If you do purchase the dog from a breeder, please make sure that you actually see the parents. The BMD has become a great money maker for breeders and they are being sold in some bad conditions (including health issues).
Sorry, I couldn't resist my rescuer instincts.

 

[liznboys]

I babysat for a family that had one, but they ended up having to put him down. He was the sweetest dog, but went nuts one day and bit the vet really bad, I can't remember the details, but they put him down because of that! So sad!

I remember one other thing about him, they had to have surgery on him to remove a sweat sock from his intestines! Yep, he ate an entire men's sweat sock!!

Otherwise, he was great with everyone, even the two young girls who would try to ride on his back, dress him up, etc. The family also had 3 cats and another dog, a golden retriever. He was great with all of them too!

 

[EsmeraldaX]

When I was a very small child, my grandmother had 2 White German Shepards and a Bernese Mountain Dog.

That Bernese Mountain dog was my best friend when I was a toddler. He died of natural causes when I was about 8 years old. But for the first 8 years of my life, going to Grandmas meant going to see "my dog". I used to actually sit on his back and he'd carry me around like he was a pony. I have pictures of me climbing all over him. He was very calm. He was great with all the kids. Best dog my grandmother ever had.

They are expensive, but I think they are worth it.

 

[Crankyshank]

My parents' best friends/neighbors have one. It's their first dog and they are totally enamored with him.
He's a year old and is the biggest love. He's just a mush. They traded in their Audi TT to get a Saab wagon just so they can take him to the Cape with him and he can ride comfortably.

They are big dogs and you really need to be able to control/handle them or they will wind up walking you! They are very good with kids, but not exactly the smartest dogs.

 

[DVCTiff]

Caryn - My DH's mother was just advised AGAINST getting one by her vet because the breed is so protective. I guess the problem happens when the dog will safeguard your family against outside members of your own family. My MIL has two new grandchildren, and I guess the vet thought this was not the right dog for her. I'm sure it depends on the individual personality of each dog, but I know our dog (a mix) is very protective of us and it is more of a curse than a blessing.

 

[daughter_of_amid_chaos]

Originally posted by amid chaos
Fantastic dogs. i grew up with them and then had one when we were first married. My husband is ready for another one.
I would highly recommend this dog...superior family dogs.

YES YES YES YES YES!!!! I absolutely loved Paddington Bear and cannot wait for my dad to get another one! Strongly recommend them

 

[RachelEllen]

We had two when I was growing up, and they were incredibley sweet, friendly dogs. They were quite protective, but it was just a lot of barking if strangers came to the house. (Before they knew them.)

The only downside is that they both died rather young. I think they're a shorter lived breed.

 

[zurgswife]

Wonderful dogs,,,,

 

[Lanshark]

Are they droolers?

 

[Loubon]

No. And they don't dig, scratch or chew either. Being long haired they do shed a bit.