Bernese Moutain Dog

[paris29]

FH and I want to get a bernese mountain dog soon. We have both had dogs our entire lives, usually smaller though min 5 pounds max 35 pounds. I'm a little nervous as we plan to have children in the near future 2-3 years and I have heard horror stories. I know berners are amazing family dogs and we are getting a trainer but I still worry about future problems. Any advice?

 

[PinkTower]

One bit a child here. It jumped the invisible fence during a storm because it was scared of storms. The child lived next door and was outside. Not sure what kind of advice to give except that invisible fencing will not confine them.

 

[Yimmers]

We had a couple in our dog training class. Gorgeous dogs, but wow, they shed like a mofo! You'd see tumbleweeds of dog fur rolling around outside. One also had their dog's stomach surgically attached to prevent it from twisting, which is a potential problem in larger dogs.

 

[iheartscience]

I think they're gorgeous and know nothing about them, but are you really going to want to deal with a huge dog when you have kids in 2 or 3 years? Most people I know who have a dog and then kids are never able to maintain the amount of attention the dog needs, let alone a giant dog. I'd think long and hard before you get a dog you're already afraid of having when you have kids.

 

[tyty333]

I sort of agree with t2o2. I say have the kids first then when the kids are a little older get a dog that the kids can play with.

 

[movie zombie]

I sort of agree with t2o2. I say have the kids first then when the kids are a little older get a dog that the kids can play with.

and i agree with the both of them......or get the smaller dog now.

MoZo

 

[Brown.Eyed.Girl]

I sort of agree with t2o2. I say have the kids first then when the kids are a little older get a dog that the kids can play with.

and i agree with the both of them......or get the smaller dog now.

MoZo

Agreed with all of them.

Bernese mountain dogs ARE gorgeous, but they may be a better bet later when the kids are older and can romp around with it.

What about a more mid-sized dog?

 

[redfaerythinker]

A friend of mine just got one of these dogs about a year ago and he's so sweet however they only have a lifespan of about seven years because they are extremely prone to cancer. Also she has already had to pay about two thousand dollars to fix his shallow hip joint. They also require a lot of exercise as they are working dogs. Another poster mentioned shedding and he sheds big tumbleweeds as well. Hope that helps!

 

[Sabine]

I feel so guilty writing this...I've always been a huge dog lover, and my dh and I moved from one apartment building to another down the street just to be able to adopt our dog 5 years ago. She's well trained and well behaved and we love her to death. But we also now have a 1 year old son, and taking care of the dog and my ds was a hardship I didn't really expect. My dog is a lap dog who spends most of her day sleeping on the couch, but I still find it really hard to take care of her some days while still taking care of ds, and I wish I had waited until I had kids and they were old enough to help before getting a dog.

 

[elrohwen]

I think they're incredibly sweet dogs, but like all giant breeds can require a lot of money and time. When you say you're heard "horror stories", what are you referring to?

 

[Octavia]

A friend of mine just got one of these dogs about a year ago and he's so sweet however they only have a lifespan of about seven years because they are extremely prone to cancer. Also she has already had to pay about two thousand dollars to fix his shallow hip joint. They also require a lot of exercise as they are working dogs. Another poster mentioned shedding and he sheds big tumbleweeds as well. Hope that helps!

Ditto this. Some family friends of ours had two (no kids, though), and one of them recently had to be put to sleep at about 5 years old because of severe health problems inherent to the breed. Our friends spent a LOT of money trying to save her, but it wasn't possible. I don't know that I'd want to deal with small children and a possibly sick dog at the same time if I didn't have the dog already...

 

[Lula]

I sort of agree with t2o2. I say have the kids first then when the kids are a little older get a dog that the kids can play with.

Thritto. Kids first, then dogs. People think they will be able to give the dog the same amount of attention after the kids come, but in reality, that just doesn't happen. And I think the dogs-first-then-kids model increases the chances that the dog(s) will be jealous of the baby, and that can be a serious problem.

As for the breed you're considering -- think twice. Ditto those who mentioned the health issues, the short lifespan, the shedding, and the breed's need to do useful "work" (or else they find their own work = trouble). They are also expensive to feed, groom, and train. They require a lot of training to be good house pets.

For a family dog I would avoid the working and herding breeds in general -- unless you live on a farm or a ranch or train dogs for a living. They are just not a natural fit with kids -- little kids, that is -- though they can certainly be trained, if you have the time and are consistent with them.

 

[waterlilly]

Socializing a dog to be good with children at a very young age can only happen if you have children handy to do that with...no dog will be automatically good with kids, this should be considered very seriously if you are planning to have kids in the next couple of years.

Here is some info to consider:

If you are thinking of making a berner part of your family, please consider the following as part of your research:

1. The most often given reason most potential puppy buyers are interested in in berners is “they are great with kids.” This is true, but this statement could be made for roughly ¾ of purebred dogs and mixes out there. The primary reason for a successful dog/child relationship is the commitment of the parents to supervise ALL interactions between puppy and child. Many berner pups can be quite stubborn about giving up or inhibiting play biting. Children can unwittingly encourage this behaviour, resulting in the child being bitten and then becoming fearful of the dog. Conversely, puppies, even chunky berner pups, are pretty fragile and can be easily injured by overly enthusiastic children. Unsupervised play is like an accident waiting to happen.

Are you as parents committed to devoting the time and energy necessary to raising another “baby,” and to controlling the interaction with other children?

2. Berners want to be where you are. They can usually be found ON your feet. They are often referred to as a “Velcro” dog. This is not a dog for a casual dog owner. If you want a dog around only when it is convenient for you, but out of your way when you don’t have time, this is NOT the breed for you. No dog thrives as a “backyard” dog, but berners especially suffer from this sort of isolation. A berners neediness is overwhelming for some people.

Do you welcome and enjoy the constant attention and neediness of your dog, or do you find this devotion to be suffocating?

3. Berners have their share of health problems. These are itemized in BMDCA InfoSeries #4. Unfortunately, these medical conditions can require a significant investment to treat. Even relatively healthy dogs cost several hundreds of dollars per year in maintenance costs. Additionally, there is also the emotional investment that goes along with this.

Do you have the financial wherewithal AND the willingness to provide medical care where needed. Are you and your family emotionally prepared to live with and treat a chronically sick dog, and to say goodbye to your dog at what seems to be an absurdly early age, such as 4 – 6 years.

4. While most berners are sweet natured, there is a strong tendency in the breed to be aloof, reserved and even shy around strangers. Berners need intense socialization, starting with puppy kindergarten, to help them grow up to be well adapted adults. Pups need to be introduced to new people and situations on a regular and ongoing basis. Praised-based, positive reinforcement obedience classes are also a near-must to ensure you wind up with a well-mannered dog. As owners of a large breed dog, you have a special obligation to be a “good ambassador” in a society which has preconceptions about the “big black dog.”

Are you prepared for the commitment needed to help your pup develop into a good canine citizen?

5. How active are you? If you want your berner to share in a very active outdoor lifestyle such as jogging or bicycling, especially in our hot, humid, southern climate, a berner is not the dog for you. By the same token, these dogs are not the “couch potatoes” they are sometimes depicted to be. They can be quite energetic and require brisk exercise and an area to run freely off leash. They are also the happiest when they have a “job.” Unlike the gun dogs, berners are seldom satisfied with repetitive tennis ball retrieval. Many enjoy carting, competitive obedience, agility, herding and tracking. See BMDCA InfoSeries for more information about these activities you can enjoy with your berner. The important thing is, berners want to share this moderately energetic activity with their owners.

Does a bernese really fit your lifestyle?

6. Berners shed. There are lots of ways to say this. Berners only shed once a year – for 365 days. Berners shed twice a year, for six months each time. Berners blow their coats twice a year and shed in between times. If having a lot of animal fur in your house bothers you, a berner is not for you. If there is a household member who is allergic to animals, a berner is not for you. Some berners also drool, some profusely.

How much do you care about maintaining a meticulously clean house?

7. Berners range in size from a small 23” 65 lb female, to a large 28” 120+ lb male, and everything in between. They need room to romp and have exercise needs. Is your yard fully fenced? Do you have room to accommodate a large dog that needs to live indoors with his people but needs to have room to run outside.

 

[paris29]

Thank you everyone for the advice. Taking in everything you guys have said my FH and I have decided to wait on getting any animals for the time being. Maybe in the future, after we have kids and they are a little older. Thanks again.

 

[Iowa Lizzy]

I read that you've decided to wait, but I wanted to tell you that you've picked a great breed! And in terms of waiting, my mother always says "You're going to be stuck at home with children someday, wait on the dog till you're already going to be home all the time."

My family got a Berner the summer before my senior year of high school (11 years ago). His name was Cosmo and he was definitely "the family dog." We loved him so much and when he died at the age of 7, we were devastated. That's the main drawback to having a large breed like that - they just don't live long enough. Berners are known for having bad hips and are prone to bloat, but Cosmo's hips were always fantastic. He died from a neurological disorder - I can't remember the name of it.

When we first got Cosmo, he was soooooo naughty. He nipped at us constantly, chewed shoes and furniture and was just a bratty little puppy. We had some special lessons with a trainer before he began his puppy obedience classes and that really helped. With a dog that big, it's important to make sure they're trained early. We learned a lot of dominance training with helped immensely. After he graduated obedience school, he was well behaved for the rest of his life.

Even though he's been gone for almost four years, I still miss him terribly when I go home to visit my folks. He was our first dog and although my parents loved him and that breed so much, I don't think they could ever bring themselves to get another Berner since he was just so wonderful and they wouldn't want to be disappointed if they got one that wasn't so terrific.

I'll have to see if I can dig up some pictures of him. I know I've posted a few before. If you get a BMD, please get it from a reputable breeder. I've seen a lot of dogs that the owners claim to be Berners, but they're clearly mixed. When we had one, they were much more "exotic," but they've really been gaining popularity lately and I see many ads in the paper for them. We got ours from a breeder in Steven's Point, Wisconsin; not sure if you're Midwest, but I'll definitely get you her contact info if you are.

 

[Iowa Lizzy]

I found some old pictures from our last Christmas with our beloved Cosmo....

 

[Brown.Eyed.Girl]

TG, Cosmo is gorgeous. I'm so sad that Berners have a short life span. They're a beautiful breed. Cosmo looks like such a great dog - I'm so sorry that he passed

 

[NewEnglandLady]

Awwww, I am LOVING this pics of the Berners!!!

Paris, I saw that you guys are holding off on getting a dog for now. Still, I thought I'd chime in since we have two Newfoundlands (very similar to Berners, but with more drool) and will be having kids within the next year.

We will always have two newfoundlands in addition to any future kids. When I say our dogs mean a lot to us, it's an understatement. I am travelling in the U.K. right now and just got off the phone to the States. Did I call my parents? No. I called my dogs so I could talk to them. I'm THAT owner.

When we got married we knew we wanted to get a second Newfie so that our youngest newfie would be at least 2 before we had kids. When you get a giant-breed dog, even when you go through amazing breeders and have studied health clearances for generations (which is a must), you worry about their growth and development constantly. Also, even for the people-pleasing working group, training through the teenage phase (anywhere between 8 months and 1.5 years) can be really frustrating. I wanted for all of that to be behind me before bringing a newborn in the picture.

There are also a lot of other things to consider. As others have said, the fur. The fur is never-ending. I have newf fur on my shirt right now and I'm 6,000 miles away. I'm what my husband would consider a neat-freak, so I vacuum constantly, but it's still everwhere. The fridge, my food, the ceiling. And Berners do drool. You will get fur mixed in with the drool and when they shake, it will get on your ceilings. You'll wipe drool off of your walls and ceilings probably once a week. Oh, and if you have kids and a giant-breed dog, you'll need the largest SUV on the market.

Giant breeds aren't for everyone and nothing breaks my heart more than when a giant-breed is turned over to rescue because he/she "got too big" or "was too much to handle". I'd definitely recommend looking up breeders in your local Berner breeder club and visiting them just to make extra sure. My home will NEVER be without a Newfie, but it takes a lot of commitment to own a drooling, shedding 150-lb. dog. But if you love it, you'll want two, haha.

 

[Iowa Lizzy]

NEL, I love the pictures you've posted of your Newfies on PS before. You should post more!

Our Berner had a very dry mouth so slobber was never really an issue with him, but yes, that fur was EVERYWHERE!

My in-laws just lost their 9 year old Newfie last month and are looking at either a Berner or a Landseer Newf. That dog had the wettest mouth I'd ever seen! It was like he had shoelaces on the sides of his face at all times. He was a farm dog so he was outside 24/7 (not something I particularly agree with), but if you pet him, you had to run when you were finished because he would shake his head and the drool would just go flying everywhere!

I have always heard that Newfoundlands are the number one dog for children. DH and I have looked at getting one since it's what he grew up with and if we were to get a dog before having children, a newfie would probably be our first choice.

Shortly after my folks got our Berner, they purchased a Great Pyrenees. She was beautiful, but she shed just as much as Cosmo and was horrible around children. Any child under the age of six made her bare her teeth and growl. That was really scary. I'm not sure if that's normal for her breed or not, but due to her general attitude, I wouldn't pick that breed again.

Oh, and yes, Berners can be aloof with strangers, but my dad worked in healthcare administration and our Newf spent everyday at his nursing home with the residents. He was never aggressive to anyone. My parents wanted to get him certified at a therapy dog but never did. One day my dad didn't bring him to work and a resident asked "Where is your pony?" That's how big he was.

 

[charbie]

NEL, I love the pictures you've posted of your Newfies on PS before. You should post more!

Our Berner had a very dry mouth so slobber was never really an issue with him, but yes, that fur was EVERYWHERE!

My in-laws just lost their 9 year old Newfie last month and are looking at either a Berner or a Landseer Newf. That dog had the wettest mouth I'd ever seen! It was like he had shoelaces on the sides of his face at all times. He was a farm dog so he was outside 24/7 (not something I particularly agree with), but if you pet him, you had to run when you were finished because he would shake his head and the drool would just go flying everywhere!

I have always heard that Newfoundlands are the number one dog for children. DH and I have looked at getting one since it's what he grew up with and if we were to get a dog before having children, a newfie would probably be our first choice.

Shortly after my folks got our Berner, they purchased a Great Pyrenees. She was beautiful, but she shed just as much as Cosmo and was horrible around children. Any child under the age of six made her bare her teeth and growl. That was really scary. I'm not sure if that's normal for her breed or not, but due to her general attitude, I wouldn't pick that breed again.

Oh, and yes, Berners can be aloof with strangers, but my dad worked in healthcare administration and our Newf spent everyday at his nursing home with the residents. He was never aggressive to anyone. My parents wanted to get him certified at a therapy dog but never did. One day my dad didn't bring him to work and a resident asked "Where is your pony?" That's how big he was.

Total JACKING here ...is your dad an LNHA???????? That's what I'm going to be!!!!! Omg.

 

[NewEnglandLady]

TG, I'm so sorry for your in-laws' loss

Most Berners I've seen are definitely more dry-mouthed than newfs. Our last doggy daycare lady had two Berners--one was dry-mouthed (except outside in the heat, but every dog drools then) and one wasn't. The fur is definitely comparable!

Newfs are amazing around children--our dogs flock to kids at the dog park. Even our goofy puppy becomes very gentle and thoughtful around kids. I almost feel guilty that we DON'T have kids yet, that's how much they love them.

Great Pyrs are definitely guard dogs--my sister has one who isn't aggressive, per se, but definitely doesn't love kids. I always thought they were similar in nature to newfs (I do think berners and newfs have a similar disposition), but as it turns out they are not nearly as friendly.