Research your new puppy and breeder!
Finding a Puppy
Adding a puppy to your family is exciting, but it should be a well thought out decision.
After all, this is your new family member, and should be treated as such.
BERNERS NEED TO BE WITH PEOPLE.
NOT TO BE LEFT OUTSIDE ALL THE TIME AWAY FROM PEOPLE.
Taking your time before getting a puppy can potentially save heartbreak later.
Do your research about any breed that you are interested in.
Understanding what they were bred for can tell you a lot about the breed. It's best to have met several adult members of a breed before you decide that you want one. All puppies are cute, but it's the adult that you will be sharing the most time with. There are always variations within a breed, so while you might like one dog that you meet, they might not be average for the breed.
Be honest about your life. Do you really have time to raise a puppy of a demanding breed like Berners? Are you going to walk the dog in all types of weather? Are you okay about lots of hair in the house? Do you want a dog that's going to follow you around the house and trip you if you back up without looking?
Once you've decided that a Bernese really is the dog for you, it's time to find the right puppy.Finding a puppy is really about finding the right breeder. A good breeder is your best resource for the rest of the dog's life. Each breeder will have different priorities in their breeding program and it is advisable to visit several, so that you find a breeder that has similar goals to what you are looking for.
Look for a breeder that:
Has done clearances on both parents & provides copies: hips and elbows x-rayed after 24 months old and certified by OFA. Most breeders will have done some other clearances as well, which may include shoulders, heart, thyroid, vWD & DM testing.
Provides CKC registration papers within 6 months of the sale: In Canada, dogs that are sold as being purebred, must come with registration papers at no extra charge.
Provides a pedigree: at least 4 generations. They should also be able to tell you the clearances and health history of those dogs.
Provides a written contract outlining what is expected of both parties: Contracts vary between breeders. Make sure you understand what is required of you. If you just want a family pet, you probably don't want to sign a contract that asks you to keep the dog intact and show it, unless that is something that truly interests you. Most responsible breeders will require that you sign a non-breeding contract. Breeding is complex and requires a lot of thought. If you want a dog that you can breed, be upfront about it and willing to learn.
Will take back the dog if you ever can't keep it: Responsible breeders are just that. They care about what happens to the pups they produce for their entire lives.
Provides information on care and feeding and is willing to provide support for the lifetime of the dog.. Different breeds have different requirements.. Breeders are familiar with the unique qualities of their breed and their lines.
Competes with their dogs in a recognized dog sport & belongs to breed specific clubs :dedicated breeders will be doing things with their dogs. There are lots of choices; draft, obedience, conformation, rally, tracking, herding & agility. Belonging to breed clubs lets them socialize easily with other breeders and keep up with issues in the breed.
Adding a puppy to your family is exciting, but it should be a well thought out decision.
After all, this is your new family member, and should be treated as such.
BERNERS NEED TO BE WITH PEOPLE.
NOT TO BE LEFT OUTSIDE ALL THE TIME AWAY FROM PEOPLE.
Taking your time before getting a puppy can potentially save heartbreak later.
Do your research about any breed that you are interested in.
Understanding what they were bred for can tell you a lot about the breed. It's best to have met several adult members of a breed before you decide that you want one. All puppies are cute, but it's the adult that you will be sharing the most time with. There are always variations within a breed, so while you might like one dog that you meet, they might not be average for the breed.
Be honest about your life. Do you really have time to raise a puppy of a demanding breed like Berners? Are you going to walk the dog in all types of weather? Are you okay about lots of hair in the house? Do you want a dog that's going to follow you around the house and trip you if you back up without looking?
Once you've decided that a Bernese really is the dog for you, it's time to find the right puppy.Finding a puppy is really about finding the right breeder. A good breeder is your best resource for the rest of the dog's life. Each breeder will have different priorities in their breeding program and it is advisable to visit several, so that you find a breeder that has similar goals to what you are looking for.
Look for a breeder that:
Has done clearances on both parents & provides copies: hips and elbows x-rayed after 24 months old and certified by OFA. Most breeders will have done some other clearances as well, which may include shoulders, heart, thyroid, vWD & DM testing.
Provides CKC registration papers within 6 months of the sale: In Canada, dogs that are sold as being purebred, must come with registration papers at no extra charge.
Provides a pedigree: at least 4 generations. They should also be able to tell you the clearances and health history of those dogs.
Provides a written contract outlining what is expected of both parties: Contracts vary between breeders. Make sure you understand what is required of you. If you just want a family pet, you probably don't want to sign a contract that asks you to keep the dog intact and show it, unless that is something that truly interests you. Most responsible breeders will require that you sign a non-breeding contract. Breeding is complex and requires a lot of thought. If you want a dog that you can breed, be upfront about it and willing to learn.
Will take back the dog if you ever can't keep it: Responsible breeders are just that. They care about what happens to the pups they produce for their entire lives.
Provides information on care and feeding and is willing to provide support for the lifetime of the dog.. Different breeds have different requirements.. Breeders are familiar with the unique qualities of their breed and their lines.
Competes with their dogs in a recognized dog sport & belongs to breed specific clubs :dedicated breeders will be doing things with their dogs. There are lots of choices; draft, obedience, conformation, rally, tracking, herding & agility. Belonging to breed clubs lets them socialize easily with other breeders and keep up with issues in the breed.