Hi all,
Have found these forums really useful in the past for info, so when I saw that the Bernese Mountain Dog questions were unanswered I thought I'd chip in and help!
Cheers.
1. What is my relationship with the breed? (ie breeder, first time owner etc)
First time owner -- we have an 8-month old purebred bitch named Phoebe.
2. Where and why was the breed first developed?
They were bred in Switzerland, as general purpose farm dogs -- looking after livestock, helping around the farm, and occasionally pulling carts etc.
3. How common is it in Australia?
Not overly common, but not unheard of! We've seen 3 or 4 locally in the 6 months since we've had her, and that's having socialised a lot with a lot of dogs. Only a few people recognize the breed if you're out somewhere, so they're not well-known. You'll get asked a lot if it's a Saint Bernard or a Newfoundland (even though they don't look much like either!)
4. What is the average lifespan?
Sadly, not very long. Figures of 7-9 years are commonly quoted; this is primarily because they very commonly get cancer (one statistic is that half of all Bernese die of cancer). From our research prior to getting a Bernese, we did hear that breeders are increasingly confident they have the most common cancers under control and reports are coming through that it's much more common for Bernese to live longer now, it's just that statistics obviously lag behind the current breed status. The breeders we spoke to seemed to think that it's likely most current pups will well outlive that 7-9 year mark.
5. What is the general temperament/personality?
I can only really speak about ours, though we've met several others and heard second-hand reports. Phoebe is a brilliant family dog -- we have 3 young kids and she's gentle and protective with them, almost Golden Retriever-like in her protective but playful personality. They seem to be very docile -- not agressive at all, and very calm and friendly. I've heard they can commonly be 'aloof' with strangers but we regularly take Phoebe to the local market and she loves meeting new people and getting pats + treats. Bernese aren't overly active -- they'll run and play but seem to be happiest just sitting inside with the family, snuggling up if they're allowed. Get used to having 40 kilos of dog laying on your feet! Not a 'leave outside alone' dog -- they really need to be part of the family. Phoebe is extremely easy to train -- most things we've taught her (sit, stay, drop, etc) have taken literally 3 minutes to teach to 'word and gesture' level and a quick reminder every now and then is all that's needed for her to do it on command.
Very playful, though, so sometimes (if she's been outside for a while and is excited to come in) she gets rather overexcited and forgets to listen sometimes.
6. How much daily exercise is needed for the average adult?
A daily walk is considered sufficient if they have enough room to run about at home. They shouldn't be run very hard when they're young (or, by some reports, as an adult) -- think a long slow walk, or gentle jog, not a fast run.
7. Is it a breed that a first time dog owner could easily cope with?
Borderline. We're first time dog owners as a family (my wife and I had dogs as kids) and the size can be a challenge. Grooming and exercise requirements aren't too strenuous and we've found her easy to train, as mentioned above. If you're comfortable dealing with a 40-50 kilo dog, you'll be fine.
8. Can solo dogs of this breed easily occupy themselves for long periods?
No. Ours, at least, has never got destructive etc on the occasions she has been left alone, but she does get a bit upset. They're really companion dogs, they want to be with you as much as possible.
9. How much grooming is required?
For a fairly long-haired dog, not too much. They don't shed a lot, and their coat is fairly low-maintenance -- a good brush once a week seems to be enough for Phoebe.
10. Is it too boisterous for very small children or for infirm people (unless the dog is well trained)?
Like a lot of big friendly dogs, they can forget their own strength. Our 2-year-old gets knocked over once a day probably but he's pretty robust and doesn't care. She can pull a bit on the lead -- one great piece of advice we had was not to use a neck or chest harness, as they are bred to (among other things) pull carts so as soon as they feel neck/chest pressure they pull harder. We were advised to get a Sporn harness (pulls under the arms rather than on the chest) and it works a treat, but realistically unless they're very well-trained a 40+ kilo dog can be a challenge for small people -- or even for me, sometimes!
11. Are there any common hereditary problems a puppy buyer should be aware of?
As with all big dogs, hips + elbows! Make sure you get scores for the parents etc. As mentioned above, cancer is a big problem so you kind of have to be prepared to deal with that.
12. When buying a puppy, what are the things you should ask of the breeder? (eg what health tests have been done (if applicable) and what is an acceptable result to those tests so the buyer has an idea of what the result should be)
As above. I'm not really an expert to be honest so I'll defer answering things like specific scores to look for to such an expert, if one wants to chip in!
Anyway, hope that's helpful to potential Bernese owners. Phoebe fit right into our family, and within days became 'one of us' -- she's a brilliant dog, couldn't ask for a better one. We heartily recommend a Bernese to anyone looking for a bigger dog, they're smart, personable, and truly gorgeous (one word of warning -- take a Bernese out in public and be prepared for your walk, shopping, etc, to take a very long time. You will get stopped every 30 seconds by someone who wants to admire your dog!).
