So excited ... My sister is getting a puppy (NN)

[Charlie'sMom]

I am so excited for my sister ... It is like a right of passage in my family to get your own dog. She is 25, has been on her own for a few years, and decided to add a new dog to her little family (she already has a cat).

She LOVES Charlie, but wants to have a different breed of dog than the rest of us, so she has done a TON of research, and decided to get a Bernese Mountain Dog. She is meeting with a breeder in 2 weeks, who is planning a litter for later this spring. If all goes well, she could have a puppy by the summer.

My sister lives in my hometown - 3 hours away from me, but I am super excited that Charlie will have a new playmate when we go visit.

Those who know Berners well ... I am thinking of putting together a grooming kit for her as a gift - are their grooming requirements pretty much the same a a Newf? Would the same brushes, etc work for her?

 

[hdnewfies]

They do have pretty much the same coat, does not grow as long as the newfs and their under coat is not as thick, but I would use the same brush's ect. My best friends has berners and they are sooo similar to my newfs. I love them ALMOST as much as I LOVE the newf.

 

[KatieB]

Berner coat is 100 times easier to care for than Newf coat. The undercoat doesn't mat, they don't have much feathering and they rarely need bathed. It's a really dream coat to care for and I spend maybe 1/20 of a time on Murph's coat as I do on the Newfs. A much shorter coat and not much trimming needed other than ears and feet. Big difference is drying time. The undercoat of a Berner SOAKS in water...doesn't repel it like a newf. So they get soaked down to the skin and take a lot longer to dry than a Newf. Also means if you don't dry them they get really musty smelling much more so than my newfs because they just hold the water in their undercoat.

Congrats to your sister for her addition!!! My dad and my brother are adding Berners this summer/fall. They too fell in love with the breed (who couldn't after meeting Murph) and are on a breeder friend of mine's list for a pup. I'd just recommend to your sister that she research the pedigree in Bernergarde and get an idea of the health issues in the line and also get insurance on the pup. Berners are health nightmares even in the best of lines so I'd highly recommend insurance. She should also meet both parents and evaluate temperment as shyness and fear issues are really prevalent. Berners are supposed to be a bit standoffish with strangers but most are pretty skittish. Temperment is quite a bit different than newf temperment. Just a few things I wish we had known before getting our boy.

 

[Newfs Forever]

I agree with the above. Just nice wavey fur and no matting. Whatever tools you have for newfs will do very well for Berners.

I hope you will share pics of her new Berner Buddy! They are almost, I said almost...as cute as newfie puppies!

PS. I have had 2 berners. And I don't ever remember matting on either! That sure is a plus!

 

[Charlie'sMom]

Berner coat is 100 times easier to care for than Newf coat. The undercoat doesn't mat, they don't have much feathering and they rarely need bathed. It's a really dream coat to care for and I spend maybe 1/20 of a time on Murph's coat as I do on the Newfs. A much shorter coat and not much trimming needed other than ears and feet. Big difference is drying time. The undercoat of a Berner SOAKS in water...doesn't repel it like a newf. So they get soaked down to the skin and take a lot longer to dry than a Newf. Also means if you don't dry them they get really musty smelling much more so than my newfs because they just hold the water in their undercoat.

Congrats to your sister for her addition!!! My dad and my brother are adding Berners this summer/fall. They too fell in love with the breed (who couldn't after meeting Murph) and are on a breeder friend of mine's list for a pup. I'd just recommend to your sister that she research the pedigree in Bernergarde and get an idea of the health issues in the line and also get insurance on the pup. Berners are health nightmares even in the best of lines so I'd highly recommend insurance. She should also meet both parents and evaluate temperment as shyness and fear issues are really prevalent. Berners are supposed to be a bit standoffish with strangers but most are pretty skittish. Temperment is quite a bit different than newf temperment. Just a few things I wish we had known before getting our boy.

I talked to my sister about pedigree, and health clearances, I took it upon myself to look into some of these things for her (I might be a little overbearing but she doesn't mind). I will definitely recommend the health insurance to her (she has seen me drop a pretty penny on Charlie a few times so I am sure she will get it). Both prospective parents will be there, and available to view when she goes out to see them in 2 weeks, so she will have the chance to meet them. I will mention to her the temperament issues. She has a lot of opportunities to socialize the puppy, since she plays rugby and will get the puppy early in rugby season, it can come with her to practice and games and socialize with the other "rugby dogs" and players/spectators. She has also scoped out obedience classes to get started right away. I will mention to her getting a dryer, that is a little much for a gift from me (LOL) but I can get her started on scissors and brushes.

 

[hawk]

Wooohooo!!!! Berners rool and newfies drool ~:uhoh2: That was written by my boy Odin Jara~shouldn't have let him near the computer

In the 7 years of being owned by BMD I have only noticed one dog who had an issue with temperment. the dog was actually quite aggressive. I do find Berners to be loving and loyal, eager to please and they have a great need to be with you. Even those who you first meet will quickly adopt you once you've met their terms. I've found that if a person tries to hard to befriend them a berner will ignore their attempts. When their ready they will approach and let you know. This doesn't take long and a well timed BUTT Scratching is all it takes - you've become a family member!!! they have great ability to remember relationships. If you're friendly with one they'll remember you.

Berners, I suppose like Newfs, can get bored easily. They are working dogs and have a strong desire to do so. Something as simple as learning to find an object or drafting~they want to be stimulated.

Some research has concluded that Bernese Mountain Dogs were actually bred in the valleys rather than the mountains and while carting was an important job they were also bred to be guardians. Berners are very confident and in the guardian role they will bark BARK BARK bark to let the intuder know they are there protecting the flock or family or bag of treats....once they have alerted everyone they are confident that they did a good job and will often go lay down (while the intruder cat steals the treats)

Yep health issues abound - plenty of resources to gather info about them. It used to be that if you had a Berner that was 6 years old you had a very old Berner. Now a days it is not so unusual to have 11-12 year olds and I know of a few 13-14 year olds.

We have a male and female. While we love them both tremendously the males are so so different and we would choose to have all males in the future. Our girl is "special"~she is a retired show dog. Affectionately we call her our " Blondese Mountain Dog"....
Kind of difficult to put into words their differences but it is very noticable.
Regardless of gender They really are wonderful dogs!!!!
The Berner - L


http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/Berner-l/

 

[smy0527]

Berners are great - owned two, so sweet, just wonderful! Congrats to your sister!

 

[tansat]

Congrats! That is wonderful news!!! As far as coat, my berner girl has been pretty easy. I do brush her for about 5-10 minutes every other day since she likes to really get dirty when playing but I've found that compared to my mom's lab, the shedding is considerably less and more manageable. The above is true, the undercoat will definitely absorb water and get a bit smelly. Keep up the brushing and this will definitely help!!!

OK, so we are going in the other direction. We LOVE our Berner girl but our second pup will be a Newf boy. Temperament has not been a major issue at least in the dog parks that we've been to. I will say that my girl is not always immediately friendly with strangers - she would much rather stay by me rather than run up and lick a newbie. Unlike my mom's lab and the Newfs I've met who are immediately friendly with EVERYONE. You're right though, it takes only a minute to gain their affection and then she'll fully roll over for a tummy rub. Aaaahhhhh....Still be careful in selecting a breeder - same rules apply. Also, we've taken a lot of care in socializing our Berner and in training too!

Health is another concern. Fingers are crossed but so far no problems. My friend's Berner has allergies, hot spots and a very sensitive tummy...poor thing. These are minor compared to ortho issues, lifespan and cancers. Thus the same diligence required here as for a Newf.

I am so excited for your sister and you too! They will be wonderful playmates!!!

Please post pics when the Berner arrives!!!