Bernese Mountain Dog Owners

[simplymisty]

I hoping that some of you own a Bernese Mountain Dog and you can tell me personally about them. I’m a single mom and my son is 11. We currently have a German Shepherd who is almost 6 and a Golden Retriever who will be 4 on Christmas.

I haven’t been thrilled with what I’ve been able to find out about them online. Each internet site says something different and don’t agree with each other. If you own or have owned a Bernese Mountain Dog, can you please tell me about your dog? Did you prefer male or female? How are they with other dogs? With kids? With living in a house (most are working dogs)? Temperament? Shedding?

Anything would be helpful!!!

 

[BostonBanker]

I've never owned one, but I've known quite a few, and a very good friend of mine has a 10 year old male.

Great dog, but I think they have a bit more edge to them than a lot of people realize. They are a working breed, and "are not tri-color retrievers" (I read that quote somewhere about them and liked it ). This dog WILL bite to protect his people or property. He is a dominant male (neutered late) and can not live with another intact male; he does fine with their neutered male and their several females.

He's basically pretty lazy; does not handle the heat well at all. Tons of hair and shedding! At 10, he's ancient for the breed, and is actually in a slow decline right now due to some organs that are starting to give out. He came from a great breeder (be careful, there are a lot of bad ones out there now) and was raised on a raw diet, which they believe has contributed to his long life.

 

[simplymisty]

Wow, that's amazing that he's 10. On the AKC site they said the life expan is now 6-8 because so many have been dieing so early from cancer with many dieing before the age of 4.

I'm guessing that the shedding can't be any worse than my GSD, she sheds 24/7 and my Golden doesn't shed at all - which I've been told is pretty amazing because I guess they're suppose to shed a lot also but I don't even usually get anything out when I brush him.

 

[Bodi's Mom]

I'm the proud owner of a 13 month old male BMD. BostonBanker was right on about male Berners and the breed in general. Males tend to be more dominant and protective (even is neutered) - females tend to be a bit smarter and more welcoming of strangers. Both sexes cannot stand the heat and need to be kept cool during hot summer months. As for shedding, my BMD sheds a lot less than other breeds I have owned (GSD, Siberian Husky, Akita and Lab) as long as I brush him daily. Puppy BMD's are VERY mouthy and should be supervised around smaller children. ....and last but not least, if you are interested in a BMD a reputable breeder is a must since the breed does succumb to cancer often at age 6-8.

 

[simplymisty]

Thanks so much!!! I became very discouraged about getting BMD when I read online that so many of them have been dieing at the age of 3-4 due to cancer. I have 2 female dogs and 1 male and I like that the males are bigger but my females are more over protective. My only exp. with a male has been my golden, everyone else we know w/ dogs all have females. I'd prefer a more protective dog since I'm single and live in a VERY bad area and rely on my dogs for protection. I also want a dog that can get along with other dogs thought because I'm not a 1 dog kind of person.

I'm trying to figure out what breed(s) I want next because I've got a couple of years before I can get another dog and since I've never researched dogs and then breeders I thought it would be a good idea to start very early.

Thanks for all the info and advice.