I brought home my first Berner girl in 2000 and I was smitten. Heidi came from a breeder in Canada. Two years later, Heidi had her first litter. We got off to a rocky start, but the program has blossomed since, as my knowledge has increased. Heidi passed away in April 2010 and is deeply missed.
I am an active member of both the Bernese Mountain Dog Club of America and New England based Bernese Mountain Dog Club of Nashoba Valley. Breeding a litter is more than just finding two intact dogs to breed. Care is taken to know about the backgrounds of both parents, as well as their parents and siblings. Hip and elbow x-rays are taken and certified through OFA. The dogs eyes are certified free of eye diseases through CERF. DNA testing for Von Willebrands is also done. Finally when all those tests are clear, it is important that the two dogs are a good match for one another conformationally.
In my puppy contract, I require that all puppies, including pets, be x-rayed and certified by OFA, with either "prelims" (done at one year for pets) or "finals" (done at 24 months for show quality pups). The reason I do this is so that I know what I am producing as a breeder. If a puppy I produce has health issues, especially in the first 2 years, I have always worked with the family to reach a fair compromise.
All health information about our puppies is encouraged to be added to the Bernergarde registry by the owners of Bunsen puppies. Bunsen Berners also maintains relationships with puppy owners for the life of their Berner.
Once puppies are born, they are temperament tested to insure the best possible match with their new family. Puppies are microchipped and vaccinated before being placed in their new home.
But you don't have to take my word for it. Read what other people have to say about Bunsen Berners...
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