Breeding Bernese Mountain Dogs is easy since the breed is very popular and loved by the general public. Regular Bernese Mountain puppies are priced between $1,000 and $2,000 which is a good price point for both buyers and sellers.
Yet, when wondering how to breed Bernese Mountain Dogs, the future breeder needs to be ready to relentlessly focus on health. The breed has a short lifespan with ten years old as a common ceiling. The breed is not aging very well, probably due to its heavyweight and the inherent stress imposed on the musculoskeletal system.
Can a Bernese mountain dog be left alone?
Most Bernese Mountain Dogs can be left alone for around 3-4 hours, but this doesn’t mean your dog will be okay with this. All Berners are different, and he or she might not be able to tolerate being left alone for this long. This is why it’s important to find out your own Berners tolerance.
Should you decide to breed your Bernese, be aware that as a breeder ► you must have a living situation (inside and outside the home) that is appropriate for raising a litter and the time to adequately socialize and place puppies. ► placement of puppies with responsible owners takes time on the phone and involves prospective owners visiting your home. ► you will need to evaluate prospective owners for their capability and willingness to provide a nurturing lifetime home for a pup. ► you will have to evaluate every puppy in a litter for the suitability of its individual character and physical traits to meet the expectations of potential owners. ► youll need to think about what you would do if a puppy placement didnt work and the pup you bred was placed in rescue. ► you need to think about whether it is important to you to to help owners of your puppies resolve health or training problems and if you have enough time, knowledge & expertise to do so. ► owners of your pups may decide to return a boisterous untrained 4 year old dog to you, a pup that developed crippling hip or elbow dysplasia or a senior in failing health.
► have enough knowledge of dogs, the breed and the family of dogs from which your puppy comes to evaluate the actual qualities of breeding stock. ► want to get involved in the time and expenses for genetic testing of dogs to be bred prior to breeding to verify their health status (hips, elbows, eyes other inherited diseases). ► know how to plan and make arrangements for a breeding to occur with your dog. ► can afford vet care and other expenses for a dam and her pups [pre breeding vaginal cultures, brucellosis tests, c-section (cost – Est. $400.00 – $3000.00), complications or illness, vaccines for pups, dew claw removal, extra food, extra phone charges, whelping equipment, exercise pens for puppies, travel expenses…] ► want to manage a stud dog, which may involve providing secure housing and exercise for in season bitches, managing the mating(s), evaluating breeding suitability of bitches including their pedigrees, assessing bitch owners focus, facilities and commitment to pups, arranging for sperm checks, artificial insemination and additional vet fees. Can you imagine dogs possessed by their instinct to mate, jumping fences, not interested in obeying your commands, crashing through doors, fighting with other pets over territorial disputes, howling all night long when you have to go to work the next day? It happens!
Some things to think about are: every time you breed your bitch you put her life at risk. It is not unheard of for Berner bitches to die, even in experienced breeders and veterinarians care during or post whelp. Losing a companion dog under these conditions is devastating. Bernese Mountain Dogs often times are not easy breeders. While some Berner bitches breed naturally and free whelp litters of puppies, owners have encountered difficulty with getting bitches to stand for breeding, and faced problems with their bitches successfully bringing healthy litters to full term. Bitches miss (are bred and dont get pregnant), resorb pups, give birth to pups with serious birth defects. Pregnancy and delivery arent always simple. C – sections, emergency or planned, are all too often necessary to save lives of dam and pups. Many Berner owners work with veterinarians who are reproductive specialists since their expertise is helpful to address canine reproductive issues. Be prepared! Breeding Berners can get very expensive quickly when you start to add up cost of stud fees and costs involved in getting bitches bred, and raising litters. Ask yourself if you
Genetics of the Dog by Malcolm B. Willis Practical Genetics for Dog Breeders by Malcolm B. Willis Control of Canine Genetic Diseases (Padgett D.V.M.) Canine Reproduction: The Breeders Guide by Phyllis A. Holst Canine and Feline Endocrinology and Reproduction by Edward C. Feldman and Richard W. Nelson Dog Locomotion and Gait Analysis by Curtis M. Brown K-9 Structure & Terminology by Edward M. Gilbert Jr. & Thelma R. Brown Dogsteps: A New Look by Rachel Elliott Books or cds/dvds at workingdogs.com Your Athletic Dog Video & Workbook by Suzanne Clothier The Dog in Action by McDowell Lyon Canine Cineradiography DVD by Rachel Page Elliott
Are you thinking about breeding your Berner? **Considerations** Spayed or neutered dogs are not likely to develop health problems known to be associated with reproductive organs (Mammary tumors / pyometra *search articles / prostate diseases). The 2005 BMDCA Health survey indicates spayed/neutered pets live longer than intact Berners. The Health Survey also contains other important data related to dogs and bitches used for breeding. If you are planning to breed your Bernese Mountain Dog, we understand that you have the best intentions & wed like to help you think through your decision. Puppy buyers are thrilled when they own a healthy, happy Berner. As a breeder you will get great satisfaction from being a part of their joy. First things first. Berner breeders are well served to take seriously their responsibility to ensure the dogs used for breeding are in excellent health and have the potential to produce sound healthy pups. Of course you believe your Berner dog or bitch is a terrific dog, and he/she is. A beloved pet can have many fine attributes in its owners eyes, but the dog may not be a good producer for any number of reasons (health, temperament, family history). Talk with your dogs breeder about the health and reproductive history in their families of dogs – dont proceed without facts and assume everything will be fine. Talk with other seasoned Berner breeders too; discussing their experiences breeding Bernese might provide helpful insights.
Why is Bernese mountain dog life span so short?
The biggest factor in the short lifespan of the Bernese Mountain Dog is their high rate of cancer. … Another reason for the short Bernese Mountain Dog lifespan is that they are very prone to hip dysplasia, arthritis, cruciate ligament rupture, and other mobility problems that can cause pain and difficulty walking.
FAQ
How many puppies do Bernese mountain dogs usually have?
Litters from Bernese Mountain Dogs range in size from 1 to 14 puppies, with 8 being the average.
How long after mating can you tell a dog is pregnant?
What does a pregnant dog look like at 7 weeks?
By week seven, your dog will have started shedding hair on her abdomen and may have started producing her first milk, known as colostrum. She will be noticeably tired and her puppies will now be almost fully-formed.
What do dogs nipples look like at 3 weeks pregnant?
The areolas also become somewhat rounded compared to their usual flatness. You may also notice your dog’s nipples turning a slightly darker red than normal, which would indicate an increase in blood flow. Later into the pregnancy, her nipples may occasionally leak milk, as well.