Thursday 19 December 2013

Top Quality Bernese Mountain Dog Breeders California

By Harriett Crosby


Bernese Mountain Dog breeders California want to find quality, lifelong homes for their puppies. Expect to answer questions regarding your understanding of this special dogs needs. Reputable breeders will be a phone call away anytime you need advice. Keep in mind that this is a short lived dog often developing mobility issues as young as 4-5 years old. Can you provide adequate care physically, emotionally, and financially?

Originally from Switzerland, these large working dogs were cart pulling draft animals. They were also drovers, herding cattle to alpine pastures. The breed was first recognized in 1907, and was recognized by the AKC in 1937.

The heavy coat protects from snow and cold, absorbing heat from the sun. The Swiss mountains rarely see temperatures above 75 degrees. These dogs love snow but have little tolerance for heat. When left outdoors, make sure there's always shade and water available. In hot climates, mountain dogs should be indoors during the heat of the day.

With proper exercise, this will be a calm house pet. They need at least a half hour walk daily. Backyard play can relieve boredom, but doesn't replace a hike. Usually this breed refuses to play fetch, so get your walking shoes on. This working breed bonds closely with his human companions. They love outdoor time but will want to be with their family whenever the family is home.

Males weigh as much as 110 pounds, females can be 105 pounds. The heavy double coat should be brushed weekly, daily during fall and spring shedding cycles. The coat is black with a white chest and rust markings. Clean their ears weekly to prevent ear infections.

This breed suffers a high mortality rate from cancer that has reduced the once respectable lifespan of 10-12 years to an average lifespan of 6-8 years. Breeders are working with researchers to turn this trend around. For the time being, owners should be prepared for the high likelihood of a cancer diagnosis. Like all large breeds, they're susceptible to bloat, hip dysplasia, arthritis, and hereditary eye diseases.

Working dogs are bred to be be calm, intelligent, obedient, and self assured. They may be reserved and placid towards strangers, but rarely aggressive. They're natural watchdogs but not overly dominant. Mountain dogs are patient with children. They're usually good with other large dogs. Some have a strong prey instinct that puts small pets at risk.

Satisfy your dogs need for a job with hiking, herding, tracking, competitive obedience, search and rescue, and/or carting. Let him carry a pack, pull a cart in a parade, give a child a ride around the block in a wagon. Contact your local Bernese Mountain Dog club for carting workshops. Enter your dog in drafting trials through the Bernese Mountain Dog Club of America.

Contact regional clubs to find reputable Bernese Mountain Dog breeders California. Be sure you understand the health guarantee and buyback options. Ask about vaccinations, health testing, and medical records for the puppies and parent dogs. Ask about socialization techniques, and what you should do to continue socializing your new puppy. If you have other pets, let the breeder help you choose a puppy that best fits your family grouping.




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