A WORD OF CAUTION!

Because the demand is high and there are limited reputable breeders, the Bernese Mt Dog is starting to show up in pet stores and being bred by unknowledgeable backyard breeders. These pups range from $1800 to $3000. The "pet store" puppies are being imported from Russia and other European countries. The imported puppies are going through the commercial puppy millers in Missouri and Kansas to be auctioned and/or sold to the pet stores throughout the country. They cannot be registered with AKC. A group of devoted berner breeders/lovers (BARC) has been going to the puppy auctions in an attempt to purchase/rescue these berners. Several have been quite sick and have died. Unfortunately, they can't rescue all of them to keep them out of pet stores. We have also been working internationally with foreign reputable breeders to help stop the exploitation of the Bernese Mt Dog. In your search for a Bernese Mountain Dog, please make sure that the breeder belongs to the national club...The Bernese Mountain Dog Club of America or a regional berner club. Don't hesitate to ask for references and please check them.

Select a breeder that you trust!
As a general rule, better known breeders will have a better reputation for quality, experience and reliability - that's how they got to be so well recognized.

The genetic background is what made your puppy.
This knowledge takes years and years of breeding experience from particular genetic lines. Breeders with less experience and pedigree (family history) knowledge should be mentored by an experienced breeder with the genetic knowledge in your puppy's pedigree.

I just want a PET, why worry about the rest!
Your PET came from the same litter with the same genetic background as the very few select pups graded to go on to conformation showing and potential future breeding stock. You want the same qualities that you find in a show dog. Show dogs are PETS first with a little more refinement in conformation, type and markings.

Puppy Aptitude Test (PAT)
A must for a breeder to determine which puppy to select for you that matches up with your life style. This test is done at 7 weeks and even the most experienced breeder can be surprised at the results. Nothing is more miserable than trying to live with a puppy that is not suited for your family.

Sometimes things can go wrong.
You need a reliable knowledgeable source to contact for help...your breeder or your breeder's mentor. Why? They might have had a similar problem before; know of a litter mate with a similar problem and how it was solved; work with you and your veterinarian to best resolve the problem. (As a rule, veterinarians know dogs in general; but your breeder should know specific problems particular to their breed-Bernese Mountain Dog).

Price?
Since a berner puppy is an emotional as well as a financial investment, this is difficult question to answer. If you find the "right" breeder the initial cost of the puppy will pay for itself many times over. That "right" breeder should be successful with a proven track record, years of experience, knowledge to share (good and bad)and be available to you for the life time of the puppy. The real value to you is in the "breeder" you select to get your puppy from. You can't put a price on experience and knowlegde. You never know if or when your breeder's help might be needed! And this is the true value of your PUPPY!

Just like everything else in life, whether you are a breeder, a teacher, a nurse, a doctor, or stay at home mom/dad; there is no substitute for "experience" and "knowledge"

Good luck in your search for a Bernese Mountain Dog puppy. And if you select DeGrasso's Bernese Mountain Dogs, you can depend on my sharing my 20+ years of breeding experience and look forward to many rewarding years to come with you and your bundle of fur!

Barbara Grasso,
DeGrasso's Bernese Mt Dogs
Stratford, NY
(315) 429-8199
bmd@gisco.net

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