Health and Wellness: Caring for Your Bernese Mountain Dog's Vitality

What happens when you fall in love with a certain kind of dog, but then learn about all the genetic problems that plague the breed? You might eschew the breed all together, or you might just take your chances. Basket's owners did neither... Subscribe: iTunes     Podcast Episode 9: Our Student Basket is Helping Geneticists Extend the Life of Large Dogs Transcript: Annie:  I'm here with our clients. I should say clients, plural. I am here with our human client, Samantha Schwartz, and her dog are the canine client of this team. Oh, who's giving her a big hug right now. Who’s name is Basket and he is this huge, deliciously, lovely black and furry. Just big galoot of a dog who I wish I had a life-sized stuffed animal of that I could just snuggle and cuddle all day long.  He looks like a Bernese Mountain Dog. He is not totally a Burmese mountain dog, which we're going to talk about in a moment. And when I first met Samantha and her partner, Ben, they started to tell me abo...

An alert, good-natured breed, the Bernese Mountain dog is eager to please and will welcome jobs to do as a family pet.   Bernese Mountain Dog At a glance  The Bernese Mountain dog Breed The Bernese makes a good watchdog, and is even better at herding and draft work. Size: Weight Range: Male: 40-54 kg. Female: 31-45 kg. Height at Withers: Male: 66 cm. Female: 63 cm. Features: Floppy ears (naturally) Expectations: Energy Level: Laid back Life Expectancy: 7-9 years. Tendency to Drool: Low Tendency to Snore: Low Tendency to Bark: Low Tendency to Dig: Low Social/Attention Needs: Moderate Bred For: Draft work Coat: Length: Medium Characteristics: Thick, straight Colors: Tricolored: black with tan markings with white Overall Grooming Needs: Moderate Club Recognition: AKC Classification: Working UKC Classification: Guardian Dog Prevalence: Moderate numbers The Bernese mountain dog is a large dog with a beautiful tri-coloured coat. The background colour is black, and the markings are...

What's Inside? Understanding the Unique Needs of Large Breed Dogs Importance of Tailored Care and Attention In Large Dogs Nutritional Requirements of Large Breeds Choosing the Best Dog Food: Protein, Fats, and Nutrients Special Considerations for Giant and Maxi Breeds Exercise Regimen for Large Breed Dogs Understanding High Energy Levels In Big Dog Breeds Crafting an Effective Exercise Routine for Big Dogs Activities to Keep Dogs Engaged and Fit Space Constraints and Time Demands of Big Dogs Considering Living Space of a Large Dog Breed Factoring Care Time of Large Dogs Exercise for Big Dogs: More Than Just a Walk Matching Caregiver Abilities with Large Breed Dogs Grooming Considerations for Large Breed Dogs Long vs. Short Fur Coats: Grooming Approaches for Big Dogs Proper Bathing, Brushing, and Coat Maintenance Navigating Shedding Seasons with Large Breeds Common Health Concerns for Large Breeds Weight Management for Large Breed Dogs Tips for Healthy Weight Maintenance in Big Dogs...

The big, beautiful Bernese Mountain Dog originated in Switzerland. They were imported to the United States to work as farm dogs during the 1920s, but now these gentle giants are mostly family pets. Standing 23-27.5 inches at the shoulder and weighing up to 115 pounds, Bernese Mountain Dogs are super-sized pups and have a big heart to match. Caring for Bernese Mountain Dogs The Bernese Mountain Dog, with his distinct markings, is generally affectionate and patient with people and other pets. They are often calm but can easily be enticed to play. They require a moderate amount of grooming care because they have medium to long fur and a thick double coat. Bernese Mountain Dog Health Issues The Bernese Mountain Dog tends to be a healthy breed , but they can be predisposed to some health issues. Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV) Gastric dilatation-volvulus (a severe form of bloat in dogs) is a condition that occurs suddenly and requires immediate life-saving intervention. This happens when ...

Frequently Asked Questions Are you trying to produce a “new” breed? No. We love the Bernese Mountain Dog. But we don't like the numerous and significant health issues associated with the breed. In understanding that each purebred breed originally came from and was developed from numerous other breeds, it is our intention to introduce genes from vigorous breeds and then breed back to the Bernese Mountain Dog to regain Bernese Mountain Dog type and temperament. In other words, we want a Bernese Mountain Dog that looks and acts like a Bernese Mountain Dog but does not die young like the present Bernese Mountain Dog. Are dogs from the BMD Vitality Project registered? No. Presently the AKC (American Kennel Club) will not register dogs that come from a mixed ancestry. It is possible, in the future, when the dogs from the Vitality Project are consistently producing Bernese Mountain Dog in type and temperament, that the AKC will register them. But, understand, it is more important to us th...

The journey of Great Bernese Mountain Dog ownership is one of happiness, companionship, and responsibility. It is your privilege as a devoted owner to give your companion the best care possible so they can live a long and healthy life. Every aspect of your Great Bernese’s health, from diet and exercise to preventive care and health monitoring, calls for your commitment and attention. We explore the essential elements that support your Great Bernese Mountain Dog’s optimum health in this thorough guide. Proper Nutrition, The Foundation of Good Health The foundation of your Great Bernese’s health is proper nutrition. A nutritious diet that is well-balanced promotes their development, energy levels, and general well-being. Discuss the ideal diet for your particular dog’s needs with your veterinarian, taking into account elements like age, activity level, and any underlying medical conditions. Most importantly, make sure your dog actually likes what you’re feeding him. Choosing High-Qualit...

The Bernese Mountain Dog Vitality Project is an organized corporation with 501c3 non-profit status. Our mission is to increase the genetic diversity of the Bernese Mountain Dog by out-crossing the breed with non-Bernese Mountain Dogs to produce Bernese Mountain Dogs in type and temperament with high genetic diversity, increased longevity, improved vitality, and overall improved health over multiple generations. What does the organization do? The Bernese Mountain Dog Vitality Project is already under way. Various breeds have been selected to breed out to and then bring back to the Bernese Mountain Dog. Each parent is selected for health and temperament, and health screenings such as hips and elbow, etc. are done. Every puppy from every litter is tracked its entire life, no exceptions. That means that every single puppy will minimally have hip and elbow x-rays and eyes examined. Overall health will be monitored and longevity tracked. A Bernese Mountain Dog Vitality Project database has b...

Bernese Mountain Dogs: What a Unique Breed! Your dog is special! She’s your best friend, companion, and a source of unconditional love. Chances are that you chose her because you like Berners and you expected her to have certain traits that would fit your lifestyle:     An excellent family dog that loves human companionship     Good with children and other pets     Affectionate, easygoing, and lovable     Loyal and loving companion     Good watchdog with a loud bark     Intelligent and easy to train However, no dog is perfect! You may have also noticed these characteristics:     Sheds quite a bit and needs to be brushed regularly     Prone to a number of health problems     Needs regular exercise to prevent chewing, digging, and other problems stemming from boredom     Sensitive, matures slowly     Standoffish toward strangers     Doesn’t do well in the heat Is it all ...