Steve Fort

Have anyone on here ever owned one, or have any experience/knowledge of them?

I've always had Border Collies, but really love the look of the Bernies. A bit like a Chunky built, tri-colour collie. I've also heard they've got an excellent temperament and intelligence.

I've done a bit of research on the net, and it seems that they have a problem with cancer. With some only living to 3 or 4 years of age!
Most of this info has come from the states. Is there a similar problem with the uk Bernies?
What is the life expectancy of a Uk bred dog?

Its hard enough when you lose a dog after 12 or 13 years, but to lose your dog after half of that would be tragic!

Thanks in advance.

MiniShaz

Haven't had any experience of these, but we are looking at Estrelas, which are Portugese Mountain Dogs. They live about 11-12 yrs. Have a look here: petplanet.co.uk or asterel.co.uk. They are absolute beauties - but don't beat us to the pups please!

Alas

Huge, lumbering and stubborn. You can never get them dry after a walk in the rain. Nice wet dog aroma in the house for days.
On the plus side gentle and calm. Friend of mine has had 2 and they were great dogs. Lived to 8 - 10 I think, but they were kept slim and avoided the old heart trouble.

little-ginge

My uncle owns them, shows them, and used to breed them.
He is also at Crufts this year as he has been asked to judge for the first time


Put it this way, they are gentle giants - I say giants as they are on the larger side. They love attention, and are easy to train; As they were also for show, one of the dogs had a proper little light wagon/cart which he used to pull about with milk churns in it - and on the odd occasion me!! this was to replicate how they were used in Switzerland. He used to love this, and was calm and obedient - the sight used to attract children and adults of all ages, and this never phased him.

They do not always need/want toys etc as they also like to settle and rest, so if you are after a constantly active dog...

They are absolutely superb family dogs - I grew up with them - my uncle had 4 fully grown ones at one point in my childhood. I cared for a litter of 8 when I was 10, and never ever had a problem with any of the dogs, even when moving the pups around away from mum.

You do need to keep them groomed - particularly during moulting when you may find you have to groom them a couple of times a day - cod liver oil tablets may help this.

Bernese do have quite a loud bark - which is good from a deterent point of view

My uncles dogs live long and happy lives, and I think they lived around 9-11 years which isn't bad going tbh. All breeds have their health problems, and obviously you never know what the future is going to throw up, but if I wasn't boxer-dog mad, and lived in a bigger house, I'd definately have a bernie

Steve Fort

Thanks alot for the replies guys.

I knew i could rely on the power of scooby net!

Little-ginge, thanks for taking your time with that informative post. I definately think that a Bernie sounds like the dog for me! I know all dogs have health problems that are common to their breed (ie, Border Collies often have hip or heart issues), but hopefully the cancer problem is less frequent in the uk.

Cheers.

The 13th Duke of Wybourne

Anything looks big to you LG

It's like that Dennis Waterman sketch off (of) Little Britain

little-ginge

Glad to help

When you get a Bernie, please post up some pics

little-ginge

I wish I had his ice cream though

Christ

Have you considered a Newfoundland, great family dogs, heres a pic of Storm:




Bit of info here: Newfoundland Breed Info

Chris

little-ginge

newfies are lovely