BERNER

 We are dedicated to breeding quality Bernese Dogs. Dogs with sound temperaments and strong genetic makeup,

producing healthy puppies who have been started with everything they need to succeed. We think it is very important to know that we are passing on lovable, gentle, adorable personalities. 

All of our breeding dogs are genetically tested for Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) and Von Willebrand disease (VWD) through Paw Print Genetics and also EMBARK testing 

They are also OFA certified clear of Hip/Elbow Dysplasia. 

Of course, there are no guarantees that a dog will not get something in his/her lifetime, but setting them up for success from the start gives them the best chance of living a long and healthy life.

WE ONLY HAVE   2 (sometimes 3)  LITTERS A YEAR

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During the first few weeks of the puppy’s life, we incorporate  Puppy Culture ENS  (early neurological stimulation).  This method gives the dog a superior advantage because it stimulates the neurological system . 

In the first 16 weeks of a puppy's life, they can learn more than they can in a lifetime.This period is called the Imprinting Period. We provide an enriched learning environment for your puppy during his first weeks of life We follow the structured,  research based program in order to give your puppy every learning advantage that we can in the time that we have them.  

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Week 1 - 2    Starting at 3 days old puppies start the Early Neurological Stimulation or ENS   This has proven to provide the following lifelong benefits to dogs 

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improved cardiovascular performance

stronger heartbeats

stronger adrenal glands

more tolerance to stress

greater resistance to disease

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and then comes sound

at 3 weeks of age we introduce sounds,

vacuums, childrens voices and play, music, lots of classical, studies have shown increased brain power in mammals who have been exposed to complex melodies in Mozart compositions, :)   trains and fireworks from youtube, sudden loud noises.  At this time we also introduce pee pad areas and its amazing how quickly they catch on to use them

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At 4 weeks, puppy gruel is introduced. We use Goats milk and Grandma Lucys  raw freeze dried chicken or lamb dinner  in with the milk. they stay on this till nearly 6 weeks when they are slowly introduced to raw minced lean chicken and goats milk. Here in Nova Scotia, raw isnt as easy to source so we have started using Canadian Naturals Turkey and Salmon All life stages, and the puppy's have all done excellent on it. Its made in BC and I have been very happy with it for all my dogs.

There are different proteins, ie fish, lamb, pork and beef available, I have found it to be a good quality food.     Bernese puppy's can be quite large and they grow so fast, we do not ever use puppy food, we want to keep growth slow and steady. Check out my blog on Pano.growing pains.

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Shortly after introducing food, we introduce bath time,   nails clipped, ears cleaned, lots of loves and cuddles and general elements of bathing. During this time we also start with the "puppy puppy puppy" call, this gives an amazing start to future response to recall.

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The puppy playpen area..by the time a puppy is 7 weeks old they should have been exposed to the following, and we try to get in as many as we can, this is called "The rule of seven"

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1. been on 7 different surfaces, carpet, vinyl, laminate, newspaper, snow, grass, wood, gravel woodchips etc

2.played with 7 different kinds of toys, balls, fuzzies, squeky toys, cardboard boxes, milk jugs, (they love the boxes)

3. Been in 7 different locations including front yard, backyard,basement, kitchen, living room, car, crate or kennel, deck.

4.Exposed to 7 different challenges, such as, climbed on and off box, step2 steps and slide, going through a tunnel, up and down small steps, climbed over an obstacle, played hide and seek, gone in and out of a doorway with a step.

5. eaten from 7 different

 containers, ie plastic, metal, plates, frying pan (lol) we dont always make 7 on this one 

6. Met and played with 7 new people including children. Our puppies get lots of child exposure

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Also in the first two weeks our babies are weighed twice a day to ensure everyone is getting enough nourishment, larger litters can require 2 hourly feedings of puppy formula at this time and receive 24/7 round the clock care, including lots of cuddles and snuggle time.

   Lack of early socialization and negative human interaction can lead to long term temperament issues, ranging from fear, timidity, aggression, anti social and all around bad behaviors. 

All this and more, because your puppy is worth it !!  

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What will your new puppy have before it comes home?

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 I do vaccinate at 8 weeks old, and after his or her last set of vaccinations at 16 weeks, NO OTHER VACCINES are necessary  for a minimum of 3 years. (my vets opinion too)

 Rabies vaccine should be always done separately from other vaccines and never before 6 months, (thats just my opinion ) 

There is lots of information on and about this  in my blog on vaccines that will explain why 

 TITER TESTING can be used to ensure adequate antibodies and immunity. This is something that you can discuss with us or your vet,  prior to picking up your puppy.  

- complete vet health check, of eyes,  ears, hips and heart

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Vaccinations are followed by 2 days of AntiVaccinosis ...this assists in the removal of associated vaccine side effects without removing any vaccine benefits

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(https://www.adoredbeast.com/products/anti-vaccinosis) 

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- dewormed (at least 3 times)

- 10 weeks of complimentary pet insurance with the option to continue coverage  Trupanion and Petsmart

- puppy pack (puppy food,  fleecy blanket with mom's smell on it to help your puppy adjust, a collar and a chew toy)   Some food to get you home and transition to whatever you are feeding.   

 Dogs Naturally. I would also encourage joining this group on Facebook, there is a huge amount of information covering just about all and any issues dogs may have.

Dogs Naturally The Pack, lots of health issues discussed on

https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/dysbiosis-in-dogs-causes/

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What you don't see when you pick up your puppy

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 Long before you started to see beautiful pictures of that adorable puppy, time, money and hope were put into raising the future moms and dads. Theres always the endless vet bills for one thing or another, yet more health tests to be completed, and waiting for the results, hoping and praying that the last 16 months hasn't been all for naught. if they fail, they don't make the breeding programme.  WE watch the future dams and sires, we take note of their personalities, their strengths and weaknesses. We do our best to expose them to as much social activities as possible, we are always learning and researching the best nutrition, the best supplements, learning all about natural healing , taking courses to get better educated, all to be able to do what we do to the best of our ability.

Then comes the breeding time, we usually have a list of families excitedly awaiting the arrival of their new puppy.

Breeding times last about a week and  many times weve stood out in the yard at 8.00am, freezing cold, making sure no one is hurt during the actual mating process.   Later comes the pregnancy tests, usually an ultrasound, and we can announce we are having puppies. keeping mom healthy and well fed is of upmost importance during this time, and her appetite will greatly increase.  

Now is the time i start to make sure the stock pile of blankets, heat pads, whelping mats, puppy collars, puppy milk formula for the just in case,  and supplies are all there and start getting lots more puppys toys.

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D Day,   this is the exciting  and longest day ever. Mom is usually in labour one or two days, so that means we've been up all night just in case. When the first baby arrives the game is on...and then you pray  the rest follow without complications.

Bernese are notoriously slow whelpers and its a nail biting time waiting for them all to arrive safely.

We have had many midnight drives to the vets, always on the weekend or at night when the vet is closed, or on holidays lol..because of a long amount of time between puppies and mom is not able to deliver. sometimes they have even been born on the way lol, then we turn around and go back home. The care of our babies is of top priority in our home and everyone joins in to help, the work is endless, but the joy of seeing a job well done and beautiful healthy puppies is a reward of its own and a point of pride for our family.

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We would love to meet you in person or via a telephone interview. We only do these a few times a year when we add and update our waiting list based on our breeding plan.  If you send an email and don't get an email back, please send it again! I look for the best homes for my all my pups and you will have to be patient and be prepared to wait patiently for your puppy.

The right one is worth the wait. 

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WE GO ABOVE AND BEYOND IN THE QUALITY OF CARE

OF OUR ADULTS AND OUR BABIES

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PUPPY TRANSPORT OPTIONS.

I can help arrange air transport. From Halifax, usually with West Jet, a direct flight has worked well in the past. connection flights do not work well for puppy

The family arrange for and pay travel costs, the plane is usually around $350 - $400, throughout Canada, if 2 puppies are flying to the same destination they share a crate, they are much happier having a crate mate for the trip.  I often have 3 to 5 puppies flying out at a time so we do try to split all the travel costs between each family.  ie crate and travel expense to the airport, which is 2 hours away from Annapolis Royal. 

Puppies have to be checked in 3 hours before flight and we have to wait this time at the airport till puppies are actually on the plane incase of toilet accidents. It is a very long day for us and the puppies, so we do prefer families to come pick up their puppy if possible.

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