Breeding Bernese Mountain Dogs...need help!?

Question

I am looking into breeding my female Berner and this summer and I was wondering if anyone had any experience in this?

Answer 1

You should talk to a vet about everything that you have questions about. They would be the ones that you should be asking. Make an apointment with the vet before breeding her to get a clean bill of health on any thing that she could pass to the pups like hip displasia or luxating patella's. Just talk to your vet. They'll be able to give you more information on breeding your dog.

Answer 2

Have you shown or dog? Is there a specific reason you feel a need to breed her? Breeding dogs is very involved and there are many health issues which can be genetic. Not only is it painful to see a dog you bred not turn out so well, but dealing with irate buyers, who in most states can sue you for the price of the dog PLUS 150% of the price worth of vet bills, can be a nightmare.

If you are intent on breeding, please look for an experienced breeder to mentor you. This person should be showing, or at least doing some other type of canine competition or involvement to certify their dogs. They should be doing serious health checks on their dogs, such as hip rating, eye clearances and anything else for genetic problems that the breed is prone to. And you will need to be open to listening to them. Even if they tell you that your current dog should not be bred. Because you can't learn everything you should know before breeding any kind of dog in a very short time.

Most of all, please make sure you check hips before breeding and have your dog OFA certified. If you don't know where to begin, contact the national breed club.

www.bmdca.org
The Bernese Mountain Dog Club of America

Answer 3

Do not breed until you learn the general basics of breeding, whelping and newborn care.
Also do not breed until:
1) your dog is at least 2 years old
2) has had and passed genetic health tests..OFA/PennHip, CERF/PRA, Thyroid and anything else pertinent to the breed
3) your dog has been shown and pointed/Championed or at least evaluated by 3 unbiased breed knowledgable people/judges for breed standard
4) has an impeccible, sound pedigree
5) you have thoroughly researched the pedigree for health, longevity, conformation, temperament

Doing anything less would be irresponsible breeding

Answer 4

If your dog was purchased as a breeding quality female, has her championship, has had all health checks (and passed) pertinent for the breed, you should be going to her breeder for mentoring.

You need to have a thorough knowledge of the breed standard, your dog's line including faults and strengths, then you need to find a male whose traits will complement hers and offset her weaknesses. In short, you need to do a lot of studying of both the breed and your dog's lines or else you're just another back yard breeder putting out inferior dogs.

Answer 5

I'm assuming she has finished her AKC championship in the conformation ring. The show ring is the proving ground for breeding quality, so of course, a dog that does not finish is not of a quality to be bred.
HERE ARE SOME THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE DECIDING TO BREED YOUR DOG:

Have they completed their AKC championships in the ring, thereby proving their quality as breeding stock?

Have you studied their pedigrees to determine possible genetic defects going back decades?

Have you evaluated male and female against the written breed standard to determine why their particular offspring would make a viable contribution to the breed?

Have you done the requisite health clearances and genetic testing for the breed?

Are you willing to have their eyes and hips certified?

Do you understand the risk to the female in breeding her?

Are you willing to pay for a Caesaran, (quite common, about $1,000.00 + postnatal care)

Are you willing to supplement and tube feed puppies for 24 hours a day?

Are you willing to spend 12 weeks hand raising puppies in your home?

Are you willing to go to the expense of 12 weeks of shots and wormings for however many puppies you bring into the world?

Are you willing to interview dozens of potential pet buyers to determine exactly which ones will be the absolute Best homes for your puppies?

Will you have a spay/neuter clause in your pet buyer contract requiring proof of spaying/neutering before each pup is 6 months old?

Will you GUARANTEE that for if ANY reason during the life of the puppies you've bred, their owners can no longer keep them, they must be returned to you?


K

Answer 6

I hope you have the Pedigree Papers on her, as well as her Registry Papers. With out BOTH of these documents your little girl should not be bred.

With out the Pedigree Papers you have no idea what genetic faults she may have or predisposistions for behavior, illnesses, physical & emotional (mental) problems. If the male is not properly papered you should not breed her to him. You don't know his genetics either.

There are no points or advice that would be appropiate without knowing her back ground. If you do not have Pedigree Papers you probably have a pet quality dog.

Check out this site:

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c219/skatekitten2288/pet neuter.jpg

It is plain & simple.

Answer 7

leave the two alone in a secluded kennel for 3 days... chances are that if you repeat this process once a month during the summer, she may end up pregnat. just monitor them and make sure the male doesnt bite or growl at her if so consider not breeding them