Was that a tough decision or an easy one for you? But, there’s a serious side to the first few months of owning a Bernese Mountain Dog. Provide your pup with adequate nutrition and physical conditioning (exercise) during development. Inappropriate behaviors or signs of aggression like jumping on the back of another dog, placing the head over the shoulders of another dog, pulling while on leash and straining to move towards another dog, growling or charging should be met with calm and a mind towards placing the aggressor under control. There are many reasons why you should have your Bernese Mountain Dog spayed or neutered, not least of all because it will likely improve their quality of life (and stop you from worrying about a litter of puppies). Sections of this page. Also, eruption of teeth may result in tender gums and a lack of interest in food. Bernese Mountain Dogs are known for their work ethic, calm nature, and beautiful appearance. The Bernese Mountain Dog is from the Working Group – they were bred to work and be active. Some Bernese Mountain Dogs gain weight after they have been spayed or neutered and it’s important to keep an eye on a dog’s waistline just in case they do. The best place to start (in the U.S.) is the Bernese Mountain Dog Club of America (BMDCA) at www.bmdca.org. Prices vary around the country, but spays range from around £130 to £365 and castrations from around £110 to £300. A common question new Berner owners ask: "Is my puppy the 'right' size for how old he/she is? We would always recommend consulting your vet for a personalised opinion. The first puppy socialization class can be started during this time frame. The DogExperts.info website aims to ask questions to breeders, vets and experienced owners to get the answers to your most frequently asked questions about the Bernese Mountain Poo breed of dog. Neutering, Don’t worry about age, the vet will ensure that. Pups have to learn what is expected and they rely on you to provide direction. OTOH, there are pluses to having her spayed according to the vet. Although there is no 100% definite answer, it is often suggested that you should have your male Bernese Mountain Dog neutered after he has reached the age of puberty. In the case of large breeds (e.g., Springer spaniels, Weimeraners, Labrador retrievers, etc.) Please see Consideration of Spay | Neuter of Bernese Mountain Dogs -- I am so worried that I’ll get this wrong, and value your input and advice on the best possible age to de-sex a Mini. Relative size of a puppy or members in a litter may or may not carry through to adulthood. BRP members will not breed female Bernese Mountain Dogs under the age of 18 months. If your puppy looks smaller or larger, is taller or shorter, has heavier or lighter bones or a slighter or bulkier build, a longer or shorter coat than a Berner puppy of the same age you met somewhere - DON'T WORRY. Reproductive hormones can affect behavior during this time frame. etc.) When to spay or neuter a bernese? She is now 15 weeks old. And the pudgy cute face has gotten longer and may appear narrower in the muzzle. Many owners choose to spay or neuter their companion dogs prior to their reaching reproductive maturity. Remove the dog from the situation if he is unresponsive to basic commands like down or sit. For example give her toy to play with if you catch her chewing on an electric cord or the furniture, and remember to praise her for focusing her chewing on the toy. By this time a good idea of the finished size of your Berner can be predicted. Here's why I don't recommend Kibble and Canned Dog Food. The Bernese Mountain Poo is a mix of two different breeds, the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Poodle. The Morris Animal Foundation - Golden Retriever Lifetime Study... Jump to . dog's back. Dogs that are not behaving with good sense and proper manners should be directed to sit or lie down. Responsible breeders use several health tests to screen potential breeding dogs for genetic health problems. See Homemade Dog Food Delivered To Your House. Top Answer . Larger males may weigh more. The first few weeks with your puppy will revolve around getting puppy used to your house's schedule, setting up planned feeding times, setting up a housebreaking routine, and crate training if you choose to use a crate. Sensitivity to human touches on the rear end during heat cycles is common. I was doing research on "dogs first heat" and they all have different reccomendations . Berners mature slowly. By the time individual dogs in this breed reach 5 - 7 years of age, they should be in glorious in coat; their structure set; they should be calm and self assured; they are in full body and are, ideally, in the prime of their lives. Perhaps the best way to describe Bernese Mountain Dog growth is the old Swiss saying, "Three years a puppy, three years a good dog, three years an old dog, and the rest is a gift." Here’s what you need to know: Firstly, you’re going to have a happy and healthy Bernese Mountain Dog. Many owners choose to spay or neuter their companion dogs prior to their reaching reproductive maturity. This ancient breed develops very slowly, and your Berner pup should already be huge. Everyone assumes you’ll know which is which but, to be honest, we still get confused which is which, so don’t panic. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. As long as the undercoat is removed the outer guard coat will provide shade for your dog during the summer. If your pup eats all her food, praise her. BRP members acknowledge that ideally Bernese Mountain Dogs should not be used for breeding under the age of two years and after they have received normal hip, elbow and eye certifications. To Spay or Not to Spay your Bernese Mountain Dog ? It is not realistic to expect more of your pup than the maturity at a year of age allows. Bernese are SLOW MATURING DOGS. This photo shows the same Berner as a young adult and a mature adult. It may be advisable to spay your female between 6 - 8 months of age if you do not plan to breed her. If you can't make your own homemade meals, a company called NomNomNow will make them and deliver them to your house. One dog forum member recommends that females should go through one or two heat cycles before spaying to reduce the risk of spay incontinence or perivulval dermatitis as an adult. You could save the lives of countless Bernese Mountain Dog puppies (no, really)! The rear quarters may appear higher for a week or longer and then the front quarters grow to catch up. Once heavily boned legs appear to have lost their substance. However, experts have said that this is not at all true. Distract intact males with a game of catch or a walk if they become inappropriately amorous and attempt to mount and hump other dogs, pets or people. Training a Bernese Mountain Dog takes time, commitment, and plenty of patience. It is not uncommon for Berner puppy's skeletons to grow unevenly. Their ancestry is likely to include the Molosser, a Mastiff style dog that the Romans brought with them in the first century B.C. How puppies walk or run during the first year might look mildly uncoordinated - especially when a big growth spurt occurs. NO PUPPY SHOULD EVER BE PERMITTED TO ROUGHHOUSE WITH ADULT, larger or more physically adept DOGS! Effective Options Regarding Spay or Neuter of Dogs ... those wishing to neuter should decide on the appropriate age. Some males have a very strong reproductive drive while others do not. As such they advise neutering males and spaying females when they are between the ages of 6 to 9 months old and sometimes even when a dog is 12 months old. 2010-10-23 02:46:35 2010-10-23 02:46:35. Pups at this age usually weigh around 45 - 85 pounds. When to spay (for females) and neuter (for males) is another hot topic, especially for breeders and trainers who don't agree with the standard veterinary recommendation of sterilizing at six months of age. If I did decide to spay a female, I would opt for a keyhole spay and wait until they were mature (for our breed, Bernese Mountain dogs, minimum of 2 years old).I wouldn’t routinely neuter a male, as the negatives outweigh the benefits in my opinion. The later is the better. Bernese mountain dog is the only dog with long hair in four types of Swiss Mountain dogs. The original Bernese mountain dog was an all purpose farm dog used to herd cattle, protect the farm and pull milk carts to the local dairy. Slamming, racing around and wrestling can cause serious and even lasting injury to muscles and ligaments in growing pups. For an in-depth overview of health and management considerations related to Spay|Neuter of Bernese Mountain Dogs, please see: Consideration of Spay | Neuter of Bernese Mountain Dogs -- The smallest pup sometimes is the same size as an adult as his larger littermate. By Dr. Becker on Healthy Pets. The Swiss saying, "Three years a puppy, three years a good dog, three years an old dog and the rest is a gift" is an accurate description of the Bernese Mountain Dog. Pay very close attention your puppy to see that she does not get into mischief or get into a dangerous situation. The dogs are judged on ability to both pull and have control over a cart. 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