It is very important to remember this fact about the Bernese in the USA: This is no longer a rare breed. I will say it again for emphasis - this is NOT a rare breed. So, I just don't understand why people are paying top dollar for a puppy just because it is a BMD. I don't understand why people are spending more than 1000 of their hard-earned dollars, for the privilege of spending thousands more in vet bills, just because the puppy is a Bernese Mountain Dog. Yes, they ARE cute - but so are most puppies. I could *sort of* understand it when this breed WAS rare, and truly in short supply... I could sort of understand how people would pay the big bucks. But today - NO WAY. This breed is "everywhere," owned by "everyone." This is no longer a "special" breed in the sense that when you are on the other end of the lead, you get alot of attention because people are so surprised to see a BMD, or don't know what breed it is, whatever. (not to say this breed is not precious and special to ME and the many other owners who love their dogs...just like boxers are dear to their owners, and yorkies, cocker spaniels, labs, etc. - of course all dogs are special).
The point I am making is this - Berners are now well on their way to being out and out "common." How many people pay $1500 for a Golden Retriever pup out of non-champion, untitled parents????? How many people pay $1500 for a BMD out of non-champion parents - sadly, far too many. That said - WELL-BRED Bernese Mountain Dogs are still rare and always will be. In fact, WELL-BRED dogs of almost every breed, are rare in this country. My sister has a lovely Golden - a spayed pet - and she gets noticed quite a bit when she takes her out, because she is clearly a WELL-BRED dog. My sister paid $900 fo her with a s/n contract - a bit more than the typical BYB price of $300-$600 depending on their brazeness. Her breeder, like other responsible breeders, KNOWS the standard and plans breedings with that in mind. As a result, Tusker looks nothing like your "garden variety" golden retriever. She might as well be a different breed. I think we will be seeing a huge increase in "garden variety" Berners - soon. For the most part, I agree with Susan that the breed will "save itself" - although it remains to be seen whether Berners become the next Golden (which did NOT save itself - the litters are too large) or the next Saint (a breed which basically DID save itself). Saints overall are not in favor at the puppy mills anymore - not profitable. I pray every day that Berners in the puppy mills will not be fertile. This breed is, generally, not the most fertile - lots of cystic ovaries, short-cycling bitches, dogs with sperm abnormalities or low drive. In addition, many bitches require c-sections and many pups are "slow starters" to the point that some die shortly after birth (very common with inexperienced breeders who don't have someone more knowledgeable assisting). If people weren't so willing to pay $1500+ then this breed would be a money loser for the commercial producers. The sooner the public GETS A CLUE and stops forking over the money to the numerous shysters selling BMDs on the internet (like many of the current crop at sites such as Yahoo), the better the future will look for this breed. There are some good breeders who advertise on the internet - and they often provide alot of info in their ads to set them apart - registered names, clearances, titles on the actual litter parents (none of this "from championship lines" baloney - yeah, 3 or 4 generations back). Avoid the ads that emphasize "in time for Christmas" - that is a major red flag and very common on the internet at this time of year. Sometimes pups do end up being ready for the new homes at Christmas but a good breeder will try to counteract the negatives associated with this timing, rather than capitalize on it as a selling point. Finding a Berner pup from a really good, careful, conscientious breeder is still a challenge. And of course, bringing a Berner pup - or ANY pup - into your family always brings the risk of high vet bills. Stuff happens - even when the breeder was careful to plan a breeding with health as a major factor. The state of the breed has changed dramatically in just two short, sad years. Not sure what the next two will bring. I am not opposed to "more" being bred... quantity is not the evil, low quality is... We need MORE breeders who are truly up to the challenge of breeding responsibly. Sharon Montville - Firstrax - Colorado __________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail Plus - Powerful. Affordable. Sign up now. http://mailplus.yahoo.com
