Our Bernese Mountain Dogs
Epona Farm
We have had Bernese Mountain Dogs (berners) since 1990 and been a member of the Bernese
Mountain Dog Club of America since 1991. We have bred several litters, but are currently not
breeding as we focus on getting the farm going. If you are looking at adding a berner to your family
we encourage you to research the breed fully before making a purchase.
The Breed:
"Berner Sennenhund" means Bernese Alpine Herdsman's Dog in German, translating to English as
the Bernese Mountain Dog. Developed from dogs found in the countryside around Bern, Switzerland,
the early Berners were farm dogs, guarding the farm, driving cows to and from their mountain
pastures, and pulling carts loaded with milk cans to the dairy.
Berners first came to America in 1926, and possibly even earlier. In 1937, the first of the breed was
registered with the AKC. Although becoming increasingly popular as a family dog, Berners may not
be for everyone. Large, assertive animals with long flowing coats that shed continually won't fit in with
many lifestyles. Like other large breeds, Bernese Mountain Dogs are not long-lived, with many not
surviving their sixth or seventh year, mainly due to cancer and auto-immune diseases. The Swiss
have a saying: "Three years a young dog, three years a good dog, three years an old dog. All else is
a gift from God."
If you are thinking of making a Bernese part of your family, please consider the following as part of
your research:
1. Berners are good with children, however, an adult should be the primary trainer and supervisor of
a BMD puppy. A 15 to 20 pound eight-week old baby soon grows to a 50 pound junior, and at one
year can reach 100+ pounds. Wild play and unsupervised teasing may not only result in permanent
injury to puppy, but can ingrain bad habits that will become unmanageable when that "puppy" weighs
more than your children.
2. Berners want to be where you are: in your home, in your car, in your face. This is not a breed that
thrives left to its own in a backyard.
3. Berners have their share of health problems, some requiring a significant investment at your vets.
4. Berners are innately reserved and need a lot of socialization as pups to help them grow into
well-adapted adults. Socializing takes time. Pups should be introduced to new people and new
situations on a daily basis.
5. If you are looking for a jogging partner, consider another breed. While many Berners can and do
enjoy a daily outing, for the most part they do not enjoy long runs in warm weather.
6. Berners shed a lot. You will have hair in your house. Like all mammals, BMDs drop hair daily. If
having animal fur in the house bothers you, don't buy a Berner.
7. They are big dogs. A large male can be 27 to 28" tall and weigh 110 pounds or more. A Berner's
tail is a barometer for his happy nature and can spell disaster for your treasures set on low tables.
Mountain Dog Club of America since 1991. We have bred several litters, but are currently not
breeding as we focus on getting the farm going. If you are looking at adding a berner to your family
we encourage you to research the breed fully before making a purchase.
The Breed:
"Berner Sennenhund" means Bernese Alpine Herdsman's Dog in German, translating to English as
the Bernese Mountain Dog. Developed from dogs found in the countryside around Bern, Switzerland,
the early Berners were farm dogs, guarding the farm, driving cows to and from their mountain
pastures, and pulling carts loaded with milk cans to the dairy.
Berners first came to America in 1926, and possibly even earlier. In 1937, the first of the breed was
registered with the AKC. Although becoming increasingly popular as a family dog, Berners may not
be for everyone. Large, assertive animals with long flowing coats that shed continually won't fit in with
many lifestyles. Like other large breeds, Bernese Mountain Dogs are not long-lived, with many not
surviving their sixth or seventh year, mainly due to cancer and auto-immune diseases. The Swiss
have a saying: "Three years a young dog, three years a good dog, three years an old dog. All else is
a gift from God."
If you are thinking of making a Bernese part of your family, please consider the following as part of
your research:
1. Berners are good with children, however, an adult should be the primary trainer and supervisor of
a BMD puppy. A 15 to 20 pound eight-week old baby soon grows to a 50 pound junior, and at one
year can reach 100+ pounds. Wild play and unsupervised teasing may not only result in permanent
injury to puppy, but can ingrain bad habits that will become unmanageable when that "puppy" weighs
more than your children.
2. Berners want to be where you are: in your home, in your car, in your face. This is not a breed that
thrives left to its own in a backyard.
3. Berners have their share of health problems, some requiring a significant investment at your vets.
4. Berners are innately reserved and need a lot of socialization as pups to help them grow into
well-adapted adults. Socializing takes time. Pups should be introduced to new people and new
situations on a daily basis.
5. If you are looking for a jogging partner, consider another breed. While many Berners can and do
enjoy a daily outing, for the most part they do not enjoy long runs in warm weather.
6. Berners shed a lot. You will have hair in your house. Like all mammals, BMDs drop hair daily. If
having animal fur in the house bothers you, don't buy a Berner.
7. They are big dogs. A large male can be 27 to 28" tall and weigh 110 pounds or more. A Berner's
tail is a barometer for his happy nature and can spell disaster for your treasures set on low tables.
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