 Barked: Mon Aug 13, '12 12:23pm PST |
 | |  | | The n-laws have a berner named Nanna. When they say a breed is sensitive, that means a chicken. Loud noises, yelling, intense household activity, uncertainty, major changes, general discord or strife, and so forth are very stressful for this dog. It is important that you not stress your dog. This breed is prone to cancer, and stress causes inflammation reactions that can really harm your dog over time.
It's a heartbreak breed for a reason. They are just the most beautiful dogs inside and out, but they have short lives(6-8 years) and devastating diseases(cancer, cancer, cancer, early arthritis, and tendon and joint disoders). The attitude of Nanna is almost zen-like. Happy, contented, willing to please, her favorite ativities are running around their 3 acre property and being scritched under the chin, behind the ears and across a vast belly while you are holding her paw. She never stops smiling. Berners are a dog that does their best to be harmonious in life with just a pinch of spice. Also, they're great big lap dogs.
When I say spice, they can be naughty. Nanna is a notorious counter surfer. If we don't lock up the butter, Nanna has herself a high-fat snack. If we don't get the food off of the dinner table, Nanna gets extra helpings of steak. She waits and watches the humans until nobody is watching, and mind you this could be a matter of seconds, they sneak up on silent paws and get what they want. Last night for example, 3 tri-tip steaks and a chicken breast were on a plate after dinner. She chose the moment where literally everyone was in the room and had their back turned. We didn't notice until an hour later that there was no meat on that plate. Very sneaky and very cunning and very quiet for their size, so watch out. She also likes to bully their airedale outside by nipping at her heels when they're chasing a ball together.
With Berners you will deal with weekly sprained or bruised ankles, hocks, elbows, toes and stifles. they're active outside and docile inside, but they'e easy to train. You might have fun carting together. A berner would be very happy doing yardwork with you, with a cart while you weed and mow it can haul your waste, and walk with you and next to you while you're doing your chores. A berner is a squire's dog. Gentlemanly, aristocratic, capable of high activity, but mostly laid back and biddable.
Groom them weekly. they need a brushing with a slicker brush, and you need to care for their ears and pants because they will get horrendous mats around behind the ears and on the back legs. Everywhere else never usually gets messy. Pick burrs and foxtails when you find them. that sort of normal thing. |  |  | |  |
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