FAQS & LinksChristine Gustafson2022-01-04T03:33:54-08:00

FAQs & Links

Please click on each topic below to learn more about Swiss Bernese Mountain Dogs.

Get the FAQs:

Bernese Mountain Dog Club of America

Orthopedic Screenings:

https://www.ofa.org

https://antechimagingservices.com/antechweb/pennhip

Food Issues:

Vet Nutrition Tufts Education

Dr. Jean Dodds Pet Health Resource

Helpful Topics:

Why Titer test.

Why Temperament matters.

The average cost to raise a well bred litter of puppies.

Does buying a purebred increase the risk to shelter dogs?

Bones for Dental Health?

How should we look at DNA testing as breeding tools?

One puppy is wonderful! Let’s get two?

16 Reasons Dogs Eat Poop and What To Do About It

sport dog food banner

Current thoughts on early sterilization:

https://www.avma.org/News/Journals/Collections/Pages/AVMA-Collections-SpayNeuter.aspx#2

http://veterinarynews.dvm360.com/reexamining-early-spay-neuter-paradigm-dogs

“To prospective owners of a Bernese Mountain dog I would offer the following advice: You will not find a more professional, qualified or conscientious breeder than Shelly and Bill Leary at Swiss Silhouette Kennels (SSK). As an owner of several BMD’s, two have come from Swiss Silhouette and both provide an unqualified justification for this recommendation.” (Read the full recommendation here.)

JAY RUSSELL

Like all other breeders of integrity, our goal is to preserve this breed and retain all of the qualities it was produced for. When breeding a litter, our checklist looks something like this:

#1 Breed for temperament. This is the core of who the Bernese Mountain Dog is. They need to be trustworthy and intelligent. The breed is known for being intuitive, loyal, and gentle. Each dog is individual and personalities vary, but the basic temperament of the dog should be consistent.

#2 Breed for structure. This dog is meant to WORK. We want dogs that can perform what they were bred to do. Although we appreciate the beautiful dog that can adorn our couches and lawns, they are a working dog. This breed should be able to live a full life without the handicaps of early arthritis, dyspepsia, etc. Our goal is to produce dogs that do not live their life in pain.

#3 Breed for health. If we have a dog that connects to our hearts the way they are supposed to, can share our lives both inside the home and outside, then we want to keep them as part of the family as long as we possibly can.

#4 Breed for Type. There is no question that the first impression a Bernese Mountain Dog has on anyone is their beauty; Their striking markings, large presence, and glossy coats. If all of the ground work has been laid, then this is the finishing touch…we want our dogs to look like the breed that they are. This is the reason for our kennel name: When you hold any breed into the sun, and can only see their silhouette, and if you are able to identify the breed…THEN, you have “type.”