- Consider
purchasing a pup from a commercial breeder or a pet store. Chances
are high that the puppies come from puppy mills or breeders lacking
acceptable breeding standards.
- Believe
everything breeders say. Ask for documentation for pedigrees and
ALL alleged clearances.
- Be
captivated by a fancy website inundated with cute pictures and
no verifiable credentials.
- Be
fooled into thinking that membership of a breeder in ANY Bernese
Mountain Dog Club carries a guarantee of quality in their breeding
program.
- Be
in a rush. Planning and research are instrumental in finding a
quality puppy from a reputable breeder.
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- Visit
with breeders to meet their dogs. Refusal of a breeder to allow
you interaction with their dogs may be indicative of a problem.
- Your
research! Familiarizing yourself with the breed will allow you
to decide, if in fact, a Bernese Mountain Dog is the breed for
you! Education will also make you a wiser prospective puppy owner,
increasing the probability of finding a quality Berner!
- Get
to shows. It is a wonderful opportunity to meet a large number
of Bernese at one time. It is considerate to ask a breeder or
handler when it would be convenient to chat. Remember, the air
can get stressful at a show! Do not misinterpret this as rudeness
or evasiveness. In general, the best time to talk is AFTER ring
time.
- Plan
on waiting for a puppy. Most breeders like to plan ahead and meet
you sometimes even before a breeding takes place. Be cautious
if a breeder offers you a pup immediately.
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