We also have a male Berner that we insured for the first 2 years. The insurance we took out only covered him for major surgeries/treatments that cost over $500. We since cancelled the insurance (they just raised the rate to $50/mo) because we are certain we have a superbly healthy boy. He has a gorgeous strong build, very different from Shady who has very long legs and a tall build. Leo is short and sturdy and has a beautiful gait when walking. I think insurance is very good for the first 2 or 3 years (I wouldn't even put it on until the pup was about 9 mo) but if your dog is sturdy and strong, I personally think insurance is a waste of money.

We got our 2 dogs from different breeders but our dogs are somewhat related. Many breeders in Canada are "connected" to each other and exchange their kennel dogs for breeding purposes. Of the 2 kennels, I would have said Shady had the best chance for good health as her father was imported from Netherlands but alas, it was she who ended up with the OCD. It was actually injuries though (torn ACL joints) that needed surgery. Do check out the breeding lines of your breeder and also their reputation. An excellent source of info can be found at the BMDCC website along with a list of breeders who are committed to the health and longivity of the breed. Don't walk your pup too much and don't feed your pup "puppy" kibble - it is too high in protein and can contribute to joint problems if they grow too quickly. Also, keep your pup's weight down by not feeding too many treats. Too much weight is also very hard on their joints. Free play is better for the puppy with a 10 or 15 min walk twice a day more than sufficient. Once they are 6 - 12 mo you can slowly build up their walking time until they are happily coming along on long hikes in the woods by age 2.

2 days ago was Shady's 4th BD and we were remembering the first time we saw her, as a 6 wk old sleepy puppy; we helped out with the breeder at the vet office for shots with the entire litter. When we got her 2 weeks later, wow, what a different puppy, a total little brat!! She had these crazy times (daily!) where she would run around like a puppy possessed and the trainer I finally hired to help out was quite disgusted with her not behaving (I fired that trainer!). She had tons of pee accidents in the house, especially if her best doggy friend came over for a visit which happened a few times a week. Yikes! We perservered and Shady was mostly, by the age of 1, a wonderfully calm and obedient pup. Last pee accident ever was at about 9 mo. Lots of training (fun games like hide and seek for "come") and she loves her treats so was always willing to go along with whatever we asked her to do. Leo, on the other hand, now a 100 pound brute (just kidding, a sweet fellow who doesn't know his own strength) was a very obedient and laid back puppy, quite shy (not a good trait) and I don't think he ever had even one accident in the house, that's how willing he was to comply with crate training. I'd go out and say "Hurry up" and he'd pee on command for a treat. Still does! Of the 2 dogs, it's Shady, the bratty puppy, who does best with new situations and she is utterly fearless, yet calm even when our 2 yr old grandson is climbing on her. Leo is kind of petrified of the little guy and runs from him every time! So, whatever kind of puppy you have, there will be good and bad traits to live with and they each have their own merits. I hope you post a photo or 2 of your pup. Is there anything cuter in the world than a Berner pup?