Hey there, new to the forum but I must say lots of great information.

Girlfriend and I are currently on a waiting list for a berner. My question is,
When do breaders typically contact you in regards to getting a puppy? 5week mark? later/sooner?

The breader picks owners based on temperament of the pups.

Thanks

I can tell you that most responsible breeders inform those on their waiting list who are absolutely too low on the list to be eligible for a puppy, as soon as the litter is born (and the number is clear). From here, there will be some uncertainty for those who are given the "possibility" until about 5-6 weeks. At this point, you should know if you are getting one, although be prepared that the best breeders always do two things:

1) temperament test - using an independent tester
2) Structurally evaluate for show potential - breeders who are judges can do this themselves, or many have a judge come over and do this for them.

Both of these things are done in the 7th week - and so actual placements are not made until then (exactly WHO they are getting).

I have always been told the night before I was getting on a plane WHICH puppy I was getting but knew weeks prior to book my flight without issue.

Hope that helps!

I am due in the next couple of weeks to get my new Berner puppy.

We visited them at just turned 4 weeks but no indication of which would be ours and we are visiting again on Friday just turned 5 weeks. I am not sure till we get there if I will be able to choose from one of the three boys then or if I will wait and the breeder will choose for me. I am just as happy if breeder chooses for me. Puppies do not really start to show there characters till at least 5 weeks.

This will be our second Berner our first we lost in February this year to some rare conditions whch could not be treated he was 41/2. So I am excited but apprehensive.

Good luck Lynn and hope this puppy wipes away the tears - they are great at that and hope by now this puppy is settling in with you nicely.

Thank you he has been home 2 weeks tomorrow and he has wiped away the tears he keeps us laughing most of the time.

He is a little scamp and quite naughty but just what we needed.

We were asked to make two choices out of three pups as we were second on the list. Very hard to do as they are all gorgeous puppies.