I was just reading what it said on this site:

Bernese Mountain Dog Breed Information & Pictures (Berner Sennenhund, Bouvier Bernois, Bovaro Bernese, Duerrbaechler)

Some of it is discouraging - I've heard the short life thing but additionally it's saying you can't do much training until they are TWO, they don't learn fast, and if you leave them alone an hour they will get destructive! I adore this puppy and I'm hoping he's NOT full Berner since perhaps it might lengthen his life and make other things better while keeping the good qualities. Do many of you find the things that site says to be true? I know many have had more than one Berner and it would seem if there are that many problems that wouldn't be true. And if your dog does have problems being left alone for long what do you do when you have to be gone awhile? Do you find that having other dogs around keeps them out of trouble? The three I have can stay in the house for 6-7 hours without problem.
I know the lifespan thing is an average and wonder if many feed poor quality food and that lowers the average and possibly other factors, like over-vaccinating and such. Either way he's here to stay and I love him - just wondering. Sorry if I'm rambling but I'm a bit overwhelmed at present and he kept us up so much last night that I'm exhausted.

First, the good news: the training input given in this article is dead wrong and ill-advised. No one should wait until 2 years old to train ANY breed of dog, let alone Berners that are often so easily and readily trainable. Some lines albeit can be a bit stubborn, but this is a very human focused breed that takes training very readily IF DONE PROPERLY. I emphasize that as positive training is a must with this soft breed and when done positively, with clicker and treats, this breed learns quick. Harsh voice, choke collars or other abusive items and you will have a host of issues on your hands so it is just important to know not to use archaic training methods.

My Berners have all been trained easily - potty trained in three days, target trained and "shaped" to facilitate all obedience, socialization, and public behavior and I have always had model dogs. I am working with someone who just got a Berner pup, now 5 months old and today at the park, she came from across the park when called, responded to "leave it" when gently asked and adhered to all training already.

Now the bad news: yes, a very fragile breed - both emotionally and immune-based.....but contrary to what this article attempts to purport, the average has not "dropped recently". The average age in this breed is 7 years and has been both in the U.S. and Europe for a long time. Some of the first documented Berners from the 1930s are documented to have died at around age 8.....so clearly we have not evolved from much. Histio is the reason for this and tragically takes many far too young.....as early as age 2. So while many can live to be 10-12, that early death at age 2 is why the average is 7. Most live to be between 5-9 and thereby cementing the average at 7.

The BMDCA and he book by Margret Baertschi are the best sources on history, life, and temperament of the breed.

Rachel

lol, well, that was interesting to read. Ok, i've only had storm but I can tell you my personal experience. Even with storm and his health issues, well he is the one of the best dogs i have ever had.

storm trys to manipulate me sometimes, but he listen excellently now. He is socialable and friendly. He can be stubborn but when I found what works it works.

He hated me going to work but now he goes to his bed and waits for his cookie then he lays down till i come home. I always make sure that i spend as much time as possible with him. when he realized that if he did not get on the snowmobile he would be left home. now he gets on and loves to ride. He gets so excited.

hard to train, at times but I had to learn to have patients and take a deep breath.

I know about the age but the way i looked at it was it is going to hurt no matter what. storm is amazing and I would get another one.

give it time and you will see.

I tried replying to this a few days ago and kept getting a message that my token or something had expired! Samson is doing well - had his vet visit yesterday - in two weeks he gained just over 3 pounds. So at just under 10 weeks old he was 10 1/2 pounds. He's big on nipping and is making the other dogs hate him because he nips their ears and such - he want's to play with them so much. After his waking us up several times a night and us being exhausted we got our playpen type thing back from a friend and put a pet park thing in one end, bedding, his toys, water dish and such in the other. The first time I put him in there I put hte pet park and said "here this can be your potty" - would you believe in a couple of minutes he went to it and peed! Now he does what he needs to during the night - is in the kitchen right next to the family room so he can see the big dogs. And we get to sleep!

on a sad note the Chihuahua did not like him and got very tense. A week ago last Friday at 6 am when my husband let them all out in the back yard the Chi quickly forced himself through the fence grid and took off - I've put up signs, contacted shelter, driven around - he never came back and no sign of him - so he won't get his heartworm treatment. I've Never had a dog do this before.