How much time does a dog require?
Before adopting a dog it is important to weigh up the time that you can devote to him.
Dogs are  social animals, they don't like to spend too much time alone, so if you are out all the day to work it’s not a good suggestion to have a dog. Long periods alone can be the onset of unwanted behaviour.

Is a Bernese Mountain dog suitable for life in an apartment?
We do not advise adopting a dog if you live in an apartment. Not only because ongoing maintenance can results not easy, but also because walking on slippery floors can be the cause of incorrect development of the legs.

Male or female?
The male is surely more striking, with his massive structure, but it needs to be trained from a puppy to be well behaved because, as in all breeds, the male is more dominant. The female is generally smaller than the male, she is very affectionate to her family, she is suitable with kids or elderly. Reading a book on the training is advisable.

How much does a Berner eat?
 The feeding during the 1st year is generally of fundamental importance for a correct skeletal development, particularly of the legs. You don't have to feed a Berner as he claims, but you need to get a balance and growth chart  to follow the progression. A  good quality of dry food is  balanced and practical, you can also cook  soup at home, but never just give them the leftovers from the table.

Does they suffer the warm weather?
Berners  prefer a fresh climate. In the summer they need a fresh shaded place  where they can take refuge during warmer hours. Their size and their coats make them susceptible to heat stroke.

When we can start walking with our Bernese?
At  8 -10 weeks of life you can begin walking the pup for short distance. The Rule to remember is: puppies must walk so many minutes how many weeks life they are. It’s better  to do different short  walks in a day (10 minutes each) rather than one of a hour.

How many baths do they need?
A Berner’s  coat is easy to maintain. Brushing it frequently  will maintain it  clean and bright. Don’t forget to brush the  zone behind the ears to prevent the formation of annoying knots. Baths, using specific products for dogs., 3-4 times in a  year are enough.

What is dysplasia?
Hip dysplasia is a degenerative desease wich affects the articular cartilage of the joint. Several factors contribute to the development like the genetic predisposition or environmental factors such as type of diet, weight gain, traumas, and rate of growth also contribute to abnormal hip development.
It manifests with articular laxity and progressive reduction of the area of contact among the two articular surfaces, to which follow cartilage alterations , bony microfratture. Development is different according to the gravity.

What is the meaning of the acronym HD and ED?
HD: Hip Dysplasie, ED Elbow Dysplasye
In Italy breeders are not obliged to test dogs before breeding, but fortunately in the latest years breed clubs and ENCI pay a lot of more' attention to this pathology. Only dogs with rating: A-B-C for hip and O-1 for elbow could be used in breeding. Following rating involves pathology:

Hip
Grade A: normal.
Grado B: normal/fast normal.
Grado C:: mild displasya.
Grado D: moderate displasya
Grado E: severe displasya

What are  entropion and ectropion?
inheritade eyes desease. In case of entropion eyelids wherein they roll in on the eyeball itself, causing irritation and secondary infections, sometimes causing ulcerations of the cornea itself.
Ectropion is the condition where the eyelid tissue is everted, or rolled out, leading to increased exposure of the eyeball. It can lead to chronic irritation, drying out, and subsequent damage to the cornea. It is necessary to exclude from the reproduction subjects affected from such pathologie.

Longevity and frequent causes of death?
The average life of a berner is about 7-8 years. At times such age obviously comes old but unfortunately in young ages this breed manifest often malignant histyiocitosis,lung cancer, gastric torsion etc. For this reason we believe that primary objective of the selection must be the health and the longevity of the bernese.

How to avoid gastric torsion?
The true cause of GDV are unclear. It is known that GDV tends to affect mainly large, deep-chested dogs. It's recommended to give the daily ration of food in two meals, possibly when you are allow to have under control the dog in digestive phase.

Is the berner easily to train?
Berner boasts a good character, docility and good  predisposition to  learning. The education however it is not a microchip to insert or to replace. The character of the dog will model on the the experiences he will do and on the imparted teachings. From the  the 1° day duty of the owner is to educate it kindly  with coherence, steadiness, . It is useful reading  education books or attend courses of training.

Does it cohabit pacifically with the other animals?
Breeded in the past as utility dog , watchdog , the berner has not developed a predatory instinct , he isn’t a  hunter therefore generally he live in love with other animals.