Hi all

My best friend is looking into Bernese breeders at the moment as he use to own wait Bernards but has decided he would like to get a Bernese can anyone tell me what health tests he should be looking for in the breed? Also any experience you may have with the breed?

I have a friend with Bernese.  Very high incidence of cancer in the breed, sadly.

Hi

He's aware of cancer, just want to. Know what health tests should be carried out

Hips and elbows You should be looking at 0 elbows and less than a total of 15 hips. DM (Degenerative Myelopathy ) as its creeping in and the test is available and easy so no affected puppy should ever be born. There is a pre-histio indexing linked to Rennes University doing wonderful research into cancer. It will be a struggle to find a breeder in the UK who indexes dogs but there are a couple. More that those who do generally have health as a very important consideration in the breed so get involved with research. Tell him to use http://www.bernergarde.org/home/default.aspx  to look up scores and health and to try to find out from breeders ages and causes of death. Its not called the heartbreak breed for nothing. PM me for contact no's and I can advise.

Merlot is the kc logging dm results on their system like hips and elbows?
Only I've not found huge numbers of British breeders on the bernergarde unless it's changed very recently.
Love the breed but the heartache in loosing them is something I'm still struggling with. One day I'll be back with one x

No the KC do not log DM results. Aileen Barnard will put the British dogs on BG if owners submit them.

All the British dogs registered with the KC are entered on Bernergarde, Hip and Elbow scores go on once Aileen can take them from the BRS. Anything else from British breeders/owners is down to them to submit themselves to Aileen for her to add.

Now that's great work from her. Thank you. I now know I can use that too myself when I feel the time is right and as for DM one wouod expect if they've tested they would want the results published, if they are favourable. But at least it's something for now x

I can't update my admissions that I inputted all those years ago. I have no idea why I can't. Maybe I'll ping something to her to help me out

Hi there, we have just lost our best friend Dennis a great character with the best nature after 12 happyyears.  There is now a huge vacuum in our lives which we hope with some help we can fill.  Our daughter gets married abroad end May this year after which we would love to give another puppy a good home. We are looking for a red and red/white boxer dog which could be ready to collect at around 8 weeks old in June.  I’d be grateful if anyone would be in a position to help could let me know.  Thanks in advance.