(sort of) from a recent thread on your dream dog.

We already have our dream dog, Misty (11mth GR) and she is adorable :D.  Have always wanted a GR for many years and after seriously considering it for a year, finally got Misty around Easter last year :p.  My OH at the time wanted a Bernese Mountain Dog but I vaguely dismissed the idea due to their size :rolleyes: and thought a GR would be better for us with a young family.  We did however contact a couple of breeders to find out more info on them but now cant find the emails.  A couple of months after getting Misty, one of them contacted us as they had a puppy.  Obviously we had to say no but I actually found myself disappointed.

Now, the whole reason for this posting (finally..!! :D)

1.  What are your views on a bernese?  Would they be ok as a family pet only and not worked or shown etc.
2.  Misty is a very lovable albeit loopy dog (what GR isn't :D), would this "pairing" so to speak be a good one bearing in mind both temperaments etc etc

Rest assured, we are not getting one any time soon BUT..... are thinking about it for the future, ie at least 18 mths to 2 years if not longer but there is another question

3.  If we did get one, should it should be a dog or bitch (we really don't have a preference or thoughts) and this in turn leads to another question. 
4.  We are planning on getting Misty speyed in hopefully 3/4 months time (currently on day 12 of first season).  Is this still advisable or are we better leaving her and (depending on what your views are to the last question) opt instead for the BMD.  We are not going to be breeding.

Sorry if this is rather long and too far into the future but I am asking as the last question is more relevant to now so I can plan her op date for when we are both around.
Kerri x

OK, right up front, I am not a dog breeder and may be sadly out of date but we looked into BMD too.  They are beautiful and seem to have wonderful dispositions.  What put us off were the breeders, several, who stated the breed is prone to bone cancer with the chance of a sad short life span.  And most thought they would not be able to keep up with our active lifestyle of running, hiking, cross-country skiing and canoeing.

I love Bernese and am very lucky in that we have a 'surrogate' who we regularly look after for friends (although we will be losing them all soon as they are returning home to USA :( ).  He is a wonderful boy and easily fits in with our two when he comes to stay.  He is very friendly, easy going and biddable.  If I could guarantee that they were all like him, I'd have half a dozen of them tomorrow :D :D

On the other hand, I know two other Bernese (a male and a female of different breeding) and they are much more aloof and stand-offish but I think a lot is down to the upbringing.

The one thing that puts me off is the woefully short life span, even by giant breed standards :(  As Jestone Jewel has said, the breed is prone to certain cancers and the average life span is only around 7-8 years I believe.  I guess if you are serious about getting one then you should look for longevity in the lines, as well as all the relevant health tests. 

I was aware of the short life span but will have to do as you suggested ShaynLola and research the longevity as if we plan on getting one in say 2 years and they live to the wonderful age of say 8, that would also make Misty around 11 yo..  So yes I would have to look at the lineage.  As we don't live a hectic lifestyle like you Jetstone, that side of things isn't a problem for us.  I do obviously take Misty out for walks but I only walk with her, its my OH that takes her out running around like a looney on the fields.  I have only ever seen 2, both dogs and both were so docile and laid back but like you say, it probably has something to do with their upbringing.  Hopefully these next 2 years will give us time to research the breeders and the lines used etc before being placed on a waiting list.
All views are welcomed!