FAQ — New England Berner Pups | Maine Bernese Mountain Dog Breeder

Question 1

Where does the Bernese Mountain Dog come from?

Accepted Answer

Bernese Mountain Dogs are from Switzerland and named for the Canton of Bern. Their Swiss name, Berner Sennenhund, references the breed's working traditions. A "Senn" or "Senner" is the stockman who takes the cattle to the Alps for the summer. The Sennenhund is the dog accompanying the Senner on his Alpine journeys, from farm, to field, and to town often carting and droving to aid the Senner. Bernese Mountain Dogs are often referred to as Berners.

Historically, Berners were used as a multi-purposeful farm dog; pulling carts to markets, watching the farm, and always a loyal, trustworthy companion.

Question 2

Are Bernese Mountain Dogs good family dogs?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. Berners are known for their gentle, patient temperament and their deep loyalty to their families. They tend to be wonderful with children and typically get along well with other pets. They are calm indoors but love outdoor adventures — a great balance for active families.

Question 3

How big do Bernese Mountain Dogs get?

Accepted Answer

Berners are a large breed. Males typically weigh between 80–115 lbs and stand 25–27.5 inches at the shoulder. Females are slightly smaller, usually 70–95 lbs and 23–26 inches. They reach full size around 18–24 months, though they may continue to fill out until age 3. This is the reason we offer an unprecedented 2-year health guarantee.

Question 4

How much exercise do Berners need?

Accepted Answer

Berners are moderately active. They enjoy daily walks, hikes, and outdoor play, but they are not high-drive working dogs. An hour of exercise per day is generally sufficient for a healthy adult. They do not do well in extreme heat — early morning or evening activity is best in summer.

Question 5

Do Bernese Mountain Dogs shed a lot?

Accepted Answer

Yes — Berners are heavy shedders, especially during their two seasonal blows each year (spring and fall). Regular brushing (2–3 times per week, daily during shedding season) keeps it manageable. A good vacuum and a lint roller become household staples.

Question 6

What is the lifespan of a Bernese Mountain Dog?

Accepted Answer

The average lifespan is 7–10 years, which is shorter than many breeds of similar size. This is one of the reasons health testing is so important to us — we are committed to breeding dogs with the best possible health foundations to give every puppy the longest, healthiest life we can. Many of our dogs reach 10 to 12 years on average.

Question 7

Do you have any puppy training resources?

Accepted Answer

We have found an amazing online training option for all of our puppy families. Their system is focused on positive dog behaviors and teaching you how to train and integrate a new companion puppy into your life, family and home!

You can learn more about who they are, what they offer and how to get started by visiting: https://www.baxterandbella.com/learn-more. Use our discount code NEBP25 for a 25% discount.

Check out this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdbrmycYiNM

Question 8

How many litters do you have per year?

Accepted Answer

We typically have one to two litters per year. We limit our litters intentionally so that every puppy receives the time, attention, and socialization they deserve. Quality over quantity is not just a phrase for us — it shapes every decision we make.

Question 9

Where are you located?

Accepted Answer

We are based in Maine. Our dogs live in our home — not in a kennel — so every puppy is raised in a warm, family environment from day one.

We place puppies with families throughout New England, including Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island, as well as families further afield who are willing to travel or arrange transport.

Question 10

What health testing do you do on your breeding dogs?

Accepted Answer

All of our breeding dogs are tested and cleared through the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) before they are ever bred. This includes OFA Hip and Elbow evaluations, OFA Cardiac exam by a board-certified cardiologist, CAER eye exam, and DNA testing for von Willebrand's Disease and Degenerative Myelopathy. All results are publicly available on the OFA website.

Question 11

Are your puppies AKC registered?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We sell our puppies with a limited AKC registration, although all of our puppies are eligible for full AKC registration for an additional fee. Registration paperwork is provided at the time of purchase.

Question 12

Where can I verify your breeding program?

Accepted Answer

You can find and verify our program on two of the most trusted breeder directories:

AKC Marketplace — https://marketplace.akc.org

Good Dog — https://www.gooddog.com

Both platforms vet breeders for health testing and responsible practices. We encourage all families to use these resources when evaluating any breeder.

Question 13

What socialization do your puppies receive?

Accepted Answer

Our puppies follow a puppy cultural protocol from birth. This includes Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS) in the first two weeks, followed by structured socialization — exposure to different sounds, surfaces, people, and environments. By the time they go home, our puppies have been handled daily, introduced to household and environmental sounds, and given a confident, curious start to life.

Question 14

How does the application process work?

Accepted Answer

Start by submitting our puppy application. We review every application personally — usually within 3–5 business days. If we think it's a good fit, we'll reach out to schedule a phone or video call to learn more about your family. Once approved, a deposit secures your spot on the waitlist.

Question 15

Is there a fee to apply?

Accepted Answer

There is a non-refundable $500 deposit to submit with an application. If for some reason we have more approved applicants than litter pups, we will return the deposit to those that were last approved. We find this process to be more straightforward and you are not beholden to us for the next litter.

Question 16

How long is the waitlist?

Accepted Answer

Wait lists are specific to each litter (please see the above information). We encourage all to get on the email list for PUPDATES. This ensures that you are receiving more information on litters that are available at a time you would like to introduce your family to a new family member.

Question 17

Can I choose my puppy?

Accepted Answer

We use a temperament-based matching process rather than a first-come, first-served pick order. We spend eight weeks getting to know each puppy's personality and energy level, and we match each family with the puppy we believe is the best fit for their lifestyle. Families who have a strong preference (e.g. sex, energy level) are welcome to share that — we take it seriously. In all our years of breeding, we have learned it is most often the dog that chooses their forever family and the family responds in kind.

Question 18

Do you ship puppies?

Accepted Answer

We do not ship puppies as cargo. We prefer in-person pickup so we can spend time with each family, answer questions, and send the puppy home with familiar scents and a care package. For families outside New England, we can arrange transportation for an additional fee — please ask.

Question 19

What is the price of a puppy?

Accepted Answer

Planning to breed and raising litters includes many real costs; time spent researching quality bloodlines, raising puppies reserved for breeding that may or may not meet our breeding standard in 3 years, stud fees, transportation costs, veterinary bills, emergency veterinary bills, array of genetic testing and costs associated with crates, gates, whelping boxes, cleaning supplies, time spent educating others, and more.

Our puppies are priced at $2,900 and are a reflection of all of these costs, plus the cost of health testing, quality nutrition, reproductive care, socialization, and the time we invest in every litter. All puppies come with an unprecedented 2-year health guarantee, AKC registration, first vaccinations, deworming, and a puppy care package. The real cost of a puppy is far more than what we charge.

Question 20

What is the deposit amount, and is it refundable?

Accepted Answer

We require a $500 deposit to hold your spot on the waitlist. The deposit is applied toward the total purchase price. Deposits are non-refundable if you withdraw from the waitlist, but is fully refundable if the litter number is smaller than the number of families seeking a puppy from that litter.

Question 21

What does the health guarantee cover?

Accepted Answer

We provide a two-year health guarantee against life-limiting genetic conditions. If a puppy is diagnosed with a covered condition within two years of birth, we will work with you on a resolution — which may include a replacement puppy or partial refund, depending on the circumstances. Full details are in our purchase agreement.

Question 22

Do you require a spay/neuter contract?

Accepted Answer

There is growing evidence that an early spay or neutering can have a harmful effect on growing puppies. We also realize that most families are not equipped to handle heat cycles or an unexpected pregnancy.

For this reason, we recommend waiting as long as possible to spay or neuter, waiting until they are at least 18 months of age to allow for proper physical and hormonal development. This recommendation is also in line with our limited AKC registration standard. If you intend to breed, a full registration will be required at an additional expense - please inquire.

Everything You Want to Know

About the Breed

Our Program

The Application Process

Pricing & Contracts

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