In a message dated 12/29/2002 6:32:44 PM Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
> is there any way that you could let me know if there is a good breeder > anywhere around the new england area? Hi Sharon, There are many *responsible* breeders in the New England area....and several ways to find them. The first resource is the regional BMD club, the BMDCNV. The club is a mix of breeders, pet owners, some who show, some who do draft and obedience, many who simply enjoy their Bernese....a nice group of people. Membership will bring you a monthly newsletter with a wide variety of articles from health to training to upcoming events. You'll find the contacts for membership and the Puppy Chair (breeder referral) on the website, www.bmdcnv.org Dec & Jan are pretty quiet but things start picking up in Feb. The annual Winter Walk will be Sunday, Febuary 23rd from 11am - 2pm at Wompatuck State Park in Hingham MA. This is a family event, totally informal, just a romp in the park with lots of Berners and lots of Berner lovers. Here is a URL for the park that has information and directions but more specifics should go up on the bmdcnv website in the near future. http://www.state.ma.us/dem/parks/womp.htm March 15-16 W. Springfield, MA The CT River Working Group shows. These shows are for the Working Group only and they're supported entries for BMDs. That means large entries and lots of spectators plus Public Ed materials and Hospitality provided by the host clubs so you have a chance to meet people and chat before and after the judging. There's usually a Spring Fun Day in Westford, MA. A casual day designed for everyone from show people getting ring experience for their hopefulls to obedience run-thrus, to ear and feet trimming clinics, to fun obstacle courses, to raffles. Watch the upcoming events secton on the bmdcnv website or the Bernerblatt newsletter if you become a member. The biggest show event of the year for BMDs in New England is our regional specialty held in conjunction with the Ladies Dog Club all breed shows, in Wrentham, MA. I think it's the end of May this year. Lots of Bernese, lots of fanciers, lots of food and comeraderie. One benefit of going to club events is it gives you an opportunity to see temperaments of dogs from a variety of breeders. You can see which dogs are confident and which are ducking behind their owners...which are anxious to explore the world and which are afraid of everything unfamiliar. Correct BMD temperament is the former, not the latter. Look for a line...an extended family of dogs...who are comfortable in their own skin (ie: self confident) and not phobic basket cases. At berner gatherings, watch the dogs and how they interact with the world and with new people...ask the owners who they came from, especially the ones you like and the ones you don't. Beyond temperament, there's an excellent tool to help you sort out your own priorities and that of each breeder called the Breeder Checklist. It's on Pat Long's website: http://www.jersey.net/~mountaindog/berner1 Be VERY cautious of breeder websites...it's easy to put up a bunch of cute puppy pictures and say what buyers want to hear...while being nothing more than a puppy mill type producer. Some breeder websites are legitimate, many aren't. Likewise, newspaper ads... I don't think I've ever seen a responsible breeder advertise puppies in the Boston area newspapers or the Want Advertiser type papers. The 'bad guys' have gotten pretty good at reaching out to the public and telling people what they want to hear...in broad strokes, rather than specifics. I consider the following and similar to be 'red flags": "Her hips are good" (A responsible breeder will tell you something like "the dam is OFA good, the sire GDC Excellent) "I've never had a problem with ..." (No line is free of all hereditary diseases such as cancer, hip, or elbow dysplasia. Anyone making this claim is either lying or they don't follow up on their puppies and have no idea wht they've produced or this is their first litter.) "My vet said..." (Doesn't matter what their vet said, it's what the OFA or GDC say that counts. These registries use Board Certified Radiologists to evaluate hips and elbows. Likewise, eyes should be checked by a CERF exam.) "These dogs are from European lines, they don't have the kind of problems over there that American breeders do" (Yes they do, that's why we have a bi-annual international symposium on breed health.) "I can't give you copies of ...until you sign the contract" (RUN! Why would anyone not require proof of health clearances and the opportunity to review a contract before signing it. What would you do if you go to pick up your pupy and there are no clearances and the contract you're presented with requires you to show the dog to a championship or breed her and give the litter back to the breeder? These things ARE happening to people, best to check out all the details BEFORE you're there to pick up a pup.) Any responsible breeder will gladly provide you copies of health clearances, a minimum 4 generation pedigree, a copy of their sales contract, and welcome you to visit (by appointment)...BEFORE asking you to sign a contract or commit to a puppy. Also, a $1000 deposit or a deposit to "get on the wait list" is NOT the norm... If a deposit is requested at all, it's typically not more than $200 dollars and it's only after the litter has arrived and the breeder's pretty much committed a puppy to you. So, best way to find the right breeder and puppy for you is to meet as many berner people and dogs as possible. Get to know a few breeders and build a relationship with them. When they have a puppy suitable for your family and lifestyle, the match will be made. See you at the events or shows, Sherri Venditti
