Molly is delightfully social, and she loves nothing more than when the neighbors two enormous dogs (a tall blond husky and a burly long-haired shepherd mix of 110 pounds or so) come out to play. The Husky snarls and the shepherd starts running along the fence barking his head off. Molly thinks this is a tremendously fine game and begins to run back and forth along the fence, too. She in non-aggressive, yet also non-fearful. In the midst of all that Bow-wow-wow, very occasionally you will hear her dainty "woof." (Nope, not even her famous rooby-roo!!) Even with all that provocation, she only vocalizes when she really has something to say, and that is not very often. This also tells you something about how their nature can be. Molly loves *all* dogs, even those who find her a nuisance by the mere fact of her existence. At the dog day care we have used occasionally I am told that she makes it a point to be friendly with the one dog who doesn't seem to like her.
Around children she is great. If the children are at all smaller than she is, she takes it slowly. A neighbor's child was bitten by his own dog last year and is afraid of Molly. Doing exactly the wrong thing, he puts his hand toward her then yanks it away. That would get jaw on the hand in many cases, but Molly just sits and smiles at him.
That's our Molly! She may not always get up when you say "come," but you can't beat her for friendliness!!!
Martha Hoverson and Molly (Roo-roo, Mom! Thanks for the compliment! Now can I have a cheeseburger?)
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Portland, Maine
From: Radha Iyengar <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: Kenneth L Babcock <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
CC: Bernese Mountain Dog Mailing List <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Re: To Berner or not to Berner?? Date: Sat, 1 Mar 2003 12:58:04 -0800 (PST)
Dear Kenny, I also live in a townhouse and backyard isn't even fenced. We have put up a dog run but that is barely sufficient. My dog, Smokey, is now 11 months (closing in on a year in just a few weeks) and he is pretty well adjusted to the situation. Something important to consider is that you need to be really willing to take your dog out no matter what. I live in New Jersey and this winter has been snowy, cold and terrible. Regardless smokey always, every single day rain or shine gets at least one long walk and 1 hour of off leash play time in a suitable place (often our dog park--which is privately owned so has many fewer of the problems of dog parks discussed previously). It is just important to keep in mind that especially when they are puppies, dogs need a good deal of exercize.
Other than that, I think it sounds like BMD is your kind of dog. Smokey is pretty vocal but not a constant barker. He more barks to communicate (He has a log of different "barks" he can make to say all kinds of things). This is a lot of fur, but I find that regular brushing makes the furriness of the house quite tolerable--but I do quite often find fur in my food, etc.
Good luck with everything and drop a line so we know how things are going--okay?
Radha (and Smokey) Princeton, NJ
--------------------------------------------------- From: "Kenneth L Babcock" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Bernese Mountain Dog Mailing List" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: To Berner or not to Berner?? Date: Fri, 28 Feb 2003 22:11:09 -0500
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Greetings to all the expert Owners of Bernese Mt. Dogs!
My name is Kenny and I reciently fell in love with the BMD! I am seriously considering, no...no, I mean I'd love to own a BMD!! However I have a few concerns: Shedding/is my home large enough/temperment/barking/and will the breed fit into my lifestyle?
I live in a 3 floor townhome with a fenced in back yard (20' X35"), hopefully daily walks and the small yard will please the breed? Last week I dog sitted my sisters 70Lb. Golden Retriever to experience life with a large dog (although 20 or 30Lbs < a Berner). The first two days were difficult in that he was heavly shedding and the hair was a nusance! However I seemed to adjust by day three and just vacummed and brushed daily! By the end of the week I and my family were attached to this beautiful dog. "Bernie" filled our home with a special warmth and love with his laid back temperment. He is missed, as he went home 3 days ago and my children, (3boys, 20,12,9) enjoyed him greatly. I'm told the berners are similar in temperment to the Golden? Finally barking, neighbors have a Sheltie and a besicon that are cronic barkers and is quite unplesant at times! I prefer a controlled to non-existent barker. You may ask, why not get a Golden? I just loved the look and size of the BMD!!!! I met a few breeders and found one I am comfertable with. I met her and her BMD's and loved playing with all of them. I guess I'm seeking advice or reassurance that my home and lifestyle will accomidate a Berner.
Thanks for any possible advice!
Kenny B.
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