Birken Berners

2012-01-01T07:20:00.000-08:00

It was a busy year with three new Berners added.

Brinkely, Marble Majika, and Poncho's Jiggers. Marble and Jiggers will be breeding age this year and we plan at least one litter from the pairing.

Bacia will also have litters this year starting in June. Puppies, for everybody this time!

We wish all the families of our Berners the very best in the new year, and everybody a happy new year

Summer 2011

2012-01-01T07:06:00.000-08:00

Bacia's second litter

2011-09-06T06:56:00.000-07:00

Hi everybody; I've been busy with the newest litter and have finally sent all of them less one to their new families. I kept a female I call Brinkely Blossom. Here is a picture of the little cutie. I think she will do wonderfully in shows. That's her mom beside her.

Bacia's Second Litter, firstborn (girl)

2011-06-09T16:05:00.000-07:00

2011-06-08T17:54:00.000-07:00

Here I am with Fidel off in the Cayoosh Mountains last summer.

Babel Bacia of the Barking Bunch

2011-06-02T20:03:00.000-07:00

Well people, we got back from the Vet's and the ultra sound showed at least 8 healthy pups waiting to see the light of day. Next week, for sure they will enter this world. We'll keep you posted.

2011-05-29T09:27:00.000-07:00

Hi everybody who loves Berners like I do! Well, we are having another litter in about two weeks (June 9th+-) We'll be posting shots of the babies after birth. Any interest in puppies should be sent to birkenberners@gmail.com

2011-01-18T16:42:00.000-08:00

While Mom scratches her back, the kids try for a quick drink

They love straw and have just discovered chickens.

Six weeks old now and soon off to their new families. One will be raised as a show dog, my boy Jiggers will hopefully be a good sire down the road.

The other two will be going to young families who have Berners now, so they won't be lonely for long

PUPPIES ARE NOW 5 WEEKS OLD

2011-01-12T09:50:00.000-08:00

The pups are getting busier and busier as they discover their surroundings. Mom pops in about four times a day now and spent last night out in the snow with her step-brother, Disco Cisco from The Barking Bunch.

We've had about 25cms (10") since last night and the adults love it.

In the morning you go outside and call them and a large mound of newly fallen snow rumbles to life with them bursting out!

The pups get their first shots next week, along with a micro-chip. I'm also going to DNA sample each pup.

This is mostly due to a nefarious deed we call "Litter Stuffing" where a mating has occurred with a female/male who have not successfully passed the hip and elbow x-ray examinations and very possibly, already suffers from the maladies caused by structural joint

displacement, namely;

Dysplasia of the hips and/or elbows, fiberous dysplasia and illnesses related to these issues;

and produces a litter that is credited to a female/male that have passed the exams when displaying for sale, and registering them with AKC/CKC

Documents are also forged to show that a litter came from a dysplasia free female and/or male.

These practices seriously damage the Bernese lineage by passing this disease on to young dogs, and eventually breaks the hearts of those families who purchased such a puppy.

Please check the paperwork of your new family member with the authority that issues the paperwork.

So here they are with a picture of Cisco this morning We'll have more pics next week when they are introduced to the white stuff!

2011-01-07T13:15:00.000-08:00

Here are our 7 "kids" at 4 weeks and 2 days of age. The first two are of the girls respectively; JYC and HT (until they get their own call names) Then the two boys, Jiggers and Boomer. The other three just wouldn't sit still for a photo op. Now they are beginning to eat solid food. We give them Royal Canin Puppy food, they never had an issue with Melamine laced Gluten because they do not use the same source, China, for their ingredients. They all will be getting their micro-chips and second examination for de-worming and first shots as well as assessing general health status in 12 days. Then we can let them out of doors, where we have lots of snow to play in. More pictures next week.

2011-01-04T19:11:00.000-08:00

Here we are at 4 weeks already and the fun has begun The big boy, Boomer, is being beaten on by his sisters, while Jiggers (second of 4 boys) looks on. Also we added a few other pictures, just taken with Jiggers and sister.

New Photos of Berner Puppies

2010-12-19T15:44:00.000-08:00

We have some new photos of the pups. Eyes just beginning to open. They are now 13 days old and getting up off their bellies!

Bacia Had Eight Pups

2010-12-07T19:25:00.000-08:00

Well, it took over a day, but eight new members to the family have arrived.

Four boys and four girls. Here are four busy eating.Mom is tired but content. I'll post more pics as they develop. The fun begins when their eyes open in about two weeks!

Two New Puppies Born Today

2010-12-05T18:20:00.000-08:00

Bacia is still in labor, but so far two new puppies have been born today. These two were born this morning, and she feels like she has more puppies in her.

Check back tomorrow, and I will post more photos as any new puppies are born.

Good News-Berner Puppies In Two Weeks

2010-11-18T21:05:00.001-08:00

We have good news to announce! Bacia our three and a half year old Berner will be having her first litter at the beginning of December, 2010; or..about 2 weeks from now! We will be posting pics as they develop and grow, preparing for their new families. If there is an interest in a puppy, you can contact us at Birkenberners@gmail.com

Best Friends-The Cat And The Crow

2010-06-16T16:46:00.000-07:00

Here is an amazing video I am sure that you will enjoy.

Here at Birken Berners, we have a cat called "Brat Cat" and she plays with the dogs all the time. I have seen her many times putting her head right inside the open mouth of one of the Berners just to check things out.

We let them outside at the same time, they all eat at the same time and are one big happy family.

Farewell To Fidel

2010-04-15T18:46:00.000-07:00

Photo Of Fidel April 2006

By Jim Clifford

It is with great sadness that we report that Fidel (May 2002-March 2010) passed away in early March from a very aggressive cancer called Hemangiosarcoma.

Fidel was taken to the vet in February because he was not feeling well, and the diagnosis and tests were made then and we were informed that the progress of the disease was at a point where it was not treatable.

Fidel will be sorely missed at the kennel.

For more information on Hemangiosarcoma, visit the Veterinary Partner Website.

OK, The Stick Belongs To Both Of Us

2009-10-04T14:00:00.000-07:00

Here is a great photo of two of my Berners in a competition of "who can bring the stick first" to the shoreline of the lake. They are such a funny bunch sometimes, and they just love the water.

Swimming is also great exercise for a Berner if your dog likes the water. These two love to go for sticks as long as you want to throw them into the lake.

Bacia is going into heat, so drop back often to get updates on puppies.

Summer At Gates Lake With Two Berners

2009-09-25T14:24:00.000-07:00

We have had a scorching hot summer up here in Birken, and one of the ways these two like to keep cool is to jump in the lake for a swim, and chase sticks and floating pieces of wood. It is live entertainment at it's best, as Fidel and Riannon just love the cool water.

Bernese Mountain Dog History And Traits

2009-07-28T13:11:00.001-07:00

Family Photo
Birken Berners Kennels

It is believed the Berner (Sennenhund DurrBachler) breed is believed to have originated during the time of the Romans, and descended from the Roman Mollasers (Mastiff) and cross bred with the Livestock Guardian dogs of the Alps. (source Wikipedia).

In more recent times it is considered to have origins in Switzerland in the midland area around Berne in a hamlet called Durrbachler near Riggisburg. The dog was considered a farm dog, and used to herd cattle to and from the pastures, and at times pulled carts of milk cans to deliver milk to neighbouring villages and towns. (source Naturehistorische Museum Bern).

The Berner is a wonderful family dog and companion when it has been socialized as a puppy. It is good around children, other dogs and even cats. I witnessed many times Monya playing with the cat for hours and hours. The cat when it was a kitten, used to put her head right inside of Monya's mouth for fun. They are also calm and mild mannered in crowds of people, playful with other dogs, and warm up to friends. They are often tentative around strangers until the owner exhibits acceptance of the stranger.

The Berner is excellent as a watch dog. and they alert the owner to anything that might be going on around the house or property. My dogs spend time out on the deck year round, and alert me to visitors, and even other dogs or animals that might be approaching the property long before a human being would ever notice.

They are mild mannered and affectionate, and need human contact on a regular basis. In terms of training, they need a good deal of attention in sound training principles, but over a fairly short period of time they begin to recognise the the habits and structure of the household and family unit that they belong to.

If you are interested in a Berner puppy please contact me at BirkenBerners@gmail.com or sign up for regular updates to my Blog.

The Dog Whisperer

2009-07-27T14:49:00.000-07:00

At age 13 growing up on a farm in Mexico, Cesar Millan realized that he wanted to be the best dog trainer in the world. During this period in his life he was always around a pack of dogs, and he remembers that his Father and Grandfather always taught him never to work against nature. In his book he said "That in every dog, he sees the spirit of his Grandfather"

With over 20 years experience in dog training, he produced a TV special for National Geographic, and the show has been a hit ever since it began. He owns a Dog Psychology Center in Los Angeles, and on a daily basis helps numerous dog owners to solve behaviour problems with their dogs with great success.

The philosophy of his training starts with the assertion that a dog because it is an animal, "Always Wants To Go Back To A State Of Balance", or back to a state of normal for the dog.

He feels that modern day society as a tendency of Humanizing dogs, because we want them to be a part of our family. He says "We need Dogs more than they need us". And this tendency to Humanize the dog has forced the dog to live outside this state of balance, and is the root cause of all dog behavioral problems.

The fundamentals of correcting a dog's behavior are Exercise, Discipline, and Affection. By daily Exercise of the dog, coupled with unrelenting daily Discipline, and ending with Affection when the dog behaves properly any dog can be rehabilitated over time. The dog owner must on a daily basis use this window of opportunity to accomplish a Balance in the life of the dog, and the owner.

Cesar often says that he Rehabilitates dogs, and Trains people.

Cesar Millan's Official Website

National Geographic Channel-Dog Whisperer

Buy The Complete First Season of Dog Whisperer on DVD

Fidel And His Offspring

2009-07-26T13:20:00.000-07:00

Fidel And His Offspring

Here is a great shot of the first litter between Fidel and Monya 2years ago. What a beautiful sight to have a healthy lively litter of puppies in the Kennel.

At the time, Monya was my primary female, and she produced some beautiful litters of puppies over her years.

Fidel is now my main man, and he continues to produce day in and day out.

If you are interested in a Berner Puppy, please sign up for an email update or a RSS update in the spaces in the top right hand corner of the blog. I will post a message on this blog whenever I have puppies for sale.

Bacia In The Classic Berner Pose

2009-07-26T11:23:00.001-07:00

Babel Bacia Barking Bunch Holland

Bacia is my most recent female purchase from the Barking Bunch Kennel in Holland. I had her flown over on Air Canada in 2007, and she is a beautiful dog as you can see from the pose that she made in the photo.

One of the benefits you can appreciate from purchasing a puppy from my Kennel is that we are on a 1.5 acre property in the beautiful mountain area of Birken B.C. The property is completely fenced off, and the dogs have a large amount of space to run, play, and enjoy the fresh air outdoors winter and summer.

Going For A Swim In Gates Lake

2009-07-26T06:43:00.000-07:00

Cisco And Fidel

Here is a great photo taken in May 2007 when I took Cisco and Fidel to Gates Lake for a swim, and to get some exercise. The Lake is only 5 minutes away from the Kennel, so I take the dogs for a swim as often as possible.

These two males take very well to the water, and enjoy the swim, and chasing after sticks when you throw them in the water.

Diesel's Monya Ordas

2009-07-25T20:37:00.000-07:00

Diesel's Monya Ordas

Monya was one of the finest Berners I have ever owned. She was the mother of a fair number of beautiful puppies. She was also one of the most laid back and friendly dog that you could ever want to own.

I have fond memories of her, and because she is no longer with us, I miss her dearly. She was the dog that started me off breeding Berners.