Best Friends-The Cat And The Crow

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.