Finding a Bernese Mountain Dog breeder might be more challenging than you think. You can surely find many breeders out there. But are they reputable and trustworthy enough?
If you want a Bernese Mountain Dog puppy, you must first look for a breeder. But while you can just easily search the internet to find one, there is a huge chance you may come across puppy mills or backyard breeders.
So, if you’re looking for Bernese Mountain Dog puppies for sale, you’ve come to the right place. This article will give you a list of reputable breeders you may want to check!
10 Best Places to Buy Bernese Mountain Dog Puppies
Proper research is crucial when looking for breeders of Bernese Mountain Dogs or other breeds. Remember, the breeder you seek should have a proven track record to ensure you’ll take home a healthy pup.
One of the easiest ways to tell you are dealing with a reputable breeder is when they are recognized by certain organizations, such as the American Kennel Club (AKC).
To help you save time, we have listed ten Bernese Mountain Dog breeders you can check out.
1. DeerPark Dogs – Arizona
DeerPark is located in Northern Arizona’s Cool Pines. It is run by Denise Dean, an expert in purebred dogs since 1975.
In 1978, the breeder acquired her first Bernese Mountain Dog. Between 1988 and 1989, she bred and owned the country’s top male. This canine won the National Specialty in 1988.
You can inquire about the longevity, temperament, and other relevant information about their Bernese Mountain Dog puppies for sale. The breeder also assures that all necessary health testing has been completed.
Meanwhile, Denise is a member of the Bernese Mountain Dog Club of America (BMDCA), the Old English Sheepdog Club of America, and the Berger Picard Club.
She is also a life member of the Flagstaff Kennel Club. In addition, with over 40 years of experience as a dog groomer, she has been an AKC conformation judge since 1997.
DeerPark Dogs Breeder Information and Details:
- Website: DeerPark
- Address: P.O. Box 50517, Parks, AZ 86018
- Phone: (626) 241-6733
- Special Note: If you visit their website, you can see each dog with its corresponding Berner-Garde Number, providing access to their comprehensive health information on the website.
2. Tanzanite Bernese Mountain Dogs – Colorado
Sharon Montville, an AKC champion Bernese Mountain Dog breeder since 1994, is a Bronze Breeder of Merit. She prioritizes pedigree research and health screening.
All her dogs and litters are registered in Berner-Garde, a free online health and pedigree database accessible to everyone.
Please note that the breeder prefers buyers from Colorado and does not ship puppies to new homes. Instead, the Bernese Mountain Dog puppies must be picked up in person from the breeder’s home.
Sharon’s primary aim with this listing is not to sell puppies but to showcase to buyers the responsible practices that justify the prices set by reputable breeders.
This breeder can go for years without having a litter, sometimes having two litters within a year, but usually less than one litter per year. Due to this, they don’t maintain a waiting list.
The good thing is that the breeder will try to connect you with other breeders instead. But if you’re really interested in a Tanzanite puppy in the future, you can request a questionnaire by contacting them.
Tanzanite Bernese Mountain Dogs Breeder Information and Details:
- Website: Tanzanite Bernese Mountain Dogs
- Address: Colorado Springs, CO 80919
- Email: info@bernesemtndogsco.com
3. Sapphires Bernese Mountain Dogs – Arizona
Sapphires Bernese Mountain Dogs, led by breeder Carol Arbuthnot, is based in Arizona. They specialize in breeding and showcasing Bernese Mountain Dogs and Portuguese Water Dogs.
All puppies are nurtured in a lively home setting. They are committed to raising healthy and happy puppies.
Since 1999, Carol has focused on breeding Bernese Mountain Dogs, emphasizing health, longevity, temperament, and structure.
They provide a caring and affectionate environment for both their dogs and puppies in their home. This breeder also ensures their puppies are well-socialized and regularly exposed to new and enjoyable experiences.
As a dedicated Bernese Mountain Dog breeder, Carol provides valuable information and ongoing support to all their puppy owners. Her objective is to enhance her dogs with each successive generation.
Sapphires Bernese Mountain Dogs Breeder Information and Details:
- Website: Sapphires Bernese Mountain Dogs
- Address: Colorado Springs, CO 80919
- Phone: (480) 641-3405
- Email: azbmd@outlook.com
4. Magic Berners – California
Breeders Bruce and Diane got their first Bernese Mountain Dog from Colchester, England, in 1982. Since 2000, they have been showcasing their dogs, which have achieved success in obedience and performance events.
In 2005, they expanded their breeding program by adding international bloodlines. They traveled to kennels in countries like Canada and Denmark to acquire dogs with exceptional qualities.
All their dogs are considered part of the family and even have their tax ID numbers. In addition, they don’t leave their Bernese Mountain Dogs alone.
Each dog develops a personal relationship with a staff member at Bruce’s Veterinary Hospital. The vets take the dogs on a 2-mile walk every day and see to all their grooming needs.
Their underwater treadmill also makes their dogs’ exercises more enjoyable. In addition, their Bernese Mountain Dogs engage in low-impact exercise, which helps them eliminate the risk of damaged cartilage or injured joints.
Magic Berners Breeder Information and Details:
- Website: Magic Berners
- Address: Orange, CA 92869
- Phone: (949) 431-6619
- Email: DrB@DrBLovesMyPet.com
5. Holiday Bernese Mountain Dogs – South Dakota
The Holiday Bernese Mountain Dogs breed exceptional Berners, focusing on temperament, health, longevity, movement, and structure. Their dogs excel in AKC-approved shows and achieve Championships.
Breeder Carri Enrich carefully selects dogs for their breeding program. They conduct tests for hips, elbows, eyes, heart, von Willebrand disease, and degenerative myelopathy.
All their dogs undergo health clearances certified by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA). These clearances are listed on the Berner-Garde website and Holiday’s website.
In their selective breeding program, the breeders aim for Bernese Mountain Dogs with robust bone structures, large heads, proper movement, correct structure, and excellent temperament.
Check out their website to see their Bernese Mountain Dog puppies for sale. But if you opt for the lower cost option, the breeder offers adoption for adult dogs as well.
Holiday Bernese Mountain Dogs Breeder Information and Details:
- Website: Holiday Bernese Mountain Dogs
- Address: Vermillion, SD 57069
- Phone: (712) 470-0607
- Email: halterhrse@aol.com
- Special Note: You can also adopt an adult dog from them.
6. Brighteye – New Mexico
Breeders since 1987, Glenn and Deborah Hotze specialize in breeding Bernese Mountain Dogs. They are experienced dog trainers and raise their puppies in the scenic mountains of northern New Mexico.
Their dogs excel in AKC events like conformation, obedience, agility, tracking, and draft. However, their primary focus is offering families a healthy companion for everyday life and hiking adventures.
The breeders have meticulously bred multiple generations of dogs, ensuring thorough health screenings.
With years of experience in training and raising Berners, they can provide advice and address questions buyers have.
As AKC-designated Breeders of Merit, they conduct essential health screenings on their breeding dogs. They have extensive knowledge of the health and longevity of their bloodlines, spanning up to 12 generations.
However, they do not sell puppies for breeding purposes. In addition, they require all their dogs to be spayed or neutered.
Brighteye Breeder Information and Details:
- Website: Brighteye
- Address: Angel Fire, NM 87710
- Email: g.hotze@att.net
7. Brightwater Bernese Mountain Dogs – Virginia
Since 1992, Bernese Mountain Dogs have been an integral part of Brightwater. These delightful canines are cherished family members and reside in the breeder’s home in Northern Virginia.
Breeders Georgeann and Bob Reeve advocate for the breed and engage in club activities, health research, and educational initiatives.
Bob currently holds the position of Treasurer in the Potomac Valley Bernese Mountain Dog Club. On the other hand, Georgeann currently serves as the President of the BMDCA.
The two continually strive to enhance their breeding program by prioritizing health, type, temperament, and overall soundness.
They aim to breed Bernese Mountain Dogs that align with the BMDCA breed standard for health, type, and temperament. They are dedicated to finding loving, lifelong homes for the puppies they produce.
Brightwater Breeder Information and Details:
- Website: Brightwater
- Address: Leesburg, VA 20176
- Email: bob@brightwaterbmd.com
8. McKinley Oaks – California
Betty Holden is a Northern California-based Bernese Mountain Dog breeder. Ensuring sound temperament and good health are her utmost concerns when breeding these canines.
She believes in conducting pedigree research and health screenings for all her dogs. As a responsible breeder, Betty ensures her canines are registered on Berner-Garde.
The Berner puppies from this breeder come from parents with outstanding pedigrees and health certifications, ensuring their lineage and well-being.
Note that the breeder prefers to have their Bernese Mountain Dog puppies for sale picked up in person from her home. She generally places them within driving distance of Northern California.
If you need to travel to Northern California to get the puppy by air, you should be prepared to drive back home or have your puppy accompany you in the passenger cabin. The breeder does not offer shipping services for puppies.
McKinley Oaks Breeder Information and Details:
- Website: McKinley Oaks
- Address: Fair Oaks, CA 95628
- Email: mckinleyoaks@comcast.net
9. Tollhaus Bernese Mountain Dogs – Georgia
Tollhaus Bernese Mountain Dogs is a devoted small-scale breeder focused on breeding high-quality Bernese Mountain Dogs that excel in all aspects.
Since 1991, the family has immersed themselves in the world of Bernese Mountain Dogs. Their primary objective is to breed well-defined, healthy canines with outstanding temperaments.
Their dogs actively participate in various activities, including conformation shows, obedience trials, rally competitions, drafting events, dock diving, tracking, and nose work.
They typically have only one litter of puppies per year so that they can provide undivided attention to every puppy. This also ensures the pups’ well-being and development.
Tollhaus Kennels embraces a natural approach to raising their dogs and puppies. They prioritize a raw diet to promote optimal health, nutrition, and development.
Nonetheless, you should know that they advocate limited vaccines, prioritize holistic medicine, use non-toxic cleaners, and skip flea/tick and heartworm prevention.
Tollhaus Bernese Mountain Dogs Breeder Information and Details:
- Website: Tollhaus Bernese Mountain Dogs
- Address: Canton, GA 30114
- Email: contact@tollhauskennels.com
10. Blackwood Acres Kennels – Illinois
Blackwood Acres Kennels aims to raise remarkable furry companions that comfort people’s lives. Their premium puppy program plays a vital role in achieving this mission.
The breeders take the responsibility of seriously raising their Bernese Mountain Dog puppies during the first eight weeks.
They have invested extensive time and effort into developing their premium puppy program, drawing knowledge from leading experts in the field.
In addition, they pay great attention to selecting their puppy’s parents. They meticulously choose breeding pairs based on health, temperament, and appearance.
The breeders are committed to ensuring that their Bernese Mountain Dog puppies for sale depart from their kennel in contentment, good health, and adaptability.
Currently, Blackwood’s puppy application is not accepting new submissions. Due to high demand, their waitlist fills up rapidly. Potential buyers are advised to wait around 6 to 12 months until a puppy becomes available.
Blackwood Acres Kennels Breeder Information and Details:
- Website: Blackwood Acres Kennels
- Address: Argenta, IL 62501
- Phone: (217) 294-2577
- Email: blackwoodacreskennels@gmail.com
- Socials: You can also find them on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Other Sources to Find Bernese Mountain Dog Puppies for Sale
You can check out other sources if you want to look for Bernese Mountain Dog breeders elsewhere. Certain websites list reputable breeders, so you don’t have to worry about backyard breeders or puppy mills.
Below are places where you can find reputable Bernese Mountain Dog breeders:
- AKC Marketplace – The AKC is an organization where reputable breeders can list Bernese Mountain Dog puppies for sale. You can visit their website and search for Bernese Mountain Dog breeders in your area.
- Bernese Mountain Dog Club of America (BMDCA) – The BMDCA is the national breed club for Bernese Mountain Dogs in the United States. They have a breeder referral program to help you find reputable breeders with Bernese Mountain Dog puppies for sale.
- Lancaster Puppies – Lancaster Puppies is an online platform that connects potential dog owners with responsible breeders. It serves as a bridge between breeders and individuals or families searching for their perfect canine companion.
Note that when looking for Bernese Mountain Dog puppies for sale, be cautious with online marketplaces, classified ads, and pet stores. Research the seller’s background to avoid supporting unethical breeders.
Before buying a puppy, ensure that the breeder practices responsible breeding. Ask questions, check references, and review their policies before deciding.
How Much Does a Bernese Mountain Dog Cost? Puppy Prices & Expenses
A Bernese Mountain Dog puppy from a reputable breeder can cost between $700 and $2,000. This price range is influenced by multiple factors, such as the breeder’s reputation, location, and puppy lineage.
Although the cost of dogs from reputable breeders may be costly, you can expect reduced veterinary care and training expenses. So, purchasing from a trustworthy breeder can be a highly worthwhile investment.
Aside from the cost of the Bernese Mountain Dog puppy, you must also pay for all the supplies your new pet will need. Certain supplies, such as dog food, treats, and beds, are necessary.
The table below summarizes the initial expenses associated with Bernese Mountain Dog ownership:
| Type of Expense | Cost |
| Food and Treats | $80 – $150 |
| Bowls | $15 – $40 |
| Toys | $30 – $100 |
| Beds | $50 – $300 |
| Collars and Leashes | $15 – $50 |
| Crates and Carriers | $60 – $500 |
| Grooming Essentials | $50 – $250 |
| Initial Vet Visits | $100 – $500 |
| Initial Vaccine Shots | $50 – $300 |
| Deworming, Flea, and Tick Medications | $40 – $300 |
| Neutering or Spaying | $50 – $500 |
| Microchipping | $40 – $60 |
| Dog License | $10 – $20 |
| Other Essentials | $30 – $80 |
| Total Initial Cost | $620 – $3,150 |
Please note that the estimate provided here is solely intended for your reference and should be considered an approximate value.
The specific cost can vary significantly depending on factors such as the type of goods or brands you plan to buy and the particular store where you plan to make your purchases.
So, when determining the exact cost, consider the varying price ranges. The table above is a general guideline and should be a starting point in your budgeting process.
How Do You Find the Best Bernese Mountain Dog Breeders in Your Area?
Searching for Bernese Mountain Dog breeders might be daunting for some pet owners. But with proper knowledge and understanding, you can easily find one in your area.
When looking for a reputable breeder, several key factors must be considered. First and foremost, verify their legitimacy. If possible, visit their kennel facility to check where they raise their puppies.
To help you avoid shady breeders, we have also listed tips you can follow when looking for Bernese Mountain Dog breeders in your area:
- Do some research about Bernese Mountain Dogs. Before searching for breeders, familiarize yourself with the breed’s characteristics, needs, and potential health issues. This knowledge will help you evaluate breeders and ask informed questions.
- Seek referrals and recommendations. Ask for recommendations from Bernese Mountain Dog owners, trainers, veterinarians, or local dog shows. Personal referrals can provide valuable insights into a breeder’s reputation and the quality of their dogs.
- Verify the breeder’s credentials. Verify the credentials and reputation of potential Bernese Mountain Dog breeders. Look for breeders who are registered with reputable kennel clubs or breed associations. Membership in such organizations indicates a commitment to responsible breeding practices.
- Visit the breeder in person. Schedule visits to their facilities once you have a list of potential breeders. Observe the living conditions, cleanliness, and overall health of the dogs. A responsible breeder will be open to visitations and willingly show you around. Pay attention to how the breeder interacts with their dogs and if they genuinely care for their well-being.
- Do not hesitate to ask questions. Prepare a list of questions to ask the breeder during your visit. Inquire about health testing, genetic screening, the dogs’ lineage, socialization practices, and any guarantees or support provided after purchase. A reputable breeder will be transparent and knowledgeable about the breed.
Remember, finding a responsible breeder may take time and effort. However, it dramatically increases your chances of bringing home a healthy, well-socialized Bernese Mountain Dog.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Find the Best Bernese Mountain Dog Breeder?
When looking for a top Bernese Mountain Dog breeder, thoroughly research and find reputable breeders with a good track record of healthy, well-tempered dogs.
In addition, you must consider their reputation and experience. Reputable breeders prioritize ethical practices and have a solid reputation in the dog community.
It is also vital to visit the breeder. They should show you their facilities, introduce their dogs, and answer your questions. Also, check the dogs’ living conditions, food, and socialization.
How Do You Tell If a Breeder Is a Good Breeder?
A good breeder will have in-depth knowledge about the breed, including its history, characteristics, temperament, and potential health issues.
Responsible breeders also prioritize the health and well-being of their dogs. They should be transparent about their breeding practices, including health testing, genetic screening, and selection of breeding pairs.
Lastly, good breeders raise their pups in a home environment and expose them to various stimuli early on. They also give their dogs proper socialization and introduce them to different people and environments.
What Questions Should You Ask a Breeder When Buying a Puppy?
When buying a puppy from a breeder, asking relevant questions is crucial to ensure you’re making an informed decision. Firstly, inquire about the health history of the puppy and its parents.
This will help determine the puppy’s potential risk for genetic disorders and provide insight into the breeder’s commitment to producing healthy Bernese Mountain Dog puppies.
Moreover, inquire about the breeder’s contract and what it entails. By asking these questions, you can gain valuable information about the puppy’s health and the breeder’s commitment to their dogs.
How Do You Know If a Dog Breeder Is Scamming You?
Identifying whether a dog breeder is attempting to scam you requires careful attention to certain red flags. Be wary of breeders who offer unusually low prices or special deals.
Reputable breeders invest time, effort, and resources into breeding high-quality dogs. Hence, their prices reflect the value they place on their puppies.
You should be cautious of breeders who are unwilling to provide documentation.
Furthermore, pay attention to the breeder’s communication and behavior. By being vigilant and attentive to these warning signs, you can avoid falling victim to dog breeder scams.
Final Thoughts
If you think you are ready to add a Bernese Mountain Dog to your family, the first step is to find a reputable breeder.
When you find one, expect to go through a thorough process, as this will ensure you’re getting a healthy furry companion. Always remember to avoid backyard breeders and puppy mills at all costs.
Such individuals may engage in unethical practices, including overbreeding, inadequate living conditions, and lack of proper healthcare.
It is crucial for potential owners to thoroughly research and choose breeders who adhere to ethical breeding standards.
Do you know other reputable Bernese Mountain Dog breeders? Let us know about them in the comments below!
