How to choose a new dog for your family- looking for guidance

[Betty]

After a long illness, Our beautiful dog Lenny passed away mid January. We are missing him so very much but are considering adding a new fur baby to our family. A friend who runs a local rescue group has a small dog that was brought up from Puerto Rico. She was living in a room with 10 other small dogs. She is not very social since there was little interaction with others. She is very quiet and seems very scared. I met her the other day and even though she allowed us to handle and hold her, she didn't respond socially to us and her tail was between her legs the entire visit. I understand this change is traumatic for her, being in an entirely different place. She is good with other dogs and is currently living with my friend and her 3 dogs. I'm not sure if she will come around socially, so I am looking for some guidance with this.
Thank you,
Betty

 

[Dr. Sara]

Dear Betty,
It is lovely that you want to help a rescue pup. You have to think about what you NEED in a pup, and what you WANT in a pup.
Needs are non-negotiable, wants are flexible. I suggest drawing up a list of your wants and needs so that you have an objective basis for a decision.
For instance, if you have children or children are in your home frequently, your dog MUST be child friendly.
Depending upon your physical strength, size is a consideration, and may be a need.
If it is important to you to have a cuddly dog, this dog is probably not the dog for you. She is not showing signs of interest in people, she is tolerating handling but not showing enjoyment of it.
It is possible that over time this dog could become more social, and if you are OK with the possibility of having an emotionally distant dog, you may want to take a chance on this pup.
It is important to think through this decision, and act with your head, not your heart. You want to make a sensible decision that will be good for you and the pup.
I hope this helps!
Sara

 

[Dr. Jeff]

Hi Betty-

How are you and Pete doing since the loss of Lenny?

I agree with Sara that this pup may be too distant for you.

If you're looking for a pup to nurture who may eventually come around to your love and a homeopathic lifestyle, that would be wonderful.

Does your friend have any movies of her that we could see?

 

[Betty]

Dear Betty,
It is lovely that you want to help a rescue pup. You have to think about what you NEED in a pup, and what you WANT in a pup.
Needs are non-negotiable, wants are flexible. I suggest drawing up a list of your wants and needs so that you have an objective basis for a decision.
For instance, if you have children or children are in your home frequently, your dog MUST be child friendly.
Depending upon your physical strength, size is a consideration, and may be a need.
If it is important to you to have a cuddly dog, this dog is probably not the dog for you. She is not showing signs of interest in people, she is tolerating handling but not showing enjoyment of it.
It is possible that over time this dog could become more social, and if you are OK with the possibility of having an emotionally distant dog, you may want to take a chance on this pup.
It is important to think through this decision, and act with your head, not your heart. You want to make a sensible decision that will be good for you and the pup.
I hope this helps!
Sara

I appreciate your response and agree that my new pup needs to be a good fit for our family. She has made some progress with her foster that last few days and I will upload a video from her current mom for you and Dr. Jeff to view sometime later today. Thank you, Betty

 

[Betty]

Hi Betty-

How are you and Pete doing since the loss of Lenny?

I agree with Sara that this pup may be too distant for you.

If you're looking for a pup to nurture who may eventually come around to your love and a homeopathic lifestyle, that would be wonderful.

Does your friend have any movies of her that we could see?

Hi Dr. Jeff,
We are missing Lenny like crazy. Our home isn't the same without his vibrant personality and spark. My friend Jen is taking a few videos of Candy and will send them to me later today. It sounds like Candy made some progress over the last few days and is now interacting with Jen, especially in the morning. Her tail does wag , I guess she was frightened of us when we met her on Saturday. Thanks for responding, Betty

 

[Betty]

Here is the most recent video taken this morning. Please let me know what you think.
thank you,
Betty

 

[Dr. Sara]

That's promising! She does seem interested in the foster mum. Good eye contact, happy wagging; all good signs.
I would take some time to get to know her if you can. Perhaps in the yard outside, or on a loose leash walk? Try tossing dropping high value treats to her if she likes food, so she thinks you are cool. Wait to try hand feeding her until she is coming up on her own for attention without food present.

 

[Betty]

That's promising! She does seem interested in the foster mum. Good eye contact, happy wagging; all good signs.
I would take some time to get to know her if you can. Perhaps in the yard outside, or on a loose leash walk? Try tossing dropping high value treats to her if she likes food, so she thinks you are cool. Wait to try hand feeding her until she is coming up on her own for attention without food present.

I've been visiting this pup and giving her treats as you suggested. She is making eye contact and coming near me more often. I'll continue the visits for another week to see if she gains more trust.

 

[Betty]

So after a number of visits, Candy still wasn't interested in interacting with me. I've decided she is not my dog as I am not sure she will come around socially with people. She loves her dog companions more than people. If anyone has suggestions where to search for a new healthy dog, I would greatly appreciate that. Looking for a small healthy, happy dog that doesn't shed. Thanks

 

[Betty]

I've been talking with breeders about a new pup recently. What questions should I bring up? I ask about health and they say their dogs are healthy. Most of them give a year or more health guarantee for breed specific issues. I try to talk with them about the way the moms and dads are raised. Am I missing anything?

 

[Dr. Sara]

Dear Betty,
If you are considering a purebred dog, the place to start is the breed club's website. That should have detailed information about the needs of the breed (grooming, exercise), the typical health problems for which breeders should test, the breed's typical temperament, breeder referral, and the rescue coordinator's information. Read this through carefully. All breeders should breed only healthy dogs,but have they tested for the testable problems?

I am attaching below the information that I send my puppy owners so that you get an idea of the kind of response you would like to have. Some people have this information on their website, or in the breed database. You are choosing a companion for 10 to 15 years, so you should have as much information as possible to ensure that the pup is as healthy as possible from the start.

A one year health guarantee is fine, but you likely won't want to return the puppy. I have seen many people decide to keep a pup with serious inherited problems, and spend thousands of dollars to fix the problems. Also, issues like cardiac, neural, and joint problems may not show up in the first year.

If you are choosing a mixed breed, health testing is still possible based on the breeds of the parents, and what they are susceptible to.

I will also paste my puppy owner questionnaire below. The breeder should be thoroughly investigating the homes to which their pups are sent. If they aren't checking the homes, how do they have any idea where their pups are going? What does that say about how much they care about their pups?

I use a lot of the AviDog information for puppy raising, Puppy Culture is also good.
I hope this helps!
Dr. Sara

This is what I send prospective Bernese Mountain Dog puppy owners; the questionnaire is pasted below that, as this won't attach a .doc.

I would suggest that you reach out to one of the regional clubs:
Bernese Mountain Dog Club of America -- Regional Clubs
to meet other breeders. You definitely do not want to buy a Berner on line or from a pet store; they are virtually all from puppy mills, which have started breeding Berners as the breed has become more popular. Puppy mills do not check parents for heritable defects, and the pups are not well socialized. You want a pup that is raised in a home so that it will be a good household companion for you and your family.

The Potomac Valley Bernese Mountain Dog Club, my local club, has a Breeder Referral area of the website, as do many other regional clubs:
Potomac Valley Bernese Mountain Dog Club
You might also want to contact a Rescue Coordinator, if you think an older Berner might be a good fit.
If you are still interested in a pup from me, please fill out and return the questionnaire at the end of this document.

These pups are raised in a home environment. I train and show my girls, in conformation, obedience, agility, nose work, and draft, but they are first and foremost, members of the family. Maerzen is a naturally reared Berner whelped by our Rheswyn, who is a daughter of our oldest bitch Rubiy, from Bernvonrust Kennels in Canada.
Natural rearing means that all three girls have been fed raw their entire life, are not exposed to toxic chemicals, and have received minimal vaccinations. I am a holistic veterinarian, and I have seen the benefits of this approach in my patients. If you would like to know more about natural rearing, and its benefits, this website is informative:

NaturalRearing.com ~ Home

I would also suggest that you look at the information about the breed on the website of the Bernese Mountain Dog Club of America:

Bernese Mountain Dog Club of America -- The BMDCA

You can find Maerzen and her parents, their health clearances and titles on the Berner-Garde website:

Home Page - Berner-Garde Foundation

Once you access the database, you can put in our bitch's name:
Maerzen Bahnli of Bernvonrust or her BG # 130383
Maerzen was whelped in May 2016. Her health clearances are: OFA Hips Excellent, OFA Elbows Normal, OFA Clear for DM (both loci), Clear for vonWillebrands (genetic test), OFA Thyroid Normal, OFA Heart Normal, OFA Eyes Normal. She has her IABCA conformation championship, and SN-C (obedience) titles. She is an affectionate and cuddly dog, and she loves her agility and obedience work.

The pups receive BioSensor "Super Dog” neurologic stimulation, and AviDog early scent training during their first two weeks of life. They receive the AviDog program of environmental enrichment and early experience from two weeks until they go home. The pup enclosure is in our kitchen, and they are handled quite a bit! We have frequent visitors of different ages with whom our girls are familiar to help socialise the puppies. I send weekly email updates on the puppies, including a link to photos of the growing litter.
The pups cost $2,500, and are available when they are nine weeks old. Pups are reserved either before or after whelping, with a non-refundable $100 deposit. If there are no pups of the sex desired by the owner, the deposit is returned. Half of the total cost for the pup is sent to the breeder when the pup is four weeks old; the remainder is paid when the pup goes home. Potential owners are encouraged to visit the growing pups, after the pups are over 4 weeks of age. The breeder will choose the pup most appropriate for the potential owner, based upon the potential owner's responses to the questionnaire and communication with the breeder.
Pups are guaranteed against hip and elbow dysplasia for the first year. This guarantee is conditional upon feeding a diet which is approved by the breeder, keeping the pup lean (excessive weight is the number one risk factor for joint disease), and preventing damage to the developing joints by avoiding jumping from a height, uncontrolled charging down stairs, or slick flooring in the home. Environmental causes can easily damage developing joints, especially in giant breeds. If at any time in the pup's lifetime you can not keep him or her, we will take them back.
If you would like to visit, let me know and we can provide directions. If you would like to speak on the phone, let me know, and I will send my number.
Sincerely,
Sara

Puppy Questionnaire for Potential BMD Owners DATE:

Thank you for providing this information. Every dog deserves a loving family, and I want all of my puppies to have a happy home. My primary responsibility as a breeder is to find the home that will best match each puppy's temperament and personality, helping the puppy thrive as a companion and family member. This written information helps me understand you and your needs, and match them to a puppy. I appreciate your honesty and will do my best to choose the best puppy for you.

Name:

Address:

Telephone: Home: Work:

Email:

Your Occupation:

Partner’s Name & Occupation:

Total number of people living in your home:

Adults:

Children and their ages:

Housekeeper or au pair :

Are any family members afraid of dogs or ever been bitten by a dog?

Are any family members allergic to dogs?

How many dogs live in your home?

What are their ages and breeds?

What other animals share your home?

Your vet’s name and phone number:

May I use your response to this form as permission to call him/her?

What made you decide to consider a Bernese Mt. Dog?

Have you owned a BMD previously? From whom did you obtain that BMD?

If the dog is no longer alive, what was the cause of death?

What kind of temperament are you looking for in a puppy?

Are you looking for a male or female puppy?

For what purposes are you considering a BMD?

Obedience Conformation Breeding Draft work

Therapy Dog Agility Family Companion


Does everyone in the family want a new dog?

Do you own or rent your home? Is it a house, apartment or townhouse?

Would I be able to come and visit the dog at your home?

The area of the house where the pup will spend its time must have flooring with good traction until the pup is two years old. Joints subjected to stress of slipping on floors are more likely to be damaged. What type of flooring will you provide for good traction?

Who will have primary responsibility for the dog?

Who is home during the day?

Where will your BMD be during the day if you are not home?

Do you have a securely fenced yard? What are the dimensions of the yard?

What kind of fencing do you have? If it is an electric fence, is there a sturdy, reasonably sized structural fence to prevent people and stray animals from entering your yard?

Electric fencing alone is not permissible for my pups. Electric shocks, even when mild, increase cortisol production and stress levels in dogs.

Do you lock your gates?

Are you willing to train this dog in obedience classes for a full year so s/he will become an enjoyable companion and good canine citizen? Who will train the dog?

What trainer or training methods have you used previously?

What current activities will you give up in order to give this puppy the time she/he needs each day?

Do you regularly spend time in a different home? Where?

Will the dog come with you or remain at home?

How many weeks in a given year do you travel?

What provisions will you make for the dog while you travel?

Have you ever completed dog titles in performance events or conformation? Titles:

Have you ever been suspended from the AKC or any other dog club? If yes, when and why?

If you are hoping to breed this dog, are you willing to consult with me regarding a suitable mate?

If you ARE considering breeding this dog, are you aware of and willing to obtain clearances beforehand such as: OFA (hips & elbows) CERF, VWD, cardiac, degenerative myelopathy, and brucellosis?

If you ARE NOT considering breeding this dog, are you still willing to obtain clearances of OFA (hips & elbows) to help maintain the highest of breeding standards?

After the death of your dog, are you willing to forward a veterinary report to the Berner Garde Foundation?

Do you intend to sterilise this dog?

(Any dogs which are not to be sterilised who are sold to non-breeders will be co-owned by me, solely for the purpose of ensuring that the dog is only responsibly bred. Puppies sold as pets are sold with a limited registration, and should be sterilised, preferably with an ovary sparing spay or vasectomy. An OSS or vasectomy can be performed at any age, a full sterilization should not be performed earlier than two years of age, to allow proper joint development)

Have you ever had a dog that needed surgery? If yes, why?

Have you ever cared for an elderly dog? A severely ill dog?

If you have had a dog euthanized, why did you decide to do so?

Are you prepared to pay annual expenses that exceed the purchase price of the dog?

Have you ever had to return or place a dog you could not keep? If yes, why?

Are you willing to feed a diet of raw meat, vegetables and fruits to your dog? It is not essential to feed a raw diet, but it is ideal. Other acceptable diets include excellent quality canned, cooked, freeze-dried or dehydrated diets. Kibble is extruded, a high temperature and pressure process that damages food nutrients; extrusion is not used on any human food.

What books on the BMD have you read?

What books, if any, have you read on canine nutrition, behavior or training?

Do you belong to the Bernese Mt. Dog Club of America? Your regional or local club?

How did you hear about my dogs?

Do you know other BMD owners?

What do I need to know about your family, home or lifestyle that I haven't asked?

Thank you for your time and the thoughtfulness of your answers. Please feel comfortable asking me just as many questions as I have asked you!

 

[Betty]

Thank you so much for the response, Dr. Sara. This is very helpful. Some of the breeders I connected with are asking these questions. They do seem to care where their dogs go. I'm just being super careful based on my last dogs health issues. I'll let you know when I find the right dog for our family. I know he's out there

 

[GinnyW]

That's a wonderful questionnaire, Dr. Sara! Everything of which I could think....