Berner Garde Foundation FAQ

Berner-Garde is a tax exempt foundation set up to facilitate the orderly acquisition and dissemination of information related to genetic traits in Bernese Mountain Dogs. Its goal is to help breeders reduce genetic disease while breeding for good temperament and type. Berner-Garde is committed to an open data base concept where information concerning both affected and unaffected dogs is available to all owners, Bernese Mountain Dog clubs, approved researchers, and other appropriate users. The benefits of this database can be measured in both short and long range terms with an immediate gain for breeders who use the information. In the future, this collection of information will be the basis for studies researching the cause of genetic disease.

Why was Berner-Garde created?

For "the love of a Berner".... According to various studies, the average lifespan of a Bernese Mountain dog is somewhere between 7 and 8 years. It is the mission of Berner-Garde that all Bernese Mountain Dog owners be able to expect a life span of 12 to14 years for their dogs. To accomplish this goal the incidence of several serious hereditary diseases must be decreased. It is the hope of all who know and love a Berner that the work of Berner-Garde will lead to an understanding of genetic disease in the breed.

How can Berner-Garde help me?

Berner-Garde serves those who need support and information on BMD health issues. Most individual breeders choose to have small kennels, making it difficult for them to collect adequate data for breeding decisions and to identify carriers of inherited problems. Berner-Garde facilitates communication between breeders. Breeders can reduce genetic disease in their dogs by considering the health status of siblings and offspring, as obtained from the Berner-Garde database at the same time they are selecting for good temperament and type. Only by working together and sharing information can long-term control of genetic disease by achieved on a breed-wide basis.

What can I do?

All BMD owners need to:

Verify that their BMD is entered in the Berner-Garde database, along with the rest of its litter. Every BMD that is born needs to be entered, even if the dog is not going to be used for breeding purposes, because one of its close relatives might be used.

Obtain as many health certifications on your dog as possible. Information on the status of hips and elbows, heart disease and eye disease is extremely important.

If your dog has a tumor, participate in any of the studies currently being done on Bernese Mountain Dogs if you can. It is a difficult job, but only by participating in these studies will we ever be able to eliminate the diseases that are killing our dogs at such an early age. Inform your veterinarian if a tumor is found, how to participate in these studies and submit tissue to the Repository.

What is the new Tumor/DNA Repository?

BGF has long had a goal to create a resource of pedigree and current medical information (BGF database) with available DNA and tissue (Repository) for as many BMDs as possible, accessible to those interested in breed health. This summer the goal was realized when BGF established a DNA and Tissue Repository with Michigan State University.

A number of genetic diseases afflict our breed, such as cancers, orthopedic problems and reproductive problems. Research on these diseases has been hampered primarily by the lack of samples and insufficient medical information. For example, malignant histiocytosis has been shown to be genetic in Bernese Mountain Dogs (BMD's). However, finding the disease gene(s) has been hampered by the fact that many dogs pass away before an accurate diagnosis has been made, and samples are lost to researchers. Having a repository of DNA and tissue from any BMD, whether ill or healthy, would greatly aid in disease research.

The purpose of this repository is to collect, store and maintain DNA and tissue samples from a large population of BMDs, whether affected with a disorder or not, along with pedigree and medical history information. While samples from all BMDs will be accepted, the collection of samples from complete families of dogs is emphasized, to enhance genetic research. These samples will have two-major uses: 1) supporting research into genetic and other diseases affecting this breed; 2) defining the presence or absence of known disease markers in BMD's.

This will be a unique collaborative effort between a major university, researchers and purebred dog owners. The Berner-Garde foundation is responsible for funding this effort and the BMDCA has pledged some financial assistance. Please lend your support!

Click on the Repository button on the left for more information.

How is Berner-Garde funded?

Contributions are our only source of support. Money is used to benefit our programs and the technology necessary to support those programs. Our current focus, besides the database, is the DNA and Repository for Bernese Mountain Dogs. We also need to constantly upgrade our technology with additional hardware and software to better support the Berner-Garde Foundation Database.

Please know that funds donated to Berner-Garde directly benefit all Bernese Mountain Dogs. This organization is run entirely by volunteers. Your contribution will help to continue our mission of eliminating genetic disease in the Bernese Mountain Dog in the years to come.

Where should I send my donation?

Berner-Garde is a not for profit 501 c 3 organization which means that your donation is tax deductible. Please send your contribution to:

Berner-Garde Treasurer
2121 Townline Road
Petoskey, MI 49770