The December 2024 BG newsletter is out now and can be accessed on the Berner-Garde website
The following information is in this edition:
1. NEW: Diagnosed Targeted DNA sample collections for Sub-Aortic Stenosis, Renal Dysplasia, any veteran 10 years or older. Starts January 2025. Brycie Marine is the contact person and her information is in the newsletter
2. Revised "Update this Dog" button menu selections: Use this button for quick access to several submission forms (Health certifications, health information, date/cause of death, add/update titles, add photo(s), general update for core dog info)
3. DNA Samples shipped to Dr Hedan, France
4. Berner-Garde merchandise
5. Additional Resources
9. We try our talents with herding and dock diving:
8. We participate in parades (Memorial Day, July 4th and Christmas):
There have been many questions regarding Berner Garde, what it is, what it does. Here is the general idea what it was founded for:
Berner-Garde Database General Information
The Berner-Garde Foundation was established to assist in efforts to improve the health of Bernese Mountain Dogs. Our efforts are designed to support scientific research into the causes and cures for genetic diseases and general health of our beloved Berners. A major part of this effort is operating the open health database for Bernese Mountain Dogs that you are now viewing.
This database allows researchers, breeders, and fanciers of Bernese Mountain Dogs access to the most extensive collection of health and pedigree information available. Anyone is welcome and encouraged to create a profile for their Bernese, add health certifications, pedigree information, litters, photos and, most importantly, update the database with all health issues and if at all possible, age and cause of death. All pure bred Bernese are welcome to be entered into the database. Your dog does not need to be registered with any breed club and can be a rescue.
All the information added to the database helps researchers learn what health issues our breed is facing and if there are any correlations that can be drawn from research. It also helps breeders make educated decisions about breeding Bernese Mountain Dogs. If you would like to submit data about your dog click on “Submit Data” at the top of the page and follow the directions.
You will notice that, due to the generosity of our donors, this site is free from commercial advertising, annoying pop-ups, and tracking. The Berner-Garde Foundation is a 501-c-3 charitable organization and donations of any amount are appreciated.
11. Some big guys even think they are lapdogs, some love to get down and dirty, and some even catch fish:
12. We are also silly and do fund raising:
Our parent club, the Bernese Mountain Dog Club of America, lists upcoming events taking place throught the Nation. If you just happen to be close by any one of these events and you want to mingle with other Berners and their people, this listing might come in handy!
3. We look awesome during confirmation exhibitions:
Wishing all of our Berners a happy birthday:
10. At least one has trained "Schutzhund" with some cool K-9 Officers and passed with 92%. Also hanging out with his officer buddy:
Membership Meetings:
5. We also take group walks:
6. Some are very smart - they undergo special training to qualify to be
called "Therapy Dog". They visit hospitals and nursing homes to visit with patients and residents:
These and many other items are available in our STORE
Announcing a new fundraiser!
We now have Coffee and Dog Treats in our club's name. Oliver Carson, owner of Better Place Brands, will donate a portion of sales to our club. Please help to support this great opportunity to become involved!
Hopefully, the above will give you some great ideas - mind you, that you can do almost all of this with ANY dog, depending on their temperament and your own patience.
If you want to know more about any of this, please feel free to come and visit with us at any of the posted gatherings. We'd love to talk to you!
Our Club has cultivated another partnership with Y-Not Solutions. They make charcuterie boards and have offered to donate $10.00 to our club for every $75.00 Paw-Cuterie Board sold (see picture below), regardless of the breed requested.
The coasters are very nice as well, and are made by Oak Barrel Solutions, a partner company with Y-Not Solutions.
You can contact them directly
OK --- now, you've got yourself a Berner, because you just couldn't resist the cuteness of that liffle fluffy baby bear! A Berner is a big dog! A working dog! What do you do with a working dog? They need to do something, even if it is just for your own sanity .... and to perfectly bond. If you are lucky, you have a mentor to help with this. To give you an idea what our club members, and/or other owners of working dogs do to keep the four-foots busy, or just because they want to try something new.
For example, we help transport rescue dogs to their new homes, we foster rescues/owner surrenders until a forever home has been found and a whole slew other other things, some of it will be outlined below
Get ready for the Mid-Ohio Cluster Dog Show, November 13 - 16, 2025 at the Ohio State Fairgrounds, 717 East 17th Ave., Columbus/Ohio. We have officially moved our club's specialty and supported entries to the Mid-Ohio Cluster, with the Specialty held on Saturday, November 15.
You will find the Premium List here!
Entry for each of the weekend's show closes on Wednesday, October 29, 2025.
October 3 (2013) - Rio Gedeon
October 19 (2015) - Pearl Konicki
October 23 (2017) - Jagger Tuckerman
October 27 (2017) - AJ Konicki
October 28 (2015) - Dixie Konicki
Have you ever wondered how fast your dog(s) might be? Can your dog outrun Usain Bolt, who has been called the fastest runner in the world? They just might: Usain’s fastest time has been clocked at almost 28 mph – yet dogs have been known to reach speeds of 35-45 mph.
Our Kelly D'Annolfo is trying to put together a team of interested people and their dog(s) for a run sometime in April, 2026. This link will tell you a bit more about this exciting sport. If you have just a smidgen of an interest in this, you are welcome to contact Kelly at kdannolfo@gmail.com
4. Or, we try to be serious and focused in the obedience ring and agility:
IMPORTANT
Announcing diagnosed targeted blood sample collections!
Berner Garde is starting a new thoughtful program and will be accepting targeted diagnosed blood samples for specific diseases to be stored in the BMD Repository at Michigan State University (MSU). Starting in January 2025, we will be focused on and accept DNA blood samples on 2 separate diseases plus from veteran dogs over 10 years of age for control samples. The diseases we will be seeking blood samples on are:
1. SAS (Subaortic Stenosis
2. Renal Dysplasia
3. Veterans over 10 years of age
>>> please see the Berner Garde page for more information and how to submit the samples
7. We go sledding and play in the snow:
Please mark your calendars for the following:
*** Sunday, October 19, 2025, 9AM to 12noon: Puppy Match at Canine Affair Center, 8495 Mulberry Road in Chesterland/Ohio, 44026.
Chair for this event is Nancy Pederson
Conformation Judge: Dori Likevich
Registration: 9am to 10am
Regular Conformation: 10:30am
Altered Conformation: Immediately following regular conformation
Enter your AKC-registered pup (any age) and take a turn in the show ring, just for fun.
Classes:
Jr. Puppy: 3 & under 6 months
Sr. Puppy:
6 & under 9 months, 9 & under 12 months
Adult: 12 & under 18 months, 18 months & older
Altered: any age
Fee per Entry: $10.00
1. We learn how to pull a cart (after all, that's what we were bred to do):
2. We get our first ring exposure when we do the puppy match:
WELCOME
North Coast Bernese Mountain Dog Club of Ohio
*** Sunday, December 7, 2025: Annual Meeting/Christmas Celebration (Additional information will be posted as it becomes available)
Don't forget to stop by our STORE once in a while. If you haven't been there lately, you will be surprised by the variety of merchandise to be had - there is always someone's birthday !
***ATTENTION!***
We want everyone to know that xylitol is now being labeled as
"Birch Sugar"
This is a sweetener used in food, most commonly in peanut
butter and candy.
It is VERY toxic to dogs.
Keep your pups safe.