Breeder Referral Program

Bernerbreeders.com has been designed to assist the online community in their search of a bernese mountain dog. It also serves as a venue to announce breedings that may be of interest of other Bernese Mountain Dog fanciers and breeders. Breeders listed on bernerbreeders.com will be public information and will be expected to answer Potential Puppy Owner’s (“PPO”) questions upon contact. If you are a breeder, please review the information below. Download a breeder agreement form and email it to Carol Burke,listed at the bottom of this page.

Breeder Referral Program Policy and Procedure

~ pdf version ~

1. Please realize that the On Line Breeder Task Force is not to police Litter Advertisements
   but we will try to educate our Potential Puppy Owner’s (“PPO”) to buy from a ethical
   breeder rather than a puppy mill or back yard breeder. We will advise the PPO to seek
   and discuss the health issues of each litter with the referral breeder. Each responsible
   breeder has chosen their breeding and decided their ethics.
   
2. The On Line Breeder Referral participants list is compiled and is updated on a weekly
   basis. The advertisement will remain for 8 weeks unless other arrangements are made.
   The web designer will create a link from the breeder's name to their email adress or website. A phone number can be listed.
   
3. All Breeder Referral Participants who have a litter on the ground or have an older dog
   available may enroll. In connection with a co-bred litter, the member affiliated with the parent club will be encouraged to enroll the litter (assistance from Bernerbreeders.com will be provided) and agree as follows:
   
   • Make certain that all required Health Certifications and Health Forms are
   complete, current, and on file with the Berner Garde for both sire and dam. If for
   some reason these Health Certifications are not registered with Berner Garde, or
   are not available through a public website, then a hard copy of these Health
   Certificates will be provided to the On Line Breeder Referral Program
   Coordinator PRIOR TO submitting the Litter Listing Form to the On Line Breeder
   Referral Services Coordinator. These Health Certifications should include OFA
   hips, elbows, and a valid current CERF. An AKC DNA registration should be
   submitted if available.
   
   • The litter listing period is: eight weeks after actual whelping. The listed breeder
   may request up to four additional weeks, if necessary, from the On Line Breeder
   Referral Program Coordinator.
   
   • To list an older dog, its name, date of birth, and the names of sire and dam must
   be supplied. The health status of the older dog must be cited in the listing and the pertinent health information entered in Berner Garde.
   
4. If the breeder is not in compliance with all of the components of the signed On Line
   Breeder Agreement then, then the On Line Breeder Task Force Committee has the right
   to remove or refuse any advertisement (explanation of removal will be provided by the
   Task Force Committee).
   
5. After the litter is born and the AKC Application is received, the litter registration must be
   submitted to Berner Garde.

Breeder Referral Program Breeder Agreement

~ pdf version ~

I agree to abide by the following Code:

1. I have read and am familiar with the AKC Breed Standard for the Bernese Mountain Dog
   and will do my best to breed dogs which fit that description.
   
2. I will maintain my dogs in an environment conducive to fostering their proper physical and
   mental health and well being.
   
3. I will deal honestly with inquirers and help educate them about the Bernese Mountain
   Dog.
   
4. I will provide prospective owners, prior to a transfer or sale, copies of all health test
   results on the sire and dam of puppies or dogs I have for sale or placement or with all
   health test results on an older dog being sold or rehomed. This health information will
   include, where available, the OFA, CERF, and DNA. If one or both of the parent dogs do
   not have certain of these ratings, the prospective owners will be so advised. If either
   parent is known to be affected with a health problem, or is known to have produced a
   health problem, the prospective owners will be advised.
   
5. I will deal honestly with the owner of a stud dog servicing my brood bitch or the owner of
   a brood bitch being serviced by my stud dog and will provide all health information as
   stated in Paragraph 4 of this Code. I will encourage owners of stud dogs I use or brood
   bitches who use my stud dog to participate in Berner Garde. I will encourage the
   prospective owners to keep information about their dog updated in Berner Garde.
   
6. I will provide a written contract or agreement for the sale or placement of each puppy/dog
   and will include copies of all pertinent health information with said contract or agreement.
   This is for my own protection as well as the puppy/dog involved and the new owners.
   
7. I will do my best to adequately query prospective owners prior to the sale or placement of
   a puppy/dog. I will do so to insure that every puppy/dog will have a life free from fear and
   pain, a life with dignity, proper care, socialization, training and grooming and a devoted
   owner.
   
8. I will be certain my brood bitch receives proper care, especially during pregnancy and
   whelping, and that my stud dog's good health is maintained at all times.
   
9. I will ensure all puppies receive proper veterinary care from whelping until placement with
   a permanent owner.
   
10. I will provide my puppies with as much human contact as possible to ensure proper
    socialization to people.
    
11. I will be available to provide advice, guidance and information to the owners of my
    puppy/dog throughout the life of that animal.
    
12. I understand I have a life long responsibility for any puppy/dog I have bred and sold or
    placed. If the puppy/dog comes into a Rescue and Relocation program, I will reclaim the
    puppy/dog or I will be obliged to pay Rescue and Relocation program a fee of $1500.
    
13. I will remain current on all health issues involving the breed and will update Berner Garde
    with any changes to my dog's health information.

I further understand that if Bernerbreeders.com receives a formal complaint about my actions as a participant on the On-Line Breeder Referral Program, a formal inquiry may result. If I am found in violation of any part of this Breeder Agreement, I may be omitted from the Breeder Referral
Program for a specified period of time.

Please send a copy of this signed agreement along with $10 to: 335 Carlos Avenue, Redwood City, CA 94061 or fax: (650) 856-9299 - Attention: Carol Burke

For credit card payments, paypal will be available shortly.

~ top ~

* Frequently asked questions (and answers, of course!) about bernerbreeders.com

* If you are a breeder and you would like to join the bernerbreeders yahoo group click on the link

Please read this disclaimer before using any information on this site.