our breeding program

Our vision as an ethical breeder is that animal shelters are empty and homes are filled with healthy, happy pets that have been ethically bred to serve a purpose and to be loved for a lifetime. To do so, we desire to create a space of education and encouragement here. We hope that by educating the public on ethical breeding practices and the difference between a “purebred” and a well-bred purebred, a preservation breeder vs a backyard breeder/puppy mill, that more and more dogs will end up in their forever homes from the start. Together, we can eliminate the overfilled shelter problem at its root cause! To that end, we also have a “Puppy Back Policy” outlined in our contract to ensure an unwanted dog is returned to us so that we can safely and successfully find their forever home.

Our goal as a preservation breeder is not only to preserve the amazing attributes that make up the Bernese Mountain Dog, but also to produce dogs of good health, solid temperament, sound structure, and probably hardest of all, longevity. We believe these goals can be achieved through thorough health testing and thoughtful pairings, nutritious food choices and well-rounded exercise, titling in conformation and temperament testing, and best of all, supporting our Bloomful families as they continue to love and care for the dogs we’ve brought into the world. To that end, we utilize the Bernergarde database and will assist our families in keeping all records up to date. 

Our desire as a well-bred purebred breeder is for our puppies to be placed in stable and loving forever homes that will continue to give the same amazing care that they have received from us. To do so, we thoughtfully consider each candidate… not to gatekeep, but to ensure the best fit for everyone! We want puppy parents that are willing to keep us updated throughout the life of their dog and that agree to regular vet care, exercise, healthy diet, socialization, and training. To that end, we have an application process and once approved, a Buyer/Breeder Contract that outlines everything clearly. We are happy to share it at any time!

Our puppy raising philosophy as a conscientious breeder is that nurturing and supporting sound minds and sturdy bodies from birth will give the best start in life, producing healthy adults that are resilient, biddable, and trainable. We do this by utilizing both Avi Dog and Puppy Culture protocols. In addition to that, our puppies are raised in our home by us and our children and with our other dogs and cats. We send each puppy home with a solid foundation in potty training, crate training, and socialization with exposure to leash walking, car rides, vet visits, everyday household and neighborhood noises, and basic obedience commands. Our “Puppy Starter Pack” (aka Welcome Bag) includes much that will continue to support them as they grow. After puppies acclimate to their new home, we offer reimbursement of any puppy training classes for the first year or up to $500 (whichever comes first) in pursuit of either AKC STAR Puppy, Puppy of Achievement, or Canine Good Citizen. These certificates show completion of training and that you as the owner and we as the breeder are passionate about keeping these placements permanent. We believe that a well-mannered and balanced dog will have the best outcome for a fantastic family life and forever home. We thank you for your thorough research and thoughtful consideration of our breeding program!