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Buckeye Bernese Mountain Dogs

Family and Performance Berners - near Cincinnati, OH

Buckeye Canine College-- Private Dog and Puppy Training
Luna playing in a cage with 2 kids
Luna playing with buddies
Buckeye Canine College is now offering private and very small group dog training for all breeds...but especially Bernese!
puppy hubble trying out herding with sheep
Hubble herding instinct test
hubble in the snow
Hubble
Hubble after winning first place in rally obedience
Hubble winning first place in Rally!
hubble snuggling with one of our granddaughters
Hubble snuggling with a buddy
photo of luna grace
Luna Grace
photo of Luna pulling a cart with Mark
Luna Grace carting with Mark
Photo of bernese mountain dog named Albireo clearing a 20 inch high jump at an agility trial
Albie competing in agility
berner named "Albie" pulling his replica antique hay wagon
Albie pulling his "antique" hay wagon
Drs. Mark & Carol Stephenson
Buckeye Canine College
Buckeye Bernese Mountain Dogs

(east of Cincinnati, Ohio... near Owensville)
513-659-2673 voice and text

buckeyeberners@gmail.com
www.buckeyeberners.com



We offer reputable breeder and rescue referrals, guidance for puppy 
selection, & training assistance or referrals to other trainers in your area.

We help our clients learn to use positive training methods
(including but not limited to clicker training) for success in puppy
socialization and "good family dog" manners.


We also train one-on-one or in very small groups for:  
conformation, obedience, agility, rally, draft dog (pulling 
carts and wagons), tracking, herding, and therapy dog.
We are just starting Nosework and AKC Farm Dog.
Carol is a Canine Good Citizen Evaluator.

Berners are large, affectionate working dogs that make
wonderful family pets. However, the breed has certain
characteristics--such as massive shedding and an 8 year 
average life span--that you need to understand and accept
before welcoming one into your family.  As with many breeds, 
they can also have potentially expensive and heart-breaking
inherited health issues.  

The Bernese Mountain Dog Club of America (BMDCA)
recommends that breeders test dogs who will be parents for:  
hip and elbow dysplasia- xrays certified by OFA or PennHIP
degenerative myelopathy- SOD1A and SOD1B genetic test
eye diseases- exam by board certified opthomologist 
heart diseases- exam by board certified cardiologist
thyroid insufficiency- if known to exist in bloodline
Von Willibrands Hemophilia- if not clear by parentage tests
 
Bernese have a predisposition to a cancer called histiocytic Sarcoma. 
There is a new Histo Pre-test under investigation.  Some breeders
are testing their dogs as part of the research.

If you are seeking a puppy, ASK your breeder about these health issues. 
Good breeders test for as many of these things as possible 
and can show you proof from official health registries such 
as OFA and PENNHIP or genetic testing laboratories that your
prospective puppy's parents are clear or normal for these and 
other conditions. 
 
Some dogs are "Carriers" for a condition--
which means they will not be ill, but possess one copy of a
mutated gene and could pass that gene to future generations.
Pet owners do not need to worry if they are told their puppy
is a carrier of things like VWB or DM-- carrier status is more of
a concern for breeders as they plan which male to breed with
which female.  Keep in mind that all of these tests don't guarantee
that every puppy will be perfectly healthy, but they are a good
breeder's best tool to minimize health problems.

Please don't make an impulse buy!  We discourage 
buying from a pet store,
a "nice farmer in the country", a backyard breeder who just decided to
raise some puppies, or an online source.  "Farm raised" and online pups 
especially are often part of the network of breeders supplying high volume
puppy mills. Their main business is to sell pups to pet stores that sell dogs. 
These huge commercial pet store corporations recruit Amish and other
farmers and backyard breeders who want some quick cash to raise dogs
for their stores.  Anything the pet stores don't want ends up being sold
locally through the paper or online.  The parents of these puppies will have
few if any health clearances and these breeders will not be involved in
training or breed clubs, nor will they be showing their dogs in
professional dog shows or in performance events like obedience and agility. 
you won't see them visiting hospitals or schools doing therapy work.
They are just raising dogs for cash.
 
Because quality USA breeders will not sell intact pups with unrestricted
breeding privileges, there are many puppies produced today from poor 
quality imports.  Sometimes they claim "champion lines" in Europe. Some
claim European dogs are healthier than USA dogs-- NOT  TRUE!  A 2016 
SWISS study confirmed the berner health issues are the same worldwide.
People purchasing these puppies may think they are getting a bargain, 
but this may be offset by medical expenses or heartbreak as the puppy 
develops problems.  A large number of dogs with this background have 
been turned over to our rescue because the dogs have serious orthopedic
and/or temperament problems (excessive shyness or aggression) that the
owner could not deal with. 
 
Be aware that Amish and Mennonite farmers are raising bernese and
other dogs as "livestock" -- they usually (but not always) have several 
breeds on their property and typically they do minimal if any health
clearances.  They buy their breeding stock from each other, auctions,
backyard breeders, or eastern Europe. We have accepted into rescue
"used up" Amish/Mennonite breeding dogs who would otherwise simply
be "disposed of" when they can no longer breed for the farmer or when
economic conditions make the farmer decide to breed something else.  

If you would like to give a "forever home" to a rescue bernese--
typically very sweet, but often shy adult dogs who grew up in a barn, 
let me know and I will put you in touch with our rescue groups.

Please don't buy puppies from breeders who don't do health screening
tests--you may save a few dollars up front, but will likely pay for it
later in vet bills. We do not believe breeders like this really care about
the long term health of your puppy and buying from them perpetuates 
the cruel practice of funding them to breed dogs until they wear out.
Expect a quality breeder to require co-ownership with rights to
reclaim a pup if you break the contract.  Typically they will turn
complete ownership over to you once you have completed the health
tests they need (like hip and elbow x-rays at age 2) and you follow
through by spaying or neutering the dog.  If your pup is especially
nice, your breeder may encourage you to keep the puppy intact,
and will sign off ownership if you show your dog and it becomes a 
show champion (which confirms that professional judges feel it is a
quality dog suitable to breed) and you complete health testing that
they need to know about to improve their overall breeding program. 

These contract requirements protect their bloodlines and makes
sure they stay in touch with you.  A good breeder wants to know
about any health issues your pup might develop-- this allows them
to make changes in their overall breeding program to eliminate
traits that are not healthy.  The many detailed provisions of a good
breeder's contract are designed to protect the puppy AND to prevent
it from being used by an unscrupulous breeder. Most good breeders
want to be the first person contacted if you EVER must give up your dog.

Ask if your puppy-to-be's parents, the litter, and all their health
clearances are listed in the PUBLIC online Berner-Garde Foundation
database. Berner-Garde is a non-profit organization that maintains
a free, worldwide database of health information sent in by
dedicated breeders of Bernese and by the owners who buy puppies
from them.  By freely sharing information and test results, by working
with top researchers at veterinary universities, and by promoting
genetic testing of breeding dogs, the worldwide health of bernese
mountain dogs will improve over time.
Go to the Berner-garde site www.bernergarde.org
and look for yourself! You can search around in the database by
dogs, owners, and kennels.  You can view entire pedigrees, causes
of death, illness reports, etc.   If your breeder and the puppies
parents are not in Berner-garde, or if the dogs are there, but
no health clearances are listed, BEWARE!  Good breeders list 
both terrific test results and the not so great results.  
All of it is helpful as we improve our beloved breed.
You should wonder what they have to hide if a breeder is not 
putting their dogs and health information into berner-garde. 
Simply being AKC registered is NO protection--anyone
can sell AKC puppies. Please be informed.

Also, realize that "both parents on the premises" is often
(but not always!!) a bad sign. Good breeders spend hours pouring over
pedigrees and health records to find the best possible boy
dog for their precious girl. Rarely is the BEST boy already
living in the same household. You should expect to meet
the mom with the puppies. You should receive information
about the dad so you can go visit him if you wish. Don't assume
that dad will live nearby--good breeders take their girls to
the best boy they can find, wherever he is or even use artificial
insemination to get the best, healthiest match possible.

photo of Carol & Mark dressed in Alpine costume for drafting or parades
Carol & Mark in Alpine attire
wookie, beautiful girl bernese resting on the patio
Our first berner girl, Wookie, August 20, 2001-October 13, 2009
Cody, a happy berner pulling a small red cart
"Cody" pulling his cart; 11/9/01-2/25/04
berner named Albie giving Papillion named Willie a ride in the wagon
Albie giving "Willie" a ride
We are active members of and/or support:

Buckeye Bernese Mountain Dog Club (Cincinnati, OH area) www.buckeyebmdc.org

Bernese Mountain Dog Club of America (BMDCA)
www.bmdca.org 
 

Northcoast regional bernese mountain dog club (central and N. Ohio) www.northcoastbmdco.org 

Clermont County Dog Training Club www.ccdtc.org 

Therapy Pets of Greater Cincinnati
www.therapypetsofgreatercincinnati.org

We strongly support:

The Berner-Garde Foundation which maintains the Bernese Mountain Dog health database
www.bernergarde.org -- an OPEN health registry. 

The AKC Canine Health Foundation
www.akcchf.org, devoted to funding research to better the health and longevity of all dogs 

Carol is a PhD Social Psychologist (Retired from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention; now as a private consultant) and adjunct faculty at Xavier University in Cincinnati.  She is also an Ohio Registered Veterinary Technician 
(with 23 years experience in small animal practice), and a Professional Dog Trainer.  She is recognized as an official AKC evaluator for Canine Good Citizen Testing and STAR Puppy programs and has applied to be an AKC  Farm Dog evaluator.

Carol is affiliated with or has worked with:
Association for Psychological Science (APS) www.psychologicalscience.org 
Sigma Xi   scientific research society   www.sigmaxi.org 
Society for Veterinary Behavioral Technicians (SVBT)
www.svbt.org
Ohio Association of Veterinary Technicians (OAVT)
www.ohiorvt.org
National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) 
www.navta.net
Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT)
www.apdt.com  
Pet Partners (formerly Delta Society) (visitation and animal assisted therapy)
www.petpartners.org
R.E.A.D. program
www.therapyanimals.org

Mark is a PhD research Audiologist with a background in bioacoustics and hearing conservation. He retired as a Lt. Colonel after 20 years in the USAF, worked for CDC as a scientist for 22 years, and currently manages his own consulting firm conducting bioacoustic research. He is chief puppy cuddler and agility trainer at Buckeye Bernese Mountain Dogs!

 


picture of berner puppy named "Rigel" sitting with new owner.
one of our Foster Puppies, Rigel-- cuddling with his loving "forever" Dad
photo of 3 berners sitting on patio, Rigel, Wookie, and Albie
Rigel, Wookie, and Albie (L to R)
We currently share our home with these Berners:

Newton-- our newest baby boy joining our family in 2021 from Chalet Bernese Mountain Dogs.  More about this lovely boy in the future.

BK's Chalet Buckeye Cheer CGC (Hubble).  This sweet boy entered our home March 2013 and quickly stole our hearts.  He is very mello and is the best therapy dog ever! He has 2 legs toward his rally novice title and is learning about nosework and draft dog.


Chalet's Graceful Buckeye Eclipse CGC (Luna Grace).  Luna Grace loves agility!  She also has great energy for nosework and has learned to pull a cart.  


Our Special Angel Berners-- greatly missed, lovingly on our hearts:

Skylyn's Next in Line- (Nexi.)  One of the sweetest, most loving berners we have loved.  No special titles-- she preferred to be at home mentoring the other pups and cuddling with us!

Ch. Skylyn's Jule Albireo
(Albie)  CD, RN NAP, NDD, CGC, Delta Therapy Dog, R.E.A.D, BMDCA versatile and working dog award winner.  Albie was one of a kind and a most amazing dog-- beauty and brains.  Our first bernese champion.  He was loved by all who ever met him.  Albie passed in late April 2013 from complications of a serious autoimmune disease called pemphigus foliacious.  This disease caused the layers of his skin to separate resulting in terrible sores.  The chemo drugs used to treat this condition also weaken the immune system.  Albie succumbed to pneumonia, a severe GI infection, and MRSA.


Skylyn's Miami {Wookie} CD, RN, NDD, CGC, Delta Therapy Dog/Pet Partner;  We lost our sweet Wookie, our first Bernese, to metastatic cancer of the liver, lymph nodes, and spleen (presumed Histio with lymphoma- "small cell cancer with histiocytes") October 13, 2009, just after her 8th Birthday.

Buckeye N Paradise She Loves You {Mintaka} May 6, 2006-March 26, 2008.  Wookie's niece, our precious little girl was diagnosed with malignant histiocytosis affecting multiple organs and causing a terrible anemia in Late November, 2007.  We gently and lovingly sent her ahead of us to the Rainbow Bridge when it was clear she needed to be set free from her failing body.

Skylyn's Ice Man {Cody}.  Nov. 9, 2001- Feb 25, 2004.  Cody was our first boy and such a loving pup! More than anything, he loved to pull his little red cart!  He taught us drafting and despite a lack of ideal face markings, was pointed toward his championship.  He was helped to the rainbow bridge when he experienced complications from a second stroke. His first stroke (fibrocartilagenous embolism) 5 months earlier had left him paralyzed in the rear, but had not dampened his cheerful, loving spirit.  We worked hard with therapists and our vets to help him recover and he was making progress until a second stroke left him in constant pain.  Through caring for Cody for those 5 months we learned a lot about handicapped dogs, sources for care products, and the wonderful support networks for owners.
 
titles legend:
CD = companion Dog (AKC obedience title earned by passing obedience "test" 3 times under different judges.)
CH = conformation Champion (the AKC beauty contest title...requires 15 points including 2+ major wins)
NDD = passed test (requires perfect score) to earn novice draft dog title (BMDCA cart/wagon pulling title)
CGC = passed AKC canine good citizen obedience test
RN = passed 3 tests to earn rally novice title (AKC rally obedience title)
NAP = novice agility preferred title (3 perfect runs on fun obstacle courses!)

picture of little berner puppy, Mintaka at 8 weeks old. playing with her stuffed toy.
Our little Mintaka at 8 weeks- homecoming!
a snowstorm scene showing Mintaka, a berner holding huge green stuffed toy and resting in front of the garden gate
Mintaka enjoying the snowstorm
photo of berner named "Nexi" and her friend, Penelope, a Portugese Water Dog
Nexi and her friend, Penelope (Portugese Water Dog)
Mark with his large telescope and two berners at his feet.
Mark, berners, and our other passion- astronomy
two berners pulling a wagon with one puppy berner riding in the wagon.
Albie, Wookie, and Mintaka
cute berner puppy stretched out in front of the fireplace.
Happy Puppy! Our favorite picture of Wookie as a pup.
Buckeye Bernese Mountain Dogs and Buckeye Canine College
last updated November 18, 2021

 


Buckeye Canine College
Buckeye Bernese Mountain Dogs
Dogs * puppies referral * dog training * rescue referrals
Batavia, Ohio (east of Cincinnati)  45103
updated 11/18/2021

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