River Doodles specializes in producing top quality, premiere
European Old World Bernedoodles®!
When we started breeding Bernedoodles in 2014, we wanted nothing but the best to set the foundation of our breeding program. After much research, and learning of the health issues associated with American Bernese Mountain Dogs, we decided to directly import our Bernese Mountain Dogs (BMD) from Europe!
Why a European Bernese Mountain Dog?
HEALTH & LONGER LIFE-SPANS
With the sudden onset of "pop-up" bernedoodle breeders everywhere, River Doodles is set apart from the others. First and foremost, health is always our main concern. We have chosen European BMD due to their longer life-span than American lines. Unfortunately, many of the American BMD lines have been plagued with cancer, around 10 percent, ending their life suddenly as early as five years of age. The most commonly found cancer in BMDs is Histiocytosis, a type of white blood cell cancer. A sudden popularity in this breed could have contributed to these more recent health issues. In the U.S. in 2010, the BMD ranked 39th in popularity out of 167 total breeds; however, it ranked 58th in 2000. This rise in popularity, could have caused some health problems for the breed as many less experienced breeders often unknowingly bred dogs with health problems. As a result, it is thought that the life expectancy for the BMD has dropped by 4-5 years in the last decade.
SOLID CONFORMATION
Secondly, we have chosen European BMDs, due to their amazing solid conformation. The BMD originated in Switzerland and became part of a group of dogs known as Sennenhunds, which loosely translates to Farmer’s Dogs. The original purpose for this breed was probably livestock protection, but overtime, they became used to drive cattle, and as draft animals. These strong
dogs were able to pull carts through the rugged and cold terrain of the Alps, where horses were not as sure footed. Many feel the shorter life-span of the BMD may be also due to the breed dying out when they were no longer needed as a hauling dog. Anytime this happens the gene pool is shrunk allowing many health issues to arise. Subsequently, over the years, many of the American lines have not retained the beautiful blocky heads and drafty, stocky conformation that the BMDs are so well known for.
DIRECT EUROPEAN IMPORTS
Therefore, after much research, River Doodles dug deep and went back to the source of solid conformation and longer life-spans of BMDs in Europe. All our European BMDs have a long pedigree filled with generations of health tested, champion bloodlines. Not only do we select our European BMDs for their beauty and stature, but also for their disposition. BMDs were bred to protect livestock, however their favorite pastime is to be with their families as a loyal companion known to be also friendly gentle giants towards children and other animals. BMDs just want to be loved and included in the ‘pack’. We choose our BMD girls for their calm personalities, solid intelligence and absolute loyalty. Just look at these regal European BMD’s with amazing conformation below. These are our girl Tisza’s stunning parents. These are beautiful examples of what Bernese Mountain Dogs should look like!
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In fact, a few of our BMD mamas were in International Dog Shows and received awards even before they were 1 year old! | |
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| “BEST OF SHOW” | |
Even though our parent dogs come from long lines of health tested champion ancestors, all our dogs that we use in our breeding program have been completely tested for a full breed-specific genetic disease panel through Paw Print Genetics. Additionally, we also preliminary test for the predisposition of elbow and hip dysplasia, and inheritable eye diseases through Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).
PREMIERE EUROPEAN OLD WORLD
BERNEDOODLE BREEDER
You will be hard-pressed to find exclusive European Bernedoodles combined with extensive health testing in any other breeding program! Many breeders may claim that their BMD comes from European lines, but did not import their dogs directly to have first generation European BMDs. River Doodles’ amazing European BMD’s conformation and a longer life-span combined with the poodles’ intelligence, hypoallergic and non-shedding coats, is the perfect culmination for River Doodles’ Old World Bernedoodles®!
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With patience comes quality! We usually have a 8-10 month wait list for one of our European Old World Bernedoodles®. Don’t settle on getting your new family member from a “pop-up” bernedoodle breeder due to shorter wait lists. Invest in the best and have the peace of mind that comes with solid conformation and health lines of River Doodles‘ European Old World Bernedoodles®!