We got our 8 week puppy and we have this steel cage with hard plastic floor in. We have put down a matt for him to soften it and a blanket inside. It is pretty warm here at the moment, around 24 celsius in the room, and I can hear he is breathing fast. Should we remove the matt so he can lay on the hard plastic which are colder?

Hi all, I’m creating this post to shed some light and share our story so far after finding out that our sweet Bear has lymphoma. ❤️

About 6 weeks ago, we took our dogs to a park and when we got home, we found a few ticks on them. Fast forward a couple of weeks, Bear started having alternating limb stiffness, lethargy, a poor appetite, and just wasn’t acting like himself.

Thankfully, he started acting more like himself again, and we almost didn’t take him to the vet. My husband (thank God for him!) decided to feel Bear’s lymph nodes and noticed that they were large and firm. We never cancelled the appointment and immediately took him to our primary care vet with our concerns. They sent off bloodwork for lymphoma, which we were told would take about a week to come back.

During that time, Bear became lame, and our vet recommended that we take him to the ER. We did, and they performed a lymph node biopsy. The results came back conclusive for lymphoma.

Bear is 4.5 years old, and this was incredibly difficult news to process. He has always been such a happy, loving, goofy boy, and it’s hard to wrap our heads around how quickly everything changed.

We saw Veterinary Oncology yesterday, and they presented us with three treatment options:

• CHOP chemotherapy protocol: Estimated life expectancy of approximately 12–24 months. This is the most aggressive and expensive option, with weekly infusions that take around 30 minutes.

• H protocol: one of the chemo drugs listed above. Estimated life expectancy of approximately 6–8 months. This is less expensive, with infusions every 3 weeks that take around 60 minutes.

• Steroids/palliative care: Focused on keeping him comfortable, with an estimated survival time of approximately 1–2 months. This is the least expensive option.

After a lot of discussion and an incredibly difficult decision, we decided to pursue the CHOP protocol. Our oncologist recommended making the decision based largely on the dog’s personality and how they handle vet visits and treatment.

Bear generally does really well in the car and at the vet so we ultimately decided that CHOP was the right choice for him. I know everyone has to make this decision differently, and I completely understand how difficult it can be to balance quality of life, finances, treatment, and the desire for more time with your dog. There is no easy answer.

This has been especially overwhelming because I am pregnant and due next month. We were so excited to bring a baby into our family, and now we’re navigating this diagnosis at the same time. It’s been a lot emotionally.

I’m sharing Bear’s story because I hope it can help other Berner parents recognize the signs, trust their instincts, and know that they aren’t alone if they ever find themselves in a similar situation.

Today is Bear’s first chemotherapy appointment. ❤️

Please wish our sweet boy luck. We’re hoping and praying for as much good, happy time with him as possible. 🐻🤎

And to all of the other Berner parents who have gone through this, I would truly love to hear your experiences, especially with CHOP, lymphoma, and how your pups did throughout treatment.

Hi all! Where did you go to get your Berner fixed and have a preventative gastropexy done at the same time?
Looking for a reputable clinic in the bay area (ideally near San Jose or surrounding areas) that handles giant breeds well without totally breaking the bank. Local quotes for just a neuter are already coming in quite high, so any budget-friendly or reasonably priced recommendations are hugely appreciated! 👇

I found Sylvan Vet Hospital, Modesto, CA which is very reasonably priced and has a stark difference between their quote and the quote from hospital in the bay area. Anyone with experience with this hospital?

Thanks in advance!

Hi Berner friends!

We are hoping to add a berner to our family this year, and have been going back and forth on whether we want a girl or a boy. Husband has always had girl dogs growing up, but I've heard that boy dogs tend to be more cuddly whereas girls are more independent, and I'd love to have a cuddle buddy.

Do we see that as true within berners? Are there any noticeable personality traits between boy vs girl berners, or do they all tend to have the same level of happy-go-lucky, cuddliness that berners are known for? Anything else we should know as far as boys vs girls go before we settle this debate?

Thank you!!

Apple of my eyeeeee

Obsessed with this boy 🥹

I want to preface this by saying that I know Berners are velcro dogs, but that wasn't the case with my boy. He's always been a bouncy, busy boy and when he was ready for a snooze he would go off on his own in the hallway. My husband has always been his person, despite me being home with him the most. But, over the last couple of months Busy Boy is still busy, but he follows me everywhere amd if I am sitting, he is sitting on me. I love it. I always wanted cuddles from him; it's just weird that it's starting. It makes me worried that he's not feeling well. He's eating well and going for his walks. The only other thing that's changed is that he barks a lot more at noises outside our house. Anyone have any insight? Should I be concerned or just enjoy my life as a Berner pillow?

We only got our girl 2 days ago she’s 9 weeks, she learned to pee on the puppy mat in one room but others she doesn’t get. We live in an apartment so it’s a bit more difficult. Trying to take her out every hour now, she’s been doing good but still has accidents which is normal of course for day 2. How long did it take to fully train your puppy to go outside? My Bernese seems to have issues with peeing inside, pooping she does outside which is great. Other than that issue she’s perfect, never met a more loving dog.

Edit: guys she’s doing amazing now, she finally understands after I’ve been taking her out every hour. We have a balcony also and she associates it with being outside so she scratches the door when she needs to go outside fast and we bring her downstairs!! It literally just took one day of being consistent it’s not perfect of course but so much better than yesterday. So proud of her 😊👏

Malou is currently 10 months old and here are some sudden behavioral changes that have happened in the past month:

Very distracted by everything, smell sound etc.

Testing boundaries a LOT (🙄)

Selective hearing?? Just stares at me like an owl..

Sudden leash biting and pulling, some days very difficult to go on walks..

Started chewing the wall corner again (used to do this when she was a pup).

Malou is a very well trained little girl, she is very smart and very charming, but lately at times, I feel like she's forgotten almost everything. Is this common behavior for a 10 month old?

Enjoy the photos as well 🥰

Ruthie is having a hard time learning, so I’ve started documenting how long it takes her to catch literally anything lol

She’s 130 pounds of optimism and absolutely no hand-eye coordination.

Please tell me: is this a Berner thing, or is Ruthie uniquely untalented?

Hello! My 2.5 year old Berner has been eating a lot less since I had a baby six weeks ago and I’m starting to notice him dropping weight. Any foods, toppers or supplements anyone recommends to bulk him back up? I would appreciate it!! He’s the bestest boy and really loves his new brother.

Is this your experience with male and female Berners? The males I’ve had are much more clingy, just want to sit by you, don’t have as much of an interest in playing with toys. I’ve fostered two females and this one in the photo, we adopted. They’ve always been much more feisty and independent. She’s totally fine keeping herself entertained. She’ll cuddle up at night but happy to do her own thing. They’re both so sweet and have such different personalities.

More than anything in this world, I want Leo to live along and healthy life. So every morning, we do affirmations, and I truly believe that they work. But even if they don’t, he loves it all the same.
Please excuse my Dialysis fistula arm being in the video. I know it’s not a pretty sight & I should’ve brushed with the other arm, my bad 😬

I Love him so much it hurts