I am just checking out this site and love seeing a site dedicated to the big ones
Berners are my first breed and love, and my current one is now 9 months old. I love this breed and am very dedicated to it, working with the National Club and Rescue all I can. With that said, I am not the enthusiastic endorser that many are, since I feel an obligation to educate and warn: to say this isn't the "healthiest" would be an understatement
. It is the unhealthiest breed, second only to the Great Dane right now and it is important that when you get one you don't kid yourself into thinking you have a healthy dog - you don't. You can have a healthy Berner, but relative to other dogs, not a truly healthy dog - we are a long way off from that and have made little ground on MH (histio). Even the best breeders can't ensure a lifespan past 3 years old, and on average still - 6 years old.
Don't get me wrong - they are worth it and a great dog - but they do require what we refer to as "a different kind" of owner - one that understands you're going to have high vet bills and this dog will cost more than most and all of the tremendous sensitivities that go with the health issues in this breed - namely, vaccines, chemicals, drugs, and toxins. There is also significant emotional sensitivity and requires a very gentle hand - they are considered a "soft touch" dog and scar easily from heavy handed treatment - this is in direct contrast to labs for example, who are not touch sensitive dogs whatsoever.
If you decide to get one - I hope you have qualified an exceptional breeder who will support you for the life of the dog - if so, you will surely be hooked.
Good luck,
Rachel