FAQ's when Bringing Home a Brenalee Bernese
Thoughtfully raised. Lovingly placed.
Choosing a Bernese Mountain Dog is a special decision, and we want you to feel informed and confident throughout the process. Here are answers to some of the questions families ask us most often.
How often do you have litters?
We carefully plan our litters with the health and well-being of our dogs and puppies as our priority. Because we have a limited number of litters, availability can be limited. Currently we have 2 breeding females, since our sweet Aurora is retiring. We have a young female currently growing with her guardian family, and we are very excited about her. If she passes all her tests in the spring, we will be hoping for 3 litters in 2027. We encourage families interested in a Brenalee Bernese puppy to reach out early so we can get to know one another and keep you informed about upcoming litters
What is the average size of your litters?
We have been blessed with large litters. We feel like proper health and quality of life plays a huge role in this. 10 is our average, in many cases more, and in some cases less.
Do you complete health testing on your dogs before breeding?
Yes! Health and temperament are of utmost important to us. We complete OFA testing for elbows, hips, heart and eyes, as well as we test for Von Williebrands and DM Sod A & B.
How do I reserve a puppy?
Please fill out our application form under the "Our Puppies" section. We will go over it and get back to you as soon as possible. If we feel you are a good fit and you feel comfortable, we will send you information on placing an initial deposit.
Where are your puppies raised?
Our puppies are born and spend the first 4-6 weeks in our home. They are raised with love, intention, and plenty of hands-on care. From their earliest days, we provide age-appropriate experiences designed to help our puppies develop confidence and adaptability. They are introduced to everyday household sounds, handling, different surfaces, people, and other experiences as they grow. After this stage, we have created a safe space for them where they have access to a small outside yard. This encourages them to learn to use the bathroom outside, as well as it provides them with new sensory experiences. Our puppies are not simply raised—they are thoughtfully prepared for life with their forever families
What do you feed your puppies?
Nutrition is an important part of giving puppies a strong start. We carefully select the food and supplements used by our dogs and puppies and provide families with feeding information and transition recommendations when their puppy goes home. The Fromm Large Breed Puppy Gold recipe is formulated for the controlled growth of large-breed puppies. We appreciate that it provides a carefully balanced nutritional foundation while our puppies are developing into healthy, strong adult Bernese Mountain Dogs. Once our dogs are 1 year old we switch them to Farmina Med/Maxi. It is built around animal-based ingredients, providing a source of protein that helps support our dogs' everyday nutritional needs. In addition to the high quality kibble, we incorporate raw food, yogurt, natural vitamin supplements, and eggs.
Protein is an important part of a balanced diet and plays a role in maintaining muscle and overall body condition.
Are Bernese Mountain Dog's good family dogs?
Bernese Mountain Dogs are extremely affectionate, devoted, gentle, and deeply connected to their families.They are also a large working breed that requires proper training, socialization, grooming, exercise, and companionship. It is important to remember that Bernese are "puppies" for at least 2 years. This means that even though they look full grown, they will still demonstrate puppy behaviour and it is crucial that prospective owners are prepared to help them navigate through that.
A Bernese is happiest when they are included as part of the family, and we encourage every prospective owner to learn about the breed before making a commitment.



