Pickles is the daughter of Pepper (Ch Shadowdale’s Head Over Heels) and Sire: BIS MBISS A/C Ch KG Halcyon Fire King SOM (Top Boxer in Canada for 2009), born August 2, 2010.
Pickles is an extremely affectionate and gentle 50-pound “lap dog” (if you let her) who loves to please her owners and will snuggle up to you if given the opportunity and encouragement. She loves to play with other dogs and welcomes a little rough play if you get down on the floor with her. She sleeps most of the day but loves a good run with the other dogs and long walks whenever she can get them. She has not been spayed, however she is being sold as a family pet and not for breeding.
Further information on Pickles, her parents and the Breeder is available through Dave or Jodi Higgins. Please contact Dave or Jodi - davehiggins@sympatico.ca.
Bernese are striking tri-coloured large dogs. They are intelligent, strong and agile. Properly structured males generally weigh 90-120 lbs and females 75 - 105 lbs. The ideal temperment is confident, alert and good natured, never sharp or shy. Bernese are generally gentle, easy-going, and tolerant of children and other animals. Temperament is inherited, but can be influenced both positively and negatively by environment, experiences and training. Bernese puppies should be exposed to a wide variety of people, places and other animals especially in their first year of life.
Bernese are a double coated breed, and shedding is considerable. Regular brushing will help with shedding and keep the coat smooth and shiny. Periodic bathing and trimming will keep the coat in neat appearance.
Owning a Bernese Mountain Dog is a true joy, but it comes with responsibility. Bernese are wonderful family companions, but most importantly they are a "people dog", not a kennel dog. Owners must be willing to invest time to socialize, train and exercise their dog. Bernese are farm dogs by heritage and need exercise to stay mentally and physically fit. Small fenced yards are safe and convenient; however, do not provide adequate exercise for this moderately active breed. We recommend a minimun of 30 minutes of exercise daily.
All our puppies are sold on CKC Non-Breeding contracts and we require the you spay/neuter your pet before a year old. We do not sell puppies just for breeding. Occasionally we do place puppies in show/breeding homes, but only on a co-ownership agreement and with other knowledgeable breeders and friends. We encourage all prospective puppy owners to meet us and all the dogs before getting a puppy.
All our dogs in our breeding program are screened for hereditary diseases such as hip and elbow dsyplasia. Puppies are sold with a 2 year health guarantee for congential/hereitary defects.
Puppies come CKC registered with dew claws removed, microchip ID, 4x dewormed, vet checked and vaccinated. We start on crate and house training as early as 4 weeks of age. Puppies go home when they are 8 weeks of age. Our puppy pack includes a puppy contract and guarantee, pictures of parents, pedigrees and clearance documents. We are always available for information on how to raise, traing and care for your new puppy. We also will take your dog back anytime throughout the lifetime of the dog if your situtation changes and you are no longer able to care for your pet.
If you are interested in a BigCountry puppy please contact us for more information regarding our breeding plans. We do not accept deposits until we have a confirmed pregnancy (via ultrasound or x-ray). Our breeding plans are usually updated regularly on this page.
Foster Agreements:
Occasionally, we are in need of a foster home for our breeding males and females, either as puppies or young adults. We are selective in choosing a foster family, and our primary concern is that the dogs are placed in a safe healthy home where they will be well taken care of. Since they are a valuable assest to our breeding program, and additional resources will have been spent on obedience training, show and/or field titles and health clearances, it is important that they are kept safe from harm. Families MUST be located with the Greater Toronto Area or within at least 2 hours of our home. We also consider it important that families considering this agreement, have prior experience with dog ownership.
You will not be paying for the dog, but we ask that you provide the dog with quality food, general vet care, obedience training, grooming and of course your home and companionship.
As breeders we will maintain ownership of the dog and have access to breeding rights once the dog is of age and meets the requirements for our breeding program. Most dogs are retired from a breeding program at 5-6 years of age. After this time, we will spay/neuter the dog and all ownership is transfered to the foster family.
Fostering is a unique ownership agreement and is not suited for everyone. However, if this is something you may be interested knowing more about, please feel free to contact us.
