The Berner-Garde Foundation

The mission of Berner-Garde Foundation (BGF) is to ensure all Bernese Mountain Dogs have a long and healthy lifespan of twelve to fourteen years. To accomplish this goal the incidence of several serious inherited diseases must be decreased and, over time, eliminated. It is the hope of all who know and love a Berner that the work of BGF will lead not only to an understanding of genetic disease(s)in an individual dog, but also in the BMD breed as a whole.

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The Berner-Garde Foundation was established to collect, maintain and disseminate information about genetic diseases observed in the Bernese Mountain Dog. The database contains information which has been compiled over many years from voluntary submissions of data from owners and from other public sources of information, including the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) and the Canine Eye Registration Foundation (CERF). The information in the BGF database is now available online to owners, breeders, veterinarians and researchers who are working to reduce genetic disease in the Bernese Mountain Dog.

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The Berner-Garde database is a large collection of searchable information about individual BMDs and their health records. It is a valuable tool for BMD owners and breeders to understand the health issues in specific dogs whether getting a new puppy or consideration of potential breeding partners.  The main reason a Bernese puppy buyer would want to visit Berner-Garde is to verify that the breeder they are talking with does genetic testing on dogs they use to produce litters of Berner puppies. Beyond that a buyer can check to see if the parents of a puppy have good hips and elbows. Other genetic tests that were done on the parents can also be checked. See our simple Using Berner Garde page if you aren't sure how to search the BGF database for breeder records or health information on dogs. Once you get into the Berner-Garde website's database, use the Berner-Garde Database Overview (PDF, 1.8 megabytes) as a guide to locate specific information. This overview will walk you through the database with instructions to help you find your way around.

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⇒ Submit health information on your Berner at https://bernergarde.org/DB/SubmitData.

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Berner-Garde is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit that supports health research relevant to Berners and maintains a DNA and tissue repository. The Bernese Mountain Dog DNA and Tissue Repository was established in 2006 to facilitate BMD health research. A number of genetic diseases afflict our breed, such as cancers, orthopedic problems and reproductive problems. Research on these diseases has been hampered primarily by the lack of samples and insufficient medical information. BGF has created a resource of pedigree and current medical information (stored in the BGF database) with available DNA and tissue (stored in a repository). The DNA Tissue Repository operates in collaboration with Michigan State University, with the support of the Bernese Mountain Dog Club of America.

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The BMD DNA and Tissue Repository currently (October, 2010) has submissions on 1229 unique Bernese Mountain Dogs with supporting documentation in the BGF database. The first research project in which the DNA/Tissue Repository samples will be utilized is in collaboration with the Canine Hereditary Cancer Consortium (CHCC) which is being coordinated through the Van Andel Research Institute. Specifically, the DNA and tissue of Bernese Mountain Dogs affected with Malignant Histiocytosis is being shared with the CHCC. The focus of the project is to increase the understanding of the genetic basis of cancer, hopefully leading to new treatments for cancer in dogs and people.

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If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation to the BGF to support their mission, please go to their website.