The Berner-Garde Foundation

The Berner-Garde Foundation was established to collect, maintain and disseminate information about genetic diseases observed in the Bernese Mountain Dog. The BGF is comprised of a voluntary Board of Directors, several committees and, at it's core, a computerized database. 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 Berner-Garde Database is now publicly available online, free of charge to everyone. Owners, breeders and puppy buyers can use the database to research pedigrees and how certain dogs might fit into a breeding or puppy buying decision. Veterinarians and researchers who are working to reduce genetic disease in the Bernese Mountain Dog can access information in the database and are welcome to contact Berner-Garde for additional assistance. Click on the bottom menu item (left) to access the database.

In addition to maintaining the database, the Berner-Garde Foundation supports research studies aimed at reducing the health problems found in Bernese Mountain Dogs. Research proposals are approved on a case-by-case basis by the Board of Directors.