Welcome to Cape Bernese

The Bernese Mountain Dog Kennel

in the heart of Cape Breton Island, at the Shore of the Bras d'Or Lake,

in Nova Scotia, CANADA.

You are here: > About Us

Well, we did not know if we should have posted our resumes here or what else might be of interest for you to know about us.
For now we decided just to place some basic information about us. If you want to know us better, or you might have specific questions, you are welcome to contact us.

We have been in love with Bernese Mountain Dogs for over 20 years now.
Stop please, isn’t it more already?

Well, the adoration started much earlier before that. But dreams and reality are sometimes two completely different things.
And because of our housing situation and because of our daily business routine, a dog as a family member was not on the horizon in our earlier days.

Coming from a big city the situation changed after we moved into our new house to enjoy the rural life style.

Another big footstep was that we operated our own businesses for some time now. That definitely does not mean we had more spare time but we have been in charge over our daily schedule ourselves. And we had the big advantage that we did not have to ask any boss if a dog would be allowed at our workplace or not.

Furthermore, love is a strange emotion. And sometimes it can become a powerful force as well. So at one point I finally gave up my resistance and I followed the advice of my wife to get a Bernese Mountain Dog right now. "OK. Let's get a dog!" This is exactly what I said to my wife.

And then suddenly it all started in the Iron Mountains of Germany, by the strong influence of our friends Ulrike and Frank and their Bernese Mountain Dog male “Barry”.

Long before we relocated to Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, Canada, we began to contemplate dog breeds that would best suit our lifestyle in our new Canadian home.

Of course, we had a number of “criteria” for our newest addition to the family.

As this was our first family dog, we were looking for a female from a breed that is suitable for first-time dog owners.
Although we were looking for a breed that would’t be prone to hound and chase after wildlife, we wanted it to be watchful about (and alert us to) strangers on our property.
Finally, we wanted to make sure that our new family dog would be a patient, obedient, and a docile companion for our daughters.

After reading countless books and even more conversations with other dog owners, we realized that the Bernese Mountain Dog would truly meet all of our needs.

In the summer of 1998 our very first “Berner”, Elsa, joined our family and moved to Canada with us in 1999.

Elsa shared our home and hearts for almost 13 year as an affectionate and devoted family companion: She was never far from sight and always stayed close (even outdoors!), a natural watchdog, and would follow the slightest gestures and commands (often without us even saying a word).

We soon realized that our new home was spacious enough for a companion for Elsa and so, in spring of 2001, Vincent joined our family in Cape Breton from the Swiss Breeders Brigitte and Jack, living on the Yukon that time.
By then, our family had truly caught the “Berner bug” and we haven’t lived without a Berner since.

Oh yeah! Before I forget to mention it: Today we live on a 35 acre wooded property in the middle of Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, Canada.
We are located on the Bras d'Or Lake, in the center of Cape Breton Island, half way between the Cape Breton Highlands, the Cabot Trail, the Newfoundland Ferry and the Canso Causeway.

We live right on the shores of the largest saltwater lake on earth, the Bras d'Or Lake.
Here we operate a little tourism business by renting out a cottage: Cape Breton Cottage Bed & Breakfast.

Over the years we cleared some land, build lawn and pasture and we cut many trails and paths through our woodland and along the shore. Our kids and our dogs love it hiking along those trails. And we always have a salty breeze coming from the Atlantic Ocean.

We operate a little hobby farm with laying hens, meat birds, cats. We grow potatoes, vegetables, lots of garlic, herbs and vine grapes, several fruit trees, and much more.

OK, the decision to breed dogs, especially Bernese Mountain Dogs, was not an easy one and we are well aware of the commitments involved with the selection of the right breeding dogs.

Our absolutely highest goal is it to breed healthy, long living family dogs, which meet the Swiss Bernese Mountain Dog standards.
We do it as long we have fun doing it, as our hobby and maybe as a passion.

But we definitely do not see this as a source of generating incom!

More on >Puppies<.

Elisa (left) and her master (right) in 2016

Cape Bernese - The Bernese Mountain Dog Kennel ... in the heart of Cape Breton Island, ...at the Shore of the Bras d'Or Lake, in Nova Scotia, CANADA

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Our first Berner: Elsa

Vincent and Elsa

Elsa at the Atlantic beach

Elsa, Christin petting cats

Elsa and Christin singing

Sophie and Elsa with Paule

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English is not our first language.

So if you find any typos or grammatical errors, we would appreciate if you would send us a e-mail with your corrections.