For more information about rescue, please read the
Bernese Mountain Dog Club of America Info Series on Rescue.
RESCUE CHAIR: Julie Hessenflow
What is rescue? A "rescue dog" is a purebred Bernese Mountain Dog that has been placed in a shelter, is a stray, has been abandoned or no longer can be cared for by the owner of record or caretaker. A "rehomed" dog is a purebred Bernese Mountain Dog that can no longer remain with its owner of record or caretaker and will be placed directly into a foster or permanent home. "Placement" is the process through which a dog is placed in a new home.
Bernese Mountain Dogs are such beautiful dogs! Why would a Berner need to be rescued? As Bernese Mountain Dogs become more popular, more and more people are drawn to this wonderful breed. Unhappily, many of these people do not understand the challenges of living with a large breed dog until it becomes too much for them to handle. When the reality of owning a 100 pound dog becomes overwhelming many owners recognize that they cannot meet the responsibility. This is when the Heartland Bernese Mountain Dog Club steps in.
Are there any special challenges with a rescued Berner?  The short answer is YES. Plan to spend a lot of time helping your new Berner adjust to a new home and family. Some rescue dogs have temperament issues such as shyness that may require extra efforts to overcome.  Others may have health problems that require special attention. Our rescue coordinator will work with you to ensure that you understand your dog's special needs. The HBMDC is committed to helping you meet any challenges you may face with your rehomed Berner. Your hard work will be repaid with a wonderful companion.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I qualify as a rescue home? Educate yourself on the breed, proper dog training, housing and care. Join our club to meet Berner familiies.  Find a breeder you are comfortable with who is willing to mentor you. Be persistent and polite. Realize this is a popular breed and breeders are often inundated with inquiries so do call back or use email as a good form of communication.  Contact our Rescue Coordinator or any of the Board Members. Fill out our rescue information form to help us with placement.
I am not ready to provide a permanent home for a rescued Bernese Mountain Dog but I would like to help. What can I do?  Proving a "forever" home is not for everyone but you can help out in other ways. Assistance is always appreciated for short term foster care, transportation, financial assistance for medical care, placement evaluation, mentoring, training, temperament testing, and education. Contact our rescue coordinator for more information.
Why should I consider providing a home to a rescued Berner? While adopting a rescued Bernese Mountain Dog is not for everyone for those who can step up to the challenge it is a wonderful way to enjoy the breed and help out dogs with special needs.
I've heard that Berners are very loyal to their families. Can a adult Berner adapt to a new home? Berners can do very well in new homes with consistent and loving care.  It can take from three months to a year for your rescued Berner to make the change but once the transition is complete you will have a loyal friend and companion for life.
We are very serious about Bernese Mountain Dog Rescue.  Berners are a wonderful breed who will repay our love and attention with a lifetime of hard work, devotion and trust. We believe that it is important that Bernese Mountain Dogs live with people who are committed to providing their dogs with the best possible life. Owning a Bernese Mountain Dog is a special privilege that carries a responsibility to ensure that our dogs live in circumstances that allow them to develop the best qualities of this noble breed. Therefore, our club actively sponsors rescue activities. 

If you know of a Bernese Mountain Dog in our region who needs rescue or you are interested in helping, please contact our Rescue Chair.
Last updated: May 7, 2008
Please bookmark this page and check back frequently. If you are serious about providing a home for a rescued Bernese Mountain Dog please download the application form above and send to Julie Hessenflow, our Rescue Coordinator. This will allow us to pre-qualify you so that when a Rescue Berner becomes available you will be at the top of the list!
What should I expect in a rescued Berner?  Every rescue situation is different and it is important that you work closely with our rescue coordinator to ensure that you and your dog adjust well to the new situation. .When the HBMDC adopts a rescue we make a commitment to helping ensure that the new home placement is successful. We will provide you with the dog's history, alert you to any special behavioral or health issues and provide coaching, mentoring and training to help you and your rescue make a successful transition.
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THE BERNESE MOUNTAIN DOGS BELOW ARE CURRENTLY IN OUR RESCUE PROGRAM AND NEED
A LOVING HOME:
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If you are interested, please complete an application and contact
Julie Hessenflow, Rescue Chair: 913/385-0400  jhessenflow@sbcglobal.net  
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Rescue
Rescue
Suki is a sweet 20 month old Berner who is very loving and gets along well with children and other dogs. She is very active and would be best suited with a family that has the time to play with her and walk her. She likes to please, listens well and walks well on a  leash. Suki does like to do her own gardening, but with the right  training this could be alleviated. We have found that having lots of  toys and chew treats around helps. If Suki is in a home with another  dog it would be best if she were placed with a dog that can keep up  with her desire to play. It would be a good idea to crate her at night.   She has been spayed.
Abby is a three year old female who is very shy and sweet.  Her younger years were spent with a breeder.  She connects more easily with woman than men but that can change with training.  Abby would prefer to live with a family with a consistant schedule.  New experiences and strangers can be overwhelming.  She gets along well with other dogs, but can easily be bullied.  She prefers males to female dogs but can work with the dogs who have good personalities and won't bully.  Abby does not like cats.  She enjoys the company of children.  Abby will be spayed soon and is being fostered.  Contact our Rescue Chair.