BFW Rescue Inc.

02/10/2026

Georgia Berner Event

02/09/2026

Nashville Berner Event

🌲NASHVILLE BERNER EVENT! 🌲
📍Edwin Warner Park- The Old Roadway Trail
Saturday February 28th @ 11am
GPS Address: Warner Park Nature Center
7345 SR-100, Nashville, TN 37221

✨We will be hiking the fully paved 2.1mile loop known as the Old Roadway Trail in Edwin Warner Park. This loop has an EASY rating on All Trails and should take roughly 47mins to complete. This trail is stroller and wheelchair friendly.
Please bring water and dog bowl.

Send a DM if you have any questions!

02/07/2026

01/31/2026

RainRovers aren’t just for rainy days ❄️🌧️

Built to handle snow and rain—keeping big dogs dry, comfortable, and ready for winter walks.
And yes, always bring your emotional support baby along for the adventure.

(Throwback with George 🤍)

01/12/2026

Texas

12/27/2025

*******BMD Participants Needed!********
~~Cancer Detection Test Research for Bernese Mountain Dogs~~
If you have a Berner suspected or diagnosed with cancer, would you be willing to participate in a research project by sending a sample(s) of urine? If so, a urine collection kit with supplies and prepaid return shipping included, will be provided at no cost. This collection does not require a vet and can easily be done at home.
Berner-Garde in partnership with the BMDCA have funded a research project with Rametrix® Technologies Inc. (RTI) , a medical analytics company studying detection of many diseases in humans and dogs including cancer, diabetes, kidney disease and even infectious disease such as Lyme and Covid 19.
The purpose of this research is to develop a urine based test for the earliest and easiest detection of cancer, thereby improving treatment outcomes.
If you have a Berner with a suspected or confirmed cancer diagnosis, please consider contributing your dog’s urine sample(s) to help future generations.
Please contact:
Brycie Marine at [email protected]
Please share this message if you know an owner with a BMD with suspected or diagnosed cancer. We are looking for 250 participants!
For more info go to https://rametrixtech.com/

12/26/2025

Foundation Friday!
The Berner-Garde Database is an extensive collection of health and pedigree information on Bernese Mountain Dogs that has been compiled for over 40 years by breeders and owners across the world. The information is to be used by owners, breeders and researchers to identify and reduce the incidence of disease in Berners in breeding decisions and research projects.

The main purpose of our the database is to collect and disseminate information that has been voluntarily submitted by owners and breeders which we have gone to great lengths to verify as accurate. However, it is the responsibility of owners and breeders to use the data responsibly.

The data is provided through voluntary submission of information by owners and breeders wishing to do their part to improve the future health of the breed. To ensure the information is as accurate as possible, we have a worldwide team of data operators who check and verify much of the information before it is allowed to be visible in the database. Only by having extremely accurate information can science effectively utilize the data for research.
In addition to owner submitted information, Berner-Garde imports test results data from The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) on a quarterly basis and utilizes the AKC and other national kennel club websites to verify information when possible. Our goal is to have the most comprehensive and accurate collection of information on Bernese Mountain Dogs available anywhere.

At this moment we currently have:
Number of dogs: 232,543
Number of litters: 68,838
Number of people: 55,962
Number of test results: 160,723
Number of health records: 37,044
Number of photos: 32,046

12/23/2025

Tuesday Tidbits!
If you have questions and are looking to get help from one of our operators, all of their contact information is here:
https://bernergarde.org/home/OurTeam
We are always happy to help you!

12/23/2025

12/19/2025

Foundation Friday!
If you are unfamiliar with who we are and what we do, we have a page which explains it all.
You can find our mission, vision and objectives here, as well as the tribute video to the Packard's.

As an overview:
The Berner-Garde Foundation was established in 1995 to assist in efforts to improve the health of Bernese Mountain Dogs. The Foundation work carries forward the pioneering efforts of Martin and Barbara Packard, who initially began capturing health information on Bernese Mountain Dogs in the 1980's. They deeply cared for the health of our dogs and worked internationally to foster collaboration. They also created the beginning health database for BMD's which has evolved into the Berner-Garde Database on this website.
Berner-Garde is a not for profit 501(c)(3) organization that depends on donations to keep our programs vibrant and active. To make a tax-deductible donation to Berner-Garde please donate here.
The Foundation is managed by a board of volunteer trustees. Their efforts are focused on enabling scientific research, breeding decisions, and treatment options that will help increase the lifespan of our beloved Berners. The current life expectancy of a Bernese Mountain Dog is approximately 8 years. This short life span is primarily due to cancers and other diseases that affect the breed. Our goal is to see that life expectancy improve to 12-14 years.

Here is the link:
https://bernergarde.org/home/About