Available
Little Alpine Berners
The heart of a mountain dog, sized for the life you live.
Mini Bernese Mountain Dogs are soft-eyed, steady and devoted to their people. We raise each litter with patience, so the puppy who comes home with you is ready to belong.
- Puppies go home at 10
- Written health guarantee
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Not a smaller dog. A closer one.
The Mini Bernese keeps what people love about the big Swiss farm dog — the gentle face, the loyalty, the easy calm — in a companion that fits on the sofa, in the car and into everyday family life.
They are happiest where their people are. Not a dog for the backyard, but a dog for the kitchen floor during dinner, the foot of the bed, the walk to school.
Welcome to Little Alpine Berners! Our Mini Bernese Mountain Dogs are raised with love, care, and a strong focus on family life. We’re passionate about raising happy, well-socialized companions and helping each puppy find the loving home where they truly belong.
— SARAH & RYAN OHLINGER
The breed in brief
What living with one feels like
Gentle
A soft temperament that tends to suit calm homes, patient children and quiet evenings.
Devoted
Deeply people-oriented. Expect a shadow from room to room — and a dog who dislikes long hours alone.
Clever
Quick to learn with kind, consistent training; sensitive enough that harsh words fall flat.
Easygoing
Up for a hike, content with a walk and a nap. Moderate energy, big affection.
Our puppies
Each one arrives with a personality
We get to know every puppy before we introduce them — who naps in a lap, who explores first, who watches quietly.
Available
Available
Available
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Learn how they’re raised
The first weeks shape the dog they’ll become.
Temperament is part genetics and part upbringing. Here is what happens in those early weeks, and why each stage matters.
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1
Day 0
Birth
Puppies are born blind, deaf and entirely dependent on their mother for warmth and food. Quiet, warm, closely watched days matter most.
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2
Weeks 3–8+
Socialization
The most important learning window. New people, textures, sounds and short, positive experiences shape a confident adult dog.
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3
Weeks 4–8
Household life
Everyday sounds — the vacuum, the doorbell, a busy kitchen — become background noise rather than surprises.
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4
Go-home day
Going home
A calm handover with records, something that smells of home, and a plan for the first nights.
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Trust lives in the details.
What we do — written down, so you can hold us to it.
- Veterinary care. Every puppy is examined by vet before going home, at around 10 weeks. The exam covers heart and lungs, eyes and ears,…
- Parent health testing. Both parents are tested before breeding. [Bailey's ]: [OFA hips, OFA elbows, cardiac, eyes / etc., with results]. [Buddy's [same]. Results are…
- Health records. Every puppy comes home with a folder: the veterinary exam report, the vaccination record with dates and lot numbers, the deworming schedule,…
- Health guarantee. Every puppy leaves Little Alpine Berners with a current veterinary health examination and age-appropriate vaccinations and deworming. We provide a written health…
- Support after go-home day. We're reachable for the life of your dog — [572-228-7687, minibernesellittlealpineberners@gmail.com, text, whichever you'll actually answer. Most families check in during the…
Family stories
In their own words
A Thoughtful Breeder Experience
What stood out to us was that the process didn’t feel like simply choosing a puppy and leaving. We were encouraged to think about temperament, lifestyle, and the responsibility involved. We appreciated that approach and would recommend Little Alpine Berners to families doing their research.
Our Son Learned Responsibility
One reason we considered a puppy was to give our older son more responsibility. He helps with feeding, training, and keeping track of puppy supplies. Of course, the adults are ultimately responsible, but watching him take his role seriously has been rewarding.
Our Son Learned Responsibility
One reason we considered a puppy was to give our older son more responsibility. He helps with feeding, training, and keeping track of puppy supplies. Of course, the adults are ultimately responsible, but watching him take his role seriously has been rewarding.
The parents
Temperament starts here
Meet the dogs behind our litters — their personalities, their size and their documented health information.
Good questions
What families usually ask first
Short answers here; the full list covers reservations, go-home day and life with the breed.
What happens after we submit an application?
We read every application ourselves. Then we reach out to talk — about your family, your questions, and whether a current puppy or an upcoming litter feels like the right fit. There is no obligation on either side at this stage.
How much grooming does the coat need?
Plan on brushing a few times a week, and more often when the coat sheds seasonally. Coats range from straight to wavy depending on lineage, so ask us about the specific parents. Regular nail trims, ear checks and tooth brushing matter as much as the coat.
Are Mini Bernese good with children?
They are known for being gentle, people-focused companions, which is why many families love them. Every dog is still an individual, and every puppy is small and fragile at first — calm supervision and teaching children how to handle a puppy make all the difference.
The next step
Every good match begins with a conversation.
Tell us about your home and what you hope for. There’s no obligation — just a chance to get to know each other.
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Tell us about your family
A short application — your home, your routine, and what you hope for in a dog. About five minutes.
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We talk
We read every application personally and reply within 24 hours to set up a conversation.
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Find the right match
Together we choose a current puppy or an upcoming litter, confirm the reservation in writing, and plan go-home day.