Health & wellness
Health you can see, not just hear about.
Good health starts with the parents and continues through every week of a puppy’s care. Below, each topic explains why it matters, alongside our own practice where it applies.
Veterinary care
A veterinary examination checks heart, eyes, ears, skin, joints and overall development before a puppy goes home.
Our practice
Every puppy is examined by vet before going home, at around 10 weeks. The exam covers heart and lungs, eyes and ears, bite and palate, joints and umbilicus. You receive the signed record, and we ask that you take your puppy to your own veterinarian within [72 hours / 5 days] so a second pair of eyes confirms everything we've told you.
Vaccinations
Puppies receive a series of vaccines over several weeks; the first doses happen before go-home day and your vet completes the series.
Our practice
Puppies receive their first [DHPP / combination] vaccine at [6–8] weeks, given by [our veterinarian / us under veterinary guidance]. [Add a second line if a booster is given before go-home at 10 weeks.] Every dose is recorded with the date, product and lot number. Your vet continues the series from there — the remaining boosters and rabies are theirs to give.
Deworming
Intestinal parasites are common in young puppies, so routine deworming on a schedule is standard preventive care.
Our practice
Puppies are dewormed with [product] at [2, 4, 6 and 8] weeks, following vet's schedule. Dates and products are on the health record that comes home with you.
Parent health testing
Screening parents — for example hips, elbows, hearts or eyes — reduces the chance of passing on inherited conditions. Results should be viewable, not just described.
Our practice
Both parents are tested before breeding. [Bailey's ]: [OFA hips, OFA elbows, cardiac, eyes / etc., with results]. [Buddy's [same]. Results are [viewable on the OFA public database under their registered names
Genetic testing
DNA panels can identify carriers of specific inherited diseases so that pairings avoid producing affected puppies.
Our practice
Both parents are DNA tested through [Embark / Paw Print / Optimal Selection] for [number] inherited conditions relevant to [Bernese Mountain Dogs and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels / your parent breeds].
Nutrition
A consistent, complete puppy diet supports steady growth. Continuing the same food for the first days at home avoids upset stomachs.
Our practice
The dam is fed Purina Pro Plan, Royal Canin, Hill's Science Diet, Eukanuba/Iams. through pregnancy and nursing. Purina Pro Plan, Royal Canin, , Eukanuba/Iams. at around [3–4] weeks. You go home with a good amount of the same food so nothing changes at once — if you'd rather switch, do it over [7–10] days.
Health records
Dated records of exams, vaccines and deworming let your own veterinarian continue care seamlessly.
Our practice
Every puppy comes home with a folder: the veterinary exam report, the vaccination record with dates and lot numbers, the deworming schedule, the microchip number and registration details, both parents' health testing, and a feeding and care sheet. [Add: a copy of the health guarantee / contract.]
Health guarantee
A written guarantee spells out what is covered, for how long and what is expected of the owner. Always read it before reserving.
Our practice
Every puppy leaves Little Alpine Berners with a current veterinary health examination and age-appropriate vaccinations and deworming. We provide a written health guarantee covering serious congenital and hereditary conditions for the period specified in our contract. Our goal is to give every family confidence and peace of mind as they welcome their new companion home.
Ongoing support
Questions don’t end at pickup. Knowing you can reach your breeder about feeding, training or health makes the first months far easier.
Our practice
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 first fortnight about sleep, house training and settling; that's exactly what we're here for. [If true: We ask that if your circumstances ever change, the dog comes back to us rather than to a shelter or a rehoming site.]
For careful buyers
Questions worth asking any breeder — including us.
A good breeder welcomes these. Ask for documents, not just reassurance.
- Which health tests do the parents have, and can I see the results?
- What veterinary care will my puppy have had, and when?
- Can I read the health guarantee before I reserve?
- How are the puppies socialized, and where are they raised?
- Who do I call if I have questions after go-home day?