Upcoming Litters

Ready for a puppy?

We are expecting a litter of adorable puppies from Henry and Shelby on May 14th, 2025. If all goes as planned, we hope to have puppies to share in July 2025!

Rusty Brows Berners offers two ways to add one of our puppies to your family: 1) normal method of purchasing at full price (listed below), or 2) become a Guardian family at a significantly reduced purchase price.

We ask all families that are interested in a puppy or in participating in the Guardian program to complete the application form and reserve your spot on the waiting list. A non-refundable fee of $500 is required to be placed on the waiting list for a puppy, which is applied to the purchase of your puppy.

Puppy choice for pick of the litter will be allocated in sequence order. "First come, first served."

*Owners of Rusty Brows, LLC reserve the right to the first pick of the litter.

Buying a Puppy

Cost:

We require a non-refundable deposit of $500.00 to reserve a puppy. Deposits may be paid by Venmo or cash. This deposit is applied to the total purchase cost of your puppy.

Puppy Price is $3,000.00 plus 6% ID sales tax.

Full purchase price is due at the time of puppy pick-up. We accept full payment by Venmo or cash.

Puppy Price as for our Guardians is $500 plus 6% ID sales tax. See below for details on becoming a Rusty Brows Guardian and contact us to apply!

Our Conditions:

At this time, we do not ship our puppies, but you are welcome to fly here to pick up your puppy and fly with your puppy back home. All travel costs are the responsibility of the buyer.

Puppies are ready to go to their forever homes at 8 weeks of age. It is best for the puppy's well-being and social skills to remain with their litter mates until 8 weeks old. During this time, we work diligently each day to properly socialize and condition each puppy for normal behaviors and reactions (ie. paw sensitivity, petting, grooming, meeting other dogs, interaction with children, etc.).

The puppy is not to be purchased for resale and will never be sold to a pet shop, puppy mill, or agent of the same.

Buyer is to spay/neuter purchased dog within one year of age, or in the timeframe recommended by their vet. Limited registration pets can produce no litters.

The buyer agrees to return their Bernese Mountain Dog to Rusty Brows, LLC if they are unable or unwilling, for any reason, to care for their Berner. Buyer agrees that they will never surrender their dog to a dog rescue or animal shelter.

Our Puppy Guarantee

Request a Puppy Application

Guardian Program

The Guardian Program provides some of our breeding dogs a loving home under the care of a trusted family other than the breeder. This ensures that our breeding dogs live happy and healthy lives as the pet of a loving family rather than spending the majority of their lives in kennels or dog runs. The loving nature of the Bernese Mountain Dogs gives them the desire to please their owners and be their constant companions. Our Rusty Brows pups are part of our family and live with us in the home. Providing the Guardian Program for Bernese Mountain Dogs allows us to share our beautiful, healthy dogs while breeding responsibly and ethically.

Female Guardian homes are committed in the program for a specified number of successful litters, usually four successful litters in the female's lifetime (three or more puppies constitutes a successful litter). After the completion of the female guardian dog's litters, she is spayed and released to the guardian family as their lifelong forever companion.

The breeding of the female guardian dogs can occur at her guardian home, or she may stay with us for the breeding, dependent upon the needs of the female at that time. During a birthing, the female is away from the guardian home during the week prior to the expected delivery and following the weaning of her puppies, which is typically a total of 8-9 weeks.

The Guardian program allows breeding dogs to live in a forever home with a family instead of being rehomed at the end of their breeding careers. Guardian families get the best of the best at little to no cost to them. We choose puppies with the highest breed standards and invest endless efforts in obtaining the best knowledge and resources of whelping and breeding, with meticulous care for the puppy and dame.

Our Guardian Homes are an integral part of our Rusty Brows community, and we value their partnership greatly! We would love to have a conversation with you if you are interested in becoming a Guardian Family. We are currently accepting applications for future female puppies!

What are the requirements to become a Guardian Home?

Prospective Guardian families fill out an application and are generally required to live within a three hour radius of St. Maries, ID. As a Guardian family you are responsible for the dog's well-being, including: vet-care, immunizations, socialization, proper diet, exercise, and most importantly, lots of love!

What is included as part of the Guardian program?

Any costs related to health testing and breeding will be the responsibility of Rusty Brows Berners. If the dog does not pass her health clearances, she will be spayed at the Guardian's expense and retired from our breeding program. After the dame is finished with her breeding career, she will be spayed and will continue living out the rest of her life with her Guardian Family in her forever home!

Why become a part of the Guardian Program?

At Rusty Brows Berners, we believe every dog should be raised in a loving home and being a
Guardian Family is an excellent way to welcome a beautiful Bernese Mountain Dog into your forever family! Since we do not kennel dogs, to continue our breeding program we rely on trustworthy, caring individuals who are selected to participate in our Guardian Program. This ensures that all of our future breeding dogs will be raised as a family member in a loving home environment.

How much does a Guardian Dog cost?

The adoption fee is reduced to $500 for Guardian families. Your puppy will be the first or second "pick of the litter" and in exchange we retain breeding rights for the life of the Breeding Contract, which is three breedings.

Where will my Guardian female be during the whelping of the litter?

We are consistently seeking responsible and experienced families who are willing to open their homes to our mothers during the crucial whelping period. This typically lasts about eight weeks, after which the mother is separated from her pups. Your knowledge and commitment during this time are invaluable to ensuring a safe and nurturing environment for both the mother and her puppies. If you're interested in making a positive impact, we would love to hear from you!

Can the Guardian Home be the whelpers of their Guardian female?

Yes, Guardian dog owners can be the whelpers of their females. Being separated from our furry friends during this time is not easy, but with the right equipment, time, and training we can prepare you to be the whelpers of your female's litter.

My Guardian Dog had at least three successful litters. Now what?

Congratulations on the successful completion of your agreed-upon contract litters! Once your female Berner has fulfilled her obligations, she will need to be spayed. Please provide documented receipt from your veterinarian. After this, she will officially be a beloved member of your family without any further breeding obligations!

Request Guardian Application