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What do you call a cross between a Bernese Mountain Dog and a Dalmatian?
Last updated at 09:14am on 24.04.07Whatever you call them, pups Arnie and Angel could be the first of a new breed.
Cath and Graham Wilson think they might have uncovered a new breed of dog after their Dalmatian Tom madted with their seven-year-old Bernese Mountain Dog Cassie.
Cath and Graham, of Croston, Lancs, have dubbed the two unlikely puppies Bernations.
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Despite scouring the internet they've not found any evidence that the dogs exist elsewhere.
Proud Cath said: "They're the most beautiful puppies I've ever seen. The parents are the most opposite dogs you could ever think of.
"Tom the Dalmatian is only a year old, very energetic and we thought he was too young to mate, whereas Cassie is getting on a bit and very laid back. She is seven and this is her first ever litter - and her last!"
Cassie gave birth to the two pups, a boy and a girl, last month. They were born with black bodies, white feet, white tips on their tails and black ears. In the last few days, their Dalmatian spots have started coming through and their personalities are already as opposite as their parents.
"Arnie is not even a month old and he is already a big chunk, while Angel is very sweet," said Cath. "Every day people want to come and look at them and I've got about 250 of them waiting to visit." The Wilsons, both 48, run the local garage Drinkhouse Service Centre.
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They admit that work has been hectic since the arrival of the 'Bermation' pups. "It's been a mad house," says Cath. "For the first two weeks I had to sleep downstairs on the settee with them because Cassie didn't know what had happened.
"Now she is great with them and Tom is being a good dad for a one-year-old, playing with them and licking them."
Cath says it had been a very traumatic time for the old Bernese Mountain Dog, who has a history of phantom pregancies, as she also gave birth to two more pups that sadly were still-born.
Cath and Graham used to breed Dalmatians, but got Cassie specifically because she was completely different to the dogs they'd had before.
Withy Grove Veterinarian Michael Clarke said: "When you cross two breeds it doesn't automatically generate a new breed - that takes several generations of pure breeding resulting in the same each time - like the Labradoodle.
"But it should make a very good cross because Dalmatians are bouncy and friendly and Bernese are placid and friendly too."
Reader views (7)
I think that after watching the BBC programme about the interbreeding of dogs to get a pure breed is animal cruelty.. after all the money spent on these dogs your buying one with defects. I own a bernese mt dog crossed with a husky, and so far have had no problems with her health. I have had pediree german shepherds in the past and after my x breed wouldn't concider getting another pedigree dog. These people quick to criticise others are more than likley making stacks loads of money of these animals. It's no different to selling a car with loads of things wrong with it. but your less likley to get your money back form the breeder when the problems arise and pet insurance is cheaper for x breeds as they have fewer proplems than pedigree dogs...FACT....
- Karen Novell, west sussex uk
Question: "What do you call a cross between a Bernese Mountain Dog and a dalmatian?"
Answer: A careless mistake.
- Jan, Leamington, UK
Why not wait and see if health problems arise before judging this as animal cruelty - the circumstances behind this pregnancy were not mentioned in the article, yet people have already decided to criticise.
Keeping purebreds pure is what contributes to genetic health issues, so surely 'not' cross-breeding them to vary the genes present should be seen as more irresponsible? By cross-breeding, health problems may even diminish by crossing genes between two purebred lines.
I think the Bernation is far more acceptable than breeding one or two of the same breed that do not meet the accepted standards for that breed. It never ceases to amaze me how quickly people will condemn others when things aren't done 'by the book' even though they clearly don't know all the details of the situation at hand.
- Katrina, Hook, UK
Question: What do you call a cross between a Bernese Mountain Dog and a Dalmatian?
Correct answer: Irresponsible.
Disgusting, two dogs with their own breed specific health issues, then you mate them together, you end up with pups with major problems... it's animal cruelty!
- Sharon, Bristol
Why go and create two more mongrels, when there are plenty in rescues up and down the country.
How many people are going to see this and think "oh great money spinner" I think that this is as irresponsible as you can get.
- Claire Petrie-Milliam, Henfield, West Sussex
If they love animals as they appear to suggest they should be ashamed of themselves.
There are exceptions as I believe the Irish Wolfhound was, at one time, declared extinct and was ´reborn´ by the crossing of a Deerhound with a Great Dane. Other animals are bred (crossed) for specific functions but the ´Bernation´ is an aberration.
- Peter Glazier, Sao Paulo, Brazil
Mongrel! I am pretty sure the breed is called 'Mongrel'. The word is first recorded in 1486 and means 'a mixed breed dog'.
- Threaded, Roskilde, Denmark
