Ruger

• Breed: Bernese Mountain Dog

• Weight: 110 pounds

• Registered Name: Men's Ruger

• Owner: Becky Mens

• Health Certifications: OFA hip and elbow evaluations (available in the images you shared). His evaluations indicate he is free of hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia, making him a sound breeding candidate.

• Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) carrier

• Clear of SOD1B

• Clear of Von Willebrand disease (VWD)

Stilly

• Registered Name: SDD Stilton Stokes

• Breed: Australian Shepherd (100% as per DNA test)

• Weight: 50 pounds

• Health Summary: DNA testing via Embark Veterinary Inc. shows she is clear of 10 breed-relevant conditions such as:

  • Degenerative Myelopathy (DM)

  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA-prcd)

  • Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA)

  • MDR1 Drug Sensitivity

Size Prediction: With Ruger at 110 lbs and Stilly at 50 lbs, the puppies’ size will likely fall in the medium to large range (around 60–80 lbs on average), although individual puppy sizes can vary based on the genetic mix.

Pairing Overview

• Breed Outcome: Australian Mountain Dogs (50% Bernese Mountain Dog, 50% Australian Shepherd)

• Parents:

  • Ruger: Bernese Mountain Dog (Black Tri)

  • Stilly: Australian Shepherd (Black Tri Merle carrier)

Coat Color Expectations

• Black Tri: This is a classic color in both Aussies and Bernese, characterized by:

  • Black base coat

  • Rust/tan points (above eyes, on legs)

  • White markings (chest, face blaze, paws)

• Black Tri Merle: Inheriting the merle gene from Stilly, some pups will express a striking marbled/patchy coat pattern on the black base coat. This pattern will show as swirls or patches of lighter and darker color, often mixed with the tri-color points.

Temperament & Build

• Temperament:

  • Calm, loyal demeanor from the Bernese

  • Intelligent, active, and highly trainable traits from the Australian Shepherd

• Build:

  • Expect sturdy, well-proportioned dogs

  • Size range: likely 60–80 lbs

  • Coat type: medium to long, likely moderate shedding (due to no Poodle influence)

Why This Pairing?

Balanced blend of working instincts (Aussie) and family-friendly calmness (Bernese).
Great potential for therapy, farm, or active family roles.
The Black Tri and Black Tri Merle patterns are visually striking and desirable in this cross.