Alright so here is what has been going on in my household. My roomate and I have been talking about getting a dog. I was looking through the web and have taken a liking to the Bernese Mountain Dog. Well luck has it that a friend of a friend has one that they can no longer afford to keep. I don't know why, but they are looking to give it away. Its a female and is about a year old.

Now here is where I need some input. I have never personally owned a dog but have always wanted to. So for any of the dog experienced. What kind of costs does a dog this size ring up, remember that is going to be split between two people. Also if anyone has some experience with this type of dog, as far as its temperament and flaws(My extended family has had alot of labs, all seemed to have died from cancer, so stuff like that) Any help would be appreciated of course. Thanks

Per my wife, the dog trainer...
They are awesome dogs, with great personalities.
They slobber like crazy. (Tammy said "We'd have one if they didn't slobber.")
They get huge. Large dogs (Bernese and Great Danes, etc.) generally don't live as long as smaller breeds. 7 years would be considered "elderly".
You need to see all it's vet records. It's hips need to be evaluated for hip displasia. (This is common with many pure bred dogs.)
If it needs to have hip replacements, it's ~$2000 per hip.
Most important... Why are they wanting to get rid of a 1 year old dog? Does it have issues? Separation anxiety? Is it afraid of people? Is it afraid of thunderstorms?

What about your home? Do you have a fenced yard? Big dogs need a great deal of room. Big dogs also eat a lot. It all comes out the other end. If you don't have a fenced yard, someone is going to have to walk it.

This isn't all meant to sound negative. You just have to not take this lightly. Owning a dog is a long time commitment.

Check this link...
http://www.douglascountyhumanesociety.org/Training.html
There's lots of info regarding choosing and training a dog.

Hope this helps, some.

Yea, Raydar hit it on the head. I don't know if I would go for such a large dog as a first dog. Stick with the good ole American reliables - Labs and Goldens.

This is going to be a HUGE dog, Fair warning, awsome personality, very smart. Very good looking. Similar to the above post I guess, expect about a large bag of dog food every week, I don't recomend skimping on the quality, you will have to deal with the enourmous piles coming out the back of that thing.
Be prepared to do alot of hair brushing, and having alot of hair around the place.
Just to let you know, I've seen these dogs go at auction in the 1,200 dollar range, to start out. It was all uphill from there, a very expensive dog to get for free!!
What happens if you and your roommate split? Who gets the dog?
Brad

My roomate has had a dog before, his father also has three so he has experience in that area. Because of that if we do split he said he would keep it. We also decided that when we finish college if we do get a dog its gonna be going with him. This is an experience for me. He really wants a dog and so do I but I am just doing a little more research first

The main thing to do in my opinion to help enjoy the dog is obedience training.

I'm sure everyone has seen someone walking a dog that looks more like the dog dragging the owner, or how about the dog that sits outside and does nothing but bark at anything that goes by or makes a noise, how about the dog that's always trying to get to any other dog.

That is not a fun dog, there's more to it than sit, roll-over, fetch.

The last dog we had was a German Shepard.

It had been through obedience training and would heel nicely when on a leash out for a walk, it wouldn't bark when outside unless someone came into the yard or it wanted into the house, he would pretty much ignore any other dog when he was on leash.

He was fun because the training made him easy to command, if he got too close to the road all it took was a "Jake come" and he trotted back to see what was up.

In my opinion the size of the dog doesn't matter it's all in the training, a good obedience class with an experienced teacher is the way to go to give a dog manners and help the owner understand a dogs instinctive behavior and how it will act in certain situatuions.

Just my $0.02

"Your roomate and I", are you renting an apartment? If you get a brand new puppy, the landlord probablly won't be too thrilled when he sees that carpeting. Since you have never owned a dog before, I would definately recommend a dog that is low maintinence. Meaning, try to find a short haired dog and one that doesn't slobber alot. Remember , big dog = more food = more poo' = more cleanup and more $$$ for food.

One of the best things to do is go to a local human society first. Browse all the dogs, and if one touches your heart, bring him home. These dogs are just looking for someone to love and be loved by.

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quote Originally posted by Ms Formula: One of the best things to do is go to a local human society first. Browse all the dogs, and if one touches your heart, bring him home. These dogs are just looking for someone to love and be loved by.

Always a good idea.

quote Originally posted by MDFierolvr: My roomate has had a dog before, his father ........

No no no.
A dog is a relationship. It will either favor you or him. One of you will be more attatched to the dog. I am married, I have a dog. My wife does not. Of course the dog loves her also. My wife actually spends more time with my dog but when I am around my dog wants my company. My dog minds me and not so much my wife.
Maybe I am wrong but not something I would split with a room mate.

Both of our dogs always favored my wife.

Probably because she's the fun parent.

Seriously, the dog will find someone to identify as the pack leader. That will usually be the person who spends the most time working with the dog (and the one who doles out the food and treats.)