I'm The McCrary Family, the breeder behind Back 40 Berners located in Eureka, MT. We are a small, in-home breeder of champion/imported Bernese Mountain Dogs.
Our dogs are first our companions, not kennel dogs. We believe that breeding should be done to better the breed, and have chosen the best lines to import from Europe as our foundation for our program. Our dogs have done well in European show rings. Bourne earned a championship in Hungary and his pedigree can be traced directly back to the first Bernese in Switzerland in 1906. Puppies are raised in our home. We provide life-long support to our puppy families.
Q. & A. with The McCrary Family
Why did you start breeding?
Our journey into breeding and showing started with Shelties in the early 2000's. Debbie had grown up with Shelties, so we found a couple of mentors who helped us learn a lot about ethical breeding and showing, which we have carried over into our current program. When our last Sheltie passed and we moved out west, we began researching breeds that would thrive in the mountains, and decided on a Berner.
What makes your program special?
We believe that breeding should be done to better the breed, and as such have imported from some of the best European lines as the foundation of our program. We keep a small number of dogs so that our adult dogs and puppies can be spoiled with lots of love and attention in our home and not in kennels.
We also do early neurological stimulation and puppy culture protocols with our puppies.
Where do your breeding dogs live?
They live in my home.
Matched dogs
These dogs are already reserved or have gone home.
Kenai
Went home
Female
Kootenai
Went home
Female
Kodiak
Went home
Male
Kaya
Went home
Female
Kila
Went home
Female
6th Choice Boy
Went home
Male
Girl 3
Went home
Female
Girl 4
Went home
Female
Boy 3
Went home
Male
Boy 4
Went home
Male
Boy 2
Went home
Male
Girl 3
Went home
Female
Girl 2
Went home
Female
Girl 1
Went home
Female
Boy 1
Went home
Male
Tilda (Clover)
Went home
Female
Clara
Went home
Female
Coco (Guinness)
Went home
Male
Clark (Bentley)
Went home
Male
Everest (Cascade)
Went home
Female
Cliff (Boone)
Went home
Male
Cedar Buddy
Went home
Male
Cody (Gauchito)
Went home
Male
Oakley (Cora)
Went home
Female
Puddles (Cherry)
Went home
Female
Emmitt
Went home
Male
Eagle
Went home
Male
Everest
Went home
Male
Echo
Went home
Male
Eureka
Went home
Female
Fiona
Went home
Female
Finley
Went home
Female
Fjord
Went home
Female
Fenix
Went home
Female
Freya
Went home
Female
Fernie/Brookie
Went home
Female
Forrest
Went home
Male
Fury
Went home
Male
Flossie
Went home
Female
Fisher
Went home
Male
Helina
Went home
Female
Hadrian
Went home
Male
Huckleberry
Went home
Male
Boy 2
Went home
Male
Hazel
Went home
Female
Boy 3
Went home
Male
Haven (Koa)
Went home
Female
Hans
Went home
Male
Boy 9
Went home
Male
Ian (red boy)
Went home
Male
Boy 3
Went home
Male
Boy 6
Went home
Male
Boy 2
Went home
Male
Boy 5
Went home
Male
Boy 4
Went home
Male
Boy 8
Went home
Male
Boy 7
Went home
Male
Girl 4
Went home
Female
Girl 3
Went home
Female
Girl 2
Went home
Female
Girl 1
Went home
Female
Getting a puppy from The McCrary Family
The McCrary Family has been certified by Good Dog’s screening team for responsible and trusted breeding practices. When you’re ready to reach out, feel free to ask any questions about the breed, their program, or specific puppies.
Together, you’ll choose the puppy that’s right for you, stay in touch with regular updates, and plan how to bring your new puppy home.
Price
Puppy prices include a $500 non-refundable deposit and $3,000 final payment, before taxes & fees.
“Includes limited AKC registration, first vaccinations/health check by vet, ENS/puppy culture protocols, and lots of love and socialization! Deposit is non-refundable, but can be transferred to another litter if necessary.”
Contract & health guarantee
The McCrary Family may provide a written contract or
health guarantee when you purchase a puppy. This helps
protect both you and your breeder, ensuring that you
both have a clear understanding of the terms of your
puppy purchase. If The McCrary Family offers a contract
or guarantee, the details will be personalized by them.
If you have any questions or want to know more,
don’t hesitate to reach out to The McCrary Family directly.
Back 40 Berners meets or exceeds our community standards in these areas:
Responsible breeding practices
Health of breeding dogs and puppies
Puppy environment and enrichment
Buyer education and policies
Parent dogs
Brielle, mom
Bernese Mountain Dog
About Brielle
Brielle is our darling girl we kept from our Bulochka and Ch. Eli litter. She is a wonderful part of our family. We are so pleased with how she is growing out, and hope to have puppies from her in the future.
Bryshka (Russia), mom
Bernese Mountain Dog
About Bryshka (Russia)
Bryshka is a fun dog, always looking to be the center of attention! She has lots of character, and is a quick learner. Bryshka comes from good lines from Millenium Star in Russia, both her parents are champions and Bryshka did well in the show ring in Russia as well.
Excellent health testing
DNA Profile, von Willebrand Disease I (vWD I), +6 more.
Ch.Bourne (Hungary), dad
Bernese Mountain Dog
About Ch.Bourne (Hungary)
Bernergarde ID 204303
We imported Bourne from Mikes Uti Kennel, recognized as a top breeder in Hungary. Bourne did well in the show ring in Hungary, earning his baby champion title and best baby male. His siblings have also done well in the show ring, and has many champions in his pedigree. He is a giant teddy bear, very much a "velcro" Berner, he loves being with his people. He's very gentle, which is great considering he weighs around 120lbs. Loves going on hikes, car rides, playing "fetch", and just chilling next to you.
Bourne comes from a great, documented, healthy line, going back to the Van't Stokerybos kennel and further- we’ve traced his pedigree back to some of the first Bernese in Switzerland in 1906-check out his pedigree!
Excellent health testing
DNA Profile, von Willebrand Disease I (vWD I), +6 more.
Bulochka (Ukraine), mom
Bernese Mountain Dog
About Bulochka (Ukraine)
Bulochka is our import from Montbright Bernese in Ukraine. She is a beautiful example of the breed in temperament and conformation. A big sweetheart and loyal to her people.
Both of her parents are multi-champion winners in Europe, and her siblings have achieved world titles as well. Most importantly, her pedigree shows great health and longevity for many generations.
Excellent health testing
DNA Profile, von Willebrand Disease I (vWD I), +6 more.
Brookie, mom
Bernese Mountain Dog
About Brookie
Brookie is the new addition to the family! Her parents are our very own Bourne and Bulochka, our Champion Hungarian and Ukrainian imports.
Parent health testing
Breeder-Reported Testing
Excellent level
Back 40 Berners reports to performing the health tests below on their breeding dogs. Ask your breeder about the tests performed on the parents of your litter. Learn more about health testing for Bernese Mountain Dogs.
Hip Dysplasia (Preliminary), Hip Dysplasia
Hip testing reduces the chance of passing down hip dysplasia, which is primarily found in large breed dogs and can cause hip pain and the eventual loss of the function of the hip joint.
Elbow testing reduces the chance of passing down elbow dysplasia, which is primarily found in large breed dogs and can cause arthritis in the elbow joint and front leg lameness.
Eye Certification (CAER, registered with OFA)
Eye testing reduces the chance of passing down a wide range of hereditary eye illnesses including retinal dysplasia, lens luxation, and glaucoma, which can cause impared vision or blindness.
Cardiac Evaluation (registered with OFA)
Heart testing reduces the chance of passing down congenital heart disease, which can cause a range of symptoms ranging from trouble exercising to heart failure.
DNA Profile, Degenerative Myelopathy (DM; SOD1B), Bernese Mountain Dog Type, Degenerative Myelopathy (DM; SOD1A), von Willebrand Disease I (vWD I)
Genetic testing reduces the chance of passing down a wide variety of hereditary diseases of differing prevalence and severity such as Progressive Retinal Atrophy (an eye disease) and Von Willebrand's Disease (a blood disease).
Verified owner stories
Hear what other owners say about working with The McCrary Family to bring home their puppies.
Ryan T.
Verified owner · May 2024
+8
Wow, we couldn't have asked for a better experience in getting our first dog. Sam at Back40Berners has been there every step of the way and beyond. From the very beginning, she sent photos on the day Koa was born until the day we met her at the airport to bring her home. We flew to Montana to visit the puppies at just 4 weeks and got to see all the litter. It was a long travel day but worth it to see them at that tiny size.
Being that this was our first puppy, we had no idea how much responsibility and effort it those first 3 months would be, but again Sam was always available to support us along the way with advice about food, diarrhea remedies, vet advice and even Koa's first heat cycle. Sam also posts pupdates on social media so we can keep up with others in the litter and see the new litters on the way. We really couldn't have hoped for a better breeder. She truly cares about her dogs and their well-being.
JL
Jeana L.
Verified owner · May 2023
Our experience with Back 40 Berners was incredible. They were so easy to contact with questions, made the adoption process easy, and were so flexible. But most importantly to us, they clearly love these pups like family. I cannot recommend them highly enough. We love our sweet girl!