I'm Kim and Sean K., the breeder behind Rusty Brows Berners located in Saint Maries, ID. Our mission is to preserve the original breed standard—no crossbreeding, in-depth health screenings, no shortcuts. We focus on maintaining pure Swiss bloodlines & breeding from championship lineage that has a history of great longevity, health, & temperament.
Q. & A. with Kim and Sean
Why did you start breeding?
The integrity of the BMD has been compromised due to "backyard breeding," crossbreeding, & lack of ethical/healthy breeding practices. The BMD has one of the shortest life-expectancies of all dog breeds due to improper breeding. We intend to improve that statistic through our ethical/careful breeding criteria. We want to preserve the beauty & health quality of this breed for generations to come.
What makes your program special?
Our mission is to preserve the original breed standard—no crossbreeding, in-depth health screenings, no shortcuts. We focus maintaining pure Swiss bloodlines & breeding from championship lineage that has a history of great longevity, health, & temperament. Berner lovers receive not just a puppy, but a healthy, true-to-standard companion that honors the breed’s heritage for generations to come.
What are the different breed coat colors in your program?
Our puppies are black rust and white. Colors will vary depending on the parent dogs.
Where do your breeding dogs live?
They live in my home.
Matched dogs
These dogs are already reserved or have gone home.
April - Guardian Program Female
Went home
Female
Arthur
Went home
Male
Augie
Went home
Male
Alice
Went home
Female
Asher
Went home
Male
Getting a puppy from Kim and Sean
Kim and Sean 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 $1,700 final payment, before taxes & fees.
“This price includes:
- deworming
- AKC litter registration
- Vet check-up
- microchip
- dew claw removal
-Potty Training started
- Socialization
- Starter bag of food. All of our puppies are the same price, regardless of color, size, etc. The non-refundable deposit is applied to the purchase price of the puppy.”
Contract & health guarantee
Kim and Sean 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 Kim and Sean 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 Kim and Sean directly.
Rusty Brows 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
Shelby, mom
Bernese Mountain Dog
About Shelby
Shelby has the most manipulatingly adorable personality. She is highly intelligent, a fast and eager learner, and lives to please her owners. She is very food-motivated, which made her a breeze to train. Shelby is happiest sitting between our legs, looking up at us lovingly. She comes from original Swiss and Championship bloodlines, is AKC registered and has all recommended health testing and clearances.
Henry, dad
Bernese Mountain Dog
About Henry
Henry is one of the most loving, gentle natured Berners around. He loves walks and hikes, and anything involving his owners. He is happiest snuggling with his owners with his head tucked under our elbow. He is very intelligent and a quick learner with a calm and patient demeanor. He comes from Champion bloodlines and is AKC registered with all recommended health clearances.
Parent health testing
Breeder-Reported Testing
Great level
Rusty Brows 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
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 Dysplasia Finals (OFA, BVA, SV, FCI)
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.
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 Kim and Sean to bring home their puppies.
Debby B.
Verified owner · July 2025
Wonderful experience. Can't say enough good about working with Kim! She has experience and knowledge of Berners that many others do not and cares about keeping the breed as it should be. Her dogs are beautiful and healthy and they get proper, loving care. My puppy is a gem! My family is in love. Getting this pup from Kim made us so happy and this chunk of cuteness is a perfect berner for my family. I would add that I have a pet peeve that I do not care to support breeders who cross breed dogs, especially berners. This should be discouraged by not supporting breeders who do that. Rusty Brows Berners keeps the Bernese Mountain Dog as intended which is a magnificent animal who can be a working dog, family pet and of course show dog. So Kudos to Rusty Brows Berners for the supreme efforts. Debby