Breeding bundles of joy
~Bernese Mountain Dogs~
Creekwood Bernese is located in the heart of Central MN and we’re a family breeder of Bernese Mountain Dogs. Our home, Creekwood Acres, is a 90-acre patch of fenced-in rolling fields, with a creek and forest that the dogs love to explore in. We have a small rejuvenative farm operation with grass-fed beef, chickens, a few pigs each year, a big garden and a guest house cottage that we rent out regularly (as a result, the dogs get to meet many new faces on a regular basis).
We got our first Bernese Mountain Dog, Ruby, in 2004 and immediately fell in love. We were exhaustive in our research before getting her. We wanted to be sure that this breed would be a good fit for us. We attended many dog shows and talked with many breeders before finding an excellent breeder we trusted.
Ruby was with us for over 12 years, an incredible feat for this breed.
We strive to raise the happiest and healthiest dogs possible. Since we work out of our home, we get to be present with them almost all of the time. They have a wonderful life of roaming our property and encountering many smells, animals and people.
We raise the puppies for the first 9 weeks of their life, ensuring that they are introduced to appropriate stimuli (people, other animals, sounds, smells, experiences) at the appropriate age. This method provides the most well rounded puppy, both socially and mentally.
Our Philosophy
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We breed with intention and purpose. Our breeding program is intentionally small because love and a holistic sense of attention are core to our approach. Our dogs are our family members, first and foremost. They deserve the best possible quality of life; to be given individual attention, training and love. When they're happy, we're happy.
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In our approach to breeding, we take a number of key considerations to heart: breeding stock, genetics, temperament, health testing, evaluations, feed, etc.
The first 8 weeks of a puppies’ life play a highly significant part in determining their future. We take this very seriously. It is our duty to guide, shape and mold the puppies raised at Creekwood Acres based upon critical learning periods, a constant process of evaluation, adjustment, and readjustment to empower the pups to be the best they can be.
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We are committed to being available for our puppy families from the time they apply to get a pup and through the entire life of their pet. Family requires tending and we are dedicated to living this practice in action.
Sarah & Todd Theisen
We had long dreamed of finding land in the country and so in 2004 we made the move. Creekwood Acres became our home where we worked hard to build a small-scale sustainable farm alongside Todd’s long-existing hardwood flooring business, TMT Integrity Flooring, LLC.
Bernese Mountain Dog breeding has been a long time in the making and we’re so thrilled to be currently making this long-held dream a reality.
We love our life in the country. What we do is hard work, but it’s rewarding and worth the effort. Raising Bernese Mountain Dogs is a passion and we work very hard to produce wonderful dogs to spread joy wherever they go.
Current Creekwood Acres Bernese K-9 family
Frances
I’m the Queen Bee at Creekwood. I’m quite a smart character and am quite a social butterfly. I love to visit with everyone that comes here.
AKC # WS60062108
Berner Garde # 158827
Greta
I’m sweet as pie. I’m a little quieter than those other two, but I make my presence known. I’m a loyal friend, always there for those who need me.
AKC# WS61746505
Berner Garde# 158842
Watson
They call me Wiggly Watson because I’m quite wiggly and silly. My favorite thing to do is walk between people’s legs and stop… then the humans are forced to scratch my back. I’m also a registered therapy dog.
AKC# 65914005
Berner Garde# 188827
Olive
I was born in Poland in the summer of 2021. Apparently I’m silly, fun and (obviously) a sweet pup. My favorite thing is when other dogs come to visit. I love new friends!
AKC # WS75037103
Berner Garde #
Reggie
I joined the Creekwood Crew in February 2024 as a Guardian Dog. I’m just a little tot that has some growing to do before starting the breeding program, but in the meantime, I’m living at my Guardian home in the Twin Cities area. I’m good at entertaining my family with my puppy antics and I’m working hard on my training.
AKC # WS82563905
Berner Garde #
Mango
I joined the Creekwood Bernese family in February of 2023 as a Guardian Dog (I live with family members in Colorado). I’m undoubtably THE goofiest dog ever. I will be joining the breeding program in the fall/winter of 2024.
AKC# WS79463201
Berner Garde#
Trixie
I joined the Creekwood Bernese family in the winter of 2023 as a Guardian Dog (I live with my Guardian family in Central Minnesota). I’m quite smart and enjoy playing with my family and other house dog. I will likely begin in the breeding program in late 2024/early 2025.
AKC# WS79422811
Berner Garde#
Dog Therapy
Watson is a certified Therapy Dog!
The use of therapy dogs in various settings including educational settings, is becoming increasingly utilized for its effectiveness in addressing mental and emotional needs of youth. It has been proven to lower blood pressure, decrease anxiety, improve well-being, decrease loneliness, improve deep breathing and improve self-esteem. Watson and I (Sarah) currently work with kids, mainly 3rd graders and Junior High students, at a local community school on a weekly basis. We are also beginning to work in hospital settings.
Watson has gone through an extensive process of training and certification to reach this point and it’s incredible rewarding for everyone involved.
Where our Berner’s live
Creekwood Cottage
Our cozy cottage was built by our family using lumber sawn on our property. We are currently working on some renovations and are not renting it out at this time. We hope to have it available for nightly rental again in the near future.
