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International Bernese Mountain Dog group hosts parade in East TN to encourage breed research

On Saturday, those Bernese Mountain Dog breed lovers were able to celebrate the life of the pups in a parade in Pigeon Forge.

An international group called Berner Nation brought together people who love a breed of dog that has a fairly short life span.

On Saturday, those Bernese Mountain Dog breed lovers were able to celebrate the life of the pups in a parade in Pigeon Forge.

The dogs typically have a short life, but parades like the one in Pigeon Forge try to showcase the breed. The group is also hopeful these types of events will push for research and ways to extend the life span of the dogs. The Bernese Mountain Dog's average life span is about seven to eight years.

"It's about getting together with people that believe in that same cause and same breed," Curt Epstein, the ambassador of Berner Nation, said. "They just want to see their puppies have a great life."

The group has had about seven of parades like the one in Pigeon Forge around the world so far. This parade was one of the first in East Tennessee.

The group's last parade before this one was in Scotland.

The breed's history in United States started in 1926 when a Kansas farmer imported a pair as all-around farm dogs, according to the American Kennel Club. The breed is originally from Switzerland and would often help farmers in those area protect livestock.

You can follow the Berner Nation's Instagram's page here. The group also has a Facebook page here.

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