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Bernese Mountain Dog
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Large Breed |
   
See your Bernese Mountain Dog's
photograph/illustration
on our breed pages
    
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Working Dog |
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Country of Origin
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Switzerland, particularly near the capital city of
Berne (Bern). |
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Ancestry |
The Bernese Mountain Dog may be a descendant of Roman Mastiffs mixed
with Swiss herding dogs. |
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Original Function |
The
Bernese Mountain Dog was developed as a tough, sturdy all-purpose
working dog that could pull loads, guard, herd and drive livestock,
primarily cattle. |
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Height at Shoulder |
female: 23-26" male: 25-27.5" |
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Weight |
female: 70-100 lbs male: 90-120 lbs |
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Lifespan |
7-9 Years |
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Coat |
The Bernese Mountain Dog is known for its distinctive tri-color coat.
The moderately long, soft and slightly wavy coat is predominately black with tan markings.
A white chest, muzzle and forehead (flashings) complete the striking
look. |
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Tail |
The
tail is heavy, heavily plumed and is carried low. |
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Head |
The
strong, heavy head has a flat skull and a
well-defined stop. |
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Ears |
The ears are medium-sized, V-shaped and held close to the head. |
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Related Breeds |
Appenzeller, Entlebucher,
Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, Mastiff,
Bullmastiff, St. Bernard, Leonberger |
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Alternative Names |
Bernese Cattle Dog, Berner Sennenhund, Durrbachler,
Dürrbächler, Bouvier
Bernois, Sennenhund or Swiss Mountain Dog |
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Nicknames |
Bernese, Berner, Berners |
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Famous Individuals |
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Grooming: |
The Bernese Mountain Dog has an exceptionally thick, double coat made
for cold, harsh climates. The thick coat should be brushed several
times a week to keep it free from mats, dead hair and debris. When
the weather transitions from cold to warm, the Bernese Mountain Dog can
shed profusely. During shedding season, particularly when the
weather swings back and forth between cold and warm, brushing should be
a daily routine.
Due to central heating and air conditioning, many dogs shed somewhat
all year around. With a large, heavily coated dog, families should
expect stray hair around the house all year around. |
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Exercise requirements: |
Low. As with many large and giant breed dogs, the Bernese Mountain
Dog has a relatively low metabolism and can be fond of soft couches.
Several daily walks are usually sufficient. An occasional hike in
the woods or mountains is preferred when the weather is chilly or cold.
The Bernese Mountain Dog can have limited endurance especially in warm
weather. The black coat absorbs the heat from the sun. It is
not a breed that can go for a long jog in the middle of summer.
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Aggression: |
The Bernese Mountain Dog is a calm, friendly dog that is generally
friendly around other dogs, pets and people. It is generally
affectionate and good with children. Although the Bernese is a
reasonable watchdog, the breed is not considered a good protection dog
due to their placid nature. |
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Temperament: |
Bernese Mountain Dogs are docile, stable and affectionate dogs.
They can be active and playful as puppies and young adults and be quiet
and reserved as adults. They are generally easy going dogs who can
live with other dogs, pets, children and the elderly. They may not
be active enough for athletic, active families and individuals.
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Owner requirement: |
Firm, sensitive and physically strong. Bernese Mountain Dogs are
large, heavy dogs who enjoy pulling large loads. They can be quick
on their feet and active for short spurts. They are also
sensitive, loyal and take direction well. |
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Trainability |
High |
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Health concerns |
Canine Hip Dysplasia (CHD), Elbow Dysplasia,
Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD),
bloat,
heat stroke, fragmented coronoid process, progressive retinal atrophy
(PRA). Malignant and systemic histiocytosis, a form of cancer.
Von Willebrand's Disease (vWD). |
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Environmental requirements: |
Bernese Mountain Dogs have very thick, double coats that provide
excellent protection against cold, harsh weather. They have very
low tolerance for heat and cannot remain in direct sun or hot conditions
for any length of time. These are large, heavy dogs and require
sufficient space indoors to lie down comfortably. The Bernese
require living with the family and do poorly when left alone outside. |
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Feeding requirements: |
Growing puppies need to avoid excessively fast growth. As an adult, the
Bernese Mountain Dog requires more frequent
and smaller meals throughout the day to
prevent obesity and bloat. |
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Activities: |
Drafting or carting. Therapy dogs. Obedience. Agility. |
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AKC:
American Kennel Club USA: Working, since 1937
UKC: United Kennel Club USA: Guardian Dog
CKC: Canadian Kennel Club: Group 3 Working
FCI: Fédération
Cynologique Internationale: Molossoid Breeds
Group 2/Section 3/The Bernese Mountain Dog is Breed 45
ANKC: Australian National Kennel Council: Group 6 Utility
KCUK: Kennel Club United Kingdom: Working
NZKC: New Zealand Kennel Club: Utility
Berner Garde: Information
regarding genetic diseases of the Bernese Mountain Dog |
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The Bernese Mountain Dog is a strong, rugged, good-natured working dog
developed in the Swiss mountains as a guardian and herder of livestock.
Although the exact origin of the breed is unknown, it is possible that they
are descendants of Mastiffs brought to the area by Roman invaders two
thousand years ago. The Bernese is closely related to the other Swiss
Mountain Dog Breeds:
Greater
Swiss Mountain Dog, the Appenzeller and the
Entlebucher. The breeds are similar in color but the Bernese has a
distinctively long coat and they are considered sufficiently different to be
distinct breeds.
Dog enthusiasts Franz Schertenleib and Professor Albert Heim resurrected
the Swiss Mountain Dog breeds after they nearly died out in the 1800s. They
found many hardy individuals in the Durrbach area giving the breed the name
Durrbachler for a time. Heim promoted the breed in Switzerland and by 1910,
the newly named Bernese Mountain Dog was declared a breed.
The Bernese Mountain Dog is a heavy-set, sturdy, placid member of the
family. Somewhat rambunctious as a puppy, the adult Bernese is usually
quiet, gentle and content to be a household companion. The thick, heavy,
shedding, black coat can be a problem in temperate climates and a difficulty
in hot weather. Heat stroke is a serious issue and owners need to provide
air conditioning in hot climates.
The Bernese is a large, heavy dog
and requires sufficient space to be comfortable.
Although it is not a giant
breed, the Bernese has one of the shortest life expectancies of any purebred
dog. Some enthusiasts consider 7 years to be common.
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