Bernese Mountain Dog: Breed Characteristics & Care Guide

The Bernese Mountain Dog, affectionately known as the ‘Berner,’ is a majestic, large-sized breed renowned for its striking tri-colored coat and gentle disposition. Originally bred as a working dog in the Swiss Alps, these dogs have transitioned from farm helpers to beloved family companions while maintaining their kind nature and strong work ethic. Their combination of strength, intelligence, and affectionate temperament makes them a popular choice for families seeking a loyal and loving canine companion.

Breed Overview

Bernese Mountain Dogs belong to the working group of dog breeds and are one of four varieties of Swiss Mountain Dogs. Their impressive size, distinctive markings, and friendly demeanor make them easily recognizable. Here’s a quick overview of their key characteristics:

History and Origin

The Bernese Mountain Dog has a rich heritage dating back hundreds of years in the Swiss Alps, particularly in the canton of Bern, from which the breed takes its name. These dogs were originally developed as versatile farm dogs capable of performing multiple tasks essential to rural Alpine life.

Berners were primarily used as draft animals, pulling carts loaded with goods to market or milk to the dairy. Their strength and steady temperament made them ideal for this work. Beyond cart-pulling, they also served as herding dogs, helping to manage livestock, and as watchdogs, alerting farmers to visitors or potential threats to the homestead.

By the early 20th century, with the industrialization of farming, the breed’s numbers had declined significantly. Fortunately, dedicated Swiss breeders recognized the importance of preserving this national treasure. The breed was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1937, and since then, it has gained popularity worldwide as both a working dog and a family companion.

Temperament and Personality

The Bernese Mountain Dog is renowned for its exceptionally gentle and good-natured temperament. These dogs are not typically aggressive, anxious, or shy, but rather display a calm, confident, and docile demeanor that makes them excellent companions. Their patient and affectionate nature is particularly evident in their interactions with family members, especially children.

Berners form strong bonds with their families and often develop a special attachment to one particular person, though they generally show affection to all family members. While they can be somewhat aloof or reserved when meeting strangers, proper socialization helps them become more comfortable in new situations and with unfamiliar people.

Despite their large size, Bernese Mountain Dogs are known as ‘gentle giants’ who are typically good with children. Their patient nature allows them to tolerate the sometimes rough handling of young children, though supervision is always recommended due to their size. They also tend to get along well with other pets when properly socialized.

Bernese Mountain Dogs make excellent watchdogs due to their alert nature and protective instincts toward their families. They will typically bark to announce visitors but are not known to be aggressive without cause. Their working heritage is evident in their eagerness to please and their enjoyment of having jobs to do, whether it’s participating in draft work, obedience training, or simply carrying a backpack on a hike.

Physical Characteristics

The Bernese Mountain Dog is a large, strong, and sturdy breed with a distinctive appearance that reflects its heritage as a working dog in the Swiss Alps. Their powerful build and thick coat are adaptations to the demanding mountain environment in which they were developed.

Size and Build

Berners are substantial dogs with a strong, muscular build that speaks to their working heritage. Males typically stand 25-28 inches (64-70 cm) at the shoulder and weigh between 80-120 pounds (36-55 kg). Females are slightly smaller, standing 23-26 inches (58-66 cm) and weighing 75-100 pounds (34-45 kg). Despite their size, they move with surprising agility when motivated.

Their body structure is slightly longer than tall, creating a balanced appearance. Bernese Mountain Dogs have a broad, flat skull with a moderate stop, and medium-sized, almond-shaped eyes that are typically dark brown. Their ears are set high and triangular, hanging close to the head when at rest.

Coat and Color

One of the most distinctive features of the Bernese Mountain Dog is its beautiful tricolor coat. The base color is jet black, with rich rust or tan markings on the cheeks, over each eye, on the sides of the chest, on all four legs, and under the tail. White markings appear on the chest (forming an inverted cross), the tip of the tail, the feet, and sometimes on the muzzle.

The coat is thick, moderately long, and slightly wavy or straight. Berners have a double coat consisting of a longer outer coat and a wooly undercoat that provides insulation against the cold. This luxurious coat requires regular maintenance to keep it healthy and free from mats.

Care Requirements

Exercise Needs

Despite their size, Bernese Mountain Dogs have moderate exercise requirements. They enjoy daily activities like walks, gentle hikes, and playtime in a fenced yard, but they don’t have tremendous endurance and can overheat in warm weather due to their thick coats. A typical adult Berner will be satisfied with about 30 minutes to an hour of exercise daily, divided into multiple sessions.

Mental stimulation is just as important as physical exercise for this intelligent breed. Activities that engage their minds, such as obedience training, cart pulling, tracking, or agility (for younger, healthier dogs), can help keep them mentally sharp and prevent boredom. It’s important to note that strenuous exercise should be limited in puppies to protect their developing joints.

Grooming

The Bernese Mountain Dog’s beautiful coat requires regular maintenance to keep it looking its best. Weekly brushing is usually sufficient during most of the year, but daily brushing may be necessary during seasonal shedding periods in spring and fall when they ‘blow’ their undercoat. A slicker brush and undercoat rake are useful tools for managing the thick double coat.

Bathing should be done on an as-needed basis, typically every 2-3 months or when the dog gets particularly dirty. More frequent bathing can strip the natural oils from the coat. Regular grooming sessions also provide an opportunity to check for any skin issues, parasites, or abnormalities.

Other routine grooming tasks include checking and cleaning the ears weekly, trimming nails every 3-4 weeks, and brushing teeth regularly to maintain good oral health. The feathering on their legs and tail may require occasional trimming to keep them neat and prevent matting.

Training and Socialization

Bernese Mountain Dogs are intelligent and eager to please, which generally makes them trainable. However, they can be somewhat sensitive and do not respond well to harsh correction or negative training methods. Positive reinforcement techniques that use rewards, praise, and consistent, gentle guidance work best with this breed.

Early socialization is crucial for Berners to help them become well-adjusted adults. Puppies should be exposed to a variety of people, animals, environments, and experiences during their formative months. This helps prevent fearfulness or anxiety later in life and encourages the natural confidence that is characteristic of the breed.

Because of their size, basic obedience training should begin early, with a focus on leash manners, not jumping on people, and coming when called. Training sessions should be kept short and engaging to maintain the dog’s interest, especially with puppies who have shorter attention spans.

Health Concerns

Unfortunately, Bernese Mountain Dogs have one of the shortest lifespans among dog breeds, typically living only 7-10 years. They are prone to several health issues that potential owners should be aware of before bringing one into their family.

Common Health Issues

• Cancer: Various forms of cancer, particularly histiocytic sarcoma, are common in the breed and are a leading cause of death.
• Hip and Elbow Dysplasia: These developmental conditions affect the joints and can lead to pain and mobility issues.
• Gastric Torsion (Bloat): This life-threatening emergency occurs when the stomach fills with gas and twists on itself.
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA): A degenerative eye disorder that can lead to blindness.
• Von Willebrand’s Disease: A blood clotting disorder that can cause excessive bleeding after injury or surgery.

Responsible breeders screen their breeding stock for these conditions to reduce the incidence in puppies. When purchasing a Bernese Mountain Dog puppy, it’s important to ask for health clearances for both parents, including OFA certification for hips and elbows, eye certification from a veterinary ophthalmologist, and genetic testing for relevant conditions.

Preventative Care

Regular veterinary check-ups are essential for maintaining the health of a Bernese Mountain Dog. These should occur at least annually for adult dogs and more frequently for puppies and seniors. Preventative care includes keeping vaccinations up to date, maintaining parasite control, and monitoring weight to prevent obesity, which can exacerbate joint problems.

Dental care is another important aspect of preventative health. Regular tooth brushing, dental chews, and professional cleanings when recommended by a veterinarian can help prevent dental disease, which can impact overall health.

Given their susceptibility to bloat, owners should take precautions such as feeding multiple small meals instead of one large meal, avoiding exercise immediately before and after eating, and using elevated food bowls (though opinions on this vary). Some veterinarians recommend a preventative gastropexy procedure, which attaches the stomach to the abdominal wall to prevent twisting.

Is a Bernese Mountain Dog Right for You?

Before bringing a Bernese Mountain Dog into your home, it’s important to consider whether this breed’s characteristics align with your lifestyle and expectations. Here are some factors to consider:

Ideal Home Environment

Bernese Mountain Dogs thrive in homes with secure, fenced yards where they can play and explore safely. They prefer cooler climates due to their thick coats and can struggle in hot, humid weather. While they can adapt to apartment living if given sufficient exercise and attention, they generally do better with more space.

These dogs form strong bonds with their families and don’t do well when left alone for long periods. They’re best suited to households where someone is home most of the day or where they can accompany family members on outings. Their gentle nature makes them excellent companions for families with children, though their size means supervision is necessary with very young children.

Lifestyle Considerations

Potential owners should be prepared for the grooming requirements of the breed, including regular brushing and managing seasonal shedding. The Bernese’s shorter lifespan and potential health issues also mean that owners should be emotionally and financially prepared for the possibility of medical care and eventually saying goodbye sooner than with many other breeds.

These dogs are not the best choice for highly active owners looking for a running or jogging companion, especially in warm weather. However, they excel as hiking partners on moderate trails in cool weather and enjoy activities like cart pulling that allow them to use their natural strength.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Are Bernese Mountain Dogs good family pets?

A: Yes, Bernese Mountain Dogs are excellent family pets known for their gentle, patient nature with children. Their good-natured temperament and loyalty make them wonderful companions, though supervision is recommended due to their large size.

Q: How much do Bernese Mountain Dogs shed?

A: Bernese Mountain Dogs are heavy shedders, especially during seasonal changes in spring and fall when they “blow” their undercoat. Regular brushing (weekly to daily during shedding seasons) is necessary to manage the shedding.

Q: Why do Bernese Mountain Dogs have such short lifespans?

A: The breed’s short lifespan (typically 7-10 years) is primarily due to genetic predispositions to certain health conditions, particularly various forms of cancer. Their large size is also a factor, as larger dog breeds generally have shorter lifespans than smaller ones.

Q: Do Bernese Mountain Dogs bark a lot?

A: Bernese Mountain Dogs have moderate barking tendencies. They will typically bark to alert their family to visitors or unusual activity, fulfilling their watchdog role, but they are not known to be excessive barkers without cause.

Q: How much exercise does a Bernese Mountain Dog need?

A: Despite their size, Berners have moderate exercise requirements. They typically need about 30 minutes to an hour of exercise daily, divided into multiple sessions. They enjoy walks, play sessions, and moderate hikes, but don’t have great endurance, especially in warm weather.