Description

The Bernese Mountain Dog is large and sturdy, but surprisingly agile for its size. They have a broad head that is flat on top, and high set floppy ears. Their muzzles are straight and robust, and the tail is long and bushy. The Bernese has straight, powerful legs that were essential for the draft work this breed was developed for in the Swiss Mountains. Some Bernese Mountain Dogs have loose jowls, which unfortunately makes them prone to drooling.

Origin: Switzerland

Look

This breed has a gorgeous tricolour coat. They are mostly black with a white chest. This markings are frequently shaped like a “Swiss cross”. The Bernese also has a scattering of rusty brown patches around the eyes (often eyebrow markings), sides of the face, and legs.

The Bernese Mountain Dog has a long thick double coat. The inner coat is woolly, and the outer coat is longer and silkier. They shed frequently as the seasons change: your vacuum cleaner will become your new best friend when this happens.

Their long thick fur needs regular grooming at least once a week, but they usually don’t need to be bathed more than once every few months. Be sure to carefully clean your Bernese’s ears, as these often harbour dirt and bacteria.

Health

While the Bernese Mountain Dog is generally a healthy dog, they are prone to a few health conditions:

• Cancer
• Hip Dysplasia
• Elbow Dysplasia
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
• Portosystemic Shunt (PSS)
• Von Willebrand’s Disease
• Panosteitis
• Gastric Torsion

At Newdoggy.com we promote puppies coming from reputable breeders, who use genetic testing and good breeding practices to remove genetic conditions from their breeding lines. Newdoggy.com’s Health Guarantee certifies that all promoted puppies are in good health.

Learning

The Bernese Mountain Dog is very puppy-like, as this breed tends to mature slowly. Take this into account when you start training your dog, but don’t baby him. They can be sensitive, but they are very intelligent, and need firm but gentle handling.

As this dog was developed for draft work, you could consider teaching your Bernese to pull a small cart or wagon. Some Bernese Mountain Dogs also do well in canine agility. However, it’s better to wait until your dog has matured for this type of training, as starting too early could lead to joint damage.

Temperament

The average Bernese Mountain Dog has many things going for him or her. These dogs are affectionate and gentle, calm and intelligent. They love being with their family and joining in on the fun. Since they are such large dogs, you’ll need to teach your Bernese good manners from an early age to avoid accidents or damage to your home. The Bernese Mountain Dog can also be quite protective of their family, and sometimes aloof with strangers. They will definitely benefit from early socialisation. Try to expose your Bernese pup to a variety of people, animals, and situations to increase his or her confidence.

Living with

Be warned: the Bernese Mountain Dog will not flourish in an apartment, and will positively wilt in hot climates due to heat stroke. They need a house with a large yard for them to run and play in. Their thick coats mean that they are much happier in colder climates, especially in snowy areas. As well as a yard or garden to play in, your Bernese needs daily exercise, or he’ll become bored. Obedience training is a good way of focusing this breed’s intelligence and energy.
As the Bernese Mountain Dog is very prone to joint problems, you’ll need to take care as your puppy grows up. Feed a low calorie diet that is specially formulated to prevent your pup from growing too fast. Avoid strenuous exercise that can put strain on the joints, such as running and jumping on concrete.
Bernese Mountain Dogs love to be with people. If kept in isolation, he’ll develop behavioural problems, such as chewing, barking, or digging. Keep your Bernese where he belongs: in the heart of your family.