Bernese Mountain Dog Breed Information
The Bernese Mountain dog breed is the gentle giant of the dog world. These big, silky-haired dogs, also known as Berner Sennenhunds or Berner, originated in the mountains of Switzerland. Bernese Mountain Dogs are even-tempered and good-natured and make excellent family pets. They have a patient, affectionate disposition, making them good with children and other pets. Berners are intelligent and eager to please, so they are relatively easy to train.
Read on to learn more about the beautiful Bernese Mountain Dog breed, as well as get tips and resources for finding and adopting a Berner.
Bernese Mountain Dog Breed Rundown
Height: 25-27.5 inches (males), 23-26 inches (females)
Weight: 80-115 lbs. (males), 70-95 lbs. (females)
Lifespan: 7 to 10 years
Origin: Switzerland
Personality: The Bernese Mountain Dog breed is patient, gentle, calm, affectionate, and loyal to family. They are large, athletic dogs and have a medium to high activity level. Berners make excellent family pets and good watchdogs.
Bernese Mountain Dog Appearance
Photo by Alexandra Lau on Unsplash.
The Bernese Mountain Dog breed has a striking appearance, with a large, powerful build, silky fur, and a tri-color coat that is jet black, white, and rust (reddish-brown). Berners are often described as majestic, with a double coat that is shiny and moderately long. The outer coat is straight or slightly wavy, while the undercoat is soft and dense. The Bernese Mountain Dog’s coat is black with distinctive rust-colored markings on the face, legs, chest, and tail.
Bernese Mountain dogs are strong, solid dogs built for working in the mountains of Switzerland. The Bernese Mountain Dog breed has a sturdy and muscular body with a deep chest and well-sprung ribs. The back is straight and strong, and the tail is long and bushy. The legs are straight and powerful, with large, round feet.
The head of a Bernese Mountain Dog is broad and flat, with a moderately sized skull and a slightly tapered muzzle. The ears are medium-sized, triangular, and set high on the head. The eyes are dark brown and almond-shaped.
Bernese Mountain Dog History
The Bernese Mountain Dog originated in the Swiss Alps. It is believed that the breed is descended from mastiff-type dogs that were brought to the area by the Romans more than 2,000 years ago.
The Bernese Mountain Dog was developed as a working dog for the farmers and dairymen of the Bernese Oberland region of Switzerland. The breed was used to pull carts, herd livestock, and serve as a watchdog. They were highly valued for their strength, intelligence, and loyalty.
The first written record of the Bernese Mountain Dog dates back to the mid-19th century, when Swiss farmer Albert Heim wrote about the breed in a book about Swiss dogs. The breed was officially recognized by the Swiss Kennel Club in 1907, and the first breed standard was established in 1912.
The Bernese Mountain Dog was introduced to other parts of Europe in the early 20th century, and the first dogs were brought to the United States in the 1920s. The breed gained popularity in the United States in the 1960s and 1970s, and it was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1937.
Today, the Bernese Mountain Dog is still used as a working dog in Switzerland and other parts of Europe, but it is also a popular companion dog around the world. Berners are known for their gentle dispositions, loyalty, and affectionate natures, and they’re often used in therapy and service work.
Bernese Mountain Dog Personality
Photo by Anastasiia Tarasova.
The Bernese Mountain Dog breed is known for being a loyal and friendly breed with a gentle disposition. They are social animals that enjoy spending time with their families and are good with children. They are also intelligent working dogs and can be trained for a variety of activities, including obedience, agility, and even therapy work.
Bernese Mountain Dogs are typically calm and even-tempered, but they can be protective of their families if they sense a threat. They are also known to be a bit stubborn at times, so it is important to establish clear boundaries and consistent training from a young age.
Overall, Berners are ideal for people looking for a loyal, affectionate, and gentle companion or a family pet. They make excellent companions and therapy dogs and also good family watchdogs.
Training Bernese Mountain Dogs
Photo by Dagmar Klauzová.
Bernese Mountain Dogs are intelligent, loyal, and trainable. These gentle giants are generally receptive to training but they are also known for independence so training takes patience and consistency. Here are some tips for training your Bernese Mountain Dog:
Start training early: It's important to start training your Bernese Mountain Dog as soon as possible, ideally when they are still puppies. This will help them learn good habits and behaviors early on and prevent bad habits from forming.
Use positive reinforcement: Positive reinforcement is the best way to train a Bernese Mountain Dog. Reward good behavior with treats, praise, and playtime to encourage them to repeat it.
Be patient and consistent: Bernese Mountain Dogs can be slow to learn, so it's important to be patient and consistent with your training. Set clear boundaries and rules, and stick to them.
Socialize your dog: Bernese Mountain Dogs are social animals and need plenty of interaction with other dogs and people to be well-adjusted. Socializing your dog from a young age will help prevent shyness or aggression.
Provide plenty of exercise: Bernese Mountain Dogs are active and energetic dogs that require ample exercise to stay healthy and happy. Make sure to provide them with daily walks and playtime to prevent destructive behavior.
Consider professional training: If you're having difficulty training your Bernese Mountain Dog, consider hiring a professional dog trainer. They can provide you with personalized advice and training techniques to help you and your dog succeed.
Famous Bernese Mountain Dogs
Bernese Mountain Dogs have captured the hearts of many notable celebrities and famous people. Here are a few famous Berner pups:
Hannah is a Bernese Mountain Dog who inspired the protagonist of children’s books such as “A Beach Day for Hannah” and “A Snow Day for Hannah,” by Linda Petrie Bunch.
Brod and Misneach are two Bernese Mountain Dogs owned by the President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins.
Comedian Chelsea Handler has a Bernese Mountain Dog named Gary.
Actress Sarah Michelle Gellar had a Berner named Bella who has passed away.
NFL football player Tim Tebow has a Bernese Mountain dog named Chunk.
Bernese Mountain Dog Health
Photo by Dagmar Klauzová.
Bernese Mountain Dogs are generally healthy dogs, but like all breeds, they can be prone to certain health issues, and some that are common to large breeds especially, such as bloat and hip dysplasia. Some common health issues that Bernese Mountain Dogs may experience include:
Hip and elbow dysplasia: This is a genetic condition where the hip or elbow joints don't develop properly and can cause pain, lameness, and arthritis.
Cancer: Bernese Mountain Dogs are more prone to certain types of cancer, including mast cell tumors and lymphosarcoma.
Bloat: This is a condition where the stomach fills with gas and twists on itself. It's a medical emergency that requires immediate veterinary attention.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA): This is a genetic condition that causes the gradual deterioration of the retina, leading to blindness.
Von Willebrand's Disease: This is a genetic bleeding disorder that affects the dog's ability to clot blood.
It's important to note that not all Bernese Mountain Dogs will develop these health issues, but it's important to be aware of them and to get regular veterinary check-ups and preventative care to help catch any health issues early on, leading to a better outcome for your dog.
Where to Get a Bernese Mountain Dog
Photo by Laura Cosgrove.
If you'd like to adopt a Bernese Mountain Dog, there are many Berners up for adoption in rescues and shelters around the world. Here are some resources to help you find the perfect pup for you:
Bernese Mountain Dog Club of America is the national breed club for the Bernese Mountain Dog and includes a wealth of information on Berners as pets and working dogs.
BFW Rescue is a foster-based rescue group located in South Carolina that has adoptable Bernese Mountain dogs.
Bernese Mountain Dog Club of the Finger Lakes rescues and rehomes Berners in the upstate New York area.
Petfinder has Bernese Mountain Dogs and puppies up for adoption in rescues and shelters around the country. You can search your area to find the closest Berners to you.
If you’ve decided to bring home the majestic Bernese Mountain Dog, check out our 10 Tips to Prepare Before Adopting a Dog to make sure you have all your supplies ready.
