Bernese Mountain Dog Breed Description

An Owner's Bernese Mountain Description
Bernie is one of the friendliest and most affectionate of the larger breeds. He loves to be around people and will do well with other pets and animals. And interestingly, although Bernie is a very good-natured dog, he can act as a guard dog (even though he's not particular aggressive) because he is very protective. His size and bark alone act as a deterrent to strangers.

He's been very easy to train and is relatively low maintenance. Daily walks seem to keep him in shape, though I prefer to give him an occasional run, too. I found that the apartment I had was not ideal for Bernie; he seems to be much happier with the house and large yard we live in now.

Besides exercise, Bernie needs to be brushed daily to keep his coat from matting and becoming tangled. He will shed during season so then I have to be prepared for a lot of hair to vacuum up. Regular brushing helps control it, and since it is seasonal this doesn't amount to much of a problem.

I remember Bernie as a rambunctious pup and wondered what I was getting myself into. But he's really mellowed out as he has matured. Although Bernie presents a tough and rugged exterior, he really prefers staying at home and being around family. Bernie has always done well around kids, and has even taken our cat under his wing. His sensitivity is very endearing to us, as is his loyalty to the family. I've heard it said that this breed does not handle changing families or homes very well, and with their sensitivity being what it is, I imagine that's true. They sincerely bond with their family. I'll be keeping our Bernie for always, that's for sure.

The one trick I'm trying to break Bernie of is his dedication to digging in the garden. He loves big holes. He'll dig these huge trenches, and then lay in the cool of the deep soil. He has his short-comings (and deep diggings) but Bernie is a true companion and beloved friend.

 

 

Introduction

Also known as the Berner Sennenhund or the Bernese Cattle Dog, these dogs are a working breed trained to herd livestock and pull carts. The Bernese is easily obedience trained and is successful in the show ring. These dogs can be sloppily affectionate but are best in the hands of an experienced handler. They form a strong bond of love with their family. They are considered one of the most beautiful of the four breeds of Swiss Mountain Dogs. Their medium length coat is black in color with red, white and brown markings and needs moderate grooming. They generally weigh 80 lbs. or more and stand 23-27 1/2" at the shoulders. Contact the dog breeders below for your next family friend.

History

Despite the fact that the precise origin of the Bernese Mountain Dog is uncertain, this breed almost certainly began in the Swiss mountains as a farm dog. Works of art from the late 18th century prove the Bernese type was there. As the 19th century came to an end, many foreign breeds of dogs were being traded into Switzerland and this posed a danger in the form of a loss of all native breeds. Professor Franz Schertenleib, Albert Heim and others led the attempt to conserve indigenous Swiss breeds by tracing and locating the residual specimens and maintaining the distinctiveness of the Bernese Alpine Herdsman's dog. The Berne canton of Switzerland is the region that the breed was named after and the dogs are extensively known there. The strong Bernese has been used for herding livestock, as a farm guardian and for draft work. Due to its mild, pleasant nature, the Bernese Mountain Dog makes an excellent family companion. Its talents are carting, trailing things, looking after livestock, safeguarding, exploration and rescue, and spirited obedience.

Description

The Bernese Mountain Dog is a strong, weighty dog, with a gorgeous tri-colored weather-resistant double coat of black with even markings of white and rust. The dog has a white mark on the head, chest and toes and a rust blaze on the sides of the chest, over both eyes, under the tail, on the cheeks and on each leg. The fur is reasonably long and might be either slightly wavy or straight. The wide cranium has a small undulation down the center. They also have pendant medium-sized ears that are triangular in shape. The eyes are dark, with a gentle expression and the nose is black in color. The body is dense with a broad, profound chest. They have a long bushy tail that is mostly in a low position when the dog is relaxing. The tail may be lifted upwards slightly as the dog becomes alert.

Temperament

These mild, cheery dogs care for children. They are clever, easily trainable and are normally watchdogs but not excessively dominant. The dogs are self-assured, vigilant and pleasant and make good companions for a lifetime. They are quite sociable with strangers and are normally fine with non-canine pets and dogs. This breed of dogs may be sluggish to grow-up, acting puppy-like for a fairly long while. Bernese dogs require being around people, not confined to the kennel. This breed is very sociable while they are puppies like most other dogs. They are sensitive and must be trained properly. The dogs will cause problems for owners who do not exhibit natural leadership skills.

Health and Care

Cancer is one of the most prevalent causes of death for dogs, but Berners are more susceptible to fatal cancer in comparison to other breeds. The cancers include lympophosarcona, mast sell tumor, fibro sarcoma, malignant histiocytosis and oesteosarcoma. They also suffer from musculoskeletal diseases such as osteochondritis, cruciate ligament rapture, arthritis and hip dysplasia. Brushing on a day-to-day or weekly basis is crucial for the health of the dog's thick, long fur, with additional care required during shedding, which will be heavy on a seasonal basis. Bathing and dry shampooing is done when necessary.

Colors

Tricolor (Black/Tan/White or Black/Rust/White).

Living Area

The Bernese Mountain Dog is an extremely loyal breed of dog, and will become upset if kept outdoors too often. You'll need to make some provision for keeping your dog indoors with your family as often as is possible.That said, however, the Bernese Mountain Dog does need some room to walk, run, and play outdoors, eliminating extremely dense urban areas as an ideal place to keep a Bernese Mountain Dog. Since the Bernese Mountain Dog isn't as prone to physical activity as some of its working dog cousins, however, you don't need to actually live out in the country in order to give your dog its ideal living environment--suburban areas or even less-dense urban areas will probably be fine to meet your dog's needs.

Recognized By

CKC, FCI, AKC, ANKC, NKC, NZKC, APRI, ACR

Pets4You offers listings of Bernese Mountain Dog breeders with puppies for sale.