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Bernese Mountain Dog

The Bernese Mountain Dog is naturally good and loyal. This excellent dog is an eternal child. He is curious, bored and certain situations will make him insecure. This dog must be treated with gentleness, love and patience. He remains an extraordinary companion and assistance dog; you just have to know how to use patience and tenderness towards him.

Height 58 to 70 cm

Weight 36 to 50 kg

Life expectancy 6 to 8 years

Hair Loss High

Excercise Need Medium

Home country Switzerland

Index

Personality Appearance Characteristics Price Breeders Pictures Tips Health History

Quick Overview of the Bernese Mountain Dog

Temperament

Very affectionate
Loyal to his family
Social
Not very adventurous

Appearance

Slightly curly and long hair
Wavy fur
Essentially black dress

Health

Fine bone structure can cause some issues
Dysplasia often present
Stomach and urinary problems

Temperament of the Bernese Mountain Dog

This large breed dog is very affectionate and loyal to his family. He is always in need of caresses and attention. No matter who the newcomers are, once he has assessed them, he will be sociable and affectionate with all visitors. He even becomes a "pot of glue" when he takes a human in affection.

He is very close to his masters but not very adventurous. He is extremely curious but will always remain in the sight of those close to him. He will dare to move a little farther away while keeping a close enough distance to always be within reach of his masters.

The Bernese Mountain Dog is not shy by nature, but he is afraid of pressure; training collars or other similar items are of no use in his training. Positive reinforcement is the best attitude to adopt with the Bernese Mountain Dog. He is extremely adaptable and will learn very quickly if the learning process is gentle.

His bark is rare but he uses it with conviction when it's necessary.

Very playful, the Bernese Mountain Dog will keep his puppy heart for a long time. Calm and endearing, he is very loyal and affectionate. He is an excellent companion dog that loves to play, caresses and attention.

In general, the Bouvier is an excellent dog. Sometimes, he will do as he pleases, with his puppy heart always there.

Naturally not shy, some elements can, on the other hand, make him insecure and slightly unpredictable. Generally calm and relaxed, he can still become a little aggressive in a situation that makes him feel totally insecure.

However, as a general rule, the Bernese Mountain Dog remains a very gentle dog and does not belong to the category of aggressive dogs. He can therefore walk safely without a muzzle.

Breed Appearance

Height

Between 64 and 70 cm (25.20 to 27.56 inches) for the male
Between 58 and 66 cm (22.83 to 25.98 inches) for the female

Weight

Between 38 and 50 kg (83.77 to 110.23 pounds) for the male
Between 36 and 48 kg (79.37 to 105.82 pounds) for the female

Color

His predominantly black coat consists of white markings on the muzzle, around the eyes, on the front in the shape of a cross, on the tip of the legs and on the tail; a few small red spots on the head are also visible.

Hair

His slightly curly hair is quite long. His wavy fur is soft to the touch.

Morphology

His eyes are usually very dark.

According to the FCI breeds nomenclature, this breed belongs to group 2, section 3 and is #45

Characteristics of the Bernese Mountain Dog

Does this dog suit your lifestyle?

Every dog breed has its own characteristics. However, the actual character of a dog can vary from one to another within the same breed.

Life in an apartment

Good first dog

Tolerates solitude

Tolerates cold weather

Tolerates hot weather

Affectionate

Friendly with children

Friendly with strangers

Friendly with other animals

Hair loss

Drooling level

Easy to care for

Robust health

Easy to train

Intelligent

Tendency to bark

Tendency to nibble

Protective

Instinct to hunt

Adventurous spirit

Energy level

Level of intensity

Need for exercise

Playful

Price and monthly budget

Bernese Mountain Dog puppies near me

Bernese Mountain Dog pictures

Bernese mountain dog on his back playing

Tips About this breed

The Bernese Mountain Dog loves to live outdoors, especially in cold regions. He needs moderate exercise every day, about 30 minutes of walking. This dog is therefore not suitable for sedentary families.

The Bernese Mountain Dog doesn't stand solitude. Therefore it will be necessary to often be there for him.

Health of the Bernese Mountain Dog

For a dog of this size, his fine bone structure may cause him some problems in this area. Proper nutrition and regular exercise are a good way to prevent dysplasia, which is often present in these large breeds.

In the Bouvier, about 10% of the canine population is affected by cancer.

Due to his drooping ears, it is better to check them regularly to avoid infections and scabies. Regular care will ensure good health in this area.

Stomach and urinary problems can also occur in the Bouvier.

History of this breed

Originally from Switzerland, the Bernese Mountain Dog belongs to the family of great herdsmen. His name comes from German and means "Alpine Cowdog of Bern". This breed, used for a long time to bring the milk cans to the cart for transportation, was nicknamed at the time the horse of the poor, as his work was normally given to the horse.

The Bernese Mountain Dog is nowadays used for other more humanitarian purposes.

Associations that help people in need of assistance have made him a dog for the blind and avalanche rescuers use him to find buried skiers. He is also adopted as a companion dog. He is an excellent dog with a highly developed family instinct.

The Bernese Mountain Dog's dedication is total. His great ease of learning and his intelligence allow him to be very efficient in searching under the snow, thus an invaluable help for rescuers.

He is also very attentive to his masters, which makes him an excellent dog for the blind and handicapped. His gentle and patient character makes him an extraordinary guide.