Bernese Mountain Dog Breed

History

Bernese Mountain Dogs are believed to have an ancestry that dates back to Roman times. Their ancestors arrived in Switzerland more than 2,000 years ago, where they were utilised as all-purpose farm dogs. Some of their jobs included pulling dairy carts. herding livestock, and protecting farms, as well as devoted canine companions. Thanks to their thick, double-coats, these dogs were perfectly designed for the cold weather in the Alps.

The Bernese Mountain Dog belongs to a group of dogs called “Sennenhund”, of which they are the second largest among the other three types; the Entlebucher (the smallest) the Appenzeller, and the Great Swiss Mountain Dog, which is the largest of them all. The word ‘Sennenhund’ roughly translates to ‘dog of the Senn’, named because they accompanied Alpine herders and dairymen known as ‘Senn’ or ‘Senner’.

At the turn of the 20^th Century, more and more breeders became interested in searching for old, native Swiss breeds. In particular, Dr. Albert Heim was a huge admirer of the Bernese Mountain Dog. In fact, he is often credited for preserving the Berne Sennerhund as a distinct breed, and it’s thanks to his dedication that we have the handsome, devoted breed we know and love today.

During the mid-1800s, these dogs fell out of favour as machines had been developed that could carry out their jobs more efficiently. However, devoted breeders and enthusiasts formed breed clubs to ensure the survival of the Bernese Mountain Dog. From this time, they were more often utilised in dog shows and sports competitions.

The Bernese Mountain Dog first arrived in America in 1936, with the import of a male and female from Switzerland. The breed was recognised by the American Kennel Club in 1937 and has steadily gained in popularity since then. The Bernese Mountain Dog Club of America was formed in 1968.

Breeders began importing these dogs into the UK in the mid-1930s. However, breeding programs were halted during World War II. They resumed after the war ended in 1945. The Bernese Mountain Dog Club of Great Britain was formed in 1971 and the breed has built up a community of devoted breeders and loving owners since then.

Appearance

The Bernese Mountain dog is a large, striking dog breed, that is sturdy, robust, and well-boned. This impressive build, alongside their gorgeous tricolour coats, really makes these loving dogs stand out from the crowd.

Bernese Mountain Dogs have strong, flat skulls with well-defined stops over their straight muzzles. Their almond-shaped eyes are dark brown in colour and they have medium-sized ears that are triangular and set high on the head. Their ears are held slightly forward when they are excited or alert, but lie flat when they are relaxed.

These dogs have a strong jawline with a perfect scissor bite. Their muscular necks are medium in length and highly muscled. Their forequarters are long, with sloping shoulders and upper arms that form a distinct angle. Furthermore, these dogs have fairly compact bodies with deep, broad chests and well-defined ribcages. They have powerful loins, firm and level backs, with a smooth, well-rounded rear.

The Bernese Mountain Dog’s well-muscled hindquarters are broad and strong and their back legs are well-developed. Their feet are short, round, and compact. These dogs have bushy tails that are raised when the dog is alert or working but should never curl over the back.

Bernese Mountain Dogs have a medium-length coat that is soft and silky with a natural sheen to it. Their hair is fairly long and somewhat wavy but never curly. These dogs have an attractive coat that is jet black, with reddish markings over the eyes, on the cheeks, chest, and all four legs. These dogs also have a striking white blaze on the head and white markings on the chest. Some dogs may have white paws, and some may not; both are acceptable as a breed standard. The only recognised breed colour by the Kennel Club is tricolour.

Personality

An affectionate, alert, and intelligent canine, the Bernese Mountain Dog is a real pleasure to be around. They are calm, gentle, and tolerant animals that adore being with their families. They love to be involved in every activity in the home and they have a sweet playful streak which makes them wonderful companions for children. However, remember that these are very large dogs that mature slowly compared to many other breeds. In fact, they will often reach full size before they reach mental maturity. For this reason, consistent training from puppyhood is essential to make sure they know what is expected of them.

Bernese Mountain Dogs are naturally protective of their families, but they are not aggressive. They are generally peaceful and sociable; however, they may be aloof and defensive around people and dogs they are unfamiliar with, especially other male dogs. Start to expose them to other animals, places, and people from a young age, because this will help them to become more accepting as adults. These dogs need consistent training and soclialisation to overcome their natural shyness.

Bernese Mountains dogs may be large, but they are not particularly high-energy. A couple of 30-minute walks a day is ideal, as well as some playtime in the garden when they are in the mood, When they are not exercising, these dogs are known to be very relaxed and chilled in the home. The most important thing is that they are surrounded by the people they love and feel comfortable with.

Trainability

Their intelligence and eagerness to please mean Bernese Mountain Dogs are pretty easy to train. However, their training and socialisation must start early for best results. Positive reinforcement training is the best method to use with these dogs because they are known to be highly sensitive by nature and so they do not respond well to harsh training methods. In the beginning, keep training sessions short and fun to make sure your dog remains engaged, and don’t forget to reward them for good behaviour. Attention, fuss, or a bit of playtime are all good reward options, as well as treats. Just make sure you don’t offer too many fatty treats because these dogs are prone to weight gain. Treat your Bernese Mountain Dog with respect, love, and patience, and you will be rewarded with a devoted companion.

Coat & Care

Bernese Mountain Dogs are beautiful but they can be high maintenance in the grooming department as they have long coats that shed excessively, especially in Spring and Autumn. To reduce the amount of hair around the house and keep their coats clean, tangle-free, and healthy, these dogs require a thorough brush several times a week with a double-sided pin brush or slicker brush that will get right down into the fluffy undercoat. Perhaps the easiest way to groom your Bernese Mountain Dog is by brushing the coat in small sections, divided into layers. This way, you can ensure you don’t miss any areas.

Bathing can be done every three months or so to maintain their clean appearance, unless they get especially muddy or dirty!

Daily dental hygiene is the best way to prevent tooth and gum disease and bad breath. However, twice a week brushing is enough to avoid any bacteria and tartar from building up. Ask your vet what dental products are the most suitable to clean your dog’s teeth, gums, mouth, and tongue effectively.

Their ears must be examined frequently for any signs of infection or wax build-up. These can include excessive scratching, head tilting, redness, and swelling. You can clean their ears weekly using a soaked cotton wool ball and an appropriate ear cleaner.

Their nails can be trimmed once or twice a month or as needed to keep them healthy and in tiptop condition. Make sure that you do this often to avoid very long nails that can be painful and awkward for your Bernese Mountain Dog. While you do this, check their paw pads are injury and dirt-free.

Furthermore, inspect the whole body as you groom and clean your dog to check for any inflammations, wounds, rashes, and other indicators that they may have an infection or illness. By getting into a routine of doing this regularly, you will be able to pick up on any potential health conditions early on. Your Bernese Mountain Dog’s eyes must be clear, clean, and healthy without any inflammation, redness, swelling, or discharge.

Introduce grooming to your puppy as early as possible to help them get used to the routine. Make it a part of their training and don’t forget to use positive reinforcement methods.

Health

The Bernese Mountain Dog has a fairly short life expectancy of 6-9 years. While they are a robust breed, they are prone to developing a number of health conditions, especially cancer. For this reason, it’s essential that you do your research and only purchase puppies from reputable breeders that will be able to perform DNA tests to check for any detrimental health predispositions.

The Bernese Mountain Dog is prone to developing a variety of health issues that you need to be aware of, including:

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) – This is a family of eye diseases that causes the eye retina's slow deterioration. Symptoms can start at an early age, which usually begins with night blindness. As the condition progresses, your dog’s daytime vision will be impaired too. Thankfully, the condition is not known to be painful and many dogs can adapt well to vision loss if they are well cared for.
Hip Dysplasia – An inherited health condition where the thighbone does not fit firmly into the dog’s hip joint. Symptoms to watch out for include signs of pain in the affected area, loss of muscle mass, or a sudden decrease in activity. Mild cases can be controlled with pain medication; however, more severe or long-lasting cases can lead to mobility issues and arthritis.
Bloat/Gastric Torsion – Also called Gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV). It occurs when the stomach is bloated with air or gas and then twists. GDV often affects large dog breeds with deep chests and can be fatal. Symptoms to watch out for include a distended stomach, excessive drooling, retching, and breathing difficulties.
Elbow Dysplasia – A health condition that causes forelimb lameness in large breeds. Affected dogs may have a limp on one or both front legs.
Von Willebrand Disease – A blood disorder that prevents the blood from clotting normally. Symptoms to watch out for include excessive bleeding after an injury, blood in the urine, anaemia, and regular bruising.
Histiocytosis – An aggressive type of cancer that affects the white blood cells. It can either be systemic or malignant. Symptoms include rapid weight loss, appetite loss, and lethargy.
Osteochondrosis – A condition that affects the joints. It results in an area of thickened cartilage that is weak and may become loose, forming a flap.

Children & Other Pets

As mentioned, these large dogs are known to be real gentle giants. They are also placid, calm, and thrive in human company which makes them great companions for children. However, due to their sheer size, it is best to supervise every interaction between a Bernese Mountain Dog and a child to prevent any incidents and injuries.

The Bernese Mountain Dog generally tolerates other animals in the home if they have grown up together, including cats. However, remember that early socialisation is essential to ensure your dog grows up to be obedient, well-rounded, confident, and gentle. Be aware that these canines can be wary of unfamiliar dogs, especially males, so it’s best to keep your dog on a lead until fully trained.