​The Bernese Mountain Dog is a large breed that originated as a farm dog in Switzerland. This breed has a distinctive long, tricoloured coat. Today, the Bernese Mountain Dog is particularly cherished as a pet and companion animal, known for being highly reliable, gentle, and social. They interact well with children, are patient, and relatively easy to train, making them ideal family dogs.​
The Bernese Mountain Dog originates from Switzerland, with its name referring to the city of Bern. This ancient breed was developed in this city through the crossing of Roman Mastiffs with local Swiss herding dogs. Historically, this breed was kept as a working and farm dog, herding cattle and guarding the property. In the early twentieth century, the popularity of this breed increased, and there was also interest in Germany. Now, the Bernese Mountain Dog is especially loved as a companion animal due to its gentle, loyal character. This breed is even used in breeding so-called designer dogs, such as the Bernedoodle.
The Bernese Mountain Dog is a confident and friendly dog. This breed is obedient, social, and very loyal to its owners. It interacts well with people and children, being very reliable and patient with young children. This breed can also serve as a watchdog, though it may not be very defensive as it is also friendly towards strangers. The Bernese Mountain Dog is intelligent and eager to learn, making it generally quite easy to train.​
The Bernese Mountain Dog is a fairly large breed with a distinctive tricoloured coat. It stands approximately 58 to 70 cm tall, with females often being slightly smaller than males. It has a powerful neck and a large head. The ears are hanging, and it has a large and somewhat square-shaped body. The chest is broad and deep, and the back is flat. This breed is quite muscular, and the tail is bushy and long. The Bernese Mountain Dog has a double coat consisting of a thick, woolly undercoat and a glossy, soft, medium-length outer coat. The coat colour has only one variation, which is tricoloured. This variation consists of a black base coat with tan (deep reddish-brown) markings on the cheeks, above the eyes, on the chest, and all legs. There are white, small to medium-sized markings on the head and a white chest patch. White feet are desirable, as well as a white tail tip
The Bernese Mountain Dog is a fairly athletic dog that requires exercise. It is advisable to walk daily for an hour to 1.5 hours. Additionally, this breed also enjoys playing games such as fetching. In the summer, it is wise to take it a bit easier. Due to the thick coat, the Bernese Mountain Dog has a higher risk of overheating on warm days.
The coat of the Bernese Mountain Dog consists of two layers: the soft, woolly undercoat and the medium-length outer coat with soft and dense hairs. To keep the coat shiny, free of tangles, and clean, daily care is important. This care involves brushing the coat to remove loose hairs.​
In addition to good coat care, dental care is also important. By regularly brushing the teeth or giving your dog a supportive supplement, you keep the teeth clean and healthy. Since the Bernese Mountain Dog has hanging ears, it is extra susceptible to ear infections. Therefore, it is advisable to regularly check and clean the ears. Also, occasionally check your dog’s nails, as overly long nails cause discomfort.​
For large breeds like the Bernese Mountain Dog, it is wise to keep the muscles, ligaments, and joints healthy and strong for as long as possible, or to support them when there are complaints. For this, there are joint-supporting supplements or special diet foods.​
Finally, the Bernese Mountain Dog needs sufficient exercise to stay healthy and happy.
Bernese Mountain Dogs unfortunately suffer from several hereditary diseases. One of the most significant risks is cancer, which can appear at a young age and is often malignant. Additionally, larger breeds are more prone to joint disorders such as hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and patellar luxation. Gastric torsion (bloat) is also common in this breed. In this condition, the stomach swells and twists, blocking the entrance and exit. Without immediate intervention, a dog can die within hours. Degenerative myelopathy, a spinal cord disease that gradually damages the nerves, is also seen in Bernese Mountain Dogs.
Due to these various hereditary conditions, most Bernese Mountain Dogs unfortunately do not live beyond 6 years of age.
While the Bernese Mountain Dog has unique traits, there are other mountain dog breeds that share similarities, such as the Appenzeller, the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, and the Entlebucher. All four breeds have tricolour coats. The Bernese Mountain Dog is the only one with a long-haired coat.
When buying a Bernese Mountain Dog, it is essential to find a reliable and responsible breeder. This breed has specific health needs and a distinct personality, making it important to choose a breeder who prioritises both the mental and physical well-being of the puppies. A trustworthy breeder will be transparent about health screenings, such as tests for hereditary conditions like hip dysplasia, and will provide guidance to ensure the puppy fits well into your family.
The price of a Bernese Mountain Dog can vary significantly from one breeder to another. Factors such as the quality of care in the breeding process, pedigree, and health testing can all influence the cost. While price may be a factor, the puppy’s health and socialisation are most important. A lower price may indicate less attention to critical aspects such as parental health screening, testing, and early socialisation.
It is therefore always advisable to choose a recognised and reputable breeder who will contribute to the long-term health and well-being of your new puppy.
The Bernese Mountain Dog is a sweet and social breed, beloved as a family companion. However, this breed has specific traits that make it more suitable for a particular type of owner. If you’re considering bringing a Bernese Mountain Dog into your home, it’s important to understand what qualities are needed to properly care for this breed. Below are some points to help determine if this dog is right for you:
The Bernese Mountain Dog is suitable for an owner who:
In summary, the Bernese Mountain Dog is a great choice for an owner who wants a large, gentle, and intelligent dog and is also willing to dedicate time to grooming and meeting the needs of the breed.
The Bernese Mountain Dog is a loving and obedient dog that aims to please its owner. However, proper training and socialisation are essential to nurture these desirable traits.
The Bernese Mountain Dog is suitable for both dedicated beginners and experienced owners, provided they are willing to invest time and attention into training and care.
This blog article discusses 10 common large dog breeds with the most important characteristics associated with these breeds. Large dog breeds are dogs with an adult weight heavier than 25 kg. Interested in another breed not listed in our top 10? Then take a look at our dog breeds page.
The answer to the above question is subjective and depends on your own preference and that of your dog. We’ve made an overview of the most popular diets in every category, using our extensive range of dog foods.
If you've ever owned a dog, you'll know that every dog is unique. Dogs can have breed-specific characteristics, though, like joint or coat issues. To support these specific characteristics, Royal Canin has created special nutrition that meets the needs of individual dog breeds. Read all about breed-specific dog food in this article!
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