Bernese Mountain Dog Overview

A busy worker and all-around survivor, the Bernese Mountain Dog is a breed that needs to stay busy. Whether it is assisting its owner on a farm, or simply playing with children, this breed thrives on pleasing. 

But this dog is also strong-willed and has a tendency for stubbornness. Not recommended for inexperienced handlers, the Bernese Mountain Dog is big, demanding, and relatively high maintenance. 

While not excessive, the dog’s thick fur coat requires regular brushing, and it sheds heavily year-round. And although there are moderate exercise requirements, this breed is large and energetic, requiring lots of space. 

An important thing to consider is the dog’s short life span. Oddly, the average life expectancy of a Bernese Mountain dog is between 6-10 years. 

Bernese Mountain Dogs are certainly not for everybody, but if a prospective owner has enough land, time, and affection to give, then this dog is perfect.

Bernese Mountain Dog History

Unlike the Saint Bernard, the Bernese Mountain Dog teetered on the edge of extinction due to a lack of popularity. The Berner Sennenhund, as it is originally named, is one of four Swiss mountain dog breeds. The other three are the Entlebucher Sennenhund, the Appenzeller Sennenhund, and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog. 

These all-purpose workers were used in a wide array of farm work, ranging from herding to pulling carts. But their popularity never grew outside their home of Berne until the late 19^th century, when Swiss dog fanciers discovered their powerful physique and exquisite beauty. Soon after this discovery, a specialty group for the breed was created in Switzerland, and the dog’s popularity skyrocketed. 

Eleven years after the breed’s 1926 arrival in the U.S., the Bernese Mountain Dog was recognized by the AKC. 

Bernese Mountain Dog Character

Built specifically for benefiting humankind, whether by rescuing a lost hiker in the mountains or by pulling kids through the snow on a sled, the Bernese Mountain Dog needs to be employed and rewarded to be happy. Not to be left alone for long hours of the day, this breed will resort to inappropriate means of entertainment if ignored. 

Young Mountain Dogs tend to be too rowdy for toddlers, but well-trained adults are excellent around even the youngest of children and the eldest of the elderly. 

Patience should be practiced when training this dog, because it has a sense of humor and will not be afraid to break a training session on a whim. Since this is a rather dominant breed, a firm hand will also be needed for training. A Mountain Dog will not listen if it believes it is the alpha. Finally, training should be started at as young an age as possible due to the fact that youngsters tend to be uncontrollable whirlwinds of energy. 

If socialized properly at a young age, adult Mountain Dogs will be good with most animals. But young dogs (age 3 or younger) run the risk of inadvertently injuring smaller pets in play. 

The Bernese Mountain Dog is a sensitive, demanding dog that must always be at its master’s side. Lots of mental stimulation and affection is needed to keep this dog healthy and behaved.

Bernese Mountain Dog Care

The Bernese Mountain Dog requires daily brushing, with extra care needed during their heavy seasonal shedding. A periodic bath or dry shampooing is recommended. They are typically a hardy breed, but may have a tendency to suffer from elbow or hip dysplasia, cancer, bloat, or eyelid problems. Their size and thick coat make them highly susceptible to heat stroke.

Bernese Mountain Dog Training

This breed benefits from early socialization and basic obedience. Bernese Mountain Dogs are extremely sensitive and will not respond to harsh or heavy-handed training methods. All training should be done with positive techniques such as respect, reward, love, fairness, and consistency.

Bernese Mountain Dog Health

Common Health Issues for the Bernese Mountain Dog:

Disclaimer: While we try our best to provide accurate medical reference information, it is very likely that we have errors on our website. Do not use this website to diagnose or treat your dog. Please check with your veterinarian for health advice and treatment options.

Less Common Health Issues for the Bernese Mountain Dog:

Disclaimer: While we try our best to provide accurate medical reference information, it is very likely that we have errors on our website. Do not use this website to diagnose or treat your dog. Please check with your veterinarian for health advice and treatment options.

Bernese Mountain Dog Resources