Group: Working/Mastiff

Weight: 80 – 100 pounds

Height: 23 – 28 inches

Life Expectancy: Sadly, only about 6 – 8 years. In recent years, the Berner’s average life expectancy has decreased from 10 – 12 years, to only 6 – 8. Cancer is the primary reason for this change.

Size of Litters: 1 – 14 puppies, with an average of 7



History

The Bernese Mountain Dog was developed in the mountains of Switzerland, perhaps as far back as the 18th century. Paintings from this time period depict dogs which bear a striking resemblance to the Berner. Toward the end of the 19th century, many foreign dogs were making their way into Swiss territory and special efforts were made to preserve the native Swiss breeds. The Bernese Mountain Dog was eventually named after the canton, or Swiss “state”, of Berne where it originated.

Characteristics

The Bernese Mountain Dog is a large, sturdy breed built for working the mountains of Switzerland. It has a lovely tri-color coat of medium length hair in black and white with rust-colored markings. This coat is dense, weather-resistant and double-coated. The Bernese Mountain Dog has pendant ears and a long, thick bushy tail.

Temperament

Make friends with a Berner and you have a friend for life. Charming, sweet, loveable and loyal, the Bernese Mountain Dog has a fabulous disposition and makes a wonderful family pet. This breed requires an owner as faithful as itself since Berners do not adjust well to new owners once they reach maturity. The Bernese Mountain Dog matures slowly, and may act like a puppy once it has already reached physical maturity. Therefore, training and socialization are important to avoid accidental injury caused by this dog’s great size. This sweet, gentle dog has a particular fondness for children and makes a fantastic playmate.

Care

Be sure to brush your Bernese Mountain Dog weekly, if not daily, to cut down on shedding. While shedding occurs year-round, this breed is also considered a seasonal shedder. This means it will shed profusely about twice a year. During these heavy shedding periods, daily brushing is mandatory to remove excess hair. It is not uncommon for huge amounts of undercoat to come out during this time. The Bernese Mountain Dog is a large, active breed and enjoys a nice daily walk. This dog’s thick coat, designed for protection from the harsh Swiss elements, becomes unbearable in the heat of summer. Leave your Berner inside. This breed is pretty much inactive indoors and prefers to be in the company of its family anyway. For more detailed info, take a look at the Bernese Mountain Dog Grooming page.

Training

True to its gentle nature, the Bernese Mountain Dog is a sensitive animal and does not respond well at all to harsh training methods. Make training fun. Berners are eager learners and want nothing more than to please their humans. This breed loves to work for praise and treats. Many Bernese Mountain Dogs excel at canine activities such as competitive obedience, herding and carting. They are sometimes used as search and rescue dogs, as well.

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