Bernese Mountain Dog – Dogster

What do they want to live with?

Bernese Mountain Dogs are calm, gentle companions. As puppies, they can seem a bit attractive. In adulthood, they become gentler and more easygoing. They have a tough appearance, working breed, but they really like to be at home, surrounded by family and friends. They make great companions with children and sometimes bring other pets (even cats) into the care home. The Bernese Mountain Dog also has a particularly lovable sweet sensibility.

Bernese Mountain Dogs are very loyal. They can become so attached to their owners that they have trouble moving into a new family. Bernese is docile, intelligent, curious and eager to please. They are reliable guardians but have calm (non-aggressive) personalities.

Things you should know

Bernese likes to hang out at home, but they need a vigorous walk every day. Due to their thick coat, do not push them too hard on hot days. They can also be very busy in the yard.

Healthy Bernese Mountain Dogs can live as long as 10 years, but the average age is 8. Common health problems include elbow dysplasia, hip dysplasia, and eye problems. A few years ago, the Bernese Mountain Club of America conducted a health survey that found cancer to be a big problem for the breed.

Grooming is pretty straightforward with this breed: Brushing every day or every few days, especially during their shedding season, can be hectic.

History of the Bernese Mountain Dog

The Bernese Mountain Dog – named for the Swiss canton of Berne – is one of the four standard Swiss mountain dog breeds. It is similar to the other three (Appenzeller Sennenhund, Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and Entlebucher Sennenhund) except for its long, silky coat. For centuries, these dogs have worked on Swiss farms, guarding property and pulling carts. They were introduced to the US in the mid-1920s and have been popular pets and competitors ever since.