Bernese Mountain Dog - Bernese Mountain Dog

Bernese Mountain Dog Temperament

Affectionate, outgoing, and sweet natured, the Bernese Mountain Dog is a great pet and companion for those new to dog ownership as well as for more experienced dog owners. He is an intelligent dog that is easy to train - he does well at obedience training. This breed has a steady and even temperament, and is laid back and gentle, although some have a tendency to be a little shy. The Bernese Mountain Dog is a responsive animal, and is very sensitive and sweet. Some can be a little on the dominant side when it comes to male Bernese Mountain Dogs, and with females some can become more dependant on one single person to whom they attach themselves.

The Bernese Mountain Dog gets along very well with children and adores the attention and interaction of children and adults. However, he is a large dog and therefore may easily knock down a smaller child unintentionally when playing. Some Bernese Mountain Dogs can be aloof with strangers whereas others can be friendly depending on the personality of the individual dog. These dogs are also good around other animals, and therefore are well suited to households with other pets and children. An older Bernese Mountain Dog may find it difficult to adjust to a new home, and some may be nervous of a particular group of people. This is a dog that thrives in colder climates but does not fare well in warmer weather. He loves to frolic in the snow, and also loves to play with kids.
Bernese Mountain Dog Appearance

The Bernese Mountain Dog is a large, well built, and sturdy dog, with a keen, alert expression, and a striking and distinct appearance. The weight of the Bernese Mountain Dog is around 65-120 pounds, and the height of these dogs is around 23-28 inches. The coat of the Bernese Mountain Dog is lustrously thick and medium in length, and the coat can be slightly wavy or straight. Coloring of the coat is jet black, but he also has white markings on his chest, face, and feet, and red markings over his eyes. The Bernese Mountain Dog is a handsome and robust looking dog.
Bernese Mountain Dog Grooming

Although the coat of the Bernese Mountain Dog does shed, the grooming and maintenance requirements are not all that high. Twice weekly brushing of his thick coat should suffice under normal circumstances, although this will need to be increased during periods of heavier shedding.
Bernese Mountain Dog Health Problems and Life Expectancy

The Bernese Mountain Dog has a life expectancy of around 8-10 years, which is relatively short compared to many other dog breeds. There are a number of health problems associated with this breed, and these include HD and elbow dysplasia, tumors, thyroid problems, PRA, histiocytosis, autoimmune problems, and skin allergies. You should ensure that the parents of the Bernese Mountain Dog puppy have OFA and CERF certificates.
Bernese Mountain Dog History

The Bernese Mountain Dog originates from Switzerland, and their ancestry dates back over two thousand years to the time when Romans invaded Switzerland. The breed almost died out in the 1800s, but this breed is now becoming increasingly popular. The breed was registered with the AKC in 1937.

# AKABerner Sennenhund, Bernese Cattle Dog
# SizeLarge/Giant
# Ease of trainingMedium/High
# GroomingLow
# SheddingMedium/High
# Exercise neededDaily walk
# Energy levelLow
# ProtectionLow
# Good with childrenYes
# Health clearancesOFA, CERF
# Popularity41/155