Bernese Mountain Dog - Breed Information

Are you dog lover that loves to give attention, care and love to your furry dog? Then you and the active Bernese Mountain Dog will be a good fit for each other since this hardworking dog breed requires attention from its owners. If you’d love to have a dog that is well built to stay outside the home, then the Bernese canine is exactly what you need.

Appearance

The Bernese Mountain Dog is a large, muscular canine that can grow up to 70 cm in height (shoulders) and weigh as much as 50 kg. Females are somewhat smaller and grow up to 66 cm in height and weigh up to 48 kg.  In any case, they are one of the most prominent dog breeds around and are widely known for their loyal and affectionate nature.

Bernese Mountain dogs sport a medium length coat with a dense underlayer. The coat of this dog is usually tricolor -- white, rush and black. They can live for about 6 to 8 years which is relatively short due to their size and the breed's predisposition to certain types of cancer.

History

The Bernese Mountain Dog hailed from Switzerland and was named after the Swiss Canton of Bern. The initial purpose for this canine was to draw wagons and to herd livestock.

Importation of other herding pet dogs into Switzerland in the 1800s led to the Bernese Mountain Pet dog's "work" being taken control of by others. The numbers of this canine breed went into rapid decline. It was only through the effort of fans and enthusiasts that the breed made it through to the present day.

The first Bernese Mountain Dog was registered by AKC in 1937.

Temperament

The Bernese Mountain Dog is renowned for its loyal and mild-mannered nature. Despite their size, these dogs are more on the calmer side and are exceptional with children. They show a good deal of affection to their household, and rarely exhibit any aggression towards visitors.

If you are looking to get a Bernese dog for a pet, then you should know that these dogs are emotionally dependent on their owners and require much attention. They often grow so attached to the household and feel the need to be around their owners as much as possible. They can be hard to train but will eventually comprehend what is needed if dealt with patiently due to their intelligent and inquisitive nature. Despite its' history as a working dog, Bernese Mountain dogs can be a bit lazy.

As its name suggests, the Bernese Mountain Dog is not a pet to be kept indoors. Although they may appear calm inside, these dogs are intolerant to heat and prefer a more relaxed, open setting. A lawn where this dog can have fun with its owners is perfect. Due to their dense undercoat, they can be kept outside, even in the winter season.

Potential Health Problems

Unfortunately, in the last few years, the life expectancy of the Bernese Mountain Dog has become shorter. It is believed that this is due to reckless breeding practices. The most significant risks to this breed are:

• Cancer
• Bloating
• Hip dysplasia
• Eye problems

Care and Grooming

The Bernese Mountain Dog tends to shed rather heavily all year. The canine needs a thorough brushing at least once a week to keep the shedding under control and avoid tangles. If the pet is going through an unusually large shed, it can be bathed to help get rid of some of the hair. Attention must be paid to the ears, to make sure that they stay clean and dry.

Everyone has that special day that they never want to miss for anything or forget no matter what. What better way to do this than marking that noteworthy date on a cool Bernese dog calendar.