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Bernese Mountain Dog Breed Description
Few dog breeds can match the stunning appearance of the Bernese Mountain Dog with his satiny black long coat
accented by patches and snippets of white and rust, and few can equal his quiet work ethic and easy-going temperament.
Neither a scrapper nor a workaholic, the Bernese pursues his dual career as family companion and helpmate with skill, friendly
assurance, and devotion. One of a quartet of Swiss breeds known as mountain dogs, the Bernese developed as a cattle
drover and cart dog in Alpine villages. He was a farm dog extraordinaire, herding cattle, hauling milk and other products to
market, and watching over the family. But though his ancestors entered Switzerland with the Romans and he served his
masters well, the Bernese Mountain Dog nearly died out as a breed early in the 20th Century. But for the dedication of a
handful of fanciers, we would not know the breed today. Like the Newfoundland, Great Pyrenees, and St. Bernard, the
Berner's roots go back to the Molosser dogs of the Romans, large mastiff-type dogs that drove and guarded the cattle
herds of the invading armies and protected outposts. Also known as the Berner Sennenhund in Switzerland, he takes his
name from Berne, the canton of his development; senner, the stockman he worked for, and hund, the German word for dog.
Each summer, the senner and his hund drove the cattle to the Alpine meadows to graze and watched over the animals
until time to return to the valley for fall and winter.
The Berner in the US
Like so many breeds that still
work in their native lands, the Bernese Mountain Dog is a pampered pet in the US. His beauty and his affinity for children
make him a popular choice as a family pet for those who can afford the time and money to locate and purchase a well-bred
puppy. The Berner came to the US in 1926 and gained AKC recognition in 1937. In 1997, the AKC registered 2022 individuals
and 458 litters; five years later, 2567 dogs and 715 litters were added to the stud book. The Berner moved from 62nd to 51st
in individual registrations and from 72nd to 63rd during that period in sharp contrast to declining registrations in most breeds.
While it is still rare to see a Bernese Mountain Dog on the streets of US cities and suburbs and relatively rare to see them in
the show ring, the breed is obviously becoming more popular. The Bernese Mountain Dog Club of America keeps close watch
on breed health and breeding trends; those who are looking for a Berner should go directly to the BMDCA or a regional breed
club for a breeder referral list.
Breed standard
The Berner's outstanding physical feature is its coat, a jet
black, thick, luxurious coat with bright white and rich rust markings. Straight or slightly wavy, the coat has a natural sheen that
adds to its beauty. Although the breed is always black, rust, and white, the extent of the markings can vary somewhat. The
white markings are on the chest, paws, face, and tip of the tail. The white on the chest extends from the chin and broadens
between the legs to form an inverted cross; the white on the face is a blaze that runs down the skull between the eyes and
broadens across the muzzle. Rust markings appear above the eyes, on the cheeks, on the sides of the chest, on the legs,
and under the tail. Once the coat catches the eye, the next obvious thought is that this is a sturdy, dog, well-suited for heavy
work. He has a muscular neck, deep chest for heart and lung capacity, and a strong hindquarters for stamina. Balancing his
body is a large head with intelligent expression, dark brown eyes, and medium-sized hanging ears. The Berner male stands
25-27.5 inches at the withers and tips the scale at 80-115 pounds. Females range from 23-26 inches and 65-95 pounds;
large females may outweigh small males.
Temperament and training
The Berner's temperament shines
as brightly as his coat. This is a people-loving dog who is also a willing worker. With gentle but firm and consistent training,
he can pull a cart, compete in obedience or tracking, do search and rescue work, become a therapy dog, or participate in
agility trials. Although he does not have the Type A personality of the Border Collie or Australian Shepherd, the Berner does
need to be kept busy. Without attention to his working character, he can become destructive. Therefore, daily walks of an
hour or more and some sort of playtime or competition training are a must. Because he is so willing to please, the Berner
responds to the gentlest of training methods. No yelling or yanking or scolding needed - just show him what to do, reward
when he does it, and practice to make the behavior an ingrained pattern. Breeders emphasize socialization that can be
helped along by enrollment in a puppy kindergarten class. Be sure to choose a class that is low-key; the idea is to accustom
the puppy to new experiences and to introduce him to obedience lessons, not to train him for precision competition at an early
age. The Berner is slow to mature and needs gradual introduction to competition-level obedience training. Owners should not
be fooled at the breed's gentle demeanor, however; an untrained Berner weighing 80 pounds or more can be a menace, not
because he is likely to be domineering or aggressive, but because he behaves like a bull in a china shop.
Care and feeding
The Berner is time-consuming to own. Although baths are rarely needed unless the dog rolls in mud or dead
things, his thick coat needs twice weekly brushing and he sheds profusely. Berners may suffer in hot climates; dogs spending
time outdoors in summer must have shade cover and access to fresh water at all times. Summer exercise should be limited to
early morning and late evening hours to prevent overheating. A premium diet that agrees with the dog's digestive system and
keeps his coat shiny is sufficient for nourishment, and feedings should be given twice a day to lessen the chances of bloat.
To avoid undue stress on growing joints, puppies should not be allowed to gain weight too rapidly; a switch to adult food by
four months of age will help keep growth within bounds. As noted above, daily care should include a long walk and some
active playtime or work with a purpose. Feeding the Berner a portion of his meal in a Buster cube will give him a goal to pursue
on days when time or weather conditions prevent outdoor play.
