Dog Breeds <Back to Breed Profiles

		Select the dog breed you are interested in from the list below. Alphabetical Search: A - E F - J K - O P - T U - Z or Select A Breed

Bernese Mountain Dog

General
Other Names		Berner, Berner Sennenhund, Bernese Cattle Dog
Dog Group Kennel Club		Working
Breed Classification		Bernese Mountain Dogs belong to the working group and are used as companions, watchdogs and seen in the show-ring.
Cost of Ownership
Average Food Cost		£7.50-10 per week
Feeding Requirements		As puppies, it is imperative that you stick to the breeder's recommended diet sheet in order to prevent skeletal defects and bone and joint problems.
		Try Royal Canin Breed Specific Dog Food
Other Expenses		A puppy will cost in the region of £500 to £550 in Scotland, and more in England.
Average Puppy Price		£500-800
Lifespan		< 9 years Bernese Mountain Dogs, in common with the other large breeds, can have relatively short lifespans of about 7 years, although, many of them do live 10 years or longer.
Average Litter Size		8 Litter sizes can vary from 1 to 14 puppies! The average size is 8.
General Physical Description		Strikingly aristocratic, Berners are one of the most attractive of the Swiss working dogs with their gleaming black coats and illustrious markings. Their coats are soft and silky with a thick under-lay. They are strong, sturdy dogs with tremendous bone and power of the shoulders and long balanced strides. They reach their full adult height at about 15 months but can take another 2 or 3 years to reach full maturity.
Height Min Max Bitch 58cm (23") 66cm (26") Dog 64cm (25") 70cm (28") Weight Min Max Bitch 32kg (71lbs) 46kg (101lbs) Dog 37kg (82lbs) 54kg (119lbs)
Size Category		Large
Weight Height Range		Bitches measure between 58 to 66cms at the withers, dogs between 64 to 70cms. Both sexes weigh between 40 to 44kgs.
Ailments		Bernese do suffer from health problems and screening of the parentage is a must. Guard against over-feeding, especially protein, to help prevent bloat. Annual veterinary checkups are recommended.
Common Ailments		Cerebellar degeneration Vasculitis Cancer, Trembler
Susceptibility To Illness		High
Other
History		This breed can be traced back 2000 years when the Romans invaded Switzerland, then known as Helvetia, being used as cattle drovers and guard dogs. The Roman mastiff-type dogs were probably crossed with flock-guarding dogs who could withstand the severe weather in the Alps and also served to soften their temperaments. Berner Sennenhunds where then used as cart-pullers to transport woven goods or dairy products from village to village. During the 1800's the breed had very nearly disappeared due to the interest in the St Bernard, and the lack of concentrated breeding programmes and it was not until the turn of this century that a Swiss cynologist, Herr Franz Schertenlieb, combed the countryside to find the last of these dogs. He did have some success around the Durrbach district of Berne and then a Zurich professor, Albert Heim joined up with him. Thanks to them, the Bernese Mountain Dog made a comeback. At first these dogs were known as either 'Gelbbackler' (yellow cheeks), 'Vierauger' (four eyes) or more commonly, 'Durrbachler'. As they now came from the whole area of Berne and not just Durrbach, in 1908 the club already formed changed their name to Berner Sennenhund. The Bernese had, by then, a huge following in Switzerland, the Continent and Scandinavia and was finally recognised in America in 1936. Canada followed suite in the 1970's but the breed still remains relatively rare in Great Britain.
Intelligence		Bernese are intelligent, willing to please and relatively easy to train to an acceptable level as long as this is done when they are young. Leaving it too late will result in a boisterous, uncontrollable dog who thinks he can do exactly as he pleases!
Show Characteristics		The head should be strong with a flat skull, slight furrow and well-defined stop. The jaws are strong with a complete scissor bite. The eyes are almond-shaped and dark brown. The ears are medium-sized and set high, brought forward slightly when alert. The neck should be strong, muscular and of medium length adjoining long, strong and sloping shoulders. The body is compact rather than long with a broad chest and a firm, straight back. The front legs should be straight and well-muscled and the hindquarters broad, strong and well-muscled with well-bent stifles. The feet should be short, round and compact and the tail bushy reaching just below the hocks, raised when alert but never carried over the back.
Country Of Origin		Switzerland
Famous Examples
Records Held
Characteristics
Energy		Medium
Overall Exercise		60 - 80 minutes per day. As puppies, exercise should be restricted to the garden for at least 4 to 5 months to allow the bones and joints to form properly. For the same reason, care should also be taken when there are stairs in the house. After the age of 6 months, progress to controlled walking on a collar and lead. After they are 1 year old, they can be allowed off the lead for free-running exercise. As adults, Bernese need a moderate amount of exercise, ranging between 1 to 5 miles a day depending on their level of fitness. They are very accommodating, however, and will accept if their exercise has to be curtailed for one reason or another.
Distress Caused if Left Alone
Personal Protection		High
Suitability As Guard Dog		Medium
Risk of Sheep Worrying		High
Tendency to Bark		Low
Ease of Transportation		Medium
Level of Aggression		Medium
Compatibility With Other Animals		Medium
Suitable For Children		High
General Character And Temperament		Berners are good-natured dogs who love to be included in all aspects of family life, making wonderful companions. They are affectionate, patient dogs and especially good with children, protecting them if necessary. They need to be with people and be given affection. They will bark to advise the arrival of visitors but will soon settle down again. Provided they have been introduced to cats and other household animals when young, they will always accept them. Some of them can be dominant with other dogs.
Grooming
Coat Length		Medium/Long
Grooming Requirement		Every Day
Trimming		Frequent
Requires Professional Groomer
Grooming		Daily grooming is a must to keep them tangle-free and to reduce the amount of shedding. The hair between the pads should be trimmed regularly.
Colour		Bernese are always jet black with a white muzzle and blaze, white chest, white paws and white tail tips. A rich chestnut or tan colour separates the black and white on the legs and cheeks.
Shedding		Heavy
Suffers From Allergies
Tendency to Cause Allergies

Breed results: A-E

Affenpinscher Afghan Hound Airedale Terrier Akita Alaskan Malamute American Cocker Spaniel Anatolian Shepherd Dog Australian Cattle Dog Australian Shepherd Dog Australian Silky Terrier Australian Terrier Basenji Basset Bleu de Gascogne Basset Fauve de Bretagne Basset Griffon Vendeen (Grand) Basset Griffon Vendeen (Petit) Basset Hound Bavarian Mountain Hound Beagle Bearded Collie Beauceron Bedlington Terrier Belgian Shepherd Dog Groenendael Belgian Shepherd Dog Laekenois Belgian Shepherd Dog Malinois Belgian Shepherd Dog Tervueren Bergamasco Bernese Mountain Dog Bichon Frise Bloodhound Boerboel Bolognese Border Collie Border Terrier Borzoi Boston Terrier Bouvier des Flandres Boxer

Bracco Italiano Briard Brittany Brussels Griffon Bull Terrier Bull Terrier Miniature Bulldog Bullmastiff Cairn Terrier Canaan Dog Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Cesky Terrier Chesapeake Bay Retriever Chihuahua (Long Coat) Chihuahua (Smooth Coat) Chinese Crested Chow Chow (Rough) Chow Chow (Smooth) Clumber Spaniel Coton De Tulear Curly-Coated Retriever Dachshund (Long-Haired) Dachshund (Miniature Smooth Haired) Dachshund (Miniature Long Haired) Dachshund (Miniature Wire Haired) Dachshund (Smooth Haired) Dachshund (Wire Haired) Dalmatian Dandie Dinmont Terrier Deerhound Dobermann Dogue de Bordeaux Elkhound English Cocker Spaniel English Setter English Springer Spaniel English Toy Terrier (Black & Tan) Eskimo Dog Estrela Mountain Dog