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Bernese Mountain DogBerner Sennenhund ~ Berner

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Canis lupus familiarisPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy Justin Brough

     Native to the Swiss mountains, the large Bernese Mountain Dog is a working breed that is popular not only as a farm dog, but as a search and rescue dog.

    The Bernese Mountain Dog makes a great pet. It makes a superb watchdog, but is not excessively aggressive and is loyal to its family. When selecting a Bernese Mountain Dog, look for signs of joint dysplasia and eyelid deformities. Also, keep in mind that adult dogs are often slow to adjust to new owners.

Common Name(s)     Bernese Mountain Dog, Berner Sennenhund, Berner

Breed Type     The Bernese Mountain Dog is a working breed. A popular farm dog, the Berner is originally from Switzerland. Due to its thick coat, this dog is best suited to cool climates.

Background     Native to the Swiss mountains, the Bernese Mountain Dog goes back to the eighteenth century. Great care was taken to preserve the breed in the late nineteenth century, when foreign breeds began to be imported heavily. The Berner possesses numerous talents and has been used for herding, guarding, search and rescue, and more.
    Hybrids of the Bernese Mountain Dog include the Bernefie (Berner and Newfoundland mix) and the Saint Berner (Saint Bernard and Berner mix).

Description     The Bernese Mountain Dog is black with white markings on the chest, head, and toes, and rust markings on the cheeks, legs, sides of chest, underneath the tail, and over the eyes. The ears are mid-length and triangular, and the eyes medium-sized and dark. The nose is black, and the tail bushy. Males are 24-28 inches tall and weigh 85-110 pounds. Females are 23-27 inches tall and weigh 80-105 pounds.

Care and Feeding     The Bernese Mountain Dog's diet should include poultry, lamb, and wheat. The Berner's coat should be brushed at least once a week, and more often when shedding. Baths should be given only as needed. The Bernese Mountain Dog's dewclaws should be removed while the dog is young.
    Annual checkups are very important for this breed. Vaccinations are administered as follows:

• 6-8 weeks: Distemper, Leptospirosis, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, Parvo, and Corona virus (DHLPPC)
• 10-12 weeks: Second DHLPPC
• 14-16 weeks: Third DHLPPC and rabies
• Annually: DHLPPC and rabies booster
  

    Bernese Mountain Dogs shed seasonally and heavily. Regular vacuuming during shedding periods is a must if kept indoors.

Housing Your Dog     Berners should have plenty of space, but can be kept indoors. They need a large, fenced yard to run in.

Social Behaviors     Bernese Mountain Dogs do very well with children due to their gentle yet playful nature. They tend to tolerate strangers well once they realize that their owners welcome them. They usually do well with other pets, including dogs.

Handling and Training     The Bernese Mountain Dog responds well to gentle training. This is an intelligent, confident breed with a sunny disposition, making training a joy in most cases.

Activities     Berners need a daily walk in order to stay in shape. They love to play off-leash, and should have regular opportunities to do so.

Breeding/Reproduction     When selecting a mate for your Berner, check bloodlines for cancer and joint problems. Cancer is prevalent in this breed, but it has few other health problems.

Common Health Problems     Bernese Mountain Dogs have a short life expectancy due to the breed's predisposition to cancer. Regular checkups are critical for early detection.

Availability     The Bernese Mountain Dog is easier to find in cooler climates. Prices are usually around $1,000.

References "Bernese Mountain Dog", Dog Breed Info Center, Copyright 1998-2008
Cusick, William D., "What to Feed a Bernese Mountain Dog", Referenced online, 2008
Welton, Michelle, Bernese Mountain Dogs: What's Good About ‘Em? What's Bad About ‘Em?", Copyright 2000-2006, Referenced online, 2008
"Bernese Mountain Dog", Wikipedia, Copyright 2008
"Bernese Mountain Dog Puppies for Sale", Copyright PuppyFind.com, LLC, Referenced online, 2008

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Love your dog, I want one. latasha 2009-07-16

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