Bernese Mountain Dogs are gentle giants with a loving personality and a wide range of skills. They are often praised for their large size and beautiful multicolored coats.
They were first bred in Switzerland to help with farm work and have been around for hundreds of years.
Their loving personalities and active personalities make them great family pets today. If you want to adopt one of these beautiful dogs, here are 10 things you should know:
The Breed Is Versatile
Berners are very versatile when it comes to talent and inclinations. They are all-around farm dogs that are good at herding, drafting, and also protecting cattle.
They love playing games
They are very energetic, gentle, friendly, and loyal. The best thing about them is that they get along very well with children and other pets. They are very intelligent and respond readily to positive reinforcement, making them very easy to train.
They are a very active breed and need around 30 minutes of exercise per day. They enjoy playing games, hiking, and going for walks.
The Breed Hails From Switzerland
Historically, they hail from Bern in Switzerland, where their main role was to drive cattle. Since milk was so important to the biggest exports of Switzerland; such as cheese and chocolate, the Berners played a big role in that.
Bernese Mountains Dogs have tricolor furs
The most distinct feature of Bernese dogs is that they have a lovely tri-color coat of white, black, and rust, each one of which comes with its own distinct marking.
Alternatively, they also come in black, tan, and white. They also shed heavily, about twice a year.
They can have some serious health issues
Though they are generally healthy, they can develop some serious health issues over time. They are prone to health issues such as bloating and hip/elbow dysplasia.
They are also prone to having various types of cancer, e.g. histiocytic sarcoma. They are also vulnerable to heat strokes.
They love cold weather activities
Although they prefer staying indoors with their family, they just love outdoor games in the snow. You can take them along on hikes, backpacking, camping, or simply some good old snowball-kicking!
They Will Be Your Kids’ Constant Companion
If you are looking for a nanny dog, then the Bernese mountain dog is your canine. They are fantastic with kids, even taking it upon themselves to ‘babysit’ your kids.
They are very kind and sensitive around kids and make great playmates to them. Although, very small kids may be intimidated by their sizes.
They live for seven to ten years
A healthy Bernese dog, if well cared for, can live up to anywhere between seven to ten years.
They do great in dog sports
They are known to compete in a variety of dog sports, such as drafting and carting.
They are also top of the rung when it comes to obedience, agility, conformation and herding.
They are AKC-recognized
Bernese dogs have been recognized by the American Kennel Club. They received their formal induction into the group in 1937.
