Mary Allen
Bernese Mountain Dogs are strong dogs from Switzerland. And they are among the absolute kissable balls! But that’s not all!
You simply have to love Bernese Mountain Dogs! The strong dogs from Switzerland are among the kissable balls among the four-legged friends. They are big, cuddly, and incredibly cute.
Long ago, as draft dogs, they not only pulled carts loaded with goods, but also happily laughing children from the village to village. The good-natured cuddly bears are the ideal companions for families with a lot of space. With their calm, friendly nature, they take hearts by storm.
You can find out everything else you should know about the Bernese Mountain Dog right here.
How big is a Bernese Mountain Dog?
The male specimens of this stately Swiss dog breed reach a size of about 64 to 70 centimeters measured at shoulder height. Bitches are a bit smaller at 58 to 66 centimeters and also more delicate.
With the Bernese Mountain Dog, you are bringing a really big dog into your home.
How heavy is a Bernese Mountain Dog?
The Bernese dogs not only have a stately size but are also relatively heavy. A normal-weight male weighs about 38 to 50 kilograms. Female mountain dogs only weigh around 36 to 48 kilograms.
The high weight and compact physique are typical of a Molosser, i.e. a massive and muscular dog. Because of its weight, the Bernese Mountain Dog is one of the heaviest dog breeds in the world.
What does a Bernese Mountain Dog look like?
With their compact appearance and size, these mountain dogs are reminiscent of teddy bears. Their long, cuddly soft fur is smooth to slightly wavy.
The color of these dogs is particularly impressive. The cuddly bears belong to the three-colored dog breeds, with black dominating. The deep black covers large parts of the body like a cloak. The white head blaze with the dark nose is particularly pretty. The corners of the lips and cheeks shine in a strong brown-red.
The brown-red spots over the eyes are characteristic. These led to the formerly usual designation “four eyes”.
A number of these mountain dogs also have brown markings on either side of the white chest.
In addition to the broad, white chest, the white, thick paws are also striking. Above them, the mountain dogs wear red-brown boots, which vary in height depending on the animal. In some animals, the tip of the tail is white.
High-set, relatively small lop ears reinforce the cuddly impression of the Bernese.
Where does the Bernese Mountain Dog come from?
Originally bred to work in the herd, the ancestors of these intelligent four-legged friends lived in the Bernese Mittelland, in the foothills of the Alps, and in the Emmental. By about 1900, there were dogs of relatively uniform appearance on the farms in these regions. They appeared as court guards and pulled small wagons with milk cans.
At some point, the idea of presenting the so-called Dürrbächlerhunde at a dog show in Bern came up. The friendly nature and attractive appearance quickly made the former farm dog famous.
In 1907, some breeders joined forces, developed a uniform breed standard, and founded the Dürrbach Club. The new dog breed was named after the hamlet of Dürrbach. The dogs were particularly common there. It was not until 1913 that the breed was given its current name: Bernese Mountain Dog.
Bernese Mountain Dog: The right attitude and training
Mountain dogs are very clever animals that learn quickly and obey well when trained appropriately. This should be taken into account when considering posture.
Forward-looking action is typical of the breed. These qualities, paired with a fine nose and a high level of concentration, predestine them for tracking work and rescue dog training.
For training, however, owners need assertiveness, because the cuddly bears are sometimes quite stubborn in a charming way. It, therefore, makes sense to lovingly but consistently set boundaries when you are a puppy.
The body of the Mountain Dog – completely different from that of the Border Collie, for example – does not allow rapid movements and rapid changes of direction. Instead, the four-legged friends enjoy long walks at a leisurely pace but do not like running alongside the bike or jogging person.
Dog sports such as agility are not for the big, bulky cuddly bears, who feel most comfortable when the temperature is low and quickly “work up a sweat” when it’s warm.
Due to their history as draft dogs, they are well suited to pulling the children’s sled. In general, the cold-resistant dog loves life in the fresh air. A garden would therefore be ideal. The affectionate character of the mountain dog requires a lot of contact with its people. The animals are definitely in the wrong place in a kennel and in isolation.
What care does the Bernese Mountain Dog need?
The long-haired dog has a thick undercoat and is happy about regular grooming. The change of fur is particularly pronounced in autumn and spring. There are even people who collect the brushed fur and have wool and sweaters made from it.
It is best to brush the fluffy coat several times a week so that knots and tangles do not form in the first place. During the change of coat, the animals require more care. Otherwise, the long hair quickly ends up on the carpet or the sofa. Ideally, you should also trim the claws and check the teeth every few weeks as needed. The cuddly bear does not need a regular bath in the tub.
Diet and exercise
Since the fluffy ball is one of the breeds that tend to be overweight, it is particularly important that you eat a balanced but not too lavish diet.
As puppies and in the first two years of life, mountain dogs should neither climb stairs nor romp and jump too much. Otherwise, there is a risk of early wear and tear of the musculoskeletal system.
The dog grows very quickly in the first year of life and puts on weight significantly. This also increases the stress on the joints and bones.
What dogs are similar to the Bernese Mountain Dog?
The sunny disposition of the mountain dog made the former court guard known far beyond the Swiss borders. Above all, its silky-soft long-haired fur contributes to its popularity. However, such fleece fur requires a lot of attention.
Do you want to do without it? Then, as an alternative, there are similar dog types in an easy-care short-haired variant. The dog family includes three other breeds, but they are less popular abroad:
- Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
- Entlebuch mountain dog
- Appenzell Mountain dog
With a weight of up to 60 kilograms and a maximum shoulder height of 72 centimeters, the appearance of the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog as a stocky short-haired variety is literally bombastic.
The smallest variant is the agile Entlebucher with a maximum weight of 30 kilograms. This dog also has short, stock-haired fur, just like the Appenzeller, which is up to 56 centimeters high.
What all these farm dogs have in common are the characteristic three-colored markings.
What are the typical diseases of the Bernese Mountain Dog?
The large, bulky dog is prone to joint problems such as the elbow or hip dysplasia due to its high body weight. Avoiding climbing stairs and jumping significantly reduces the risk.
A relatively large number of mountain dogs suffer from cancer and kidney diseases, especially in old age. Breeding associations, therefore, place increasing value on longevity when bringing pairs together and ensure that hereditary diseases are avoided.
As with all large dog breeds, there is an increased risk of torsion in the stomach with this stately four-legged friend. Therefore, do not move your four-legged friend too much after eating and it is better to feed your darling in stages two to three times a day.
Many diseases can also be traced back to breed-typical obesity. Therefore, take your darling for a walk regularly and make sure you eat the right amount of food. Being overweight causes, among other things, heart and circulatory damage, shortness of breath, and bone problems.
How much does a Bernese Mountain Dog cost?
Purebred mountain dogs with a pedigree and papers cost around 1,000 to 1,600 euros from a reputable breeder. Dogs bought in Germany usually have papers from the Schweizer Sennenhundverein für Deutschland e. V. or the Association for German Dogs (VDH).
Due to the more common hereditary diseases and also for the well-being of the animals, it is worth buying a puppy from a registered breeder. The standard examinations of breeding animals include X-rays of the musculoskeletal system and various genetic tests.
Accessories and food are added to the acquisition costs for the dog. An adult animal weighing around 45 kilograms with normal activity devours around 1,300 to 1,400 grams of wet food or around 430 grams of dry food a day. The cost of the feed varies by brand and variety. It’s worth digging a little deeper into your pocket and pampering your cuddly treasure with high-quality products.