Overview
The Bernese Mountain Dog is the only long-coated member of the four Swiss Sennenhund breeds. Big, strong and strikingly marked in black, white and rust, it is calm and sweet-natured at home.
It makes a devoted family dog for people who have space and time for a large, people-loving companion. Owners should be ready for heavy shedding and for the heartache of a breed that, sadly, often lives under ten years.
History
The breed comes from farms around Bern and has roots in ancient Roman mastiffs. It worked as an all-purpose farm dog: guarding property, driving dairy cattle to alpine pastures and hauling carts of milk and cheese, which earned it the nickname Cheese Dog.
At the start of the 1900s fanciers began showing the few remaining dogs, and in 1907 breeders from the Burgdorf region founded the first breed club and wrote a standard. The breed was formally recognised in 1912 and reached the American Kennel Club in 1937.
Appearance
A heavy, muscular dog slightly longer than tall, with a broad strong back, a flat-topped head with a moderate stop, medium triangular rounded ears and a bushy tail carried low. Males stand about 64 to 70 cm, females about 58 to 66 cm.
The tri-coloured coat has a black base, rich rust markings above the eyes, on the cheeks and legs, and white on the chest and muzzle. Ideal markings form a white blaze and a Swiss cross on the chest.
Temperament
Bernese are gentle, attentive and affectionate, usually calm indoors and eager to be near their people. They can be energetic and boisterous when young, are rarely inclined to bite, and tend to bond closely with one person.
They can be reserved with strangers, so early socialisation matters. They are good watchdogs and tend to be patient with children.
Care and exercise
Moderate daily exercise suits them: walks, hikes, carting or herding-style activities. They do not cope well with heat and need to live close to their family rather than outdoors alone.
The thick double coat needs brushing several times a week and daily during heavy sheds. Use positive, gentle training, and keep young dogs lean and avoid hard exercise while their joints are growing.
Health
Cancer is very common, with one study attributing over half of deaths to it, including histiocytic sarcoma and mastocytoma. Elbow dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, kidney disease and von Willebrand's disease also occur. Typical life expectancy is about 8 to 10 years.
