Weight: 70-115 pounds
Height: 23-28 inches
Build: compact, muscular body
Coat: Long black hair with brownish-red and white tri colour pattern.
Brains:
The Origin: The Bernese is originally from
Personality and Temperament: A Bernese Mountain Dog is good natured, easygoing, self confident and alert. They can be good watch dogs and are protective without being aggressive. They are often watchful and distant from strangers, but playful and sociable once they get to know the people. Berners may announce the arrival of company but are not constant barkers, although this breed can be quite social when around their family.
Berners are people dogs; they want to be where their family is. Most often this means right on top of them or as close to that as they can. This breed is very devoted and loyal to their family. As puppies the Bernese should be introduced to new people regularly. If this is not done they can become shy and sometimes aggressive towards people.
As mentioned before Berners are smart dogs but learn slowly. Because of this training must be started at a young age. Berners get to be big dogs, and an untrained one can cause unwanted behaviour. When reaching the adolescence stage many dogs, including Berners, will test their boundaries. This is where showing them their limits and reinforcing their limits is important. If you let them get away with it at this stage, they will continue to get away with it when they are 100 pounds or more!
Adult Bernese Mountain Dogs need moderate exercise. Homes in the country suit them well, but with daily walks Berners do great in just suburbs too. Berners will even do well in apartments provided they get enough daily exercise. This is not a dog that needs to be taken for a fast paced run twice a day. A nice family walk or visits to a park will suit this breed just fine. Many people believe that because of their long coat Berners love it outside. This may be true if that is where the family is but this is not a breed to leave outside during the winter, or on hot summer days. When outside they must always be provided with a suitable place to keep warm or cool down, as with every breed, depending on the weather. Just because they are big does not mean they are not house dogs. In fact, most Berners have very low energy levels in the house and would rather lay down and watch their family then run around and cause trouble. Puppies of course are more likely to want to run and play, then an adult dog.
Headaches and Hassles: These dogs like to dig. They also shed massively if not brushed regularly. In order to stay on an even keel, the typical Bernese needs daily outdoor exercise
What they don't tell you- They tell you they are people dogs, but they do not elaborate enough. These dogs want to be EVERYWHERE you are. If you are in bed…they want in bed…if you are in the shower…they WANT in the shower. Also, that big 2 by 4 they call a tail…it HURTS. Real bad! Bernese love attention and when someone new arrives they want that persons attention. Be sure to warn your visitors that this is a pushy dog and wants to be in everyone’s lap.
Bugs in the System: The average lifespan of a Bernese Mountain dog is a heartbreakingly short nine years. An old saying by Swiss farmers describes the Berner as “Three years a young dog, three years a good dog, three years an old dog.” This short lifespan is due to the heath issues many Berners face.
The biggest concern to Berner owners is cancer. Histiocytosis (malignant and systemic) has been identified as the primary type of cancer that affects
When fed too much too fast Berners can develop what is called skeletal lameness (hip and elbow dysphasia). This is often painful to the dog and will be noticed because of lameness and abnormal stance or gait. Veterinary consultation is needed to determine the underlying problem.
Information from: Barron's Bernese Mountain Dogs by Nikki Riggsbee Copywrite 2007,
the GOOD,the BAD and the FURRY by Sam Stall Copywrite 2005 and
The Bernese Mountain Dog by Julia M. Crawford, Copywrite 2000
