The Bernese Mountain Dog
The Bernese Mountain Dog is one of four variations of the Swiss Mountain Dog family, and originated in Berne, Switzerland. They are a large but sturdy breed, extremely intelligent, and very strong in nature. The Bernese Mountain Dog is a wonderful family pet as they are very gentle despite their size, and are affectionate dogs that get along with everyone.
We love the Bernese Mountain Dog because they loyal, very eager to accept training, and they are just downright beautiful in every way. And we believe they make the perfect family companion.
You can find more Bernese Mountain Dog facts below.
If you have further questions about Bernese Mountain Dog puppies, please email us at info@trainedbernes.com.
History Of The Bernese Mountain Dog
The Bernese Mountain Dog origin goes back to the Swiss canton of Berne, Switzerland, where this breed was known as a heavy worker dog, utilized for such work as herding cattle and protecting the farms they were a part of. They were also known for their great strength and being able to pull many times their own weight.
- The oldest ancestors of the breed were actually brought into Switzerland more than 2,000 years ago by Roman soldiers who were invading the land.
- In 1907, Albert Heim formed a Swiss breed club that helped the Bernese to become a more widespread household breed. This was a positive move for the breed after their numbers had dropped in previous years.
- The Bernese Mountain Dog came to the United States around 1926 when a Kansas farmer imported a pair of the breed for their farm work. The AKC registered their first Bernese Mountain Dog in 1937
- The Bernese Mountain Dog is ranked as the 27th most popular pure-breed in the US.
Personality Of A Bernese Mountain Dog
The Bernese Mountain Dog is large in size, but has a wonderful loving demeanor. They are loyal and eager to please their owners, and often known to be very dependent. They are very smart and inquisitive into the actions of their owners.
The Bernese is a sensitive breed, and can sometimes become emotionally hurt if their owners are too harsh. On the flip side, they are very easy to train and love to spend time with their owner, doing everything they can to show their affection.
The Bernese Mountain Dog is easy going around people, and make great pets for families with children as a result. They are very comfortable indoors, but love to go outside and exercise, which is essential for this breed due to their stocky nature.
Coloration Of The Bernese Mountain Dog
There are 5 recognized color combinations for the Bernese Mountain Dog, with two standard color combinations:
- Black, Rust and White (Standard)
- Black, Tan and White (Standard)
- Black and Rust
- Black and White
- Rust and White
Why Choose This Breed
While usually quite placid, the sweet and affectionate Bernese Mountain Dog will happily play with an owner and tends to be especially gentle with kids. While its large size can make this dog seem imposing, the Bernese Mountain Dog is a fun, loyal and affectionate pup. It trains easily, thanks to its high intelligence and eagerness to please, and it prefers to be with its family rather than left alone for long periods of time.
Likewise, while it has a shorter lifespan than some other breeds, the Bernese Mountain Dog tends to be generally healthy, especially with careful and responsible breeding, such as what we offer at Recherche Bernese. To protect it from illness, the dog’s ears should be checked regularly and its teeth brushed often. Weekly coat brushing (daily during twice-a-year shedding seasons) can help keep its fur looking good.
Owning a Bernese Mountain Dog means staying active, as these dogs need at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise each day and especially love being outside. They enjoy walking, hiking, camping, and pulling carts or wagons. If you’re looking for a versatile, friendly pup that can also make a great watchdog, you’ll love this breed.