Noble, sensitive and unfailingly loyal, Bernese Mountain Dogs are among the most popular Swiss working dog breeds. These gentle giants are good-natured and family-oriented, bringing plenty of patience, intelligence and affection to any household they join. Mellow and social, Bernese Mountain Dogs make excellent companions that love to be included in every part of family life.
Like any breed, the Bernese Mountain Dog has a unique set of characteristics that set it apart from the rest. For insight into life with one of these pets at your side, you’ve come to the right place. From grooming to training to feeding and more, here’s what you should know about caring for a Berner of your own.
These gentle giants are good-natured and family-oriented, bringing plenty of patience, intelligence and affection to any household they join.
Bernese Mountain Dog Facts Overview
Male: Weight: 80-115 lbs; Height: 25-27.5 inches
Female: Weight: 70-95 lbs; Height: 23-26 inches
Yes
Generally good with cats, but early socialization helps
Excellent family pets
Responds best to early training and positive reinforcement
Weekly brushing and regular bathing; increased frequency during shedding season
7-10 years
Affectionate, intelligent, loyal
Eager learners, highly intelligent, sensitive, friendly
Tricolored; black coat; white muzzle, chest, and paws; tan or chestnut cheeks and legs
Large for both males and females
Bernese Mountain Dog Size and Physical Characteristics
As a working group breed, the Bernese Mountain Dog is well-sized for herding and pulling. Males weigh in at 80-115 pounds, with females slightly lighter at between 70 and 95 pounds. Height ranges between 25 and 27.5 inches or 23 and 26 inches for males and females, respectively. The result is a large, sturdy dog with a powerful build, but the breed has traded long days of hard work for hours spent snuggling up on the couch.
Male and female Bernese Mountain Dogs are both easily identified by their tricolored coat. Jet black is the breed’s most common shade, offset by white fur on the blaze, muzzle, chest, paws and tail tip. Separating the black and white is a rusty tan or chestnut color on the legs, cheeks and brows. Along with their gentle brown eyes, these distinctive markings are Berner hallmarks, setting them apart from other Swiss Mountain Dog breeds. The tricolored coat is itself thick, silky and double-layered. Built to thrive in harsh winter weather, it reaches a moderate length, with the topcoat growing in quicker than the soft under-layer.
Training Tips and Techniques
Eager-to-please and highly intelligent, Bernese Mountain Dogs are generally easy to train. Like other dogs — large ones in particular — Berners benefit from early training to establish their owner as the leader of the pack. Obedience training is vital to ensure these pets have the manners to be safe and polite members of the family. Basic skills like sitting, staying and walking on a lead are everyday abilities that will turn your Berner into a constant companion. Beginning this training when your pup is around 8 weeks old can lay a good foundation for trickier lessons as they grow.
Bernese Mountain Dogs are sensitive by nature, meaning they respond best to gentle training methods. Scolding and other harsh corrections are likely to hurt a Berner’s feelings, so keep training sessions light and make good use of positive reinforcement. Patience is also a critical tool when teaching this breed. Short sessions and a calm, positive demeanor can keep your pet excited to learn. Obedience classes can also be a good experience for Bernese Mountain Dogs, as they provide an added layer of socialization the breed can benefit from.
Berners of any age are highly intelligent pets. So if your new family member is well past the puppy stage, it can still learn the skills needed to fit seamlessly into your lifestyle. Consistent training sessions are likely to pay off over time, as long as they come equipped with praise — and plenty of treats.
A GPS wireless dog fence is a great training tool and an effective way to ensure that your Bernese doesn’t roam away, whether you’re at home, on a walk or hike, on vacation, or really anywhere you want to keep your pet safe.
Bernese Mountain Dog Grooming and Haircut Styles
Bernese Mountain Dogs have a double-layered coat. The top, outermost layer is made up of long and slightly coarse hairs, which cover up a layer of shorter, softer fur. For a breed hailing from the Swiss mountains, this inner layer provided warmth, while the outer layer offered resistance to water and dirt. When the weather warms up, the inner layer also traps cool air to prevent the dog from overheating.
A Berner’s double coat grows to a medium length and may be straight or wavy. Weekly brushing with a slicker brush or metal comb is required to prevent the coat from matting and to remove any loose hair. During shedding season, your pet may appreciate a more frequent brushing routine to rid it of excess fur. Trimming the hair between a Berner’s paw pads is also recommended to prevent uncomfortable matting. Regular bathing, such as every 4-8 weeks, is also ideal to keep your pet’s coat shiny and free of allergens.
Bernese Mountain Dog Health
Bernese Mountain Dogs are generally healthy pets. However, there are a few common health concerns to look out for when raising one as your own.
Hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia are both genetic conditions associated with larger breeds. While these conditions can’t be reversed entirely, their progression can be slowed with proper care and watchful monitoring. Progressive retinal atrophy, another genetic condition that affects vision, is seemingly painless but can lead to blindness and a lack of confidence. And like all large breeds, Bernese Mountain Dogs are susceptible to bloat, which is a sudden, very serious condition.
Each of these health concerns has a unique set of identifiers to look out for, and knowing how to recognize them is part of keeping your pet safe. Here are a few to keep in mind:
- A sudden decrease in activity
- Collapsing hind legs
- Difficulty breathing
- Nosebleeds
- Loss of range of motion
- Restless behavior
Regular veterinary checkups are important preventive measures that can catch health concerns in time to treat them. At home, maintaining a healthy diet and consistent exercise routine can help your pet live a long and happy life and may lower its risk of contracting the conditions above. In the case of bloat, a slow-feeder bowl can prevent your pet from eating too quickly, reducing its likelihood of developing this issue. For Bernese Mountain Dog owners, investing in pet insurance can also prevent unexpected costs from hindering care.
Bernese Mountain Dog Feeding and Nutrition
The right diet for a Bernese Mountain Dog varies as it ages. Growing puppies need to eat more frequently, generally three or four times per day. Around the 6-month mark, you can decrease the number of feedings to twice per day. Most dogs will continue with the twice-daily feeding schedule throughout their adult life.
To determine exactly how much a Berner should eat at each meal, it’s best to consult your veterinarian directly. Proper caloric intake can vary widely between dogs and depends on an extensive range of variables, including weight and energy level. A vet’s guidance can help ensure your pet is getting the right nutrients to sustain a balanced diet. This step is particularly important when caring for a Bernese Mountain Dog, as it needs the right amount of protein, fat and carbohydrates at each meal. The right diet can promote steady bone growth, lowering the risk of common health issues like hip dysplasia. And as always, access to clean water is an essential part of any dog’s diet.
Exercise and Mental Stimulation for Bernese Mountain Dog
Despite a history of long working days in the mountains, Bernese Mountain Dogs tend to be perfectly content to while away the days relaxing by your side. For a family who loves to spend quiet evenings at home, this can be a plus. But Berners do require a healthy dose of activity each day to stay fit and happy.
Between 30-60 minutes of moderate physical activity each day is necessary for keeping a Berner healthy. Their friendly disposition makes Bernese Mountain Dogs excellent companions for any outdoor adventure. Try taking your pet for a long walk or hike, or bring it along for a camping trip. Switching up the route every now and then ensures the activity stays fresh and interesting. If you’ve got small children, your Berner might even enjoy taking them for a pull in the cart. Sufficiently exercised, bring your homebody pet back inside for a well-deserved cuddle.
Proper exercise doesn’t end with physical activity. Bernese Mountain Dogs are a clever breed, and providing them with plenty of mental stimulation helps keep them sharp and entertained. Agility and obedience training offer a fun challenge, but there are plenty of at-home games that can get the whole family involved. Try setting up an obstacle course, or challenge your Berner to a game of hide-and-seek by placing some treat-filled toys around the house. In a similar vein, puzzle toys make a fun activity that can be done when the rest of the family is off at work or school. Regular socialization can also provide both physical and mental stimulation. Consider taking your Berner to the dog park or setting up playdates with canine pals.
Miniature Bernese Mountain Dog: An Overview
The miniature version of a Bernese Mountain Dog has all the charm and friendliness of its full-sized companions. Mini Berners have that same tricolored coat and a more compact build. Weighing between 25 and 50 pounds and standing between 12 and 20 inches tall at the shoulder, their size is significantly smaller. This smaller build comes with a longer life expectancy of 12 to 15 years, but this, of course, depends on the genetics and overall health of the pet.
Mini Berners have the same affectionate and loyal personalities characteristic of the breed. They’re also still susceptible to hip dysplasia and progressive retinal atrophy and can be prone to cancers such as lymphoma. However, the right care, diet and active lifestyle can minimize a pet’s risk of these concerns. For owners with the space or inclination for smaller dogs, a mini Berner can be a gentle and faithful addition to the family.
Living With a Bernese Mountain Dog: What to Expect
Life with a Bernese Mountain Dog is cheerful and full of affection. These big-hearted pets can get along with the whole family but may find themselves particularly attached to one lucky family member. Homebodies at heart, Berners are ideal companions for cozy nights in, but their high intelligence means they love to explore the outdoors just the same.
Slow to mature, Berners aren’t considered fully grown until age 3. The result is an extended “puppy phase,” with higher energy levels and intense curiosity. Proper training can help these big puppies stay polite, while socialization encourages them to learn how to interact with others. As Berners age, this energetic period gives way to an easygoing adulthood.
Fierce loyalty and a slight protective streak can make Bernese Mountain Dogs reserved in the presence of strangers, but they’ll quickly warm up to regular visitors. Plenty of space is ideal to give your Berner room to roam and explore. Though indoor lounge time is great fun, Berners will happily spend long periods outdoors. However, overly warm temperatures might drive them and their double coats toward the shade.
Bernese Mountain Dog FAQs
View all FAQsAre Bernese Mountain Dogs good with children?
Bernese Mountain Dogs generally get along splendidly with children, thanks to their gentle and kind-hearted nature. With that said, supervision is recommended when young children are part of the fun, as a Berner’s large size can lead to unintentional injuries. Overall, this breed is well-suited for family life and may enjoy having a household of people to spend time with.
How much exercise does a Bernese Mountain Dog need?
Anywhere between 30 and 60 minutes of moderate activity per day is ideal for a Bernese Mountain Dog. For puppies with higher energy levels, exercise time is particularly vital. Berners of any age need plenty of mental stimulation to match their high intelligence, making puzzle toys and outdoor obstacle courses fun activities that can be enjoyed together. Use a GPS dog collar to monitor how much activity your Bernese gets every day, it’s a great training tool for them – and for you.
Do Bernese Mountain Dogs shed?
A thick double coat makes Bernese Mountain Dogs prone to shedding, especially during the spring and fall. These seasons ring in the loss of the old undercoat to make room for the new, which means several weeks of a significantly furrier home.
While shedding is an unavoidable part of being a Berner owner, there are some ways to reduce it. Brushing your pet with a hardy slicker brush can reduce the amount of hair it leaves behind. For normal months, weekly brushing should do the trick, but shedding season may warrant daily sessions. During these periods, raising your pet’s bathing frequency can also reduce shedding.
Is the Bernese Mountain Dog easy to train?
With an even temper and quick intelligence, Bernese Mountain Dogs are eager to please and easy to train. With that said, these sensitive pets don’t respond well to harsh feedback. Instead, opt for positive reinforcement and plenty of patience. With consistent practice, these clever dogs can pick up a new skill in no time.
What are the common health issues for a Bernese Mountain Dog?
At a glance, the most common health issues Berner owners should look out for are:
- Hip and elbow dysplasia
- Progressive retinal atrophy
- Bloat
- Blood disorders
- Histiocytosis
- Lymphoma
Staying up to date with your Berner’s veterinary checkups can help you catch health concerns as quickly as possible. Additionally, maintaining a healthy diet and active lifestyle can lower a pet’s risk of contracting issues like these in the first place.
How long do Bernese Mountain Dogs typically live?
Bernese Mountain Dogs have a life expectancy of 7 to 10 years. However, there are numerous factors that can influence a dog’s lifespan. Genetics, health issues and overall lifestyle can all have an effect on longevity. Like most large dogs, a Bernese Mountain Dog’s life expectancy is lower than that of a smaller breed. With that said, they can still make once-in-a-lifetime members of the family for many years.
Do Bernese Mountain Dogs get along with other pets?
Yes, Bernese Mountain Dogs are generally compatible with other pets — dogs and cats included. Though their temperament and gentle nature may make them predisposed to getting along, early socialization is still essential for fostering good relationships with other pets. Establishing a neutral territory and applying lots of positive reinforcement can help a tentative Berner embrace its furry companions.
What is the ideal living environment for a Bernese mountain Dog?
Though Bernese Mountain Dogs can be laid-back and cuddly, they still require plenty of space to thrive. Unfortunately, this means they’re not adapted to apartment life. A moderately sized home with a sizable backyard can give your Berner plenty of room to wander and explore. It’s important to note that their thick coats can make outdoor time uncomfortable in hot environments. For this reason, they may be better suited for cooler climates.
Are Bernese Mountain Dogs suitable for first-time owners?
First-time dog owners delight in this breed’s easygoing nature, and it’s true that Berners are well-suited to inexperienced owners. With that said, Bernese Mountain Dogs do pose plenty of responsibility. For those with the space, time and patience to care for one, this dog can make a splendid entry to dog ownership.
What should I feed my Bernese Mountain Dog?
Bernese Mountain Dogs can thrive on high-quality kibble or wet food, provided it has the necessary balance of vitamins, protein, fat and carbohydrates. These specific dietary needs vary between individual pets, so it’s a good idea to consult your pet’s veterinarian to find out what sort of diet will keep your Berner happy and healthy.
Keep Your Bernese Mountain Dog Active and Safe With Halo Collar
With the right tools and a lot of love, you can provide your Bernese Mountain Dog with a long and happy life. If you’re looking for a convenient way to track your dog’s activities while supporting training and keeping them safe, Halo Collar is a fantastic option. It is a wireless GPS fence with a convenient phone app that allows you to set up a safe perimeter at home or anywhere you go, along with helpful activity monitoring. Shop for your Halo Collar today.
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