Switzerland is the place where the big and attractive Bernese Mountain Dog was first bred. Although they were initially brought over to the United States as farm dogs in the 1920s, nowadays these affectionate titans are primarily kept as household pets. With a height ranging from 23 to 27.5 inches at the shoulder and a maximum weight of 115 pounds, Bernese Mountain Dogs are extravagant canine companions with equally sizable hearts.
Caring for Bernese Mountain Dogs
With their unique markings, Bernese Mountain Dogs are typically amiable and tolerant towards both humans and other animal companions. While they are typically tranquil, they can easily be tempted into engaging in play. Due to their medium to long fur and dense double coat, they necessitate moderate grooming.
Bernese Mountain Dog Health Issues
Although generally healthy, the Bernese Mountain Dog may have a higher likelihood of specific health conditions.
Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV)
The sudden onset of Gastric dilatation-volvulus, a severe type of bloat that affects dogs, demands urgent intervention to save a life. The condition results from the expansion and increased pressure caused by the stomach’s intake of gas or food.
The stomach can then rotate, which causes inadequate blood supply to the spleen and stomach. If not treated quickly, shock, tissue damage, and even death can occur. Increased risk is seen in:
Dogs with a deep chest, such as the Bernese Mountain Dog, that are of advanced age
Dogs that eat from raised bowls.
Dogs that receive their meals once a day.
To stabilize and treat GDV, urgent veterinary intervention is necessary. The longer a dog goes without intervention for this condition, the higher the probability of mortality. Prophylactic gastropexy, a surgery that secures the stomach to prevent twisting, can be conducted to avoid GDV. This operation is routinely performed alongside a dog’s spay or neuter surgery.
Hip Dysplasia
When the hip joint does not properly develop, it results in a loose joint which is known as hip dysplasia. Factors like growth rate, hormones, diet, and exercise can have an impact on it. Hip dysplasia can eventually lead to degenerative joint disease and osteoarthritis which cause considerable pain, limping, and an inability to stand properly.
To avoid arthritis, it’s crucial to keep a slim body. Dogs with hip dysplasia are commonly advised by vets to engage in light physical activity, consume omega-3 fatty acids, as well as take glucosamine and chondroitin. In more severe scenarios, a surgical operation may be necessary at the discretion of your veterinarian.
Elbow Dysplasia
Abnormal development of the elbow joint characterizes elbow dysplasia, which is mostly attributed to genetics, abnormal or quick growth, diet, and injury. The condition can lead to arthritis as well as cause limping, lameness, and pain. While treatment methods vary depending on the extent of the condition, surgical intervention is necessary in the majority of cases.
Cancer/Histiocytic Sarcoma
There are various types of cancer that Bernese Mountain Dogs are susceptible to. Among them, histiocytic sarcoma is one of the most frequent. There exist three variations of histiocytic sarcoma.
Histiocytic sarcoma that is localized typically manifests as a tumor confined to certain areas, frequently affecting the bones, skin, lungs, and joints.
Histiocytic sarcoma that has spread affects numerous regions simultaneously.
Originating from the spleen, hemophagocytic histiocytic sarcoma swiftly spreads throughout the body.
The indications of histiocytic sarcomas in dogs differ depending on where they are located in the body, though a lot of dogs may experience fatigue, decreased appetite, and weight loss. The approach to treatment differs on a case-by-case basis and could possibly involve surgical intervention, chemotherapy, and/or radiation.
What To Feed a Bernese Mountain Dog
One effective method for ensuring your Bernese Mountain Dog obtains a well-rounded diet is to provide them with commercial kibble or wet food that adheres to the guidelines set forth by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO).
Bernese Mountain Dog puppies, being a large breed, must develop at a consistent pace to ensure simultaneous growth of muscles and bones. Fast bone growth can result in weak bones and joints, leading to vulnerability to additional pressure from body weight on those fragile areas. Rapid growth may cause hip and elbow dysplasia as well.
In order to support the adequate growth of Bernese Mountain Dog puppies, it’s crucial to provide them with appropriate levels of fat, protein, and carbs. These vital nutrients can be provided through AAFCO-approved pet foods that are specifically created for large and giant breeds. Nevertheless, it’s recommended to consult a veterinarian to determine the optimal diet for your unique dog.
How To Feed a Bernese Mountain Dog
For optimal health, it is recommended that adult Bernese Mountain Dogs are fed twice a day with a 12-hour interval between feedings. To prevent the likelihood of gastric dilation-volvulus, or bloat, owners should refrain from using elevated food bowls.
How Much Should You Feed a Bernese Mountain Dog?
The suggested calorie consumption for Bernese Mountain Dogs, like humans, depends on several factors such as their size, activity level, metabolism, and neuter status. Different dog food brands may also have varying caloric contents.
Consulting with your veterinarian is the optimal method for deciding the appropriate amount of food for your Bernese Mountain Dog. They can assist you with determining the right quantity to give your pet. Moreover, the labels on the dog food providing feeding guidelines are useful resources.
Nutritional Tips for Bernese Mountain Dogs
Including omega-3 fatty acids (DHA/EPA) in their diet can be advantageous for Bernese Mountain Dogs. These fatty acids are available in skin and joint supplements, fish oil, and some dog foods designed to meet specific requirements. The fatty acids act as natural anti-inflammatories, benefiting the skin, coat, kidneys, joints, and heart.
Behavior and Training Tips for the Bernese Mountain Dog
Bernese Mountain Dog Personality and Temperament
Overall, the Bernese Mountain Dog is a clever and loving canine. They have a willingness to learn, which makes them amenable to training. Although they may exhibit some shyness around unfamiliar individuals, they typically exhibit tolerance towards children and other canines. Nevertheless, any interaction between kids and dogs of any breed should always be supervised. Despite their origins as working farm dogs, present-day Bernese Mountain Dogs have an inclination to lounge on the couch for most of the day.
Bernese Mountain Dog Behavior
The Bernese Mountain Dog can handle change and minor stress quite well, but they may become timid in unfamiliar surroundings. If they are appropriately socialized to other animals and humans during their puppyhood, they will be more flexible and less prone to anxiety later in life. A lot of Bernese Mountain Dogs do not enjoy being by themselves, and a few may even encounter separation anxiety.
Bernese Mountain Dog Training
The Bernese Mountain Dog possesses remarkable intelligence and willingness to satisfy their humans, thereby rendering them to be an exceedingly coachable breed. Positive reinforcement training, along with frequent treats for exhibiting good conduct, yields the best results. It is imperative to train them in walking on a leash and refrain from jumping on people, considering their massive size and immense power.
Fun Activities for Bernese Mountain Dogs
Training for obedience
Performing tasks using one’s sense of smell that requires training and expertise is called nose work.
Hiking is a great way to explore and enjoy nature while getting exercise.
Pulling a cart.
BONUS: What Kind of Treats Should You Use to Train Your Dog
The efficacy of your training sessions can be markedly influenced by the type of dog treat you opt to utilize.
Using the appropriate treat during dog training can aid in improving the dog’s concentration amidst various distractions. However, there are instances when a treat can become too captivating for the dog, causing it to lose focus on the current task.
My dog training clients frequently inquire about which type of treat to provide their dogs, given the overwhelming number of available options that often make choosing the ideal dog treat difficult.
There is a straightforward solution to this query – employ the training treat your dog relishes! Nonetheless, familiarizing oneself with how to “evaluate” your dog’s treats and ensuring they are diverse will yield several advantages.
Continue reading for advice on determining your dog’s preferred training treats and deciding on the appropriate treats to enhance your dog’s training.
How to Figure Out What Treats Your Dog Likes
Your dog trainer may discuss the use of “high value” and “low value” training treats, which actually refers to the worth that your dog attaches to each food reward, and not the cost of the treats you purchase. It’s important to determine the treats that your dog finds more beneficial than others.
Although we have some fundamental beliefs about what kinds of snacks dogs prefer, there are frequently outliers. For instance, a dog owned by one of my training clients favored dry and insipid rewards over pungent freeze-dried liver.
Click here to discover how you can use toys as training incentives if your dog favors them more than treats.
What Are “High Value” Dog Treats?
High-value treats tend to be moist or freeze-dried, extra smelly, and something your dog doesn’t get very often (if at all) outside of training sessions. Think tiny pieces of chicken, liverwurst, tripe, or even peanut butter ( make sure it’s xylitol-free ) smeared on a spoon. Think of your high-value treats as giving your dog an “A+++” for behavior and training.
When Should You Use High-Value Treats?
- When first introducing a brand new behavior
- In highly distracting environments, such as a group dog training class
- When rewarding your dog for a quick or high-quality response to a cue
- During important socialization and proactive exposure training for puppies
- If working on counter conditioning as part of a behavior modification plan for leash reactivity, aggression, anxiety, or fear
To prevent your dog from getting an upset stomach or pancreatitis, steer clear of foods that have a high fat content, for instance, bacon or sausage.
What Are “Medium-Value” Dog Treats?
Typically, semi-moist or dry treats are prepared using ingredients that are not included in your dog’s normal diet. These treats hold moderate value and are offered at a higher frequency during both training sessions and regular day-to-day activities, as opposed to high-value treats.
When Should You Use Medium Value Treats?
- When maintaining an already learned behavior
- In mildly distracting environments
- Throughout the day for good behavior
- As part of regular enrichment activities
What Are “Low-Value” Dog Treats?
Working low-value treats into your training regimen is a wise choice since they typically contain fewer calories compared to medium and high-value dog treats. These are typically dry and crunchy. I and several of my clients give our dogs their regular food as a low-value treat. It’s crucial to have a low-value treat option in order to gradually reduce the frequency of treats during training.
When Should You Use Low-Value Treats?
- If your dog performs a requested and previously generalized cue, but it’s a “C” grade performance (this also might indicate that your dog needs to be further from a distraction or might need to go back a few steps in training)
- Throughout the day to encourage continued good behavior
- In low to no distraction training environments
- As part of regular enrichment activities
- When you’re working on fading out the use of treats for a specific behavior
Have a Dog Treat “Taste Test”
Arrange a taste test for your furry friend to figure out which training treats they like and respond well to. However, make sure to examine the ingredient list of the treats to avoid any potential allergic reactions or sensitivities for your pooch.
To begin with, select several treat options for them to sample, taking into consideration:
- Protein type: Have a variety of fish, poultry, beef, pork, or lamb. Include non-meat-based treats, such as peanut butter.
- Texture: Choose different treat options based on their texture type — dry, semi-moist, jerky, freeze-dried, or wet.
- Ease of Delivery: When you’re picking out taste test options, make sure you’re choosing treats that are easy for you to give your dog. Training treats should be pea-sized or smaller. If the treats are larger than this in the bag, see if you can easily break them up into smaller pieces.
- Pro Tip: Many pet supply stores will have samples available upon request of different treats to try.
Afterward, offer your dog various treats and let them choose. Place one sort of treat in your right hand and another in your left hand, and clasp your hands to form a fist. (In case your dog has a tendency to bite while taking treats, you can also put the treat options on the ground enclosed by little cups.)
Let your dog smell your hands and observe which hand they display the greatest interest in. Offer the hand that they sniff, lick, or paw at the most.
To determine which treats your dog considers high-value, medium-value, and low-value, swap out various options and switch in those you’ve already offered, cycling through a variety of alternatives.
