Originating from the icy mountains of Switzerland, the Bernese Mountain dog boasts of a distinguished lineage of collaborating with humans in various activities such as farming, herding, and hunting. Fondly referred to as “Berners” by affectionate admirers, this breed owes its name to the farming locality of Bern in Switzerland, where it is revered and cherished for its unflagging farm service during the day and its agreeable companionship at night.
Origins and History
With incredible strength, the Bernese Mountain dog is reputed to be capable of hauling heavy loads. This attribute was greatly valued back when the need for manual labor on farms was prevalent, before machines were introduced with the industrial revolution. As a result, this breed’s importance decreased and their population dwindled.
A Berner aficionado by the name of Professor Albert Heim established the inaugural Bernese Mountain Dog club in Switzerland in 1907 and was largely responsible for rekindling interest in the breed. Likewise, in 1926, a solitary duo of Bernese Mountain dogs made their way to Kansas to assist with agricultural labor and sparked a comparable resurgence in popularity in the United States.
Soon after, the American Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1937, leading to regular appearances in show circuits, draft and cart contests, as well as becoming a popular household pet across the country.
Not every family is suited for a Bernese Mountain Dog as they have specific needs due to their large size. Below are the positives and negatives to consider when owning this breed.
Pros of the Bernese Mountain Dog As A Pet
- Beautiful, majestic dog with striking coat coloring
- Well balanced proportions with good length of leg and skull
- Gentle and affectionate to family
Cons of the Bernese Mountain Dog As A Pet
- Size takes up a lot of space in your home
- Coat sheds heavily and needs a lot of grooming
- Prone to a range of health issues and not very long lived
We should examine all of those more closely!
What Does the Bernese Mountain Dog Look Like?
If you haven’t had the chance to lay eyes on a Bernese Mountain, it may be difficult to comprehend just how immense they are! Photos simply don’t do justice to the experience of interacting with these lovely creatures firsthand. They are sizeable, furry, robust, and resilient.
What is the Average Bernese Mountain Dog Weight and Height?
Depending on their gender, adult Bernese Mountain dogs can exhibit a considerable variation in terms of their size and weight. A male Bernese Mountain dog, for instance, can reach a weight of 80 to 115 lbs and a height of 25 to 27.5 inches from paw to shoulder, whereas a female of the same breed would weigh 70 to 95 lbs and measure 23 to 26 inches in height (paw to shoulder).
It can be inferred that selecting a female Bernese Mountain dog will result in obtaining a smaller dog compared to a male Berner, who can grow to be over 115 lbs when fully matured. However, despite their size, Bernese Mountain dogs are commonly referred to as “gentle giants” for their gentle and cautious nature. They exhibit a keen awareness of their strength and size, and make an effort to avoid causing harm to their surroundings.
Bernese Mountain Dog Coat
The Bernese Mountain dog has a uniquely patterned coat that is always bi-colored or tri-colored, although only the latter is recognized in dog shows. This coat is primarily composed of black, tan, rust, and white shades. Therefore, some Bernese Mountain dogs will have coats that combine black, rust and white colors, while others might have coats that incorporate black, tan, and white colors. Additionally, commonly seen color and pattern mixtures include black with rust, black with white, and rust with white.
Do Bernese Mountain Dogs Shed?
The shedding of Bernese Mountain dogs can be significant during certain periods, particularly when they experience seasonal changes that cause their coats to shed, a process known as “blowing coat”. This breed’s coat consists of two layers: a lengthy, water-resistant top layer and a shorter, dense, insulation layer. Therefore, you can anticipate noticeable shedding throughout the year.
The Bernese Mountain Dog breed standard specifies a dog with long hair, while the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, with short hair, is actually a separate breed. Nevertheless, these dogs bear a considerable resemblance, often leading to confusion.
How to Groom Your Bernese Mountain Dog?
The simplest response to this query is “often!” It is necessary to schedule at least one or two thorough grooming sessions at home each week, and potentially more frequent ones during times of seasonal shedding.
If you don’t brush this dog’s coat all the way through to the undercoat layer, it can easily become matted and tangled due to its long, thick, straight to wavy texture. It’s recommended to consider purchasing a slicker brush or pin comb, or both, to maintain the health of your dog’s coat and skin.
Bernese Mountain Dog Temperament and Personality
The personality of the Bernese Mountain dog is renowned for being a “gentle giant,” as the dog is conscientious of its vast size and acts with great caution to avoid causing harm. Their overall temperament is characterized by a sweet and serene nature, which makes them excellent family pets. Bernese Mountain dogs are known to possess patience and gentleness, particularly towards young children.
Bernese Mountain Dog Training and Socialization Requirements
Having been bred to farm and herd, the Berner is accustomed to a lifestyle that involves constant physical activity, even throughout the night to protect livestock. These dogs are highly intelligent, energetic and friendly. Therefore, if you leave your new puppy to its own devices, it will likely find numerous ways to remain entertained.
A big and lively dog, the Mountain breed displays high energy levels, particularly in their early years as a puppy and young adult. Therefore, providing early and continuous training and socialization is vital for a well-adjusted family pet.
Expect your Bernese Mountain dog to have a natural predisposition towards being a delightful, affectionate, mild-mannered, and lively addition to your household. Simply provide regular guidance, and you can anticipate that your astute furry friend will promptly adapt and integrate seamlessly into your family dynamic!
BONUS: Dog training 101 — How to set realistic goals and where to get started
Dog training falls into two broad categories. The first category involves acquiring skills or basic manners, such as sitting, staying, or lying down, and it is the domain of a dog trainer. For the second category, if your dog has a behavioral issue relating to anxiety, aggressiveness, or fearfulness, then consulting with a dog behavioral specialist like Brianna Dick from Pack Leader Help is necessary.
“The way that I approach dog training is behavioral psychology based,” says Dick, who is a member of the International Association of Canine Professionals. “We’re not looking at just the physical behaviors of dogs. We’re looking at their emotions and the relationship they have with their humans.”
In case you require training for both skills and behavior, it is advisable to commence with the more complex one, which is behavior training. While a dog trainer can instruct your dog on how to sit, a dog behavior consultant will possess better knowledge and experience in aiding your dog to handle separation anxiety.
Be realistic.
Fratt notes that similar to how not every person will develop an affinity for raves, not every dog will be fond of visiting dog parks.
The owner of The Dog Door Behavior Center, Kim Brophey, is a family dog mediator and an applied ethologist who authored the book “Meet Your Dog: The Game Changing Guide To Understanding Your Dog’s Behavior.” Brophey employs the L.E.G.S framework (learning, environment, genetics, self) to elucidate dog behavior. Suppose, for instance, your dog constantly barks at your guests.
According to Brophey, the breed of dog may have been specifically chosen over several centuries to protect against uninvited visitors. Due to the innate territorial nature of German shepherds, it may not be possible to eliminate their natural protective behavior through training, and therefore, it may be necessary to adjust your anticipated outcomes.
Decide how you’d like to train your dog.
There are several training methods available including group classes, one-on-one training, board and train, day training and self-led training. While group classes are cost-effective, they lack personalization. Fratt advises against board and train options due to their higher cost and associated risks.
“If the trainer spends all this time training the dog in this really specific context and then basically just hands you the leash, takes your check and walks away, there’s a very good chance you’re not actually going to be able to implement those new strategies and skills … successfully in your home.”
Depending on your budget and training objectives, your decision will vary. For instance, if your dog displays aggressive behavior towards another dog indoors, traditional training methods outside of your home may not be effective.
Be aware that you will need to participate in training your dog, but it doesn’t need to consume a substantial portion of your time. Fratt recommends dedicating only five minutes per day to training. Additionally, many of the assignments provided by trainers can be enjoyable and simple to integrate into your daily routine.
Our experts recommend that you utilize these online resources that are either free or affordable if you are looking for dog training without spending too much money.
- Kikopup on Youtube and Instagram
- Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
- K9 of Mine
On her website, Dick has gathered several free resources while Fratt presents a collection of complimentary lessons named Training Tuesday.
Understand the methodologies.
The field of dog training lacks regulation, allowing anyone with online presence or store to declare themselves as a dog trainer. As a result, there is no universally accepted guideline for the techniques employed in training a dog, leading to conflicting opinions among trainers. However, most trainers can be classified into two general groups.
One type of trainer that uses positive reinforcement techniques is Fratt. Positive reinforcement involves providing a reward, such as a treat, to your dog when they display good behavior, thus encouraging them to repeat it. It can also involve providing a positive experience when your dog encounters something they find frightening, in order to create a positive association.
Another example of trainers who strike a balance is Brianna Dick. These trainers employ methods that emphasize positive reinforcement, but they are also open to using e-collars and other forms of corrective action.
According to Dick, the process of E-collar training entails the use of a collar worn by your dog, which can be controlled remotely and produces a corrective stimulus like a shock, sound, or citronella spray to their neck whenever necessary. The dog training community is split on E-collars, particularly those that emit a shock.
According to Dick, it is advised to be cautious of trainers who rely heavily on e-collars on all dogs. Such an approach is considered generic and unlikely to yield favorable outcomes. Instead, it is recommended to seek a trainer who takes the time to understand your individual circumstances, including your bond with your furry friend and your lifestyle.
Find a good trainer.
Professional associations curate lists of positive reinforcement trainers or balanced trainers in your locality, making it an ideal starting point for your search. Numerous organizations offer such lists for you to refer to.
- International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC)
- Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT)
- The Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT)
- Karen Pryor Academy (KPA)
- Pet Professional Guild
- The Academy for Dog Trainers
- Pat Miller Certified Trainers
Conduct interviews and contact former clients to determine which trainer instills the most comfort within you. Ensure that they possess the ability to articulate their training techniques.
Don’t rule out medication.
Changing your dog’s brain chemistry may seem daunting, yet if your dog displays fear, anxiety, panic or aggression that cannot be resolved through training alone, you must treat it as a medical condition.
According to Dr. Andrea Y. Tu, a behavior veterinarian and the medical director at NYC Behavior Vets, it’s similar to having a diabetic patient. With diabetes, withholding insulin from your dog isn’t an option as it is necessary for regulating hormones in its body.
“At the end of the day, this is a chemical imbalance. And it needs to be treated.”
Have you exhausted all options such as utilizing positive reinforcement training, a combination of training techniques, medication, or even changing trainers with no success? There is a possibility that your pet may not be able to overcome their fear of your children or are too frightened to urinate outside on a bustling urban street. Though not an enjoyable thought, it is plausible that your residence may not be an ideal environment for your furry companion.
