Bernese Mountain Dog – The Original Swiss Working Breed

Bernese Mountain Dog - Switzerland's iconic mountain dog

Image: Maria Ivanushkina/Shutterstock.com

The Alpine herding dog which can still be found working the mountains to this day.

Quick Overview

Name:                                                  Bernese Mountain Dog, the Berner Sennenhund

size:                                                       Up to 28 inches tall

Weight:                                                Up to 115 pounds

Grooming:                                          Weekly brushing needed

Training:                                               On the easy side

Exercise:                                              Fairly energetic, 2 hours + per day

Lifespan:                                              10-14 years

Origins:                                                 Bern, Switzerland

Breed Type:                                        Working dog

History of the Bernese Mountain Dog

This dog breed came from the Bern area of Switzerland, which is the area responsible for high-quality dairy produce and chocolate. It is believed that there are more than 12,000 farms in this valley area. The main business is cattle driving, rearing milking cows, and protecting them from mountain predators. That’s why the Bernese was bred… to do the hard work humans hated.

This is an ancient dog breed, having been bred to help the Berners go about their cattle rearing businesses. Despite their value as guard dogs to the cattle and the warm coat that is impenetrable to the cold, the breed was dying out in the late 1800s. It is reported that a deliberate effort was needed by Swiss breeders to regain the statuesque dogs that we know and love today.

In 1907 they were again running low. A professor named Albert Hein then set up a Swiss Bernese Mountain Dog breed club, which encouraged others to invest. They began to be used as companion dogs around the same time since they were fashionable. In 1926 a cattle farmer from Kansas imported a pair to breed, and the breed was later recognised by the AKC.

This is a big dog with a big heart that has a long history as an ancient working breed. They have boundless energy and are never happier than when they are given jobs to do. We would caution against getting this dog if you don’t have a fairly active lifestyle.

Nowadays you can find the Bernese Breed Standard in the UK Kennel Club, the AKC, and the full history over on Wikipedia. It is worth noting that there are four different types of Sennenhund, all of which are mountain dogs from Europe.

Fun Facts about the Bernese!

Here at Five Minutes Spare we believe that there are fun facts regarding every breed of dog. The Bernese proved to be no exception to this rule – so here are our favourite bits:

• You can join the club if you have one of these dogs and live in Britain. The Bernese Mountain Dog Club of Great Britain should be right up your street.
• They were bred from mastiff crosses originally.
• The Bernese Mountain Dog was first brought to Switzerland by the Romans, around 0 BC!
• They were originally farm dogs and would have herded or guarded cattle helped keep the animals in check and the foxes away.

And there you have it. All dog breeds great and small have something fun about them. The Bernese Mountain dog, as it happens, has several!

Are Bernese Mountain Dog's Hard To Train?

The Bernese Mountain Dog is fairly eager to please which makes for an easy-to-train pup. Make sure you socialise them young and get into doggy obedience training as soon as you can. You will find they are energetic but not as intelligent as some breeds. They were bred for strength and stamina over brains.

How Much Grooming does a Bernese Mountain Dog Need?

Surprisingly little. They are not hypoallergenic dogs and they will need brushed, maybe around once a week. If you want them to be pretty, then you could brush daily to no ill effect. Make sure you trim their toenails once in a while and brush their teeth to stop those cavities. If you skip this step, you will start to see dental problems from the age of 9 onwards… and heck but they cost a fortune.

What about Exercise?

This is a dog that needs to be able to stretch its legs. Remember that with all working dogs. You need to take into account they were bred deliberately to have enough energy to work all day. This means that if you want a companion breed from this dog, you need to give them all the exercise they need. A little over 2 hours a day should do it. Aim for three walks morning, noon, and night.

Where Can I Buy A Bernese Mountain Dog Puppy?

If you are offered one in a basket be wary 🙂
Image: otsphoto/Shutterstock.com

If you are looking to buy a new dog, you should always start at local shelters. If you call them, you will be able to reserve a specific breed when one comes in. If you are desperate and can’t wait that long, consider one of the registered lists of breeders given out by the kennel club in your country. IF you do things this way, you will be guaranteed with a puppy who is certified, and whose family history you are aware of.

Do they have many Health Problems?

As a general rule, the older the breed of dog you buy, the more health problems it will have. You can get around some of these by buying from a registered breeder, who can give you familial health history at the point of sale.

If you have found a rescue Bernese Mountain dog, get them checked for elbow or hip dysplasia. This condition means the hip or elbow joint hasn’t formed properly and it can leave your dog in some pain. You might need to get them an operation around the age of 1 if you find they suffer from this. You should also have your vet check your new puppy’s heart health, as well as doing a test for Von Willebrand’s Disease.

On top of all of this, the Bernese is known to be subject to some cancers and eye problems.

Got Five More Minutes?

If by any chance, you are trying to track down the ideal dog breed for you, then you should definitely check out the dog directory in our pages. If not, drop us a follow on Facebook the next time you are online… don’t forget the name: Five Minutes Spare.