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Bernese mountain dog a
rock-solid companion
FEW dog breeds can match the stunning appearance of the Bernese mountain dog with his satiny black long coat accented by patches and snippets of white and rust, and few can equal his quiet work ethic and easy-going temperament. Neither a scrapper nor a workaholic, the Bernese pursues his dual career as family companion and helpmate with skill, friendly assurance, and devotion.
One of a quartet of Swiss breeds known as mountain dogs, the Bernese developed as a cattle drover and cart dog in Alpine villages. He was a farm dog extraordinaire, herding cattle, hauling milk and other products to market, and watching over the family. But though his ancestors entered Switzerland with the Romans and he served his masters well, the Bernese mountain dog nearly died out as a breed early in the 20th Century. But for the dedication of a handful of fanciers, we would not know the breed today.
 Like the Newfoundland, great Pyrenees, and St Bernard, the Berner's roots go back to the Molosser dogs of the Romans - large mastiff-type dogs that drove and guarded the cattle herds of the invading armies and protected outposts. Also known as the Berner Sennenhund in Switzerland, he takes his name from Berne, the canton of his development; senner, the stockman he worked for, and hund, the German word for dog. Each summer, the senner and his hund drove the cattle to the Alpine meadows to graze and watched over the animals until time to return to the valley for fall and winter.
Like so many breeds that still work in their native lands, the Bernese mountain dog is a pampered pet in the US as he is in New Zealand. His beauty and his affinity for children make him a popular choice as a family pet for those who can afford the time and money to locate and purchase a well-bred puppy. Those who are looking for a Berner should go directly to a Bernese Mountain Dog Club or to the kennel club for a breeder list.
Temperament and training
The Berner's temperament shines as brightly as his coat. This is a people-loving dog who is also a willing worker. With gentle training he can pull a cart, compete in obedience or tracking, do search and rescue work, become a therapy dog, or participate in agility trials. Although he does not have the Type A personality of the Border collie or Australian shepherd, the Berner does need to be kept busy. Without attention to his working character, he can become destructive. Therefore, daily walks of an hour or more and some sort of playtime or competition and obedience training are a must.
Because he is so willing to please, the Berner responds to the gentlest of training methods. No yelling or yanking or scolding needed - just show him what to do, reward when he does it, and wait until it becomes an ingrained pattern. Berner puppies can be shy, so enrolment in a puppy kindergarten class is recommended. Be sure to choose a class that is low-key; the idea is to accustom the puppy to new experiences and to introduce him to obedience lessons, not to train him for precision competition at an early age. The breed is slow to mature and needs gradual introduction to competition-level obedience training.
Owners should not be fooled at the breed's gentle demeanour, however; an untrained Berner weighing 80 pounds or more can be a menace, not because he is likely to be domineering or aggressive, but because he behaves like a bull in a china shop.
Care and feeding
The thick Berner coat needs twice-weekly brushing but baths are rarely needed unless the dog rolls in mud or dead things. Twice-yearly shedding is normal, and even then, the dog may suffer in hot climates. Berners spending time outdoors in summer must have shade cover and access to fresh water at all times. Summer exercise should be limited to early morning and late evening hours to prevent overheating.
A premium diet that agrees with the dog's digestive system and keeps his coat shiny is sufficient for nourishment, but feedings should be given twice a day to lessen the chances of bloat. To avoid undue stress on growing joints, puppies should not be allowed to gain weight too rapidly; a switch to adult food by four months of age will help keep growth within bounds.
As noted above, daily care should include a long walk and some active playtime or work with a purpose. Feeding the Berner a portion of his meal in a Buster cube will give him a goal to pursue on days when time or weather conditions prevent outdoor play.
Health
The Berner is susceptible to hip and elbow dysplasia, bloat, several types of cancer, autoimmune diseases, and kidney problems. As with several other breeds, progressive retinal atrophy, an eye disease that causes blindness, is a problem.
In the United States, Bernese mountain dog breeders are working to solve these problems through a code of ethics that discourages breeding dogs that have, or carry, genetic diseases. Through the Berner-Garde Foundation, a breeder-sponsored database records information about every dog submitted and makes that information available to all breeders and buyers. The Berner-Garde Foundation stores and organises information submitted by breeders and owners of Bernese mountain dogs. Breeders file forms on each litter they produce and owners follow-up when the dogs are spayed or neutered, have health problems, earn performance titles, are bred, etc.
Breeders can use the database to build profiles of the dogs they intend to breed and can avoid using dogs from families with a history of genetic diseases.
Appearance
The Bernese is typically a middle-sized large breed, not as big as a St Bernard, but usually bigger than a golden retriever. There is a noticeable size difference between the sexes, the males being more impressive with added stature and chest coat. Their build is strong and sturdy, preferably with a compact body and broad chest. Colouring is dominantly black blanket with tan and white markings on the head and legs. The markings are precise, symmetrical and unusual: tan eyebrows, cheeks and mid-legs, with a white bib or cross on the chest, white blaze, (between the eyes), white paws and tail tip.
The coat is long, classified medium rough length and can be wavy with a bushy tail and feathering trim behind the front legs and bushy trousers behind. It consists of a fluffy dense undercoat for protection against the elements and coarser guard hairs, which lie on top. The skin is hard to see and the coat difficult to wet, having waterproofing qualities.
Behaviour
Bernese have a gentle nature and are trustworthy and intelligent. They are not overactive and make an ideal family dog or companion for one. They are happy in a farm environment. Hunting instincts are not strong so they don't take off when let loose, preferring to stay at their owner's side. They are safe with stock when brought up with them. Bernese will guard, but a threat is seldom carried through into action.
The Bernese mountain dog is one of five native Swiss breeds, (all similarly marked,) developed and named after the district where they were bred and worked. They were used as a general-purpose farm dog, which included guarding and herding cattle.
Ownership preferences
Patience is required with the slow-maturing of large puppies up to a year old. They require careful exercise when young. As adults only moderate exercise is required, as Bernese are definitely not racy in build and are trotters by nature. They are not suitable for jogging. Bernese are good with children and in a family situation, large enough to guard property and very trainable.
Housing
Bernese prefer the cool outside, but like to go in the house to be close to their owners. Choose either, or a combination of both situations. Heat does not appeal, whereas bad weather can be liked. They don't catch cold. When put out and given freedom they tend to hang around the house. During hot weather they lie up in a shady spot for the day.
Feeding
Bernese are not fussy and do well on dry food with canned or sausage for variety. Food should be quality protein throughout the main growing period until their bones harden around 16 months; thereafter a maintenance diet and plain food is adequate once a day. Adults can drink half a bucket of water at a time.
Grooming
Check and groom weekly using a soft brush against the lay of the hair, then smooth down. You will be rewarded with black fluff. During seasonal coat shedding the amounts will increase. Also use a steel comb, but only for knots and tangles, paying attention to the bushy areas behind the ears and rump. Don't rip out undercoat or strip unnecessarily unless it is loose.
Leisure
Bernese are multi-purpose - obedience, carting, herding, agility and tracking. The last two depend on the individual dog, some are too heavy for agility and others are not interested in tracking. A lighter, racier breed may be better for speed. Some Bernese are excellent swimmers, but again it varies.
Bernese have been used as search and rescue dogs, patting dogs in hospitals and guide dogs for the blind, which shows the high standard of training attainable in some individuals of this breed.
Longevity
 This varies with bloodlines and type of breeding and ranges between seven and 13 years, 10 years being an average. Outcrossed dogs often live longer, 14 and 15 has been known in Switzerland. Cancer has been a leading cause of death in middle-aged Bernese. Joint and bone problems occur in a minority and elbows and hips should be x-rayed and scored at maturity to help provide information for improving the standard of breeding stock. Loose and tight eyelids are occasionally a problem. Skin problems have occurred, but aren't common. Broken toes in puppyhood and shoulder lameness are environmental rather than genetic.
Undesirable traits
Coat shedding of black fluff can be considerable, so grooming is more frequently required at this time. Country dogs can accumulate grass seeds, biddies, spear grass and ticks in their coats. Bernese can get nervous when not socialised and when lonely can bark excessively and become over-excited. They pester for attention when spoiled or neglected.
Other information
The normal selling price is around $1000 at eight weeks. Pups should come with some conditional guarantee, pedigree papers, diet instructions, wormed and vaccinated. Advance booking is advised, as pups are not always readily available.
If possible, view both parents and any close relatives you can before buying a puppy, as it will tend to the average of its ancestry in looks and temperament.
Dog shows can be a good place to view the breed where one can see imported lines and differing types of Bernese with different strengths and head qualities. NZKC provides information about breeders. There is also a Bernese club, which helps with general information about the breed.
NZKC official breed standard
Characteristics: Self-confident, good-natured. Aggressiveness must not be tolerated. Slow to mature.
General appearance: Above medium sized, strong, sturdy working dog, active, alert, well boned, of striking colour.
Head and skull: Strong with flat skull and slightly developed furrow, well defined stop, strong straight muzzle. Lips slightly developed.
Eyes: Dark brown and almond-shaped, eyelids tight.
Ears: Medium-sized ears, set high, triangular shaped, lying flat in repose, when alert brought slightly forward, and raised at the base.
Mouth: Scissor bite.
Neck: Strong, muscular and of medium length.
Forequarters: Shoulders long, strong and sloping, with the upper arm forming a distinct angle, flat-lying and well-muscled. Appears straight from all sides.
Body: Compact rather than long. Ratio height to length 9:10. Broad chest, with good depth of brisket, reaching at least to the elbow. Well-ribbed; strong loins. Back firm and straight. Rump smoothly rounded.
Hindquarters: Quarters broad, strong and well-muscled. Stifles well bent. Hock strong, well let down and turning neither in nor out. Dew claws should be removed.
Feet: Short, round and compact.
Gait: Stride reaching out well in front, following well through behind, balanced stride in all gaits.
Tail: Bushy, reaching just below the hock; may be raised when dog alert or moving but never curled or carried above the level of the back.
Temperament: Self confident, good natured, friendly and fearless.
Coat: Sort and silky with bright natural sheen, long and slightly wavy, but should not curl when mature.
Colour: Jet black, with rich reddish brown on the cheeks, over the eyes, on all four legs and on chest. Slight to medium sized symmetrical white head marking (blaze) and white chest marking (cross), are essential. Preferred but not essential, white paws, white not reaching higher than the pastern, white tip to tail. A few white hairs at nape of neck and white anal patch undesirable but tolerated.
Weight and size: Dogs: 64-70 cm at the withers, preferred size 66-68 cm. Bitches: 58-66 cm at the withers, preferred size 60-63 cm.
Faults: Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault, the seriousness of which should be in exact proportion to its degree.
Note: Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
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