The Bernese mountain dog is popular for many reasons: its large size, affectionate nature, loyalty and obedience, excellent working ethics, strong muscular body and the best guardian. We have named just a few qualities while the dog possesses far more than these.
Apart from these great qualities, the coat of the Bernese mountain dog is also quite fantastic. In fact, the furry friend is known for its beautiful coloring.
All the burners that are pure breeds have three colors in their coats. For instance, black, white and red are the main colors that are prominently seen, along with some shades of rust which add further beauty to their coats.
To meet the breed standards of the famous Bernese Mountain dogs, precise markings have been made to identify them properly. In this article, we will share some of the details of the coat colors of the Bernese mountain dogs.
The standard
Bernese Mountain Dog Club of America keeps a standard regarding the coat colors of the dog. The dog should be tri-colored, and the typical colors are; for the base of the dog, it must be jet black, while the markings on the dog should be rich rust and clear white. In addition, to qualify for being the Bernese mountain dog, all the markings should be symmetrical.
The symmetry of coat color markings refers to the balance of colors on the dog’s right and left sides. In addition, there must be rust over each eye of the dog. Similarly, the rust should reach the cheeks of the dog and around the corners of its mouth.
In addition, the rust should be on each side of the chest, on four legs and under the tail. You can also find a white blaze and a muzzle band. There is also a white marking on the chest, which looks like an inverted cross. The Bernese mountain dogs should have a whitetail, and the feet must be white; however, the white color must not go beyond the pasterns.
Tri-Color Is A Must For All Bernese Mountain Dogs
The pure breed must be in tri-color, while we may see many colors of various Bernese dogs. The particular pattern of tri-colors is necessary to make the Bernese Mountain Dog a standard one.
A pure-bred Berner will only be available in a tri-color pattern of black, white, and red or rust coloring with a particularly unique pattern arrangement. The first thing is that their nose should have a precisely black color, with the white color around it forming a “horseshoe” design.
In addition, a cross pattern, sometimes known as the “Swiss Cross,” should be created on the chest using white colors. Last, the neck and throat should be surrounded by a distinct white pattern. The “Swiss Kiss” describes the fur arrangement at this particular location.
What Is ‘Swiss Kiss’ On The Bernese Mountain Dogs
The specific portion of white coloring around the neck and throat is known as ‘Swiss Kiss’ in Bernese mountain dogs. A partial ring of white can be seen on this particular neck portion. Remember that the ring must not be complete and not connected at all.
The criteria of coat color is quite strict in the case of these dogs. According to the American Kennel’s Club, to qualify for the Bernese mountain dog, it must have a black base color. The absence of black color on the ground will lead to disqualification.
Difference Between Bernese And Other Tri-Color Dogs
Overall, there are four different types of swiss mountain dogs. The Bernese mountain dogs are one of them. Other varieties include; Appenzeller Sennenhund, the Entlebucher Sunnenhund, and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog.
The particular tri-color pattern is the decisive factor in all of these canines. The Berner can be clearly differentiated from its close relatives by the length of its coat. The only Swiss Mountain Dog with a noticeably long coat is the Bernese Mountain Dog.
Other Colors of Bernese Mountain Dogs
Bernese mountain dogs can also come in other color varieties. Bernese Mountain dogs have many other color combinations, such as red to black and even white to blue. However, the color combination must be according to the standard version due to strict rules for being a Berner dog.
In addition, we cannot say with confirmation that the Berner is a pure breed if the color combination is other than its standard color patterns.
Coat Colors And Personalities
Bernese mountain dogs’ personalities and behavior depend on the breeding standards rather than the color of their coats. As there is no strict evidence that indicates the influence of coat color on the dogs’ personalities.
Pure Bernese Mountain Dogs have the genetic traits that make them quiet, obedient, and kind. Altering the gene pool could be harmful to the breed’s continued existence.
Similarly, there is no evidence that dog mutation will create some bad personality dogs; likewise, there is no assurance that a mutated Berner will be as good as the pure-breed.
Black Is Mandatory Color For Bernese Dogs
If the Bernese dog is a purebred, then the black color is considered an obligation. Due to the prime duty of herding, the dogs’ black coat is very useful. It helps them to absorb the sunlight and stay warm during the cold winters and while roaming in the windy mountains. In addition, the white and rust patterns make the coat elegant and aesthetically pleasing.
Coat Color Difference Between Male And Female Bernese Dogs
There must not be any difference between the coat color of male and female Bernese dogs, as in the case of height and weight. Irrespective of the gender, the Bernese mountain dogs must possess the tri-color insignia on the coat comprising black, rust and white.
Final Words
The tri-colored unique color pattern of the famous Bernese mountain dogs is the disguised identification of these dogs, a standard defined by the American Kennel’s Club. Any such breed with a color variation from the standard coat colors will not be considered a pure-breed of a Bernese mountain dog.
In addition, due to the particular color patterns, we can easily identify the Berner dog in a pack of dogs. This famous dog breed’s unique color pattern is one of many distinguished qualities.
