Many dog breeds hail from Switzerland, but the Bernese Mountain Dog is the most popular. This large breed of dog evolved in the Alps and is characterized by a long body, shaggy coat, and large ears. They are affectionate and gentle with people, making them ideal family pets. The Bernese Mountain Dog is named for the Bernese Oberland region of Switzerland, which has a high availability of snow and ice.
History
The Bernese Mountain Dog’s early history is unknown, but the breed is thought to have originated in the mountains as early as the 7th century. Dogs that are known to have been used along with the alpine farms during this time include the Italian Mastiff and Great Pyrenees. In 1682, Swiss farmers in Valais and Neuchâtel began breeding larger dogs than the local mastiff dogs they were used to.
The breed’s name, Bernese Mountain Dog, is a translation of its Latin name, “Canis Montanus suits”. In 1900, an unofficial standard for the dog was set by Albert Heim of Bern. The first breed club was formed in 1906; the first written standard was written in 1910; and four years later, the first dog show was held. Bernese Mountain Dogs have been used in therapy work in hospitals, and have also been used to search out missing persons.
Size of the bernese mountain dog
An average, adult male measures 26 inches at the shoulders and weigh 100 lbs. Females are slightly smaller on average: 24 inches and 80 lbs.
The Bernese Mountain Dog is a dog that originated in the mountains of Switzerland. It is one of the largest types of dogs, standing at heights up to 40 inches and weighing up to 120 pounds. This large breed was developed to live in mountainous areas where climate changes are frequent, being able to survive easily with little food or water. They are one of the giant dog breeds and are very lovable, sweet, and gentle.
The Bernese has a sloping back, with the top line of the dog appearing to be slightly higher than the bottom line. This slope is especially pronounced in animals with high tail sets, although it can vary somewhat among individual dogs. The chest is deep, with a well-developed forechest and prominent breastbone.
The front legs are straight when viewed from the side, with elbows fitting closely to the rib cage. The feet are strong, with well-arched toes and tough pads. Bernese Mountain Dogs have large round eyes which are dark brown in color. The ears of this breed are triangular in shape and stand erect; they are set wide apart on the sides of the head and may be slightly drooping at the tip at the base. The muzzle is fairly long, with a slightly square shape. The teeth of the Bernese Mountain Dog come in three different sizes.
The Bernese Mountain Dog comes in a variety of coat colors, most commonly red or brown with white or black spots. The dog’s coat has three layers: a dense inner coat, an oily and wavy middle layer, and a coarse outer layer. The longer hairs on the dog’s back from distinctively marked “tiger stripes”. The coat should be brushed daily with a firm bristle brush or a grooming rake. The Bernese Mountain Dog sheds heavily once or twice a year, and therefore owners must be prepared to deal with the added grooming workload.
Physical characteristics of the bernese mountain dog
The large head has a broad skull, with prominent cheek muscles and a scissors bite. Both the forelegs and hind legs are straight. The medium-sized ears are erect and hang down the side of the head. The Bernese Mountain Dog’s thick double coat is shaggy and weatherproof, with a dense undercoat.
The Bernese Mountain Dog has an extra-long, wavy coat. Faults in the breed include flat-coated, curly, or kinky hair; thin hair; coat colors other than black; and different ear shapes that do not fall within the standard. Also, the dog’s coat should not be so long or heavy that it interferes with the dog’s movement.
Health
There are only a few health issues to be aware of in Bernese Mountain Dogs. The first involves the breed’s large body size; this can increase the risk of gastric torsion, commonly known as bloat. It is important to feed the dog smaller portions on a more frequent schedule and to exercise him for at least an hour daily. The second health issue involves the dog’s breathing. The Bernese Mountain Dog may need to have his nose wiped with a towel or cotton ball if it becomes wet from excessive panting. This is due to the fact that the dog breathes through his nose, and when it’s wet, its surface feels cold, increasing distress.
The third health problem is patellar luxation (knee dislocation). It occurs when the tendon on one or both legs works loose from its attachment point on the front thighbone. It is a common disease in the breed and can be surgically corrected. The fourth health risk is eye problems. Since the Bernese Mountain Dog has a protruding eyebrow and large eyes, his eyelids may not close all the way. If he gets something stuck in his eye, it may become damaged or infected.
The final health concern with Bernese Mountain Dogs is allergies to pollen and other substances. If these allergies are severe, the dog may suffer from skin problems. Other health concerns in Bernese Mountain Dogs include hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism, and cancer.
Training
Bernese Mountain Dogs are intelligent and easily trainable dogs. They have an affinity for toys, but require firm training to prevent chewing; their large size can make them dangerous chewers. The Bernese Mountain Dog is also known to be somewhat stubborn and must be taught early in life that humans are his “pack. The Bernese Mountain Dog is an adaptable breed and can be trained to smell, bark and attack intruders. The breed requires a firm, consistent owner who will take the dog out for walks twice a day, and play with it to keep it happy. The Bernese Mountain Dog must also learn basic obedience skills when young; otherwise, he may become destructive.
Physical appearance
Color: Black, red, or brown with white markings; solid white rare; black-and-white not recognized as a color but as a patterned coat.
Standard: Trowel shape, robust, of medium size with a tail as long as the height at the withers. The skull is broad and of medium length; the stop is well-defined. The muzzle is neither too large nor too small; a scissors bite is preferred. Ears are set moderately low on the skull, without being carried too forward or held erect; they are broad at the base, gradually tapering toward the tip which is slightly rounded. The eyes are of medium size, almond in shape, obliquely set, and dark brown in color. The nose is black. The teeth meet in a scissors bite.
The neck is strong, muscular, and rather short. The back is broad, straight, and strong; loins muscular; croup slightly sloping. The chest is deep with a well-developed forechest (widest part of the chest at the base of the front legs) and moderately broad. Depth of chest reaches the elbow or just a little bit more. The croup is short, never rising too steeply. The tail is set high, but not carried too high.
Hindquarters are strong and well-muscled, with well-developed thighs. The knee is moderately bent and the pasterns are strong. Hind feet should be round and compact. Dewclaws may be removed.
Head: Round, broad, and rather short in head and with a level expression.
Muzzle: The muzzle is broad, tapering toward the nose, and slightly rounded. Any deviation from this type of skull is regarded as a serious fault.
Eyes are dark brown in color, set moderately low on the skull without being carried too forward or held erect; they are neither too small nor too large. Any deviation from these types of eyes is considered a serious fault.
Ears: The ears are set moderately low on the skull, without being carried too forward or held erect; they are broad at the base and gradually taper toward the tip which is slightly rounded.
Mouth: A scissors bite is preferable. Level bite is considered a serious fault. Any deviation from the preferred type of bite is considered a serious fault.
Neck: Strong and muscular with a slight dewlap. Any deviation from the preferred type of neck is considered a fault.
Forequarters: Legs are straight, strong, and powerful with well-developed muscles. Shoulders well laid back with no sign of upper arm or shoulder blade protruding. The front legs are viewed as parallel when viewed from the front or side. Any deviation from parallel is considered a fault. Forelegs viewed from the front should be perpendicular to the ground.
Body: The chest is moderately wide and of sufficient depth to reach the elbow or just a little bit more. The croup is short and never climbs too steeply. The body viewed from the side should be perfectly rectangular in shape with neither evidence of a narrow or wide body, nor any suggestion that the back is flat or excessively swayed. Any deviation from this type of body is considered a fault.
Conclusion
The Bernese Mountain Dog is a large, sturdy dog of very good character and kindly nature. Alert and intelligent, he makes a keen watchdog, being neither noisy nor aggressive. In spite of his size, he is gentle and non-aggressive with children. He is easy to train if his owner possesses the necessary firmness combined with kindliness. He has great stamina and can compete in dog sports such as carting, etc., but does not have enough speed for racing.
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