Bernese Mountain Dog Blog

Not so long ago, the ancestor of today’s Bernese Mountain Dog spent all year guarding the yard — protecting sheep during summer and pulling milk carts from autumn to spring. The inhabitants of the Swiss Alps would not let themselves keep such a huge pet unless it was useful on the farm throughout the year. Due to practical reasons, villagers preferred to breed the dogs long-coated (therefore resistant to cold) and strong (to give the owners protection and help).

Today it is hard for us to imagine that Bernese Mountain Dogs were used to watch yards, but at the beginning it was one of their main tasks. Nevertheless, they were only supposed to guard and not to defend. Their task was to bark to warn off intruders and alert the hosts. The posture of a Bernese Mountain Dog was supposed to deter potential attackers, but they were never brought up to be aggressive towards animals or people. These dogs, guarding yards in the country, lived among other animals like cows, sheep, and poultry, and were therefore raised to be mild towards others. This feature was cultivated by breeders later on, and today we can say that Bernese Mountain Dogs are “friends of the whole world.”

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As there are people who enjoy different seasons differently, it all really depends on their feeling of comfort. European people may like to try out a less rainy and dark atmosphere and try someplace more sunny and warm or people living in icy conditions would crave for some tropical heat. This comfort is also sought by canine companions however too much of anything is coined as bad.

Take the Bernese Mountain dog, they were developed in the Swiss Alps and used for pulling carts and farm dogs in the extreme cold. With their dual coats they are insulated. But a few degrees below zero may prove too much for them.  One good sign to bring them inside is standing on three legs, alternating them and shivering. To help help them avoid freezing even more outside, trim the hair on the paws so as not to accumulate ice and make it more uncomfortable for them. Keep them indoors after their shots for their resistance would  be weak.

It pains me to write this, but the Bernese is one of those big dog breeds that Shakespeare would not label as immortal. On average the lifespan of a Bernese Mountain Dog is 7 years; so this is an important factor when considering buying one as a beloved family pet. Although the coat and disposition shines through and through, the Bernese is cannot be labeled as a very healthy breed. Apart from having a high food bill, veterinary bills may also skyrocket, since this breed is susceptible to getting certain illnesses. Hip and elbow Dysplasia plagues this breed, while bloating, several types of cancer and kidney problems have also been known to develop. Progressive retinal atrophy – an eye disease that causes blindness- is becoming a problem as well with this huge and lovable dog. Due to its heavy coat, the Bernese may suffer in hot climates if you plan to spend a lot of time outdoors in summer make sure you have enough shade and loads of fresh water for your Bernese. Take care of your Bernese. He will love you all the more for it…

The Bernese Mountain Dog (also called Berner Sennenhund or Bouvier Bernois) is a versatile breed of farm dog originating from the canton of Berne in Switzerland. I have loved this breed for a long long time, and decided to dedicate this blog to the fans of the Bernese Mountain dog! Welcome dear Reader. I hope to post fun and infomative posts on a regular basis. Let us unite in our love for the Bernese Mountain Dog. Please leave a comment or two. I welcome all feedback! Enjoy!