Bernese Mountain Dog Blog

Originating from the Swiss mountains of Europe, Berners have been and are still popular in those European countries where the weather is favorable for the thick coat of the breed. Bernese Mountain Dogs have become popular on the American continent too. There are breed clubs from Alaska through Canada to California. One place, which is definitely not for the Bernese mountain dog is the Middle East. Read this article to find out what dogs are popular in the Middle East.

A peaceful Bernese puppy

Have you ever wanted a Bernese mountain dog or you already have one? Do you know exactly how to take care of it? Most people don’t know that a Bernese Mountain Dog can be a fantastic family pet as these gentle giants adore children and are very loving, protective and gentle. As a working breed of dogs, a Bernese Mountain Dog needs a good deal of exercise that is why it is best to train them during their early age. If you do not know how to raise or take care of a Bernese Mountain Dog, Bernese Mountain Dog: An Owner’s Guide to a Happy Healthy Pet is for you. It will teach you how to know more about your pet, and  how you should take care, train, and do activities with them. Remember that having a pet such as the Bernese Mountain Dog shouldn’t be a burden to pet owners, but an enjoyment instead.

Bernese dogs are very intelligent dogs that enjoy work for it keeps their minds and bodies active. They may even take a few moments to ponder commands before doing it. Among several training methods the clicker method is recommended for these canines. Clicker training consists of using a “clicker” which is a metal strip in a tiny plastic box that makes a clear clicking sound when pressed. Generally it is faster to click than say “good dog” but it is definitely not a replacement.

Start the Bernese off by taking him into a quiet area and click once followed by a treat. It’s best when the dog is hungry. It should be done in succession for approximately 10 times. This is for the dog to understand the meaning of the “click”.  Next is adding the commands. When told to SIT, click at the same moment the dog executes it, feed him the treat and follow it up with praise. This helps the Bernese associate the click with a positive or correct act that would be rewarded soon after it’s done.  However owners should remember that the clicker is only a tool and that genuine praise and human touch can never be replaced.

Want to house train your puppy, but don’t have the time?

With the Complete 7 Day Potty Training Guide you can house train your dog in just 7 days. Here are just some of the issues the potty training guide deals with.

• The best time to start training
• List of best equipment and supplies
• Training older dogs
• How to use potty pads
• Crate training
• How to train dogs from rescue shelters
• What to do about marking
• Litter box training
• Effective paper training
• Leaving your dog home alone.

Beyond these, you will find answers to all of your questions about potty training in this comprehensive guide.

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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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Finding the right Bernese puppy isn’t a very easy task. As it shouldn’t be! There must be enough time, effort and patience to sort and sift through numerous sources to find a reputable breeder that symbolizes quality. When we speak of quality of a purebred canine, this means that the dog corresponds or mirrors the correct breed type that clearly defines its physical traits from another as stated in its standards. For example, Bernese Mountain Dogs grow between 24-28 inches and weigh approximately 85 to 110 pounds, have a tri-colored double coat of jet black with white and rust markings and even a white crest on their chests.

These are only a few of many aspects that a quality breeder makes sure are passed down to develop a perfect Bernese puppy. However, as a prospective owner, one should also take the time to research on the breed itself and how to determine if the breeder is genuine. Here are some red flags to be aware of when buying a Bernese Mountain Dog: Read the rest of this entry »

Isn’t he adorable?

The temperament of a Bernese shines as brightly as his coat. For all his great size, he is a softy at heart. This is a people-loving dog who is also a willing worker. With gentle but firm and consistent training, he can pull a cart, compete in obedience competitions or tracking; do search and rescue work, become a therapy dog, or participate in agility trials. Because he is so willing to please, the Bernese responds to the gentlest of training methods. No yelling or yanking or scolding is needed with this large breed. All you have to do is to show him what to do, reward him when he does it, and practice to make the behavior an ingrained pattern.

The Bernese is slow to mature and needs gradual introduction to competition-level obedience training. Socialization is advisable. Owners should not be fooled by the breed’s gentle demeanor, however. An untrained Bernese weighing 80 pounds or more can be a menace, not because he is likely to be domineering or aggressive, but just because he behaves like a bull in a china shop. He remains a child at heart…

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!