About Bernese Mountain Dogs

History

• The roots of the Bernese Mountain Dog go back to the ancient Mollosser (mastiff-type) dogs of Rome. As the invading Roman armies swept through northern Europe, they left some of their dogs behind. In Switzerland, the Bernese Mountain Dog was developed by breeding the Roman mastiffs to local farm dogs. By the 1860's, the Bernese Mountain Dog was a recognized breed. Used to drive cattle, haul carts and employ their large size as a farm watchdog, the Berner thrived until farming became more mechanized. Dogs were no longer needed for farm work. The breed almost became extinct, but a group of breeders made an effort to preserve the breed. In 1908, Berners were exhibited in a Swiss dog show for the first time. They were brought to the United States in 1926 and recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1937.

Identification

• The Bernese Mountain Dog is large, standing between 23 and 27 1/2 inches at the shoulder. He has a heavy coat and striking black, white and rust coloring. There is no weight standard. It is usually proportionate to the height. Males are larger and heavier boned than females with a more distinctively masculine appearance. Neither should be light boned. A sturdy, rustic appearance is important for both sexes. The Bernese Mountain Dog is in the American Kennel Club (AKC) working group. The full breed standard is listed below in the Resources section.

Function

• Because the Bernese Mountain Dog's main function was as a cattle drover and watchdog, he is an independent thinker. He makes an intelligent family dog. He is not aggressive or particularly territorial. The function of a watchdog is to warn the family of approaching strangers. Unlike a guardian dog, a watchdog typically will hold back after sounding an alarm. Nowadays, a Berner is a devoted family dog, excelling in obedience, tracking and most other dog sports.

Considerations

• Because of his size, a Bernese Mountain Dog is not an inexpensive dog to own. While the coat is never clipped or over-groomed, regular brushing is a must to keep it free of tangles. He will require more food and generally higher veterinary costs. A Berner will shed voluminously twice a year. Fastidious housekeepers may find this bothersome. However, he is gentle, easy to train and a relatively quiet dog. That's true as long as he is given sufficient mental and physical exercise every day.

Warning

• Bernese Mountain Dogs are prone to several congenital health problems and a relatively high risk of some cancers. Their average life span is short. It's only seven years. Elbow dysplasia is very common in the breed, as is hip dysplasia, bloat, blindness, and autoimmune diseases. While ethical breeders are working to breed these conditions out of their lines, it is a risk anyone considering a Berner should know. These conditions can not only be very expensive to treat, but they can cut short a show career and cause considerable heartache.

Prevention/Solution

• To maximize the chances of getting a physically sound Bernese Mountain Dog, buyers should avoid any breeder who is not actively showing and working her dogs. All breeding dogs should be tested for dysplasia and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA.) Dogs that have cancer, autoimmune disease or other health problems in the pedigree should not be bred. When raising a Berner, feed an excellent diet. Don't let any growing dog get overweight since this is hard on the joints. Neutering a dog before long bone growth has finished may increase the likelihood of bone cancer and joint problems. Waiting until the pup has finished growing at 14 to 16 months of age may be a good strategy. Over vaccinating is implicated in some autoimmune diseases. A minimal vaccination schedule for Bernese Mountain Dogs is recommended.