Working group · Switzerland
Bernese Mountain Dog
Also called Berner, Bernese.
Large dog, moderate energy, quick to learn.
- Good-natured
- Calm
- Strong
- Affectionate
- Patient
- Size
- Large
- Weight
- 32 to 52 kg70 to 115 lb
- Lives
- 7 to 10 years
- Energy
- Moderate
- Trains
- High
- Barks
- Moderate
Training
Training a Bernese Mountain Dog
Working breeds. Calm structure beats force every time. These dogs shut down under pressure and thrive on predictability.
Gentle Approach
Start here
Sensitive breed, responds best to positive methods.
Early Socialisation
Natural wariness of strangers needs early exposure.
Heat Intolerance
Thick coat means heat sensitivity, train in cool conditions.
The app turns this into five to fifteen minutes a day.
Add your Bernese Mountain Dog and it builds the plan around their age, where they came from and what they already know, on video with Atlas and Shango.
Free to start. iPhone. No card needed.
At home
Living with one
Bred to guard, pull and rescue. Big, strong, and serious about their people and their patch.
Gets on with
- ChildrenVery High
- Other dogsHigh
- StrangersModerate
- CatsHigh
Breed averages. Early socialisation and the individual dog matter more.
- Exercise
- 1 hour daily. Moderate walks, loves cold weather activities.
- Grooming
- Heavy shedding. Daily brushing during shedding season.
- Drool
- Moderate
- Coat
- Double coat, Long, SilkyTricolour (Black, White, Rust)
- In a flat
- Needs more space than a flat gives.
Health
Things to ask a breeder or vet about
Cancer
Severe
Very high cancer rates, especially histiocytic sarcoma
Hip Dysplasia
Moderate
Common in large breeds
Elbow Dysplasia
Moderate
Joint malformation
Where they come from
History
Swiss farm dog used for drafting, herding, and guarding. One of four Swiss Mountain Dog breeds.
