One of the four Sennenhund-type dog breeds from the Swiss Alps, the Bernese Mountain Dog is a big dog breed. The Roman mastiffs are the ancestors of these dogs. In general, cancer is the greatest cause of death in dogs, but Bernese Mountain Dogs are far more likely than other breeds to succumb to the disease.
Appearance
A huge, hefty dog, the Bernese mountain dog has a striking tri-colored coat that is black with white markings on the chest and rust-colored patterns over the eyes, on the sides of the lips, on the front of the legs, and all around the white chest. It is the only Sennenhund breed with a long coat, though.
Care as a Pet/ In Captivity
Grooming
All year long, Bernese Mountain Dogs shed, with seasonal fluctuations being the time of year when they shed the most. To maintain its coat clean and lessen the amount of fur on the floor and furnishings, the Bernese usually only has to be brushed once per week, with additional brushing required in the spring and fall. Depending on how active it is and how frequently it spends time in the mud, the Bernese will only need to take a bath every few months or so. The Bernese Mountain Dog’s ears require extra care since they can collect bacteria, debris, and moisture.
Food
Bernese enjoy consuming a wide variety of fresh foods. To add enzymes to a diet, you can make little additions of yogurt, cooked or lean raw meat, fish, and eggs, fresh fruits like banana, apple, or pear, and vegetables like carrots, broccoli, squash, cooked pumpkin, or yams.
Exercise
Berners need room to walk about and play because of their large bodies and modest amount of energy. Daily moderate-intensity exercise, such as brisk walks, hikes, and fetch games, should last at least 30 minutes. Given their high level of athleticism, Berners can participate in canine sports including obedience, agility, tracking, and carting. This may be a lot of fun for you both while also helping to mentally and physically challenge them.
These dogs typically thrive in a home with a yard. Make sure your Bernese Mountain Dog spends time outside every day, whether it be through a strenuous game of fetch or a long walk, time at the dog park, dog daycare, or a session, if you live in an apartment or a house without a yard. If the dogs are similar in size and strength and friendly and outgoing, your Berner will probably enjoy playdates with them as well.
Training
Training Bernese mountain dogs is made simpler by their intelligence and want to please. When your dog is a puppy, begin teaching it the fundamentals of obedience and socialization, such as how to sit, stay, and lie down on command. This is crucial for a large breed like a Berner because adults are strong and challenging to control if they haven’t picked up manners. To increase your dog’s comfort and confidence, try exposing it to a variety of people, animals, and circumstances.
Berners respond favorably to consistent, encouraging training methods like clicker training. They can get shut off with such instruction since they are sensitive to severe criticism. Furthermore, much like many other large-breed dogs, they take longer to mature physically and mentally, so be patient with your pet and keep in mind that numerous brief training sessions each day—only a few minutes long—are more efficient than one lengthy one.
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