The Bernese Mountain Dog is a beautiful breed of family dog that offers excellent results in search, rescue and therapeutic support. These dogs are calm, docile and sociable, as well as being very intelligent.
If you are considering adopting a Bernese Mountain Dog, in this article we will go over everything you need to know about him.
Origin of the Bernese Mountain Dog
The Bernese Mountain Dog is descended from old farm dogs that inhabited the hills and alpine plains near Bern, Switzerland, and were used as guardians, shepherds, and to pull carts that carried dairy products.
They were originally known as Dürrbächler – the name referred to the fact that they were seen frequently in the city of Dürrbach. In 1910, their name was changed to what they now receive: Bernese Mountain Dog.
Over time, the Bernese Mountain Dog gained popularity as a family, show and working dog due to its good temperament and beauty. Today, they are the most popular of the four Sennenhund or Swiss mountain dog breeds and are loved all over the world.
Physical traits of the Bernese Mountain Dog
Bernese Mountain Dogs are between 64 and 70 cm tall and weigh around 50 kg. With their long tricolor coat and large size, these dogs are quite impressive to most dog lovers. His head is large but proportionate. His nose is black and his eyes are brown and almond-shaped. Their ears are medium-sized and triangular in shape, with a rounded tip and set high on the head.
His silhouette is a little longer than tall. The chest is wide and has a slightly raised belly, nothing drooping. The tail is long and hangs down when the dog is at rest; when in action, it can be raised to the level of the back or higher.
The most recognizable trait of the breed is the coat: it is long, shiny and smooth or slightly wavy. The base color is black, with reddish-brown and white markings in a particular pattern. Come on, a show of colors that combine perfectly in this breed.
Temperament of the Bernese Mountain Dog
Although Bernese Mountain Dogs were used as guard dogs in the past, their temperament is closer to that of family dogs: docile and friendly. When they have matured, they become calm, independent, confident, easy to deal with, stable, and generally peaceful.
Like any other dog, the Bernese Mountain Dog must socialize with other dogs and humans from puppies. Still, this process is usually easy thanks to their pleasant temperament: although they can be reserved with strangers, they are not usually aggressive. They get along well with children, but in adulthood they are not very playful. They generally live well with other dogs and pets.