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Bernese Mountain Dog Breed Introduction
Bernese Mountain Dog (simply referred to as Bernese or Bernese Mountain) is one of the four Swiss Cattle Dogs from canton of Bern in Switzerland. The other three Swiss Mountain dogs include: Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, Entlebucher Mountain Dog, and Appenzeller Sennenhund. However, of the four types of Swiss Cattle Dogs, Bernese Mountain Dog is the only breed that has a long coat. It has roots in the Roman Mastiffs.
A Bernese was generally kept as a farm dog for droving cattle as well as pulling carts. It is known for its distinctive tricolored coat composed of three colors; clear white(on the chest), jet black, and rust. The hallmark of a Bernese is the intelligent gleam in the dark eyes and the distinctive markings on the face and coat. It is an affectionate dog that generally does well with children. It also has a patient temperament and will take well to children climbing over it. A Bernese maintains a dignified aloof around strangers and will only react if the owner is being attacked. In German speaking countries, a Bernese Mountain Dog is popular as a family dog.
Bernese Mountain Dog Origin | History
Originally from Berne( canton of Bern) in Switzerland, it is believed that Bernese Mountain Dogs were developed by crossing Roman Mastiffs with the Swiss Alps farm dogs. In its native homeland, a Bernese was used as an all purpose farm dog for driving dairy cattle over long distances from the farm to alpine pastures and also guarding property. The swiss Farmers also used these dogs to transport their milk and cheese. Therefore, known as Cheese Dogs by the locals.
However, the breeds numbers were declining in the late 19th century following farming mechanization and ranching. Fortunately, the quality of the surviving dogs left something to be desired. Swiss fanciers started efforts to reverse the decline of Bernese Mountain Dogs. They exhibited the Bernese dogs at shows in Berne. In 1907, a Swiss Breed Club was formed. The club wrote the Standard that defined Bernese Mountain Dogs as a separate breed. AKC, recognized Bernese as a breed in 1937. Currently, it is registered as an AKC working group. A Bernese has been growing in popularity. In 2013, it was ranked in the 32nd place by the American Kennel Club(AKC).
Bernese Mountain Dog Lifespan
According to the American Kennel Club, a Bernese has a lifespan of 7 to 10 years. It has reportedly being described to have a lifespan of 6 to 8 years. A Bernese Mountain Dog is one of the shortest-lived dog breeds compared to other purebred dogs and generally other breeds of similar size. However, in recent years, the lifespan of this breed has gone up to 10 years. This may be credited to more responsible breeding and the regard for genetic conditions. According to a UK survey conducted in 2004, the longest-lived of 394 deceased Bernese Dogs died at the age of 15 years 2 months(15.2 years).
Bernese Mountain Dog Grooming | Grooming Needs
A Bernese sheds all-year round at moderate levels. Brush the coat on a weekly basis to remove the loose hair, dirt, and maintain the natural gleam of the coat. Although, the coat is brushed on a daily basis during the heavy shedding season in Spring and Fall. This will help to remove the shed hair and reduce the amount of fur on the furniture and floor by confining it in a brush. Work on the tangles using a metal comb or a slicker brush. To avoid hair breakage, always spritz the coat using a detangling spray or a water conditioning solution before brushing.
A Bernese needs a bath once in a couple of weeks may be every 6 to 8 weeks depending on its lifestyle, how much time it spends in the dirt, and its activity level. However, regardless of the activity level, a Bernese Mountain Dog should be bathed at the beginning of the shedding season and after a period of 3 weeks to reduce itchy and dry skin. Although, frequent baths can dry out the natural oils present on the skin. When a Bernese goes into the water, make sure to dry its coat to prevent staph infections and hot spots. Use a hypoallergenic shampoo and conditioner while bathing your dog. Always brush the coat before bathing a Bernese. Tangles and mats will tend to get messier when wet.
After a bath, thoroughly rinse of the grooming products using lukewarm water to avoid skin irritation. Wipe the face using canine wipes, or a damp washcloth. Just like humans, Bernese eyes also get irritated with soapy water. Clean the ears on a weekly basis using cotton balls that have been soaked in an ear cleanser solution. Keep the ears of a Bernese clean since they can trap liquid, diet, and bacteria. Remember to check out for redness, dark discharge, and odor since they are signs of dog’s ear infection.
Trim the nails every 3 to 5 weeks using nail clippers or grinder. Overly grown nails make walking and running painful for a Bernese Mountain Dog. It can also cause structural problems. Brush the teeth of a Bernese twice a week if not daily using a dog-formulated toothpaste and toothbrush. Regular teeth cleaning helps to promote good oral health and prevent periodontal diseases. Although a Bernese should never be trimmed or shaved, owners may trim around the ears and paws for a smooth clean look. They should also trim the rear end for sanitary purposes.
Bernese Mountain Dog Grooming Tools
To fully groom a Bernese Mountain Dog, you will require the following grooming tools; a grooming table, metal comb or slicker brush, lukewarm water, hypoallergenic shampoo and conditioner, dry towel, canine wipes or damp wash cloth, ear cleanser solution, cotton balls, nail clippers, tooth brush, and dog-formulated toothpaste.
Bernese Mountain Dog Shedding | Shedding Level | Shedding Season
A Bernese sheds at moderate levels all-year round. However, they experience heavy shedding during Spring and Fall when experiencing seasonal change.
Bernese Mountain Dog Coat |Hair | Coat Types
A Bernese Mountain Dog has a double-layered coat with a bright natural sheen. The coat is made up of a wooly undercoat and a longer outer coat. The fur may be slightly straight or wavy.
Bernese Mountain Dog Hypoallergenic
Bernese dogs are not considered hypoallergenic. This is because they shed all-year round at moderate levels. A Bernese also blows of its coat in Spring and Fall. Shedding facilitates the spread of dander and fur around the house. This triggers allergic reactions in people who suffer from dog allergies. Dog’s hair, dander, saliva, urine, and mucus have a protein allergen that cause allergic inflammation in people.
Bernese Mountain Dog Training | How To Train A Bernese Mountain Dog
Naturally, it is easy to train a Bernese since it is an intelligent dog that is eager to please. Like all other large dogs, a Bernese needs early socialization and obedience training to grow into a well-adjusted, friendly, and well-mannered pet. A Bernese is also open-hearted and affectionate. Its feelings easily get hurt and so they don’t respond well to harsh training methods. They also suffer from separation anxiety when left alone for long hours. Therefore, pet parents are recommended to consider specific milestones and training to set a Bernese for a successful training.
Socialization training starts from the age of 3 weeks while the pooch is with the breeder until the age of 16 weeks after the dog has settled in its new home. Therefore, it is highly advisable to adapt a pup from a responsible breeder. Owners should take their pets home from the age of 8 weeks. To socialize a Bernese Mountain Dog, introduce it to new people, surfaces, animals, sights, smell, experiences, and sounds such as lawn mowers, vacuum cleaners, washing machine, baby crying sounds, sirens, and whistles. During the socialization period, steer clear of unfamiliar dogs until your puppy is fully vaccinated.
Enrolling a Bernese in a puppy class will also serve as a form of socialization. It provides a controlled environment where the dog gets to interact with other dogs. A Puppy class also enables a pet parent to identify and correct bad habits such as resource guarding. For the first couple of months, stairs should be kept to a minimum. Although most Bernese Mountain dogs go upstairs on their own, carry them down the stairs until they get too heavy. The same goes to car rides. Lift the pup from the ground to the car for the first year of life to avoid knee and elbow injuries.
Obedience training should start from the age of 16 weeks. This training will teach a Bernese not to jump on people, steal food from the table, knock into young children, and generally not take advantage of its large size. From the age of 4 to 6 months, a Bernese is in its adolescent stage. During this period, a puppy may tend to have a mind of its own tending to forget its training. A Bernese may also become fearful of new and familiar objects. However, patience, consistency, and being firm are key in training during this period.
Keep the training session short, challenging, and fun for a period of 5 to 10 minutes distributed throughout the day since puppies tend to easily get distracted. The training session span will increase up to a period of 15 minutes as the dog matures. Remember to teach basic commands word as soon as the puppy comes home. Some of the command words that a Bernese dog can learn include come, sit, stay, heel, down, leave it, etc. Teach one basic command at a time until the pet understands before proceeding to the next command word.
Avoid issuing a command while too excited or frustrated since it may not sound the same to your pooch. As earlier, mentioned, a Bernese may suffer from separation anxiety if left alone for long hours. Therefore , crate training is recommended to teach the dog to stay alone for a few hours. This device is also a safe haven where the dog can retreat to during the day. For effective housebreaking, creating feeding schedule, potty training, and crate training is a must do.
How To Potty Train a Bernese Mountain Dog Puppy
Before bringing a Bernese Mountain Dog home, choose a designated toilet area when it will be doing its business. It is also recommended to understand that the bladder and bowel muscles of a pup strengthens as the it matures. An 8-week old Bernese will be able to hold for a period of 2 hours while a 12-week-old pup will hold for 3 hours before eliminating. A crate is also an indispensable tool during potty training. It enables the owners to closely monitor a Bernese pup for signs that it wants to eliminate such as whining, circling, squatting, sniffing, and trying to lift a leg against the crate wall. Naturally, a Bernese and other dog breeds avoid soiling where they sleep.
When your bring a Bernese Mountain dog puppy home, immediately start potty training. For positive outcomes, take the pup outside to the designated toilet area immediately it wakes up, after meals and drinks, every 2 to 3 hours, before bedtime, following an exciting activity such as playtime and car rides, and after spending time in the crate. The elimination spot should be far from the patio deck and BBQ spot. While potty training outside, avoid use of pee pads which may make your pet to understand it is okay to pee inside the house. The potty breaks of every 2 to 3 hours, will change to a period of every 6 hours after the dog is 6 months old when the bladder and bowel muscles strengthen.
Once you get to the toilet area, utter the command word, toilet or potty depending on your preference. However, avoid interchangeably using the two names since it will be confusing for your pet. Remain in the potty area for a period of 15 minutes, to allow the bladder and bowel muscles to relax for a pee or poo. If the dog fails to eliminate, return it to the same spot after 15 minutes. Before, a Bernese Mountain Dog puppy is fully housebroken, it may experience accidents in the house. When this happens, avoid yelling. Instead carry the dog to the designated potty area where it can do its business.
If the dog eliminates, give it lots of praise and back rubs. Remember to clean the mess using an iodine solution or an enzymatic detergent to get rid of the odor. If the odor is retained, a pup is likely to eliminate in the house once it sniffs. Before the age of 16 weeks, Bernese parents are urged to set an alarm to take the puppy to the elimination area at least once a night.
Bernese Mountain Dog Temperament | Traits
- Aloof of strangers.
- Gentle.
- Intelligent.
- Eager to please.
- Patient.
- Calm.
- Alert.
- Self-confident.
- Good-natured.
- Docile.
- Affectionate.
- Sensitive.
- Tolerant.
Bernese Mountain Dog Exercise
A Bernese needs at least 30-minutes of moderate exercise daily to stay happy and healthy. Although they are indoor dogs, they enjoy outdoor activities with the human family such as hikes and long walks. An Outdoorsy owner will enjoy camping and backpacking with their Bernese dogs. A Bernese Mountain dog may also participate in tracking, rally, obedience, herding, agility, drafting, and carting. However, pet parents are cautioned against strenuous exercise for puppies before the age of 15 months when the growth plates close. Inadequate exercise results to barking.
Bernese Mountain Dog Barking
A Bernese seldom barks unless it has a good reason. It will back due to pent-up energy as a result of inadequate exercise. Bernese Mountain Dogs are also alert and will bark when an intruder is approaching.
Bernese Mountain Dog Growling
Growling is a form of dog’s communication when giving a warning, guarding resources, and while in pain. A Bernese may also growl to an intruder.
Bernese Mountain Dog Height
A female Bernese has a height of 23 to 26 inches ( approx. 58 to 66 cm ) while its male counterpart has a height of 25 to 27.5 inches ( approx. 64 to 70 cm ).
Bernese Mountain Dog Weight
According to AKC, a male Bernese Mountain Dog has a weight of 80 to 115 pounds ( approx. 35 to 52 Kg) while its female counterpart has a weight of 7o to 95 pounds ( approx. 30 to 43 kg). However, some male Bernese dogs may weigh up to 150 pounds ( approx. 70 kg) while some female Bernese dogs weigh 100 pounds ( approx. 45 kg).
Bernese Mountain Dog Size
A Bernese Mountain is a large-sized sturdy worker dog. However, Male Bernese Mountain Dogs are slightly bigger when compared to their female counterparts in terms of weight and height. Male Bernese dogs have a weight of 80 to 115 pounds ( approx. 35 to 52 Kg) and a height of 25 to 27.5 inches ( approx. 64 to 70 cm ) while female Bernese dogs have a weight of 7o to 95 pounds ( approx. 30 to 43 kg) and a height of 23 to 26 inches ( approx. 58 to 66 cm ).
Bernese Mountain Dog Bite Force
A Bernese Mountain Dog has a bite force of 200 PSI.
Bernese Mountain Dog Biting
Bernese puppy biting and nipping is rampant when the dog is playing, exploring its environment, and teething due to discomfort. Puppy biting may seem adorable but not for long after the dog matures in size and has serious biting issues. Therefore, pet parents should discourage Bernese pups from nipping their clothes, hands, feet, and shoes. This may be done through bite inhibition training and redirection.
Bernese Mountain Dog Ear Infection
A Bernese Mountain Dog has medium-sized triangular shaped ears that have a rounded tip. When in rest, the ears hang close to the head covering the ear canal against dirt and debris. However, they prevent air flow which results to accumulation of moisture. Floppy ears also create a dark and humid environment for bacteria to thrive. Therefore, a Bernese is susceptible to ear infections. Causes of ear infections in this breed include excessive cleaning, accumulation of moisture, ear mites, injury to the ear canal, yeast imbalances, excess wax, dirt, or debris, and endocrine disorders such as Hypoadrenocorticism.
Bernese Mountain Dogs are predisposed to three types of ear infections; externa, media, and interna otitis respectively. Externa otitis is far more common and causes inflammation to the cells located in the external ear canal. If left untreated, the infection spreads to the cells in the middle and inner ear canal. Inflammation of the cells in the middle and inner ear canal is media and interna otitis respectively. These infections cause facial paralysis, deafness, and vestibular signs such as disorientation, dizziness, and blurred vision.
Symptoms manifested by a Bernese dog that is suffering from an ear infection include walking in circles, pain, head shaking, disorientation, scabs in the ears, rubbing the affected ear against the surface, itchiness, redness, dark discharge, and odor.
Bernese Mountain Dog Eye Problems
Some of the eye conditions that a Bernese may suffer from include:
Progressive Retinal Atrophy – This is an eye problem that causes genetic diseases that is characterized by the bilateral degeneration of the retina causing progressive vision loss culminating to blindness.
Cataracts – A Bernese that is suffering from cataracts has whitish and cloudy eye lens gradually leading to vision loss.
Bernese Mountain Dog Health Issues
A Bernese Mountain Dog is generally a healthy dog that may be affected by certain health issues. Cancer has been reported to be the leading cause of death. Type of cancer that a Bernese is predisposed to include osteosarcoma, fibrosarcoma, lymphosarcoma, mast cell tumor, histiocytic sarcoma, and malignant histiocytosis. Other health problems that a Bernese Mountain Dog may suffer from include hypoadrenocorticism, cataracts, Progressive Retinal Atrophy, bloat, cruciate ligament, hip dysplasia, blood disorders, and elbow dysplasia.
Bernese Mountain Dog Names
A Bernese Mountain Dog parent may decide to find a name before the pup joins the family or several days after adoption to understand better personality of the dog in question. Owners may get name inspirations from the Swiss origin, personality of the dog, celebrity Bernese dogs, nature, historical figures, suggested names on various sites, coat color, food, music, and movies.
Regardless of where you get your inspiration, ensure that the name uttered freely rolls off your tongue and won’t make you embarrassed when uttered out loud in the public places. If a Bernese parent settles with a long name, he or she should find a cute nick name for the dog.
Remember that Bernese Mountain dogs and other dog breeds better understand names that have vowels. If a Bernese has a name that rhymes with a command word, it will confusing for the pet. Also, giving your pet a name that belongs to a family member or people who frequent your household may cause confusion.
Female Bernese Mountain Dog Names
- Mesa.
- Matilda.
- Nala.
- Ella.
- Nessa.
- Willow.
- Rosie.
- Sadie.
- Elena.
- Harley.
- Giada.
- Geneva, etc.
Bernese Mountain Dogs Seizures
A Bernese is also predisposed to seizures(fits, or convulsions). Seizure refers to the disturbance of the normal functioning of the brain that is normally accompanied by uncontrollable muscle activity. Causes of seizures are categorized into three; primary, secondary, and reactive seizures.
Primary seizures are hereditary even though the cause is unknown. Therefore, they are referred to as idiopathic epilepsy. Secondary seizures are caused by stroke, injury to the head, and brain tumor. Whereas, reactive seizures occur once the brain detects a problem with metabolism due to toxins, organ failure, and low blood sugar.
The intensity of seizures is categorized into two; Focal and Grand Mal seizures. A Bernese that is suffering from a focal seizure is conscious since it only affects one part of the brain. Grand mal seizures affect both parts of the brain causing loss of consciousness, stiffening of the muscles, a foaming mouth, urination and defecation.
Male Bernese Mountain Dog Names
- Otto.
- Miles.
- Gus.
- Freddie.
- Axe.
- Max.
- Murphy.
- Buddy.
- Luther.
- Picabo.
- Moose, etc.
Bernese Mountain Dog Heat Cycle | Mating
A female Bernese experiences the first heat cycle at the age of 9 to 15 months. The dog stays in heat season for a period of 2 to 3 weeks. The heat cycle may recur every 6 to 8 months while some will go into the heat season every 8 to 10 months. Early bloomers will go on a heat cycle as early as 6 months while late bloomers may experience their heat cycle from the age of 18 months.
Unlike humans, a Bernese dam experience estrus cycle throughout its life. Therefore, it possible for a Bernese to get pregnant while a senior. Some of the symptoms exhibited by a Bernese dog while on a heat cycle include a swollen vulva, bloody discharge, tail flagging, increased urination, changes in eating habits, nesting behaviors, and mood swings. Before breeding a potential dam and sire, ensure they are both screened for elbow and hip dysplasia, cancers predisposed to the breed, blood disorders, and progressive retinal atrophy.
It is recommended to wait until the dam is at least 2 years old before breeding. This allows the dog to mature physically and emotionally to take care of a litter. A Bernese that is bred before the age of 2 years is likely to reject the puppies. Breeders and pet parents are cautioned against breeding an aggressive dam since the puppies may be aggressive or fearful.
Bernese Mountain Dog Litter Size
After conception, a Bernese dam has a gestation period of 63 days before whelping an average litter size of 5 to 7 puppies. However, some may have a litter size of up to 15 puppies.
Bernese Mountain Dog Collar | Harness
A Collar is the preferred accessory to walk a dog that is less likely to pull on a leash. Dogs pull while excited to meet other dogs and people. If the dog pulls while on a collar, it exerts pressure on the neck and throat. Owners have better control over a dog if they attach a leash to a harness. Even though, they may opt to use both a collar and a harness. A collar to attach the rabies and ID tag while the harness will attach the leash.
Bernese Mountain Dog Feeding
The amount of food that a Bernese feeds on depends on its activity level, metabolism, size, age, and body build. A Bernese puppy has a high metabolism rate as compared to adult and senior dogs. Therefore, a pup should feed 3 or 4 times a day when they start weaning until the age of 6 months. From the age of 6 months a Bernese pup will feed twice a day for life.
A Bernese is a large-sized dog that has a rapid growth rate. Pet owners should ensure that the puppies are fed with the right amount of food to avoid damage to the growth plates in the joints. Consult with the Vet on the proper amount of food that your pooch should feed on depending on its weight.
Bernese Mountain Dog Food
A Bernese Mountain Dog is a large-sized breed that has a deep chest. Therefore, it is prone to bloat or gastric torsion. It should not feed one large meal a day, drink large amounts of water after eating, and exercise vigorously an hour before or after a meal. Bloat is a life threatening condition that can claim the life of your Bernese. AKC recommends pet parents to familiarize with signs of bloat and what to do in such circumstances.
A Bernese may feed on dry food, wet food, home made, or a raw diet depending on the budget and time of the pet parent. Regardless of the food type, owners should ensure that the pet feeds on a balanced diet to maintain a good health and to allow it to develop cognitively and physically. If the Bernese mountain Dog parent decide to feed a pet on the commercial dry or wet food, he or she should ensure the first three ingredients are proteins from a known source.
The commercial dog food should not contain preservatives, chemicals, additives, and fillers. The same goes to the snacks. Dry or wet food should also be formulated for large-sized puppies, adults, and seniors depending on the age of your Bernese. The best way to know whether you are overfeeding or underfeeding your pooch is to take it to the vet to be informed about its weight and health. However, you can also tell by checking the physique of your Bernese dog. If you can see a Bernese’s ribs, chances are they are being underfed. If the parent cannot feel the ribs of the pet under the coat, then chances are that it is being overfeed.
When you get a Bernese Mountain Dog from a responsible breeder, chances are that you will want to switch to another quality of food than the one it was previous feeding on. Gradually do this by mixing 3/4 old food with a 1/4 new food for the first week. During the second week, feed your Bernese pup with the same amount of the new food and old food. On the third week feed your pet with 3/4 of the new food and 1/4 of old food. Totally switch to new food during the fourth week.
Bernese Mountain Dog Neck Size
A Bernese has a dog size of 20 to 22 inches ( approx. 51 to 56 cm ).
Bernese Mountain Dog Colors
This is a tricolored dog that has a coat made up of three colors; pure white, jet black, and rust.
Bernese Mountain Dog Types
A Bernese Mountain dog is one of the four types of Swiss Cattle dogs. However, there is only one type of pure bred Bernese.
Apart from Bernese Mountain Dogs, other breeds of dogs include:
Pug.
Bernese Mountain Dog Allergies
A Bernese Mountain Dog is affected by various forms of allergies as discussed below:
Skin allergies – A Bernese is predisposed to skin allergies due to food, contact, and environmental allergies. Food allergies cause skin issues symptoms such as hives, lesions, and dermatitis. Environmental allergies cause atopic dermatitis, a condition that results in the inflammation of the skin which causes itchiness, rash, lesions, and redness.
Food allergies – Bernese Mountain dog may be affected by a true food allergy that causes an immune response and is accompanied by skin issues and gastrointestinal symptoms.
Contact allergies – This inflammation occurs once the skin of a Bernese comes in contact with the allergens. Some of the allergens that affect Bernese Mountain Dogs include plastics, grooming products, carpet cleaning detergents, lawn chemicals, bed linens, certain fabrics, latex, and medication. Commonly affected body parts include Bernese’s paws, around the muzzle, and feet. Contact allergies make a Great Pyrenees to have intense scratching and biting which causes secondary skin infections if left unattended.
Environmental allergies – One of the environmental allergies that cause an allergic reaction includes flea. The saliva of this insect results to flea allergy dermatitis that usually affects the back legs and underneath the tail. This makes a Bernese dog to scratch, bite, and lick until the skin around the bite area is raw. If left unattended, it may cause yeast and bacterial infections. Other environmental allergens that affect this breed include pollen, trees, grass, ragweed, mites, dust and dust mites, and house molds. Symptoms of environmental allergies in Bernese Mountain Dogs include nasal discharge, congestion, and itchiness on various body parts including paws, feet, eyes, muzzle, underarms, groin, belly sides, and between the toes.
Bernese Mountain Dog Food Allergies
Although rare, a Bernese Mountain Dog may also be affected by food allergies. A true food allergy results in an immune response which is accompanied with a wide range of symptoms ranging from skin issues symptoms to gastrointestinal stress symptoms. Skin issues symptoms include hot spots, crusting lesions, facial swelling, pruritus, and dermatitis while gastrointestinal symptoms include acute diarrhea and vomiting as well as weight loss.
Apart from food allergies, a Bernese may also be affected with food sensitivity or intolerance. Food Intolerance occurs as a gradual response to an offending ingredient in the diet and snacks of the dog. Some of the ingredients that cause sensitivity include lamb, chicken, beef, milk, eggs, pork, fish, fillers, corn, soy, wheat, additives, chemicals, preservatives, etc.
Signs of food intolerance include vomiting, diarrhea, poor skin and coat, foot infections, and ear infections. Bernese parents are urged to work closely with the vet to manage the symptoms exhibited as well as find the offending ingredient.
Bernese Mountain Dog Eyes
A Bernese Mountain Dog has slightly oval shaped eyes that are dark brown in color.
Bernese Mountain Dog Ears
A Bernese Mountain Dog has medium-sized ears that are triangular in shape with rounded tips. When the dog is in repose, the ears hang close to the head.
Bernese Mountain Dog Tail
A Bernese has a bushy tail that should be carried low when the dog is at rest. When alert, the tail should never be carried over the back.
Bernese Mountain Dog Teeth
During birth, a Bernese pup is born with no teeth. However, the teeth starts growing in at the age of 2 to 3 weeks until the dog has a total of 28 deciduous teeth at the age of 6 to 8 weeks. At the age of 12 weeks, permanent adult teeth starts erupting underneath the milk teeth until the dog has a total of 42 milk teeth. Once the permanent teeth starts growing in, pet parents are urged to start brushing the teeth of a Bernese at least twice a week if not daily to prevent tooth loss, gum inflammation, and bad oral breathe.
Bernese Mountain Dog Nose
An adult Bernese dog has a black nose.
Are Bernese Mountain Dogs Hypoallergenic
No. Bernese Mountain Dogs are not hypoallergenic. They shed all-year round at moderate levels and heavily while blowing off their coats in Spring and Fall. Shedding allows spreads of dander and hair that triggers allergic reactions in people who suffer from dog allergies. Apart from dander and hair, Bernese’s saliva, mucus, and urine have a protein allergen that triggers an allergic inflammation.
Are Bernese Mountain Dogs Aggressive
No. Bernese Mountain Dogs are loyal, loving, affectionate, good-natured, and docile dogs that are aloof to strangers. However, they will be aggressive to intruders who attack their owners.
Are Bernese Mountain Dogs Easy To Train
Yes. Bernese Mountain Dogs are easy to train since they are eager to please their owners and they are intelligent dogs.
Are Bernese Mountain Dogs Protective
Yes. Even though they are docile and dignified aloof of strangers, Bernese dogs will react to protect the owner in a scenario where the owner is being attacked.
Are Bernese Mountain Dogs Smart
Yes. Bernese Mountain Dogs are smart and eager to please which makes training easy.
Bernese Mountain Dogs Quick Facts
- A Bernese Mountain Dog has a short lifespan when compared to other other breeds of similar size and generally to other pure bred dogs.
- Bernese Mountain Dogs are known for their distinctive tricolor made up of three colors; rust, pure white, and jet black.
- Like a Newfoundland Dog, a Bernese has dewclaws that are often removed.
