Hi, You arrived at this page because you want to know more about the Bernese Mountain Dog. Perhaps you are contemplating having a "Berner" as they are known, join your family? This page will give you some "FAQs" or Facts, about the Bernese Mountain Dog. At the bottom of this page I will list some good books you may want to purchase to further your "Berner Education."  The main thing that grabbed your attention when seeing a Bernese Mountain dog for the first time probably would to have been his or her striking appearance.
The Bernese with their beautiful shiney, flowing, black fur and bright white, and rich rust markings can draw your attention from quite a distance.
Bernese Mountain Dogs though are just as beautiful on the inside, if not more beautiful, than on the outside.
It must be noted however that if a Bernese does not have the proper temperament, none of the rest will matter.
Let me digress.
The Bernese Mountain dog was bred to be a working animal.
In Switzerland, his originating country, he was used as a general purpose farm dog capable of many tasks.
Many Bernese were used to pull carts loaded with milk cans from the dairies, into town to the creameries.  A Typical SnoBear Male
He would be hitched to his cart and many times sent off on his own to take the milk to town, deliver it to be unloaded at the creamery, then take his cart back home.
To me this shows a great deal of intelligence, and committment to his master.
For a dog to perform this task without distractions along the way of a two - five mile journey, one way, through the countryside, unaccompanied is amazing!
Bernese also were used as herders. Herding the sheep and other livestock from pasture to pasture.
Many dogs today even without formal training to hone these skills still show herding instincts. Some "herd" children around the house.    Bernese while being self confident, and intelligent, are very people loving dogs.
They are not a breed that perfers to be outside, by themselves. They much prefer to be where ever their owners, or families are.
Berners will follow you from room to room, laying down at your feet where ever you stop.
Bernese are NOT kennel dogs, or dogs that will be happy left alone for large amounts of time.
A Bernese whose owners or family is gone a great deal of the time may become distructive, or become a nuisence barker to get attention.
Puppies who are left alone a great deal of the time can become very shy, or fearful.
For this reason a Bernese Mountain Dog puppy must be taken out in public places and socialized with people, and other dogs very early on, otherwise you could end up with a large dog that is very unsocial, and fearful of strangers, even to the point that he or she could become a fear biter if provoked.
On the other hand, a well socialized Bernese is a friend to almost all he/she meets. A Bernese Mountain Dog needs to have at least one or two courses of basic obedience training.
Adult Bernese males vary in size from 80 lbs. - 120 lbs. Females are typically smaller in size ranging from 70 lbs. - 100 lbs.
Being a working dog they are very strong. If your Bernese does not have obedience training he or she could be unpleasant to live with ie: pulling you around at the end of their leash, being unruly at the vets office, or in public, jumping up on visitors, etc.
What may seem "cute" behavior in a small Berner puppy can be very annoying or even dangerous in a 90 lb. adult!  Bernese are generally excellent with children and other animals.
Many Bernese are registered therapy dogs who visit old folks homes and hospitals, giving the patients a great deal of love and companionship.
These dogs however have had obedience training, and have been very well socialized, then tested and certified as Therapy Dogs.
Children in the family must also be taught the proper way to treat a puppy, play with a puppy, and must be taught to respect a puppy.
Any puppy who is allowed to be abused by a child will grow to resent the child and could in time retaliate against the abuse, and the abuser which could cause harm to the child. Therefore while training the dog is very, very, important, training the child on how to interact with, and treat the dog is of great importance too. Unlike many breeds in the working group, Bernese do not require the degree of exercise that their size may imply.
While a Bernese will happily join his/her master on long, tiring hikes, he will also be happy to sit at his side while watching tv.
Bernese have a very zestful love of life and will join in any activity with gusto!
But they also have the ability to "shut off" and relax just as easily. Bernese generally are not water dogs, preferring to just wade in water on a hot day rather than jump in and swim.
On the average Bernese do not make good retrievers. Usually they will retrieve once, maybe twice for you if you throw an object, but being very intelligent they figure, "Hey, if you are stupid enough to throw it away three times, YOU can go get it!" A healthy Bernese Mountain dog should live to be 10 years old.
However, Bernese like any other breed of dog can be affected by many health problems. Some may include: Cancers, kidney problems, skin allergies, heart problems, hip and elbow dysplasia and other afflictions.
For this reason some Bernese, if affected by cancer for instance can live much shorter lives. Suggested reading and web sites: Beautiful Bernese Mountain Dogs - Authors: Diane Russ and Shirle Rogers The Complete Bernese Mountain Dog - Author: Jude Simmons How To Be Your Dog's Best Friend - By: The Monks Of New Skete Bernese Mountain Dog Home Page Links to more Berner Info
I hope this has helped you get to know the Bernese Mountain Dog a little bit better.
If you have questions not covered here, please feel free to ask me by e-mail. Take care, Mary and Jeff
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