Dog blog
Top 10 Things I Wish I Knew About a Bernese Mountain Dog
Growing up, I’ve always had a steady stream of dogs as companions, so it was a no-brainer that the moment I started my own family, I knew I wanted my children to experience the same kind of loyalty and compassion I did. A bond between a child and their dog is something unexplainable, it’s really like having your best friend with you 24/7. I’ve had 3 dogs growing up — all medium-sized mixed breeds — so the decision to adopt a dog from a rescue also came naturally to me.
What I did not plan for, though, was coming home with a dog much bigger than I ever had!
When I went to the dog rescue shelter, I was fully set on getting a medium-sized dog. I wasn’t really hung up on any particular breed, it’s just that I was used to taking care of terrier-sized dogs all my life.
When I got to the shelter, though, I locked eyes with the most gorgeous Bernese Mountain Dog rescue puppy and I fell in love right away!
I’ve had my beloved Berner (a popular nickname for the Bernese Mountain Dog) now for around 2 years and I’ve never regretted my decision. I don’t recommend adopting a Berner without doing proper research, though, so don’t be like me! There are a ton of things I didn’t know about the breed that I feel like I should’ve known prior to signing the adoption papers.
Here are the top 10 things I wish I knew before getting a Bernese Mountain Dog.
1.They are HUGE
Don’t judge me for this one — I knew Bernese Mountain Dogs were big but I just didn’t realize how big they were. Bernese Mountain Dog puppies are large babies that grow into even larger dogs.
According to the American Kennel Club, the typical Bernese Mountain Dog size when fully grown is:
Height: 25-27.5 inches (male), 23-26 inches (female)
Weight: 80-115 pounds (male), 70-95 pounds (female)
Just like with most breeds (or animals even), males are slightly larger than females.
It’s a good thing I live in a fairly big house with lots of room for my Berner to move around without fear of knocking things over. If you live in an apartment or have lots of fragile decor in your home, a Berner may not be a good breed for you.
2. They make excellent family dogs
Despite their massive size, they are big goofballs. It’s no wonder they are regarded as one of the 10 best dog breeds for families. They have an even temper and a pretty calm disposition, making them a good pet even for hyperactive kids. They’re very patient and don’t mind having little ones tugging on them. Despite their understanding nature, it’s still important to train your Bernese Mountain Dog and child to interact properly with each other. Your child needs to know not to manhandle your dog and you need to train your dog about what behavior is acceptable. Keep in mind that because of the Bernese Mountain Dog’s size, they do have a tendency to (unintentionally) knock over smaller children!
3. They need a fair amount of exercise
Because Berners were bred to be working dogs, they’re used to moving around quite a lot. Although not as active as other working breeds like the Labradors or Boxers, Bernese Mountain Dogs still need their daily walks. I find that going for an hour-long walk a day is enough to keep my Berner happy. If he doesn’t get his daily walk, he gets antsy and tends to run around the house a lot.
Bernese Mountain Dogs also do well in agility training, carting, and similar activities if you’re looking to enroll your pup in something similar. Just make sure to keep the treats to a minimum but I’ll get more into that later.
4. They are fiercely loyal
I know, every dog is loyal but no one holds a candle to the Berner. They love to please their owners and will do absolutely anything to make you happy! To a certain degree, they also make good guard dogs because they protect their owners at all costs. While they are protective, they are by no means aggressive, so you don’t need to worry about that. They just really love their humans and want to keep them safe!
If you have children, you’ll find that they’ll always have playmates because your Berner will always be willing to join in on any activity.
5. They need to be socialized at an early age
While Berners are known for being generally chill dogs, they still need to learn how to socialize properly. Socializing is important for any dog, especially large dog breeds. Bernese Mountain Dogs can be quite shy and timid at first, especially around other dogs, so you need to socialize them while they are puppies. I recommend taking them to the local dog park, doggy daycare, or if your neighborhood has one, pet-friendly cafe, so they meet other pupfriends!
Berners love being around their family and will play as often as you’d like. Please, if you’re thinking about getting a Berner and keeping it in a kennel or leash all day, then just choose another breed. You’re going to make your Berner miserable as they don’t deal with isolation and captivity well.
6. They love the cold
Bernese Mountain Dogs originated from the Swiss Alps. In fact, they were originally called Berner Sennenhund, literally German for the “alpine pasture dog from Berne, Switzerland.” To survive the below freezing temperatures, they’ve adapted to have a super-thick coat to keep them warm and toasty. It’s a good thing I live in the Pacific Northwest so it’s naturally cool all year round, which is perfect for my Berner.
This doesn’t mean that Berners HAVE to live in a cold area. Berners can technically live in any country or city. It’s just that they are better suited to colder climates. If you do live in hotter weather, I hope you turn on the a/c or keep a fan pointed at your pooch to help cool them down! Avoid walking them at noon or midafternoon. Early mornings or evenings are best so your dog doesn’t overheat. If your schedule doesn’t permit this, you may want to reconsider getting a Bernese Mountain Dog as a pet.
7. They shed A LOT
Berners are easily recognizable by their gorgeous tri-color coat. They have a double coat, meaning they have a long outer coat and a wooly coat underneath which helps keep them warm in the frigid Swiss temperatures. Be careful not to over bathe them as this can dry out their skin. Once or twice a week is enough. You will need to regularly trim their nails and clean their ears to prevent any infections.
On Bernese Mountain Dog shedding: make sure you have a powerful vacuum and be prepared to make your lint remover your best friend. Every time I leave the house, I have remnants of my Teddy with me no matter how much I try to brush the hair off. I’ve just learned to deal with it and wear mostly black clothing so that the fur blends in! While Berners shed throughout the year, it tends to peak during spring and fall, so make sure you brush your Berner’s coat regularly to collect as much of the fur out yourself. Oh, and don’t forget to slap on a flea collar!
Berners also have what’s called a loose jowl. This means they have a tendency to slobber all over the place. If you’re a neat freak, fur + drool = a nightmare for you.
8. They are prone to being overweight
Bernese Mountain Dogs have a tendency to be on the heftier side, so you should watch out what you feed your Berner. Whether that’s commercially made dog food or your own blend, you should make sure their meals are portion controlled and you give treats sparingly. Personally, I prefer giving my dog boiled chicken mixed with a little rice and carrots but consult with your vet to find the best food for your Berner. They’ll be basing your dog’s food based on their age, current weight, and how active they are.
Don’t forget the daily walks! Playtime can also be used to help keep your Berner’s wait at bay.
9. There are certain health conditions to watch out for
While we’re on the subject of health, Bernese Mountain Dogs do have a few sicknesses they are known for. My mistake was not researching on what these were before adopting Teddy but thankfully he’s healthy as can be right now. So I make it a point to schedule regular visits to the vet, keep his ears clean, and go on daily walks so he stays healthy.
Don’t make the same mistake as I did by being ignorant about Bernese Mountain Dogs’ possible health problems as these may be costly if ever your Berner contracts any one of them. Know the risks before committing to a Berner. The possible health problems they may face include:
- Hip dysplasia – hip joint laxity because of poor development, which will eventually lead to arthritis.
- Elbow dysplasia – elbow joint laxity because of poor development, which will eventually lead to arthritis in dogs.
- Entropion – inward turning eyelids.
- Gastric Torsion – this condition is sometimes called “bloat” and mainly affects large, deep-chested dogs. Gastric torsion is a life-threatening conditioning also called ‘bloat’ this is a life-threatening condition especially if they are fed one large meal a day, eat rapidly, drink large volumes of water after eating, or exert themselves after eating (through exercise or rough play).
10. They have a short life span
This is something common when it comes to big dogs vs smaller dogs – big dogs typically have a shorter life span compared to their smaller counterparts. But I didn’t expect a Berner’s life span to be this short. On average, Berners live around 7-10 years, so you better make the most out of your dog’s life! It’s a good thing that when we got Teddy, we were able to adopt him when he was still a puppy so we get to keep him a lot longer. If you’re adopting a Berner too, keep in mind that adults may not have much longer to live so be prepared for heartbreak.
Where should you get your Berner?
There are many ads out there claiming to have Bernese Mountain Dogs or you may even spot a Berner puppy in your pet shop, but I urge you to please, adopt don’t shop. Many of the issues I mentioned earlier about Berners’ health issues stem from unethical breeding practices (i.e., from puppy mills or backyard breeders) where not much consideration is put into the dogs’ health.
While you can find reputable Bernese Mountain Dog breeders, buying from them will cost you an arm and a leg. I’m talking about at least $1,500 a puppy and that doesn’t include veterenary fees.
If you’re going to spend that much on a dog, why not use the money towards the actual care of the dog? Bernese Mountain Dog adoption is possible as there are many families who give up their Berners because they were not ready (whether that’s physically, mentally, or even financially) to take care of one so just scour through nearby shelters or call ones up to inquire about Berner availabilities. I guarantee there’s at least one there who is eagerly waiting to be adopted and would love to be a part of your home!
While I never planned on getting a Berner, I have zero regrets on bringing one home. Welcoming my Berner, Teddy, was one of the best decisions I have ever made for myself and my family. My children absolutely adore having Teddy around and Teddy can’t help but dote on the kids as well. Although my life has gotten a whole lot messier with him around, I wouldn’t have it any other way.
