Bernese Mountain Dog
Also known as: Berner, Swiss Mountain Dog
Affectionate With Family
Affectionate With Family: Very Affectionate (5 out of 5)
How affectionate a breed is likely to be with family members, or other people he knows well. Some breeds can be aloof with everyone but their owner, while other breeds treat everyone they know like their best friend.
Good With Young Children
Good With Young Children: Excellent with Kids (5 out of 5)
A breed's level of tolerance and patience with childrens' behavior, and overall family-friendly nature. Dogs should always be supervised around young children, or children of any age who have little exposure to dogs.
Good With Other Dogs
Good With Other Dogs: Very Dog-Friendly (5 out of 5)
How generally friendly a breed is towards other dogs. Dogs should always be supervised for interactions and introductions with other dogs, but some breeds are innately more likely to get along with other dogs, both at home and in public.
Openness To Strangers
Openness To Strangers: Moderate (4 out of 5)
How welcoming a breed is likely to be towards strangers. Some breeds will be reserved or cautious around all strangers, regardless of the location, while other breeds will be happy to meet a new human whenever one is around!
Note: Scores reflect typical breed tendencies. Individual dogs may vary based on training, environment, and genetics.
Note: Some traits may be unavailable for certain breeds due to limited or inconsistent data from recognized sources.
Care Guide
- ●Bernese Mountain Dog grooming requires handling their double coat—longer outer coat and wooly undercoat—with weekly brushing, increasing to daily during twice-yearly shedding season to remove loose hair and prevent tangles using a slicker brush or metal comb
- ●Nails must be trimmed regularly to avoid pain and structural issues from overly long nails
Colors & Markings
Colors
Health Information
Bernese Mountain Dogs are typically robust, but responsible breeders prioritize health testing for hip and elbow dysplasia, genetic disorders, certain cancers, and progressive retinal atrophy. Like all large breeds, they face bloat risk—a critical, life-threatening stomach condition requiring owner awareness of symptoms and immediate action. Regular ear checks for infections and dental care with dog-safe toothpaste are essential for maintaining their overall well-being.
Recommended Health Tests
📜 History
Frequently Asked Questions
🔗Related Breeds
Breeds similar to Bernese Mountain Dog
Overview
About This Breed
The Bernese Mountain Dog is a gentle, affectionate, and good-natured breed known for its calm and strong demeanor. Highly sociable with family, children, and other dogs, they are also open to strangers but possess a protective nature. Their playful yet adaptable temperament makes them a loyal and loving companion, though they thrive best in environments where they are included in daily activities and not left alone for long periods.
🎭Temperament
Purpose
Farming and herding, including droving cattle, guarding farmyards, and pulling heavy loads as drafting dogs
Breed for
Draft work
Best Suited For
Active families or individuals with outdoor lifestyles, including those who enjoy camping, hiking, or rural living
Ideal Owner Profile
This breed is ideal for an experienced or patient owner who enjoys an active, outdoor lifestyle and can provide consistent companionship, as they do best in homes where they are not isolated for extended periods.
Training Difficulty
Moderate
Care Difficulty
High
Common Challenges
Owners may face challenges with heavy shedding and grooming needs, as well as potential health issues like hip/elbow dysplasia and a shorter lifespan due to their large size.
Trust & Transparency
About Our Data
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Accuracy Assured
Our breed data is standardized using a consistent scoring system across temperament, trainability, and care needs to ensure fair comparisons based on the same criteria.
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We regularly update information as new data becomes available. Our goal is to provide an honest, helpful resource for researching dog breeds and adoption decisions.