The Bernese Mountain Dog coat is a thick, double-layered coat that's a hallmark of this majestic breed.
It's made up of a soft, dense undercoat and a coarser, longer outer coat that sheds heavily.
This coat requires regular grooming to prevent matting and tangling, which can be a challenge for some owners.
Bernese Mountain Dogs shed heavily, especially during shedding season, so be prepared for regular brushing and vacuuming.
The Coat
The Bernese Mountain Dog's coat is a stunning feature that sets them apart from other breeds. It's a thick double coat with a longer outer coat and a wooly undercoat.
This coat is tricolored, with a majority of the body covered in jet-black hair, rich rust, and bright white. A white marking on the chest, a white blaze between the eyes, and white on the tip of the tail are common characteristics.
The coat sheds moderately all year and heavily in the spring and fall, so brushing several times a week is essential to keep the coat clean and tangle-free. This will also reduce the amount of hair around the house.
The thickness of the tricolored coat enables Bernese Mountain Dogs to withstand harsh, cold climates. This is a testament to their original purpose as working dogs in Switzerland.
Their double coat can be either straight or wavy. Tricolor markings in black, rust, and white, or black, tan, and white are the two standard coat colors.
Regular grooming is crucial to prevent health problems, so brush your Bernese Mountain Dog's teeth at least two or three times a week to remove tartar buildup and bacteria.
Grooming and Care
The Bernese Mountain Dog's thick double coat is a beautiful thing, but it requires regular grooming to prevent matting and tangling. Brush your dog thoroughly at least weekly, and daily during shedding season.
Their coat sheds heavily, especially in the spring and fall, so be prepared for a lot of loose hair around the house. Brushing several times a week can help reduce the amount of hair.
To keep their coat clean and tangle-free, brush your Berner's teeth at least two or three times a week to remove tartar buildup and bacteria. Daily brushing is even better to prevent gum disease and bad breath.
Their nails need regular trimming to prevent painful tears and other problems. Trim them once a month if your dog doesn't wear them down naturally.
Regular ear cleaning is also essential to prevent ear infections, especially for dogs with floppy ears like the Bernese Mountain Dog. Check their ears weekly for dirt, redness, swelling, or smell.
Bathing your Berner roughly every month will help keep their coat clean and prevent skin problems. Be sure to dry their ears thoroughly after swimming or bathing.
As you groom your Berner, keep an eye out for sores, rashes, or signs of infection on their skin, nose, mouth, eyes, and feet. Regular grooming will help you spot potential health problems early.
Bernese Mountain Dogs are prone to overheating in the summer, so keep them inside on really hot days. They also shed a lot, especially during seasonal shedding, so be prepared for a lot of loose hair.
Consider reading: How Do You Get Water Out of Dogs Ears
To prevent painful splitting, cracking, or breaking of their nails, trim them regularly. Daily brushing may be necessary during seasonal shedding to prevent matting and tangling.
Regular grooming will help you develop a good relationship with your Berner and make future veterinary exams easier. Handle their paws frequently and look inside their mouth to get them accustomed to being brushed and examined.
Breed Overview and Facts
The Bernese Mountain Dog coat is a thick, double coat that requires regular brushing and grooming. They shed heavily twice a year.
The Berner's coat color is typically black, rust, and white or black, tan, and white, as mentioned in the breed overview. This tricolor coat is a distinctive feature of the breed.
Here's a quick rundown of the Berner's size and weight:
The Berner's lifespan is relatively short, ranging from 7 to 10 years, and they're prone to health problems like hip and elbow dysplasia and bloat. Regular veterinary check-ups can help catch these issues early on.
Breed Overview
The Bernese Mountain Dog is a majestic breed with a rich history. They originated in the Swiss Alps and are part of the Sennenhund group, which also includes the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, the Appenzeller Mountain Dog, and the Entlebucher Mountain Dog.
These gentle giants are known for their friendly, gentle, and loyal temperament, making them a great choice for families with children. They're also good with other pets, but they do require regular exercise and attention.
To give your Bernese Mountain Dog the exercise they need, aim for at least 30 minutes of physical activity per day. They love hiking, playing fetch, and going for walks, so be prepared to get moving with your furry friend.
One thing to keep in mind is that Bernese Mountain Dogs are prone to certain health problems, such as hip and elbow dysplasia and bloat. Regular veterinary check-ups are crucial to catch any potential issues early on.
You might enjoy: White Swiss Shepherd Dog Lifespan
Here are the key stats to know about the Bernese Mountain Dog breed:
- Height: 23-26 inches (female), 25-27.5 inches (male)
- Weight: 70-95 pounds (female), 80-115 pounds (male)
- Coat: Thick, medium-length double coat
- Coat color: Black, rust, and white or black, tan, and white
- Lifespan: 7-10 years
Overall, the Bernese Mountain Dog is a loving and loyal companion that thrives on attention and exercise. With the right care and attention, they can make a wonderful addition to your family.
Breed Standard & History
The Bernese Mountain Dog is a well-balanced large breed dog with a sturdy appearance. They are slightly longer than they are tall.
The head is flat and broad with a strong muzzle. Triangular, medium-sized ears are high-set and hang, and large eyes offer an intelligent expression.
The Bernese Mountain Dog was developed in the Swiss Alps as a farm and drover dog. They are one of four Swiss Mountain Dog breeds.
The breed was most commonly used to herd livestock and pull carts loaded with cheese to market, but were also admirable watchdogs, tasked with guarding the farm or pasture.
The breed is called Berner Sennenhund in Switzerland, named for the Canton of Bern where they were developed. The name "Bernese Mountain Dog" was earned in 1904.
Worth a look: Albino Boxer Dogs
The Bernese Mountain Dog has a long, thick tri-color coat that may be black, rust, and white, or black, tan, and white, with symmetrical markings over the eyes, around the mouth, and on the chest.
The tail is long and bushy, not carried across the back or docked, and the feet are white.
Temperament and Behavior
The Bernese Mountain Dog is an even-tempered breed that's calm, friendly, and often playful with family. They are highly social dogs that thrive on interaction and attention from their loved ones.
Their intelligence makes them eager to please and easy to train, but they can be sensitive and prone to upset if punished or corrected harshly. Positive reinforcement is key to getting the best out of your Bernese Mountain Dog.
Despite their size and strength, Bernese Mountain Dogs are generally gentle and not aggressive, making them an excellent choice for people of all ages. However, their size can make them challenging for children or the elderly to manage.
One thing to note is that Bernese Mountain Dogs can be intimidating watchdogs with a deep bark, but they don't bark excessively. Their friendly nature towards strangers, other dogs, and pets makes them a great addition to many families.
Curious to learn more? Check out: Yorkshire Terrier Toy Size
Outdoor and General
The Bernese Mountain Dog is a calm and friendly breed, but they do have specific needs when it comes to the outdoors. They are not suited for extended periods of time alone outside.
They need plenty of time outdoors to run and play, but this should be done with caution in hot weather to prevent overheating. This sturdy working dog is well suited to colder climates.
Bernese Mountain Dogs are eager to please and easy to train, but they are also sensitive and prone to upset if punished or corrected in a harsh manner. Positive reinforcement is key when training this breed.
Additional reading: Black English Pointer Dog
Sources
- Vetstreet - Bernese Mountain Dog (vetstreet.com)
- The Kennel Club - Bernese Mountain Dog (thekennelclub.org.uk)
- The People's Dispensary for Sick Animals - Bernese Mountain Dog (pdsa.org.uk)
- American Kennel Club - Bernese Mountain Dog (akc.org)
- Dog Breed Info Center - The Purebred Bernese Mountain Dog (dogbreedinfo.com)
- Bernese Mountain Dog Club of America (bmdca.org)
- The Bernese Mountain Dog Club of America (bmdca.org)
- American Kennel Club (akc.org)
- Bernese Mountain Dog Club of America (bmdca.org)
- BMDCA Rescue & Rehome (bmdca.org)
- Bernese Mountain Dog Club of America Breeder Directory (bmdca.org)
- Bernese Mountain Dog (akc.org)
- Bernese Mountain Dog - All About Dogs (orvis.com)
Featured Images: pexels.com