The White Bernese Mountain Dog is a rare and majestic breed that is a result of a genetic dilution of the traditional Bernese Mountain Dog's coat color.
They have a thick, tri-colored coat with a predominantly white base color, which is often accompanied by markings of black and tan.
This breed is not a separate breed from the Bernese Mountain Dog, but rather a variation of the original breed.
Their white coat can range from a pure white to a cream-colored coat with white markings.
Their calm and gentle nature makes them an excellent family pet.
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Care and Upkeep
The white Bernese Mountain Dog requires a home and transportation that can accommodate its large size, so it's essential to have a spacious living area and a vehicle that can fit it comfortably.
It's also crucial to provide your white Bernese with access to soft bedding to prevent callouses and bursitis, a condition that can be painful and uncomfortable for your dog.
The breed sheds heavily, so be prepared for regular grooming and vacuuming to keep your home clean.
Diet and Nutrition
A healthy Bernese dog will eat from three to six cups of good quality food per day, preferably divided into two meals.
Feeding your Bernese Mountain Dog is crucial, and it's essential to work with your vet to determine the best type and amount of food for your pet.
Like all large breed puppies, Berners benefit from special diets that promote slow growth in order to prevent the development of joint issues.
Free feeding should be avoided as it can contribute to hip dysplasia and other health problems such as diabetes, so it's best to feed measured meals at scheduled times.
The breed is prone to gastric dilatation-volvulus, a life-threatening emergency involving the bloating and blockage of the stomach, so it's crucial to monitor your pet's eating habits and prevent overeating.
Coat care consists of weekly brushing and occasional bathing, but diet and nutrition play a vital role in maintaining your Bernese Mountain Dog's overall health.
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Grooming Requirements
The Bernese Mountain Dog's thick and long coat requires weekly brushing to remain clean and prevent matting. Regular grooming is essential to keep your pet looking its best.
Daily brushing is recommended during shedding season, which occurs twice a year. This will help remove loose hair from the outer coat.
The Bernese Mountain Dog sheds moderately throughout the year, with more profuse shedding during seasonal changes. Be prepared for a lot of hair on the floor and furniture.
Weekly ear cleanings using a veterinarian-recommended cleanser can help prevent ear infections. This is especially important for Bernese Mountain Dogs, as their ears can trap bacteria and dirt.
Bathing your Bernese Mountain Dog is not a daily task, but rather an occasional one. A bath is usually needed about once every couple of months, depending on the dog's activity level and how often it gets dirty.
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Temperament and Personality
The white Bernese Mountain Dog is a gentle soul, known for being particularly gentle and affectionate with children. They may even take it upon themselves to watch over the kids.
Their temperament is steady and easygoing, making them a great pet for families. With a calm and patient nature, they're perfect for households with young children.
As a breed, Bernese Mountain Dogs are not typically rambunctious with kids, but their size may be too much for very young children to handle. Be sure to supervise interactions between little ones and your Berner.
These lovable dogs thrive on human companionship and will be happiest as house dogs, enjoying calm evenings and outdoor activities with their family. They're excellent companions for people of all ages, including the elderly.
Bernese Mountain Dogs are also natural guardians, with a strong instinct to protect their owners and territory. However, they're not usually aggressive and proper socialization from an early age will help ensure they're patient with other children and pets.
In terms of exercise, Bernese Mountain Dogs need regular activity and exercise, but they don't have a great deal of endurance. They can move with amazing bursts of speed for their size when motivated, making them perfect for hiking and outdoor adventures with their family.
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History and Characteristics
The Bernese Mountain Dog breed has a rich history that dates back to Switzerland. Originally, it was bred as a general-purpose farm dog that acted as a property guard, watchdog, and carting dog.
In the early 1900s, fanciers exhibited the few examples of the large dogs at shows in Berne, and in 1907 a few breeders from the Burgdorf region founded the first breed club, the Schweizerische Dürrbach-Klub. The club defined the dogs as a separate breed and had 107 registered members by 1910.
The breed was used to transport carts of milk and cheese to alpine pastures, earning it the nickname "Cheese Dogs."
Bernese Mountain History
The Bernese Mountain Dog has a rich history dating back to Switzerland, where it was originally bred as a general-purpose farm dog to guard property and drive dairy cattle to alpine pastures.
In the early 1900s, fanciers in Berne exhibited the breed at shows, and by 1907, the Schweizerische Dürrbach-Klub was founded, writing the first Standard that defined the dogs as a separate breed.
The breed was known for its versatility, used to transport carts of milk and cheese, earning it the nickname "Cheese Dogs" among locals.
In 1937, the American Kennel Club recognized the breed, classifying it as a member of the Working Group, and today it's a popular breed in the US, ranking 22nd by the American Kennel Club in 2017.
The Bernese Mountain Dog is one of four related tricolored Swiss mountain dogs, along with the Appenzeller, the Entlebucher Mountain Dog, and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog.
The breed was first brought to the Netherlands after World War I and then to the United States shortly thereafter, although it wasn't recognized by the American Kennel Club until 1981.
Bernese Mountain Characteristics
The Bernese Mountain dog is a large breed, with adult males weighing between 80-120 pounds and standing 24-28 inches tall at the shoulder.
These dogs have a thick double coat that sheds heavily, requiring regular grooming to prevent matting and tangling.
Their distinctive tri-colored coat features a black base with white markings and rust-colored accents.
Bernese Mountain dogs are known for their gentle and calm nature, making them a great fit for families with children.
Their intelligence and trainability make them responsive to commands and easy to teach.
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Physical Traits and Appearance
Bernese Mountain Dogs are large and sturdy, bred to accommodate the work they were originally designed for. They typically weigh between 50 to 70 pounds for males and 45 to 65 pounds for females.
Their height ranges from 23 to 27.5 inches for males and between 23 and 26 inches for females. Both males and females have muscular bodies and are usually longer than they are tall.
Their coats are long, thick, and tri-colored, typically featuring black with markings of brown and white.
Physical Appearance
The Bernese Mountain Dog is a large and sturdy breed, bred for work and designed to be strong and capable. They typically weigh between 45 to 70 pounds.
Males reach a height of 25 to 27.5 inches, while females are slightly shorter at 23 to 26 inches. Both males and females have muscular bodies and are usually longer than they are tall.
Their long, thick coats are a defining feature of the Bernese Mountain Dog, typically featuring a tri-colored pattern of black, brown, and white.
They Come in Two Colors
The Bernese Mountain Dog has two standard coat colors that make them instantly recognizable. You might know them as Black Rust & White, but they can also come in Black Tan & White.
Their iconic coat colors are a key part of what makes them so beloved.
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They Tend to Be Hairy
This breed has a double coat that sheds a lot. If you're not prepared to deal with regular grooming, you may want to reconsider.
Their coats can be quite thick, and they tend to cast off their coats seasonally or cyclically. This means you'll need to brush them frequently, especially during shedding season.
Their shedding can be a problem for people with allergies, as the breed releases a lot of loose hair. If anyone in your household has allergies, it's essential to consider this before bringing one home.
Intriguing read: Shedding Bernese Mountain Dog
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a Bernese Mountain Dog protect you?
Bernese Mountain Dogs have natural guarding instincts, but they're not typically aggressive protectors. They'll alert you to potential threats, but their friendly nature makes them more suited as gentle watchdogs
Sources
- Bernese Mountain Dog Dog Breed Information (akc.org)
- PetMD - Bernese Mountain Dog (petmd.com)
- WebMD - What to Know About Bernese Mountain Dogs (webmd.com)
- The Kennel Club - Bernese Mountain Dog (thekennelclub.org.uk)
- Dog Breed Info Center - The Purebred Bernese Mountain Dog (dogbreedinfo.com)
- standard (fci.be)
- "Oakley, the Bernese mountain dog, saves lives of couple in Vermont fire (VIDEO)" (lowellsun.com)
- "U.S. family mourns as neighbour kills their Bernese Mountain dogs" (digitaljournal.com)
- 10.1111/jsap.13444 (doi.org)
- "Bernese Mountain Dog Profile" (btck.co.uk)
- "Bernese Mountain Dog" (canismajor.com)
- Bernese Mountain Dog, Berner Sennenhund, Dürrbächler, Vertebrate Animals Department, Naturhistorische Museum Bern (nmbe.ch)
- "Inbreeding impact on litter size and survival in selected canine breeds" (archives-ouvertes.fr)
- Bernese Mountain Dog Facts You May Not Know (akc.org)
- Bernese Mountain Dog Club of America (BMDCA) (bmdca.org)
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