The Bernese Mountain Dog, affectionately known as the Bernese Dog, is one of the stars of the dog world. Known for their large size and gentle disposition, these giant yet gentle dogs have won the hearts of countless families and dog owners. Let’s take a closer look at the Bernese Mountain Dog, including its origins, personality, care points and why they are so popular.

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Basic introduction

The Bernese Mountain Dog, a Large dog, tricolor, long legs. Determined and harmonious, they are intelligent, strong and agile, and are capable of such tasks as towing or driving herds in the mountains, which is where the breed originated.

Male dogs appear majestic, while female dogs appear soft. Originating in Europe, it was once the best helper for shepherds in history. As time went by, it became a popular toy dog. In the early days, it was a variety that gradually developed in the Bern area of ​​Switzerland by pulling goods, making cheese, and pulling carts in weaving shops.

More than 2,000 years ago, the Roman army brought the ancestors of the Bernese Mountain Dog to Switzerland, and later they worked with local Swiss sheep herders The cross-breeding of dogs resulted in four varieties of mountain dogs, and the Bernese Mountain Dog is one of them.

The Bernese Mountain Dog is a better working dog and can serve well as a herding dog and a transportation dog. In the early days, it was used to pull goods in the Bern area of ​​Switzerland. In the mid-19th century, the number of Bernese Mountain Dogs began to decline, and they were almost on the verge of extinction at the beginning of the 20th century. Only a small number of purebred dogs remained, and they were bred with short-haired Saint Bernard dogs.

In 1907, the Bernese Mountain Dog Club was established in Switzerland, and this dog continued to develop. Today, the Bernese Mountain Dog has become more and more popular among dog lovers.

In the 1930s, some people bred this dog because of its large body and strong protective ability. As a dog, the Bernese Mountain Dog is a better working dog and can serve well as a herding dog and transportation dog. It is easy to train and is very successful at exhibitions. It can be an emotionally fragile giant dog and therefore requires an experienced owner.

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Morphological characteristics

① Body shape

Height is 58~70cm

Weight is 40~44kg

②Head

The expression of the Bernese Mountain Dog is smart, lively and elegant.

Its eyes are dark brown and slightly oval, with eyelids close to the eyeballs. Ears are of medium size, set high and triangular in shape. When resting, the ears generally hang down to the side of the head. When the Bernese Mountain Dog is alert, its ears will turn forward, the base of the ears will be raised, and the highest point of the ears will be flush with the top of the head. The top of the head is flat and broad, with slight wrinkles and clear outlines. The muzzle is strong and straight, the nose is black, and the teeth are scissor-shaped bite.

③Body

Its head is flat, its brows are obvious, its muzzle is strong, its muzzle is straight, its eyes are apricot-shaped, its body is small to medium, triangular, and when resting The ears of the Bernese Mountain Dog are flat and tilted forward when on alert. Its upper teeth are stacked in front of its lower teeth. Its body is strong and strong, its back is flat, its chest is broad, its neck is thick, straight and strong, its hind limbs are muscular, its toes are round and short, its toes are clenched, and its claws are white.

④ Limbs

The thighs of the Bernese Mountain Dog are wide, strong and muscular. The stifles are well angulated, tapering gradually and smoothly downward to meet the hocks, which are as low as possible. Viewed from behind, the hind toes are straight and the feet are compact.

⑤Coat

The fur of the Bernese Mountain Dog is thick, medium in length, slightly shiny or neat, and has a bright, natural luster. The Bernese Mountain Dog is a tri-color dog with a base color of deep black and markings of rich rust and clear white.

The Bernese Mountain Dog is an excellent and popular breed and one of the four existing mountain dogs produced in Switzerland. In the early days, in the Bern area of ​​Switzerland, it was a breed that gradually developed to assist humans in pulling goods, making cheese, and pulling carts in weaving shops.

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Characteristics

Generally speaking, the grown-up Bernese Mountain Dog is a very gentle, polite, and generous dog.

They have the following advantages: strong, highly obedient, confident, not afraid of difficulties and never wild. Puppies can sometimes appear very curious and lively, but they are never annoying. Many Bernese Mountain Dogs will become very quiet when they grow up and will ignore strangers, but they will be very excited about familiar people and will often climb on other people's laps.

The characteristic of the Bernese Mountain Dog is that it is very gentle to children and other animals, making it a master at taking care of children and other animals. They are very sensitive to human nature, so they are also a perfect family dog. The Bernese Mountain Dog is loyal to its owner and will stand firm and remain calm when facing strangers. It is the most outstanding working dog.

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Feeding Guide

① During the shedding season every year, Bernese Mountain sheds a lot of hair. It is best for the owner to feed them once a week. Grooming routine – at least once a week. Otherwise, their hair may be everywhere in your home, which is even more spectacular than the snow falling all over the sky.

② In addition, as a lop-eared breed, their ears may not be well ventilated, and their owners need to clean their ears regularly.

③ Most Berneses love to eat and eat as much as they are given. The owner needs to give them a ration of food every day and ensure a certain amount of activity to prevent them from becoming too lazy or obese.

④ Its biggest disadvantage is that it is too short-lived. The average lifespan of the Bernese Mountain Dog is only 9-12 years.

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Notes

Despite the temperament of the Bernese Mountain Dog Gentle, but in many cities the Bernese Mountain Dog is a banned breed.

The most important reason is that they are too big. An adult Bernese Mountain Dog can be over 60 centimeters tall and weigh over 40 kilograms. Such a large size has also become the reason why many people are put off by the Bernese Mountain Dog.

There are four reasons why not many people keep Bernese Mountain Dogs:

First, it is not well-known, and it does not have much characteristics.

Second, Bernese Mountain Dogs are genetically unstable. They are prone to heartworms and cancer when raised, and their life span is generally not long.

Thirdly, Bernese Mountain Dogs eat a lot and are very timid, often causing incontinence when frightened.

Fourth, it has the common shortcomings of large dogs. It eats a lot, poops a lot, and is very energetic. Therefore, it needs a lot of exercise every day, which is very big for owners who like to stay at home. shortcomings.