The Bernese Mountain Dog has a sweet, calm nature and gentle expression, with unique markings on its coat and face. All of these factors contribute to their popularity as loyal family companions. Combined with their strong size, this helps the Bernese Mountain Dog become a reliable working dog.

The Origin of the Bernese Mountains

Two thousand years ago, mastiff-like dogs, as well as large black and brown dogs with white markings, were conscripted by Roman soldiers to cross the Alps. In order to control the route from Italy to Spain, the Romans invaded what is now Switzerland, relying on guard dogs to help them. These dogs used their immense strength and intelligence to pull carts loaded with supplies much heavier than their own bodies, carry cattle that fed the troops, and serve as watchdogs. Eventually, crosses between mastiffs and black and brown dogs produced the Bernese Mountain Dog we know today.

The Bernese Mountain Dog is named after the area in central Switzerland near Bern , one of the four Sennenhund species. "Sennenhund" means "dairy farmer's dog" and is spoken in many areas of Germany, Switzerland and Austria. These breeds have a distinctive tri-color coat, the others being the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, Appenzeller Mountain Dog and Entrebuch Mountain Dog. Part of the AKC Working Dog Group, the Sennenhunde is similar in appearance to other Sennenhunde. But it is the only one of the four Sennenhunde breeds with a medium length and silky coat.

Since the appearance of these dogs, the city of Bern has evolved into a huge agricultural region for dairy production. The Bernese began to export dairy-based foods such as chocolate and cheese. Farmers and basket weavers on small valley farms and Alpine dairies relied on Bernese Mountain Dogs, which pulled milk carts and horse-drawn carriages laden with textiles. The dogs also help herd a small herd of cattle. Although farmers relied on the breed, industrial agriculture soon replaced the canine workforce, Bernese Mountain Dog numbers began to decline, and the Saint Bernard eventually became Switzerland's national breed.

The popularity of the Bernese Mountain Dog in the United States

< p>In 1892, local dog lover Franz Schertenleib wanted to find a good Bernese Mountain breed, and other Bernese Mountain fans joined in the search. The organization formed a professional club in 1907 with the purpose of reestablishing the Bernese Mountain Dog breed. Thanks to their efforts, the Bernese Mountain Dog regained its status as a popular farm dog in their home country, and they became increasingly popular among Swiss dog owners.

In 1926, Isaac Schliess, a farmer in Kansas, first introduced the Bernese Mountain Dog to the United States in an attempt to gain AKC recognition of the breed. In 1936, Glen Shadow of Ruston, Louisiana, made another attempt by importing a pair of Bernese Mountain Dogs named "Felix" and "Friday." The dogs quickly proved their abilities, and just a few years later, they saved Xia Dou's life when a 350-pound stag attacked and mauled him.

A year later, in 1937, the American Kennel Club recognized the breed. In 1968, the Bernese Mountain Dog Club of America (BMDCA) was established. The BMDCA drafted a cart-pulling program to maintain and test the breed's ability to work as a cart-pulling dog.

Use their cart-pulling skills

Bernese Mountain Dogs still have a chance to do what they were born to do in the Swiss Alps. Julie Bacon is the BMDCA's Show and Draft Chair and competes in a variety of dog sports with her three Bernese Mountaineers - 12-year-old Champion Indie, 7-year-old Moxie and 6-year-old Trip. Indie is the first Bernese Mountaineer to hold the title of Master Agility Champion (MACH) in agility. All three dogs enjoyed pulling carts and earned the title of master.

In the traction and pull test, the dogs were asked to pull the cargo for half a mile (about 804 meters). They must complete the task within 12 to 15 minutes. "They like pulling carts the most, probably because it's easiest for them," Bacon said. While cart weights vary in style and design, the average weight is about 20 pounds (about 9 kilograms).

A dog's growth plates close when they are two years old, For the Bernese Mountains, pulling a stroller before the age of 2 is dangerous. Owners can introduce a seat belt around 6 months of age and use training wheels to move slowly, but there should be no weight in the car until the dog is two years old. "I love having my dogs do things they were born to do, and it's fun for us to play sports," Bacon said. "This breed is very obedient and willing to try new things."

While Byrne Mountain dogs are not great swimmers, but many Bernese Mountain Dogs will fearlessly jump into water without encouragement. Some dogs don't like water unless they are exposed to it at a young age. Bacon: "I wanted to see what Indie would do in the water, so I took her to Newfoundland for a water trial." "I was shocked when she pulled the boat into the water without any training."< /p>

Bacon adds that Bernese Mountain Dogs are often willing to try new things, especially when rewarded. "The look on their faces when they're exposed to a new sport for the first time is great. It's like, 'I don't know what we're going to do, but I'm up for the challenge,'" Bacon said.

Although Bernese Mountain Dogs are not naturally retrieval dogs, Bacon’s dog Trip loves to pick up things around the house. "When we are renovating our home, he will help us get tools whether we need them or not."

The Bernese Mountain Dog as a loyal family dog

"In the past 30 years The breed's popularity has exploded over the years," said BMDCA President George-Ann Reeve. "The Bernese Mountain Dogs are so photogenic that you see pictures of them everywhere now."

After spending time with her brother's Bernese Mountain Dogs, Reeve got her own in 1993 bernese mountain dog. “My husband and I wanted a good family dog,” Reeve recalls. “When we took the kids to the Outer Banks of North Carolina to surf, our Bernese would pay attention if the kids swam too far. When it arrives, it grabs the surfboard and brings the kids back."

Bernese Mountain Dogs are respectable large dogs, but Reeve said Bernese Mountain Dogs are friendly in character and attitude. , somewhat similar to the Lamborghini.

The Bernese Mountain Dog does not require as much exercise as the Swiss Mountain Dog or the Saint Bernard. They prefer to go for walks in the mountains when the weather is cold, and they also adapt to the social activities of the family. "They'll be content running along the football field or just doing a little exercise on a summer morning," Reeve said.

For companionship and working ability, Bernese Mountain Dogs handle cold, rainy weather well. Rain and snowy weather. Their weather-resistant coat requires some trimming and will shed less if maintained regularly.

But for people living in apartments, it is not suitable to raise a Bernese Mountain Dog. Bernese Mountain Dogs need a large yard.