| AKC Group: | Working |
| A.K.A.: | Berner Sennenhund, Berner |
| Functions: | Companion, Search and Rescue, Pulling Carts |
| Year of Origin: | Ancient |
| Country of Origin: | Switzerland |
| Life Span (yr): | 7 - 10 |
| Colors: | Tricolored: Black, Rust, and White |
| Height (Inch): | 23 - 27.5 |
| Weight (lb): | 75 - 120 |
| Size: | Very Large |
| Hair Length: | Long |
| Energy: |  |
| Playfulness: | |
| Ease of Training: |  |
| Exercise Needed: | |
| Self Protection: | |
| Grooming: | |
| Shedding: | |
| Watch Dog: | |
| Living Area: | |
Appearance:
One only needs to take a quick glance at the Bernese Mountain Dog to see his aristocratic appearance and know that he is a special breed of dog. He is full of life, yet he has the intelligence to how to be gentle, despite his massive size. His darkly colored eyes are shaped like ovals. His ears are moderately sized and located high on his head. They have subtly rounded ends and hang near his head when he is not alerted to something. He has a bushy tail that is hangs low, except when he is alerted to something, then it may bend slightly upward. The coat of the Bernese Mountain Dog is very dense and may have a slight wave to it. It is shiny and naturally beautiful.
Temperament:
Temperament means everything for the Bernese Mountain Dog. He has a high level of confidence and is always aware and even-keeled. An aggressive Bernese Mountain Dog is an anomaly; however, he may be reserved towards people he does not know. Just as his ex
Health:
The Bernese Mountain Dog has a list of problems that can plague his health. These problems include hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia – conditions that can affect his mobility and be very painful- and cancer. Bloat is also seen, but it may be prevented if he is fed multiple small meals throughout the day. He is also prone to heart disease, skin irritations and allergies, thyroid problems, and eye conditions, such as cataracts, ectropion and entroprion – where the eye lid rolls in or out and infects the eyeball. The Bernese Mountain Dog must have a special low protein diet to keep him from growing too fast as a puppy. If he were to eat a high protein diet, he could place a lot of strain on his young muscles which could lead to problems later in life.
Maintenance:
Each day, at least half an hour of exercise is important for the Bernese Mountain Dog overall maintenance. However, it should be supervised and in an area that is friendly to dogs, such as a dog park. Regular exercise will keep his muscles toned and his bones strong. It is important to remember that he should never be forced to partake in strenuous activities, such as jogging. As a puppy, he should be watched to make sure he is not injured when playing with other dogs, then, when he is an adult, he should be watched to see that he does not injure smaller animals. In addition, the Bernese Mountain Dog should be brushed and bathed as needed.