Things you should know
“Berner Sennenhund” means Bernese Alpine Herdsman’s Dog in German, translating to English as the Bernese Mountain Dog. Developed from dogs found in the countryside around Bern, Switzerland, one of several Swiss breeds, the early Berners were farm dogs, guarding the farm, driving cows to and from their mountain side pastures, and pulling milk carts to the dairy. The breed was saved from near extinction by professor Albert Heim around the turn of the century.
Berners first came to America in 1926, and possibly even earlier then that. In 1937, the first of the breed was registered with the AKC.
Becoming extremely popular as a family dog, Berners may not be everyone. They are large, assertive animals with long flowing coats that shed. The shed continually which
Doesn’t suit certain people and lifestyles. Like other large breeds, Bernese Mountain Dogs are not long lived, with many not surviving their sixth or seventh year, mainly due to cancer and auto-immune diseases. The Swiss have a saying” Three years a young Dog, three years a good dog, three years an old dog. All else is a gift from God”. However, many of us have had Berners living well over the age of ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen years of age.
If you are thinking about getting a Bernese to join your family then please read the following things that you should know:
1.) Berners are great with children, however, an adult should be the primary trainer and supervisor of a BMD puppy. A 15 to 25 pound eight week old puppy baby soon grows to a 50 pound junior, and at one year can reach over 100+ pounds. Wild play and unsupervised teasing may not only result in permanent injury to puppy, but can create bad behavior and habits that will become unmanageable when that puppy weighs more then your children.
2.)Berners want to be where you are; in your home, in your car, right by your side. This is not a breed that thrives left to its own in the backyard. If your primary motivation is to require a playmate for your children, are you prepared to be the best friend when the novelty wears off?
3.)Berners have their share of health problems, some requiring a trip to your local vet clinic. Can you provide medical care to your dog if needed?
4.)Berners are innately reserved and need some socialization to help them grow into well adapted adults. Socialization takes time! Pups should be introduced to new people and surrounding on a regular basis. Do you have the time to do this?
5.)If you are looking for a jogging partner, consider another breed. While many Berners can and do enjoy a daily outing, for the most part they do not do well with long runs on a warm day. Also, BMD”s mature slowly, not reaching full adulthood until after his/her second birthday.Running,jumping and other high impact sports could result in permanent, crippling injuries.
6.)Berners shed a lot. They require a daily brushing. You will have hair in your house. If you do not mind the hair and can give your dog a daily brushing then this is the dog for you!
A adult female BMD is about 23 ½ inches tall at the shoulder and weighs around 65-80 pounds; a large male can be 27” to 28” tall and weigh 100-120 pounds. While not requiring the space of a sporting breed, a Berner will appreciate a yard large enough for a good romp. A berner’s tail is a barometer for his happy nature and can spell disaster for your treasures set at tail level.
I hope this has helped to many of my clients. I want to place my puppies in family homes that suits the breed and knows about them the best way I know how to tell my clients about them. If this is the Breed for you please fill out my Puppy Adoption Form and send it to me. placement@moeiskakennels.com I look forward to hearing from you!