Louise Harper - Bernese Mountain Dog

Physical Characteristics of the Bernese Mountain Dog

(from the American Kennel Club breed standard)

Head: The skull is flat on top and broad, with a slight furrow and a well-defined, but not exaggerated stop.

Eyes: Dark brown and slightly oval in shape with close-fitting eyelids.

Ears: Medium sized, set high, triangular in shape, gently rounded at the tip, and hang close to the head when in repose.

Neck: Strong, muscular and of medium length.

Muzzle: Strong and straight.

Nose: Always black.

Lips: Clean and the flews are only slightly developed.

Chest: Deep and capacious with well-sprung, but not barrel-shaped, ribs and brisket reaching at least to the elbows.

Forequarters: The shoulders are moderately laid back, flat-lying, well-muscled and never loose. The legs are straight and strong and the elbows are well under the shoulder when the dog is standing. The pasterns slope very slightly, but are never weak. The feet are round and compact with well-arched toes.

Topline: Level from the withers to the croup.

Body: The back is broad and firm. The loin is strong. The croup is broad and smoothly rounded to the tail insertion.

Tail: Bushy; carried low when in repose. The bones in the tail should feel straight and should reach to the hock joint or below.

Color and Markings: Tri-colored. The ground color is jet black. The markings are rich rust and clear white. Symmetry of markings is desired.

Coat: Thick, moderately long and slightly wavy or straight. It has a bright natural sheen.

Hindquarters: The thighs are broad, strong and muscular. The stifles are moderately bent and taper smoothly into the hocks. The hocks are well let down and straight as viewed from the rear. Feet are compact and turn neither in nor out.

Size: Measured at the withers, dogs are 25 to 27.5 inches; bitches are 23 to 26 inches.

Contents

Trace the breeds origin and development in its native Switzerland, a nation that produced four working mountain dogs. Meet the early breed pioneers credited for bringing the Bernese Mountain Dog to worldwide acclaim as well as the breeders on the Continent and in the US and UK who continue to work for the breeds betterment and stability.

Find out if the Bernese Mountain Dog is the right dog for you and your family, and if you are ready for the responsiblities of owning such a special pure-bred dog. Learn about the breeds personality and owner requirements, and discover the many activities in which an owner and his active Berner can participate.

Understand the breed standard. Learn the requirements of a well-bred Bernese Mountain Dog by studying the description of the breed as approved by the American Kennel Club. Both show dogs and pets must possess key characteristics as outlined in the breed standard.

Be advised about choosing a reputable breeder and selecting a healthy, typical puppy. Be prepared for the puppys arrival, including home preparation, acclimatization, visiting the vet and prevention of common puppy problems.

Enter into a sensible discussion of dietary and feeding considerations, exercise, grooming, traveling and identification of your dog. This chapter discusses Bernese Mountain Dog care for all stages of development.

By Charlotte Schwartz
Be informed about the importance of training your Bernese Mountain Dog from the basics of house-training and understanding the development of a young dog to executing obedience commands (sit, stay, down, etc.).

Discover how to select a proper veterinarian and care for your dog at all stages of life. Topics include vaccination scheduling, skin problems, dealing with external and internal parasites and the medical and behavioral conditions common to the breed.

Recognize the signs of an aging dog, both behavioral and medical; implement a senior-care program with your veterinarian and become comfortable with making the final decisions and arrangements for your senior Bernese Mountain Dog.

Experience the dog show world, including different types of shows and the making of a champion. Go beyond the conformation ring to obedience trials and agility trials.

KENNEL CLUB BOOKS BERNESE MOUNTAIN DOG

ISBN 13: 978-1-59378-289-4

eISBN 13: 978-1-59378-899-5

Copyright 2000 Kennel Club Books An Imprint of I-5 Press A Division of I-5 Publishing, LLC

3 Burroughs, Irvine, CA 92618 USA

Cover Design Patented: US 6,435,559 B2 Printed in South Korea

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form, by photostat, scanner, microfilm, xerography or any other means, or incorporated into any information retrieval system, electronic or mechanical, without the written permission of the copyright owner.

Photographs by:
Carol Ann Johnson and Michael Trafford
with additional photos by
Norvia Behling, TJ. Calhoun, Doskocil,
Isabelle Franais, Bill Jonas, Mikki Pet Products, Alice Roche and Karen Taylor.

Illustrations by Patricia Peters.

Bernese Mountain Dogs share their eye-catching Swiss tri-coloration, complemented by wonderful personalities and great physical strength. Although originally bred for working purposes, most Bernese Mountain Dogs today serve as pets to adoring owners.

ORIGIN AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE BREED IN SWITZERLAND

To discover the origin of the Bernese Mountain Dog, we must travel centuries back in time and search the mountains and the remote valleys of the Swiss hinterlands where the breed originated. Forebears of this popular Swiss dog lived and worked among the Celtic farmers of those early times, protecting both humans and livestock from natural predators.

Early history tells us that, around 1000 AD, Swiss settlers had carved out a peaceful existence on the mountainsides, co-existing harmoniously with nature and her beasts. History also reveals that the more prosperous families kept large Swiss working dogs as protectors of the field and home. The poorer farmers, unable to feed large animals with prodigious appetites, kept smaller dogs in keeping with their meager budgets.