The Hyperink Team - A New Owners Guide to Bernese Mountain Dogs

Every boy should have two things: a dog, and a mother willing to let him have one. Anonymous

Bernese Mountain Dogs are large dogs with strong, sturdy figures and gleaming coats. Although theyre classed as working dogs, their gentle temperament combined with their loyal and affectionate nature make them excellent companion pets.

Via Vicky & Chuck Rogers

According to Dog Training Central , it's generally believed that the breed developed from the Mastiff-type dogs introduced to Switzerland by the Romans. They were primarily used as working farm dogs until the beginning of the 20th century, when a decline in their numbers inspired Swiss farmers from the hamlet of Bern to resuscitate the breed.

They were introduced to the United States by Isaac Scheiss in 1926 and were officially recognized by the American Kennel Club until 1937.

Physical Characteristics

Although they could never be described as diminutive in stature, Bernese Mountain Dogs dont rank among the largest breeds in the world. They are best known for their thick, tri-color coat and distinctive chest marking that is often likened to an inverted Swiss cross.

According to the American Kennel Club , t he double coat of a Bernese Mountain Dog has a wooly underside and thick, wavy topcoat. The breed is black with rust accents appearing above the eyes, the underside of the tail and on the legs. Bright white markings are present on the chest, at the tail tip and between the eyes.

According to PetWave , male Bernese Mountain Dog will grow to between 25 and 27.5 inches tall (shoulder to paw). Bitches are smaller with a height between 23 and 26 inches. Depending on sex, the dogs weight at maturity will vary between 70 and 115 pounds.

Bernese Mountain Dogs and You

The size of a Bernese Mountain Dog, particularly in the case of the larger males, can make this breed intimidating to potential owners. While its important to judge each dog on its own merits, in general the Bernese Mountain Dog has a steady temper and easy-going nature. Theyre typically calm and peaceful dogs, although some males can harbor a tendency to be aggressive toward other male dogs.

They will form strong bonds of love with the entire family, but are likely to favor one particular master.

Bernese Mountain Dogs are highly sociable dogs and love having contact with people. They often fare best in a family environment in which theyre allowed inside the house and cant cope well if left alone for extended periods of time. Separation anxiety in particular can be a real concern with this breed.

For these reasons, the ideal Bernese Mountain Dog owner will have plenty of time to commit to interaction with his or her pet and enough patience for constant obedience training. The breed is moderately active and will need at least one 30-minute walk a day, so theyre not well suited to owners who are physically limited. Theyre relatively inactive when indoors, but leaning on people for attention is sometimes an issue.

According to BMD.org, the typical lifespan of a Bernese Mountain Dog is just six to nine years.

House Training

Because theyre so eager to please , owners dont usually encounter any significant problems while training a Bernese Mountain Dog. Luckily, this also goes for house training. While its totally expected for any dog to have the occasional accident, adult Bernese Mountain Dogs have large bladders and therefore need to relieve themselves less frequently than other breeds.

Successful house training of any new puppy can is achieved with a combination of clearly defined schedules, consistent boundaries and a healthy dose of patience. Use the eagerness of a Bernese Mountain Dog puppy as the stepping stone to success in this area.

Take your puppy outside to its designated toilet area shortly after meals, after a nap or overnight sleep. He might also need to urinate during exciting play times and occasionally at other times throughout the day. As you spend more time with your dog, youll get to know the warning signs that tell you that your dog needs to go outside.

While your puppy is in the act of relieving himself, positively reinforce the idea that hes pleasing you with a happy voice command like Busy or Toilet. By associating the act with a specific word, your puppy will eventually learn to go on command. Afterwards, you should offer a great deal of enthusiastic praise accompanied by a special treat.

Crate training is effective when house training any breed of dog. A crate kitted out with warm bedding and chew toys allows your dog to indulge in his natural instincts to make a den, which includes a reluctance to soil the area where he sleeps.

According to the Humane Society , you should introduce crates gradually and never use it as a tactic to punish your dog. Many Bernese Mountain Dogs will want to use their crate beyond the house training stage, so keep in mind that it needs to be big enough to accommodate your dog when hes mature.

Socialization

Its critical that owners properly socialize any puppy. The socialization process promotes emotional health in your dog and ensures the physical safety of the people and other animals he comes into contact with over the course of his life. You should endeavor to introduce your dog to a wide variety of people, dogs, other animals, sounds and environments at an early age. A socilaized Bernese Mountain Dog is a happier, more confident dog and less prone to hypersensitivity to loud and/or unfamiliar sounds.

The process of socializing your Bernese Mountain Dog should begin by introducing him to many different people. One trick is to ask strangers to pet him and offer a small treat (that you give them). The people you introduce your puppy to should also include well-behaved children, although such interactions should always be properly supervised.

By socializing your puppy in this manner, hell learn to associate people with positive experiences. You should also take your puppy to a variety of locations. Different environments like parks, shopping centers and puppy obedience classes will provide your puppy with a wide range of stimuli and help you identify situations where hes less confident.

Children

The Bernese Mountain Dog is typically extremely patient and sensitive around children. Because of this, the breed is popular for families with children , despite their size.

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Given proper training, the Bernese Mountain Dog can be a great companion to your child. But keep in mind that its the responsibility of the owner to always closely supervise playtime between children and dogs, especially during a puppys nipping stage.

Training your dog to interact well with your child is almost as much about training your child as it is about training your dog. Children must learn rules about playing with the dog, including asking permission to interact with the dog and petting politely. Owners should also incorporate children into training exercises with the new puppy.

Remember that experiences with a new dog can shape a childs attitude toward dogs for the rest of his or her life. Responsible parents and dog owners will do all they can to ensure these experiences are as positive as possible.