Is the Bernese Mountain Dog a good family dog?
Bernese Mountain Dog
Bernese Mountain Dogs are large, powerful Swiss working dogs known for their striking tricoloured coats and gentle, affectionate nature. Originally used as versatile farm dogs for guarding, driving cattle and pulling carts, they are now best known as devoted family companions.
| Recommended for | Families, couples and singles able to manage a very large dog |
| Breed Classification | Utility |
| Other names | Berner, Bernese |
| Lifespan | 7-10 years |
| Size | Large to giant |
| Temperament | Easy going, friendly, loving |
| Intelligence | High: responsive and generally eager to learn |
| Tendency to bark | Moderate: naturally alert and likely to announce visitors |
| Maintenance Level | Medium-high: heavy shedding and regular brushing required |
| Health Risk | Bernese Mountain Dogs have significant risks of cancer, joint disease, GDV and inherited neurological disorders. |
Thinking of insuring a Bernese Mountain Dog?
Explore the Top 5 health issues claimed for Bernese Mountain Dogs, including highest claims paid and how much pet insurance could help you save on eligible vet bills.
See Bernese Mountain Dog pet insurance Ready to get cover? Get a quick quote
Bernese Mountain Dog personality and temperament
Bernese Mountain Dogs are known for their gentle, friendly nature and strong loyalty to their family. With their soft-hearted and placid approach to people, they make extremely loyal and devoted pets. They thrive on being involved in family activities and are naturally good with children and other pets.
Highly social, they enjoy playful interactions with both people and other animals, and their calm and gentle demeanour makes them excellent therapy dogs. Smart and sensitive, they respond well to training and are perceptive of their family’s emotions, making them not only affectionate but also attuned to the needs of their loved ones.
Though they are a large breed, Berners can adapt well to indoor life if given ample exercise. Generally calm and easy-going, they make wonderful family companions and are likely to alert their families with a bark if left alone for too long or without enough activity. While they prefer companionship, they can be content alone for short periods, showing remarkable adaptability and patience.
Bernese Mountain Dogs with kids and other pets
Bernese Mountain Dogs are gentle, patient companions, making them particularly well-suited to family life with children. With early socialisation, they tend to get along well with other pets, including dogs and cats, especially when raised together. Their calm, affectionate nature and loyalty to family members make them trustworthy companions. However, due to their size and strength, supervision around young children is advisable to ensure safe interactions.
Berners have a naturally low prey drive, which means they’re generally safe around smaller pets. Early socialisation is key to preventing shyness and ensuring they’re comfortable in a variety of environments. Their calm, non-aggressive demeanour also makes them ideal candidates for therapy work, where their patience and gentle disposition can bring comfort to people in need.
Bernese Mountain Dog training and exercise
Bernese Mountain Dogs enjoy regular, moderate exercise and thrive on outdoor activities like hiking and bush walking, making them ideal companions for families who love the outdoors. Their exercise needs are moderate, so daily walks and occasional outings are generally enough to keep them content and prevent restlessness. They also benefit from social walks with the family, as they love being close to their loved ones and involved in activities.
Intelligent and trainable, Berners respond well to gentle, consistent training due to their laid-back personality. They require moderate mental stimulation to stay engaged and happy, which can be provided through activities, training, or interactive play. Their gentle and calm nature not only makes them great family companions but also well-suited to therapy roles, where their patience and affectionate disposition can truly shine.
| Energy level | Moderate: active outdoors but calm indoors |
| Exercise requirements | Moderate: generally around 45–60 minutes daily, adjusted for age, health and weather |
Common health issues for Bernese Mountain Dogs
What do Bernese Mountain Dog owners claim for the most?
- Von Willebrand’s Disease,quite common in the Bernese Mountain Dogs, causes clotting problems in the blood. Failure for the blood to clot properly can result in a number of serious health issues.
- Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) is a disease that can occur in Bernese Mountain Dogs and can lead to blindness. The nerve cells at the back of the eye degenerate over time and will cause cataracts to form. If you suspect your dog has signs of PRA, see your vet for observation as soon as possible. If there is still vision in the eye, corrective surgery may be an option.
- Osteosarcoma, an aggressive bone cancer, is one of the most common cancers in Bernese Mountain Dogs. The first sign is lameness, but x-rays are needed to determine if the cause is cancer. It is treated aggressively, often with chemotherapy and amputation.
- Elbow dysplasia is common in large dog breeds and is believed to be caused by varying growth rates in the dog’s elbow. This leads to joint laxity, pain, and lameness. Surgery is available, but medication and weight loss may be prescribed by a vet to help control the pain.
- Hip dysplasia is a condition where the thigh bone and hip joint do not fit together properly, causing pain and lameness. Less severe cases can be treated with anti-inflammatory medications, but surgery may be required for serious cases.
Not all conditions are covered by Pet Insurance. For details of Bow Wow Meow Pet Insurance cover, refer to the Product Disclosure Statement.
How to choose the right insurance for your Bernese Mountain Dog
When comparing cover for your Bernese Mountain Dog, look for:
Cover for common Bernese Mountain Dog conditions:
Check that the policy covers conditions Bernese Mountain Dogs can be prone to, including common health issues.
Cover for hereditary conditions:
No exclusions for hereditary or congenital conditions⑅.
Flexible cover options:
Options to adjust your annual benefit limit, reimbursement rate and excess.
Bow Wow Meow's Nose-to-Tail Cover offers flexible options for your Bernese Mountain Dog, with cover for accidental injuries, illnesses and hereditary conditions⑅. Get a quick quote for cover that suits your Bernese Mountain Dog and your budget.
Bernese Mountain Dog feeding and nutrition
A balanced diet tailored to a Bernese Mountain Dog’s age, size, and activity level is essential to support their overall health and well-being. Due to their large build, they often require a diet specifically designed for large breeds to provide the right nutrients for their size and weight. Managing their weight is particularly important, especially in dogs that may be less active, as excess weight can lead to health issues over time.
Routine veterinary visits are recommended to monitor their dietary needs and adjust their nutrition as they age or as activity levels change. Regular check-ups help ensure their diet supports optimal health and prevent weight-related problems, keeping them healthy and active for years to come.
Bernese Mountain Dog care and grooming
Bernese Mountain Dogs have a dense double coat that sheds continuously throughout the year, with shedding peaking in autumn and spring, making weekly grooming essential to manage their coat and keep it healthy. Their thick coat benefits from weekly brushing to remove loose fur, reduce shedding, and keep the coat healthy.
Bathing every two months is generally sufficient to maintain cleanliness, as over-bathing can strip their coat of natural oils. Their coat usually doesn’t require clipping, but routine maintenance helps manage shedding and promotes their overall health and comfort. In addition to coat care, regular grooming routines include nail trimming and dental care to keep them in top condition.
Size, appearance and coat of Bernese Mountain Dogs
Bernese Mountain Dogs are large, muscular, heavy and usually longer than they are tall. They have a broad chest, a flat top on their head, and medium-sized, triangular ears that are set high and rounded at the top.
The breed is known for its thick, distinctive tri-coloured double coat. This is typically black with white and rust markings, ideally having a white horseshoe shape around the nose, a white “Swiss cross” on the chest, and a white “Swiss kiss” behind the neck, along with rich brown above the eyes, around the mouth, chest and lower legs, and often white feet and tail tip.
| Weight range | Females up to 44 kg; males up to 53 kg |
| Height range | Females up to 63 cm; males up to 70 cm |
| Colours | Black, white, and brown (tri-coloured) |
| Coat length | Medium to long, with a dense undercoat |
Breed history of Bernese Mountain Dogs
The Bernese Mountain Dog developed from traditional Swiss farm dogs found in the pre-Alpine regions and countryside around the Canton of Bern. These versatile dogs guarded farms, drove cattle and worked as draught dogs, pulling carts loaded with milk, cheese and other goods.
The breed was originally known as the Dürrbächler, after the hamlet and inn of Dürrbach near Riggisberg, where long-haired tricoloured farm dogs were particularly common. In 1907, Swiss breeders founded the Schweizerischer Dürrbach-Klub to promote and standardise the breed.
At a major show in Burgdorf in 1910, farmers brought 107 Dürrbächler dogs to be exhibited. Around this time the breed became known as the Bernese Mountain Dog, or Berner Sennenhund, bringing its name into line with the other Swiss Mountain Dogs. The breed subsequently spread beyond Switzerland and is now primarily kept as a family companion, while still taking part in activities such as carting, obedience and other dog sports.
Explore related breeds
Bernese Mountain Dog facts!
- Before they were called Bernese Mountain Dogs, the breed was known as the Dürrbächler, named after a small Swiss hamlet and inn where the tricoloured farm dogs were commonly found.
- At a Swiss dog show in 1910, farmers turned up with an impressive 107 Dürrbächlers, helping establish the breed and its modern Bernese Mountain Dog name.
- The Bernese is the only one of Switzerland’s four Sennenhund breeds with a long coat. Its relatives—the Great Swiss Mountain Dog, Appenzeller and Entlebucher—are all short-coated.
- Berners were once genuine delivery dogs, pulling carts carrying milk, cheese and other farm goods through Swiss communities.
- Cart pulling is still part of Bernese culture today: in Switzerland, Berners can still be seen in traditional parades pulling light carts while their handlers wear national dress.
- Bernese owners have a rather bittersweet Swiss saying about the breed: “three years a puppy, three years a good dog, three years an old dog, and the rest is a gift,” reflecting both their slow maturity and unfortunately short average lifespan.
Summary
The Bernese Mountain Dog is a large, heavy dog with a thick, distinctive tricolour coat. Friendly, easy-going and calm, Bernese Mountain Dogs are devoted and affectionate companions that often enjoy being close to their family.
They can adapt to indoor family life provided they receive enough exercise and companionship. Their heavy coat sheds throughout the year and requires regular care, so prospective owners should be prepared for both grooming and the practical demands of a very large dog.
FAQs: Bernese Mountain Dog
They can be gentle, devoted family companions, but their very large size means space, training and supervision around small children are important.
Moderate. Daily walks and play are generally appropriate, adjusted for the dog’s age, health and individual energy level.
Generally yes. They are intelligent and usually respond well to positive, consistent training, particularly when sessions are engaging and rewarding.
They are generally low to moderate or moderate barkers, although barking can increase with boredom, excitement, anxiety or unfamiliar activity.
Yes. They can shed heavily, particularly at certain times of year, and regular brushing is important during seasonal coat changes.
They can adapt to apartment living in the right circumstances, but owners need to meet their daily exercise, enrichment and behavioural needs consistently.
Many can live happily with children and other pets when socialised from a young age, although individual temperament and compatibility always vary.
Potential health concerns include cancer, hip and elbow dysplasia, gastric dilatation-volvulus and some inherited disorders.
Their thick, long double coat makes Bernese Mountain Dogs much better adapted to cool conditions than extreme heat. During hot or humid weather, exercise should be limited to cooler parts of the day and they should always have access to shade, fresh water and a cool indoor environment. Watch closely for excessive panting, weakness or other signs of heat stress.
MORE INFORMATION
Bernese Mountain Dog Club of Victoria: http://bmdcv.com.au/
The Bernese Mountain Dog Club of Western Australia: https://bernesewa.com.au/
Bernese Mountain Dog Club of NSW: https://www.bmdcnsw.com/
Bernese Mountain Dog Club of Queensland: https://www.berneseqld.com/
Get 2 months free for your puppy!
Congrats on your new bundle of joy
To ensure your precious fur baby is covered from the start, we'd like to offer your first 2 months of our Nose-to-Tail Cover for free2!
Get a quick quote
