Information
Breed History
The Bernese Mountain Dog or “Berner Sennehund” is one of many Swiss breeds. There were trained to pull carts of milk cans to market, guard the farm, and help drive cows to and from the pastures. They were the Sheperd’s (or Senn’s) companion. “Sennehund” translates to “Herdsman’s Dog”. The breed has roots in a small farm cattle dog crossed to a large mastiff type dog. The breed almost went extinct at the end of the 19th century as machines and roads replaced their usefulness.
In 1892 two breed fanciers tried to save the breed. In 1907, a speciality breed club was established in Switzerland and the Bernese started to be seen in shows again. Apparently the breed was allowed to cross with the Newfoundland dog to regain some size hardiness and calm personality. The AKC recognized them as a breed in 1937 and the CKC in the 1970’s. Most Bernese are instinctively gentle with little animals and children. They crave human companionship. They put a new meaning to being “close” to people.
General Appearance:
The Bernese Mountain Dog is a striking, tri-colored, large dog. He is sturdy and balanced. He is intelligent, strong an agile enough to do the draft and droving work for which he was used in the mountainous regions of his origin. Dogs appear masculine, while bitches are distinctly femine.
Size and Proportion:
Measured at the withers, dogs are 25 to 27 ½ inches; bitches are 23 to 26 inches. Though appearing square, Bernese Mountain Dogs are slightly longer in body than they are tall. Sturdy bone is of great importance. The body is full.
Color and Coat:
The coat is thick, moderately long and slightly wavy or straight. It has a bright natural sheen. The Bernese Mountain Dog is a tri-colored. The ground color is jet black. The markings are rich rust and white. Rust appears over each eye, on the cheeks reaching to the corner of the mouth, on each side of the chest, on all four legs, and under the tail. There is a white muzzle band. A white marking on the chest typically forms an inverted cross. White on the tip of the tail and feet is desired.
Bernese are not an attack dog but they were used to warn the sheperd in the Swiss Alps that there was something strange around the herd of cattle or flock of sheep. This breed doesn’t hunt as much as some breeds. They are quite happy staying at home watching their property. Likewise if you want your Bernese to like other dogs they should be kept well socialized with other dogs as puppies. Again they will not attack a strange dog, but they will bark at a strange dog if the dog does not belong to your place and if the strange dog is on YOUR property. At a public park they have no opinions about other dogs.
My dogs are raised together and get along famously with each other and have great play behavior. The Bernese is known not for being a pack dog but instead crave human companionship. My Bernese love to be CLOSE to you. They enjoy physical contact and are known to lift your hand or arm to gain my attention and if allowed to rub between your legs and put their body on your lap.
This is the last breed you should buy to stick on a chain and ignore.
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