The Bernese mountain dog is a gentle, family-friendly breed that originated in the Swiss Alps. It was bred to be a working dog, and so it has many of the characteristics we look for in an all-around canine companion: Bernese mountain dogs are intelligent, loyal, friendly with strangers and children alike, and they make excellent watchdogs. The Bernese (as they're known locally) are also distinguished by their extraordinary patience; this makes them ideal companions for those who live in apartments or homes without yards.
What is a Bernese Mountain Dog?
The Bernese Mountain Dog is a medium-sized, squarely built breed of dog that originated in the Swiss Alps. They were traditionally used as all-purpose farm dogs and family pets but they became popular show dogs after World War II because of their striking appearance.
They are known for being very docile animals with an even temperament making them easy to train and well suited for canine sports such as skijoring or bikejoring, carting, animal herding, search and rescue work. The AKC calls this breed "a monument to patient breeding." It also says that these gentle giants are typically friendly towards other humans and animals who do not pose any danger - including those rare individuals who happen to be afraid of dogs!
The Bernese Mountain Dog's intelligence and working ability means it can be successfully trained to do almost anything. This includes search-and-rescue work, tracking people or animals, pulling a cart, herding livestock, guarding property, or living out Teddy Roosevelt's saying that "a tired dog is a good dog."
How Much Do Bernese Mountain Dogs Shed?
The Bernese Mountain Dog sheds heavily twice a year. This is due to the change in seasons where it gets warmer and they start shedding their winter coat for summer. It can be hard to keep up with all that hair, but there are some things you can do to help lessen the problem!
First off, brush your dog regularly when he’s being bathed or otherwise cleaned so the loose hairs will come out easier later on. Secondly, take care of your dog’s hair by using conditioner every few weeks (or more often if needed) as this helps prevent mats from collecting at the roots which makes them harder to get rid of once they form. Lastly, use a lint roller before vacuuming to pick up any loose hairs that are around the home.
Is A Bernese Mountain Dog Right For Your Family?
The Bernese Mountain Dog is very protective of their family and territory. They make excellent guard dogs because they are fiercely loyal to the people that care for them. They have a low drooling tendency which makes them favorable in apartment living situations with limited space, as well as making it easier on those who suffer from allergies or respiratory problems like asthma.
Berners require moderate exercise but not too much activity at one time so you don't wear him out quickly—about an hour per day should do the trick! Without enough physical activity he may become overweight and lazy, leading to behavior issues (e.g., chewing up your favorite shoes). A lot of families enjoy taking this breed along when they go camping or hiking.
Bernese Mountain Dogs are very friendly and loving with other dogs. They love being around kids, as long as the children understand how to act appropriately around him or them. This dog breed is usually a couch potato in the winter months but will need plenty of exercises when spring arrives again (although some owners say they don’t need much at all).
Bernese Mountain Dog Appearance
Bernese Mountain Dogs are known for their large but beautiful appearance. They can grow to be as large as 75 - 120 pounds and are often around 24 - 28 inches tall at the shoulder. Berners are sturdy and stocky and typically have their famous black, brown, and white fur color. It’s possible for their fur to come in a variety of different colors but this color pattern is known throughout the dog show world because of how unique the tri-color pattern is. Their fur can range from straight to wavy but Bernese are typically considered to be a long fur breed.
Bernese Mountain Dog Temperament
The temperament of a dog is incredibly important as this will dictate how good they are with children, family members, strangers, and will dictate how easier they are to own. Bernese Mountain Dogs are known for their easy going personality and their overall intelligence. Bernese are easy to train and are typically incredibly faithful and loyal to their family. They are great with children because of how protective and gentle they are even though they are a large dog breed. Bernese Mountain Dogs do require daily exercise but as long as they receive enough exercise, many owners will confirm that Bernese enjoy sleeping and relaxing during the day. Overall, Bernese Mountain Dogs are a beautiful breed that are amazing with children and family members.
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