The Loyal Bernese Mountain Dog

This Bernese mountain dog is a farm dog, which has its origin from Switzerland. It is popularly called as the Berner. These dogs were able to sustain very cold temperatures, because of their long and heavy coat. As their stature is very strong, they can perform their duties even during the deadly winters.

The height of this Berner is anywhere around 23 to 27.5 inches. Their weight is around 71 to 100 pounds. They can be recognized very easily due to the uniqueness in the pattern of their color. Their head and ears are black, eyes and stockings are tan and the remaining parts of the body are white. Generally all the Berners, has the same kind of pattern, if at all there are any differences, then it would only on the percentage of white on the body. They have very expressive brown eyes. To keep their coat, neat and glossy, you need to brush them regularly.
Though the Bernese is not known for their hardihood, still they have to be given exercises and many physical activities. They love to march along with you, and do not face any kind of joint problems. They are very affectionate dogs, so you have to give them a lot of attention.
Nothing can beat the attitude of these dogs. The Bernese Mountain dogs are also very smart and steady. The quality of being extremely affectionate and loyal forces these dogs to protect you, but do not match the level of a watch dog. They are very warmhearted with people and other dogs. Training these dogs can be successful only when he is trained regularly. This breed of dogs are good in thinking and slow in picking up things, so you have to be patient while you train them. The Bernese mountain dog is very friendly towards children; though they are massive in size they treat kids very gently. They are very patient and have a very firm outlook.
The Berners are a pleasure to watch when they perform at the wagon ride in any of the parades. Due to their composure and calmness, they were first made to pull wagons for kids in order to entertain them.
Food comprising of 1.5 cans of meat with some biscuit can be given to them. They also like having dog food which is nutritious. They can have about 5 cups.

In case you have a fence yard, then this Bernese Mountain Dog is the best choice. Training them at the initial stages would be extremely difficult. So the trainer has to be very good at his work and very forbearing. At a very young age, training and socializing has to be practiced. Trying to socialize or train them at later stages would be a tough task. If you have young children at home, then do not get a Berner. They hate to be governed. They are not a good pet for the elderly and the disabled people. They would not be able to manage this breed.

Written by Jeff Nenadic from My-DogShop.com

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The Adaptability Of The Bernese Mountain Dog Breed

One question a potential Bernese Mountain dog owner may be asking themselves is, "how adaptable is the dog?" There are different answers one will get from different people, the truth is the Bernese Mountain dog very easily adapts to any type of environment, many become strongly bonded to their families within the first year of life. If you purchase a Bernese dog after the age of one year old, the dog may have attachment issues and problems adapting to a new environment.

It is common that a younger Bernese Mountain dog will be more readily adaptable than an older one. This is due to the fact that a younger dog gets used to a routine and is quick to learn commands and knows how to act appropriately. An older Bernese has already adapted to another family's routines and preferences, but with a little training and patience the dog can become a gentle, protective companion. The older Bernese will need time to bond with the new family before it will comfortably settle into a new routine and surroundings.

If you are buying a Bernese from a breeder, remember the puppy will need loving discipline and gentle guidance, laying down early ground rules will eliminate the chance for any problems. The dog prefers the indoor life and it is not a good idea to try to move the dog into an outdoor living space, however, with a long, thick, heavy coat of fur the Bernese can adapt to outdoor life with relative ease. If you do decide to make the dog an outdoor living space it is important to note, you could end up with a dog that constantly barks, displays aggressiveness and is overly hyperactive.

The breed is highly energetic and when left to its own devices, the Bernese can grow frustrated and become bored. The dog may become destructive and uncontrollable, and with a dog of this size it is something that should be kept in mind. This makes the behavior of a Bernese easier to predict and temper when the dog is allowed to live indoors with the family, just be sure to train them from a very young age and the problems should be limited to a minimum. It's also best to setup a daily exercise regiment for your Bernese. A good 20-30 minutes of running or walking will burn all of that excess energy, build muscle and help your Mountain Dog to be more relaxed around the house. Burning all of the excess energy will dramatically reduce the amount of bad chewing, Ie. chewing on furniture, shoes etc.

When moving from one house to another, the Bernese will still prove itself to be an adaptable dog. So long as the dog has its family, it will be more than happy in most any type of situation. You can take the dog traveling and train them to do almost any type of trick. Remember the dog needs attention and praise, in certain situations that are unfamiliar, the Bernese just like any other dog breed needs time to adjust.

This article was written by John Jackson and has been contributed by http://www.greatdogsite.com. For more information on the Bernese Mountain Dog, please visit our page http://www.greatdogsite.com/breeds/details/Bernese_Mountain_Dog/.

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Bernese Mountain Dog - Facts You Should Know

The Berner as he is commonly spoken of is a dog that has recently become one of the favorite breeds in the United States because of his characteristics of moderate size, beauty and good natured temperament. He is a member of the Working Group of the American Kennel Club. His striking good looks and exceptionally stable temperament have contributed to his popularity, which has burgeoned since he was admitted into the registry in 1990.

The Bernese Mountain Dog comes from the large family of Swiss dogs of black and tan coloration and mastiff origin which dominate the Alpine regions of Central Europe. These dogs seem to have origins in the original Molloser dogs which were transported into Europe by the Roman Legions.

Many of these dogs were used by the Romans as drover dogs and others were considered to be war dogs of massive power and formidable appearance. The Bernese Mountain Dog is most probably a representative of the former type, a dog which was used to drive the flocks of cattle and oxen and also as a carting dog or draft dog. Another common name for the Bernese Mountain Dog is the Berner Sennenhund.

The Berner is always a tri-colored dog. The base coat is black with rust and white markings. Symmetry of markings is important. Rust should appear over each eye and on the cheeks reaching to the corner of the mouth. Also there should be rust on each side of the chest, on all four legs and under the tail. The muzzle should have a white blaze.

There should be a white mark or blaze on the chest and this should be in the shape of a cross. The tip of the tail is white. There should be white on the feet but not extending higher than the pasterns. The Bernese Mountain dog has a medium length to the coat, which is a double coat and is naturally weather resistant. The hair should be straight to slightly wavy.

The entire picture of the well groomed Berner is quite striking with the sharp contrasts in color and markings, especially since this is a coat that has a natural shine. This is a dog who appears stocky to a certain degree, but not overly large. His working gait is that of a slow trot but he should be capable of faster movement when necessary.

Berners achieved popularity on the farms and holdings of the mountain people as strong dogs that were willing to pull carts and work side by side with their human companions without complaint and with happy enthusiasm for the jobs to which they were entrusted. In the United States and Great Britain the Berner has achieved the same sort of popularity, not because he is used as a working dog so much but because his temperament makes him a popular family pet.

The temperament of the Bernese Mountain Dog should be one that is loyal and protective to his family but accepting of strangers and gracious, never aggressive. He has great intelligence and fortitude, preferring to have a job to do and working with endurance and stability for many hours.

For more information on the Bernese Mountain Dog or a full list of dog breeds take a look at this Dog Training website.

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The Bernese Mountain Dog Facts And Info

The Bernese Mountain Dog, or the "Berner", as they are affectionately nicknamed originated in Switzerland as a breed of farm dog. Because of their heavy, long coat, they were able to carry out duties and endure in environments that were cold or in snow covered mountainous areas. Their strong frame which is sturdy by most stands, also helped them to brave any winter elements.

This large "Berner" stands anywhere from twenty-three to twenty seven and a half inches. This large breed can weigh anywhere from seventy to one hundred pounds. Perhaps the most recognizable because of its very unique color pattern, the appendages, ears and head are a straight black; the cheeks, stockings and ghost eyes are tan or rust and the rest of him is usually white. The pattern is pretty common to all Berners and if there are any variations, it is usually in the amount of white. They are also known for their deep brown expressive eyes. Their beautiful coat needs to be brush on a regular basis to keep it glossy and wavy.

Bernese do not have a lot of endurance, but they are inherently outdoor dogs who need a lot of exercise and varied activities of a physical nature. As long as they are healthy and have no problems in any of their joints, they like to hike close to their owners. The seek attention and are known for their need for affection, thus, leaning against anyone (even a stranger) or forgetting their size and sitting on their feet. .

This breed's strongest point is their temperament and they are known to be very stable and intelligent. They are also loyal and affectionate and this causes them to somewhat protective of their owners, however not quite watchdog quality, although they are loyal. They are generally outgoing and friendly with people and also other dogs. As long as their trainer is consistent and trains in a way that is routine, this breed responds to training very well. The owner must be very patient because Bernese are thinkers and slowly absorb what is being said or trained. Even though these dogs are big in size, they handle children very well and are very sweet and gentle with them. Generally this breed tends to have a lot of stability in attitude and are very patient dogs.

If you have ever seen this breed in a parade as part of a children's wagon ride, they perform the task with patience and gentleness. Because they are calm most of the time, they first starting pulling wagons for children in Switzerland as a form of entertainment.

It is best to feed this breed anywhere from one and a half to two and a half cans of a high-quality meaty product with a equal amount of a biscuit or if they prefer, they can have five cups of a dry dog food that is complete with vitamins and minerals.

The Bernese Mountain Dog would do best at a house that has a fenced yard. The leader must be patient and strong and able to handle the early training. They also must be able to handle this breed and socialize them at a young age. This breed would not be well-suited for families with children, as well as with anyone who is controlling, or timid. This breed would also be too much for the disabled and/or the elderly to handle.

For more information on the Bernese Mountain Dog or a full list of dog breeds take a look at this Dog Training website.

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Bernese Mountain Dog : Aggression Towards Strangers

The Bernese Mountain Dog (BMD) needs adequate training before it can be introduced to strangers or even children.

The best thing about them is that they never let their owners down. Dog owners who have put in a lot of effort into obedience training are the ones who get back a socialized Bernese Mountain Dog in return.

This breed is very selective about the people that it interacts with. But the ones who have not been initiated at all are not to be trusted. It is essential to train them with positive training methods because of their sensitive temperament. They also need fenced yards or else they might grow up to be disobedient and unruly.

These dogs make ideal companions for those who seek constant company with their pets.

However, they are not for people who want companions for their children while they are growing up. This is because they have a short life span.

The Bernese Mountain Dog is of the opinion that every human is not a friend of his and does not go down too well with children below six years of age. His wagging tail can even knock a kid down when the dog is hyperactive.

When not properly trained and socialized, these dogs tend to suffer from the worst kind of behavioral problems. They become over possessive of their owners, and aggressive towards strangers and children because they are naturally selective about their choice of company, both humans and other dogs.

Thus, owning a BMD calls for stringent training lessons and firm socializing to get a pet with the desired qualities in place.

Nancy Richards is a dog owner and trainer for more than 10 years. She is also the President of the Dog Training Institute. Learn more about Bernese Mountain Dog Breed Characteristics. Discover unique Bernese Mountain Dog training tips and learn how to groom, take care and ensure good health for your Bernese Mountain Dog.

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Bernese Mountain Dog Essential Information You Should Know

The Bernese mountain dog as its name suggests was generally found in the mountainous terrain. This dog is fairly large in size. The coat of the dog is tri-colored. This breed is highly intelligent and hard working. The dogs are generally preferred for draft and droving work.

This particular breed is self-confident and highly reliable. Its coat is thick and moderately long. This breed should be kept under constant care. This dog as it hails from mountainous terrain, it needs a lot of exercise every day. The Bernese mountain dog is good at doing many chores and hard labor. It can haul large cans and crates effortlessly.

The puppies should be given puppy food till they reach the age of four months. After that they should be given adult diet. Do not overfeed the Bernese, as it is prone to grow fat. The ideal diet is a nutritious diet, which agrees with its digestive system. Food should be given twice a day.

This dog is a much sought after breed. However, it is not easy to maintain. The dog is rarely found on the streets in the US. The dog is trained to herd cattle and pull cans of milk and other farm produce to the market. This dog is known as the farmers' dog.

This breed is very easy to train. A quick learner, the dog will listen to the gentlest of commands. To keep the dog happy and health, it needs to be kept busy for most part of the day. A daily walk is a must. Spending time with your pet and playing with it will keep him in a good shape.

The average Bernese mountain dog weighs about 80 pounds. If not properly trained, this dog can be quite a menace. The average lifespan of a Bernese is just 7 years. The dog also needs constant care. Brush the dog twice a week. He dog is known to shed a lot of hair.

This particular breed is also not comfortable in hot climates. If you plan to kep a Bernese as a pet be prepared to pay a lot of attention to its health. The Bernese is prone to a host of diseases. This particular breed needs to be de-wormed once in three months and vaccinated once in a year.

Before deciding to keep this particular breed as a pet one should know that it is prone to many ailments and therefore a trip to the vet may become a regular feature for the owners of this breed.

For more information on the Bernese Mountain Dog or a full list of dog breeds take a look at this Dog Training website.

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The Bernese Mountain Dog And Some Personal Views

The Bernese Mountain Dog belongs to the working group of dogs. In general, the working breeds are known for their intelligence and hardiness. The Bernese is a herding and draft dog. These dogs love the challenge of learning anything new. This dog is a surefire reason for dog obedience training. If you do not train this dog, you will have a very hard time to control it when walking. It's sheer strength will oudo you in no time. Before you commit to this gentle giant of a dog, get a list of dog breeds and look through to make sure this is what you want.

AKC Ranking: 47

Family: Mountain Dog. Mastiff

Origin: Switzerland

Today's function: herding

Also known as the Bernese Cattle Dog

A little bit of history:

This is the only mountain dog that has long silky hair. I read in one book that this dog can be traced back to the invasion of the Roman in Switzerland. The Roman cross bread their mastiff with the cattle dogs of Switzerland.

This dog is strong enough to withstand the cold weather and was strong enough to serve as a draft dog.

Being close to extinction, these dogs were found in the valleys of the lower Alps. Through the efforts of Dr. Heim these dogs were promoted throughout Switzerland and Europe. The first Bernese came to America in 1926 and they were granted recognition in the AKC in 1937.

Their Character

The Bernese is an easygoing, calm family dog. A Bernese dog is very sensitive and loyal and totally devoted to its family. It is also very good and gentle with children. They can be reserved with strangers. They do get along with other dogs and pets. They hate to be isolated from family activities.

The Bernese is know to mature slowly. They need firm training, but not harsh training because they are a very gently, playful, slow to mature breed. They just do not want to grow up.

Upkeep

Obviously, this is the kind of dog that enjoys the outdoors, and, the colder it is the better they like it. They need daily exercise, but it can be moderate exercise. This dog does not do well as an outside dog. It needs to be involved with its family.

Its coat does need brushing twice a week. Lifespan: 6-9 years.

Please make a note. These dogs can get heat stroke very easy and quickly, care must be taken in the heat.

They weigh about 90 - 120 pounds and are 25- 28 inches tall.

The Bernese Mountain Dog is a little bit longer than it is tall. It is a sturdy large dog. Surprisingly it has good strength, speed and agility.

It has a soft and gentle expression and a most beautiful color. This is truly a majestic looking dog.

For more information on the Bernese Mountain Dog or a full list of dog breeds take a look at this Dog Training website.

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Bernese Mountain Dog Puppy And Dog Information

The Bernese Mountain Dog is actually an outdoor dog that can adapt to indoors as long as she is given plenty of exercise when it is cool outside. Her heavy coat means that she is comfortable in the cold but suffers in the heat. She has a loving temperament and has been described as stable, faithful, affectionate and intelligent. She is a good watch dog and good with children. Just as a reminder, never leave young children unsupervised with a puppy or dog for any length of time.

*Approximate Adult Size. The approximate adult size (two years old or older) of the male Bernese Mountain Dog is 24 to 28 inches to the withers (highest point of the shoulder) and 85 to 110 pounds. Females range from 23 to 27 inches to the withers and from 80 to 105 pounds.

*Special Health Considerations. Most dog breeds have certain inherited health problems associated with that specific breed and the Bernese Mountain Dog is no exception. Be on the look out for canine hip and elbow dysplasia (genetic based looseness in the hip joint that can lead to arthritis pain and lameness), gastric torsions, metabolic bone disease and hereditary eye disease. She should be fed twice a day to lessen the chance of bloat, another negative health consideration. Additionally, cancer is a real problem with even young dogs can contract it. *Grooming. The Bernese Mountain Dog has a long, thick coat so she should be brushed as frequently as daily, weekly if time does not permit. She is a heavy seasonal shedder and brushing will help keep your house cleaner. Brushing will help her maintain a clean and healthy coat and also help you keep a closer eye on her health and strengthen your emotional bond with your pet. Her teeth should be brushed at least twice a week with toothpaste and toothbrush designed for dogs. Brushing removes the accumulation of plaque and tartar which can cause cavities (rarely) and periodontal disease. Dog periodontal disease can lead to pain, loss of teeth, bad breath and other serious disease. Her toenails may need to be examined for growth and clipped regularly. The toenails of the rear feet grow slower than the toenails of the front feet. Generally a guillotine type trimmer is the best for this chore and competent instructions to accomplish this can be found on the net. *Life Span. The Bernese Mountain Dog can live between 8 and 10 years with proper nutrition, medical care and excellent living conditions. *History. The Bernese Mountain Dog came from the pre alpine regions around Bern, Switzerland. She was used as a cattle dog, draught dog and as a cattle driver. The original name of this dog was Durrbachler, because it was so popular in the hamlet of Durrbach. Around 1910 a standard for this dog was set and she was renamed the Bernese Mountain Dog. She became popular throughout Switzerland and Southern Germany. From there she became known throughout the world as a striking family dog. The American Kennel Association first registered Bernese Mountain Dogs in 1937. Currently she is used as pet and watch dog, for therapy work, agility trials, and rescue work.

Some Registries: *BMDCA-The Bernese Mountain Dog Club of America *UKC United Kennel Club *NKC National Kennel Club *CKC Continental Kennel Club *APRI Americas Pet Registry Inc. *AKC American Kennel Club *FCI Federation Cynologique Internationale *NZKC New Zealand Kennel Club *KCGB = Kennel Club of Great Britain *ANKC = Australian National Kennel Club *ACR = American Canine Registry

Litter Size: 4 to 10 Bernese Mountain Dog puppies

Category: Herding, Mastiff Family

Terms To Describe. Devoted, stunning, companion, friendly, devotion.

*SPECIAL GOOD POINTS She is very beautiful. Prefer cool climates. Natural watch dog. Good with children. She is willing to please. She loves people. *SPECIAL BAD POINTS Heavy shedder. Cautious with strangers. Short life span. Major health problems. May suffer in hot climates. Can become destructive if bored.

*Other Names Known By: Berner Sennenhund, Bernese Cattle Dog

Mitch Endick is a short article writer, editor and website developer for the popular pet site petpages.com. www.petpages.com is a pet information site with free pet ads, dog classifieds, and puppy for sale info Petpages.com also offers information on cats, fish, reptiles, birds, ferrets, rabbits, mice and even pet bugs.

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