Bernese Mountain Dog - know everything about this breed – Lobo Azul

The Bernese Mountain Dog , also known as Dürrbächler , Berner Sennenhung , Bernese Mountain Dog or Bernese Mountain Dog, is a large dog that has many talents. He is affectionate, with a good temperament, a companion and loyal to his owner. Keep reading to learn more about its history and origin and the care of this breed.

Big size .
Weight : Between 36 and 50kg.
Hair type : Long and straight
Character : Intelligent, Affectionate, Loyal, Faithful
Health : Susceptible to congenital diseases
Life expectancy : Between 6 and 8 years.

History and origin of the Bernese Mountain Dog dog

There are various theories that try to explain the origin of the Bernese Mountain Dog . One of them considers that its origins go back to an Asian dog, muscular, strong, with a large head, short snout and strong jaws, which the Romans brought from the Alps and used in their battles.

Another theory, and perhaps the most viable, dates back to the 19th century where the Mountain Dog was used by Swiss farmers in the canton of Bern as a working dog , given that it was intelligent, obedient, guarding, resistant to inclement weather. the mountains, a herd driver and, in addition, he had great strength to carry small carts with drums of milk in those areas where the railway had not yet reached. Their original name, “Dürrbächler”, comes from a small town in the canton of Bern, known as Dürrbach, where these dogs were bred. In 1883, the Swiss Canine Association organized its first dog show, but there was no room for cattle herders. However, almost 10 years later, an innkeeper from Burgdorf named Franz Schertenleib renewed interest in this breed, inspired by the legends his father told him about this beautiful farm dog.

Twenty years after the first exhibition of the Swiss Canine Association, another was organized in which the Dürrbächler or Bernese Mountain Dog was presented, thanks to several fans of this breed who convinced the association to exhibit six males and one female. In 1908, Franz Schertenleib presented a “ short-haired Bernese mountain dog ” at the anniversary exhibition of the Swiss Cynological Society in Langenthal . Thanks to the characteristics of this beautiful mountain dog, the Swiss geologist and naturalist Albert Heim, who was a judge on that day, fell in love with it so much that he decided to create the Swiss Dürrbäch club, and defined the Bernese Mountain Dog as follows : “He is a guardian, a great companion, a good muleteer and rancher, excellent as a draft animal. He protects children, is kind, loving, affectionate, attentive to every sign of his owner, faithful, obedient, easy to educate and playful. “Many people love going to the water.” Nowadays, it is no longer considered a working dog, but rather a domestic and family dog . This may be due to the fact that in our time it is no longer necessary to resort to the use of this breed.

Thanks to his great efforts to preserve and improve the Bernese Mountain Dog , on April 24, 1910, Albert Heim held an exhibition in Burgdorf in which 107 dogs of this breed were entered. This exhibition was so successful that in 1935 there were Bernese Mountain Dog breeder clubs in Holland , Germany, the United States and Belgium. Together with other breeds such as the Entlebuch Mountain Dog, Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and Appenzell Mountain Dog, they form the four regional dog breeds of the Swiss Alps, which occupies approximately 62.5 percent of the country, in its central and southeastern area. As time went by and after several crosses, the Bernese Mountain Dog became the dog we know today.

Physical characteristics of the Bernese Mountain Dog dog

The Bernese Mountain Dog is the only breed of dog that has soft and long hair . The various crosses over time gave rise to a robust dog, with the ability to protect the flock and work as a draft animal. He is tall, strong and sensible. Their ears are medium-sized and fall to the sides of the head. It has white spots on its head, torso, the tip of its tail and legs, and around its neck. It also has a brownish tone on the eyebrows, around the cheeks, on the torso and on the legs. Its fur has three colors: brown, white and black.

Females measure between 58 and 66 cm, with the ideal size being between 60 and 63 cm. The weight is between 40 and 50 kilos. Males measure between 64 and 70 cm, with the ideal size being between 60 and 63 cm. The weight varies from 45 to 60 kilos.

Character and personality of the Bernese Mountain Dog dog

His temperament is mild. The Bernese Mountain Dog is also a very companionable animal . He is always close to his neighbor, as a way of showing his companionship. This breed of dog loves to be with its owner at all times . That is his greatest pleasure.

Bernese Mountain Dog Puppies

The Bernese Mountain Dog can have 10 to 12 children. Their puppies are very undisciplined and active. When they reach four months they grow rapidly, which leaves them susceptible to injuries and bone pain. By following a diet with an excellent quality ration, produced with 15 percent fat and 24 percent protein, you will be able to prevent its rapid growth, as it is a low-calorie diet.

On the other hand, when the Bernese Mountain Dog puppy is at home, show him his space inside the home and make him know his sleeping place and what the typical noises in the house are. Let him inspect each of the corners upon arrival so that the adaptation occurs gradually and normally. It is common that during the first nights they howl and cry calling for their mother and siblings. On the other hand, think about the future, that is, if you are not going to allow them to get on the sofa or bed, they will not have to do it when they are little. Get him used to wearing a collar and leash, put it on only when going out and take it off when he gets home so he associates it with the walk. Physical contact with the family is essential for this breed.

Feeding and health of the Bernese Mountain Dog dog

Most dogs of this breed can suffer from hip dysplasia once they are older. To prevent your Bernese Mountain Dog from having this complication, it is important that his exercise routine is disciplined from a very young age. This breed requires a lot of space, because they are very active and need to move all the time. Visit the vet regularly to ensure that there are no infections, wounds, rashes, inflammations on the nose, skin, eyes, mouth or paws. There should be no discharge from the eyes or redness. This care is of utmost importance to avoid or early identify possible health problems.

The Bernese Mountain Dog is susceptible to diseases like any other dog, although the most common problems are elbow dysplasia, osteochondritis dissecans, histiocytosis, gastric torsion, progressive retinal atrophy, and thermal shock, in addition to hip dysplasia. Regarding food, it is recommended that your Bernese Mountain Dog eats three to five servings of good quality dry food divided into two servings daily. An excellent quality feed will avoid welfare problems in the future and, in addition, money on visits to the veterinarian. Avoid overfeeding your dog with extras such as leftovers, treats, people food, snacks , etc. Never let him freely have the amount of feed he wants. Don't forget to always offer fresh and plenty of water. A balanced diet limited to the right amount can avoid numerous problems and prevent the appearance of chronic problems in large breed dogs. Its growth from birth until it reaches its maximum weight goes from 500g to 70 kilos or more in just 18 months.

The Bernese Mountain Dog will have to consume acids, amino acids, oils, highly digestible proteins, antioxidants and elements such as chondroitin to reinforce the characteristics of its coat and skin, and protect its joints. Obesity in this breed is dangerous, since its joints are its weak point.

Care of the Bernese Mountain Dog dog

The Bernese Mountain Dog likes to live outdoors, mainly in cold climate regions. You need to do moderate physical exercise every day, approximately 30 minutes of walking. It is necessary to comb your hair twice a week to avoid risks and knots. When he is shedding his hair, you will have to increase the frequency of brushing. It is advised that you take a bath every three months to maintain your beautiful appearance. In regions with high temperatures, bathing may be at shorter intervals. It is also necessary to brush your teeth daily, or two or three times a week to remove bacteria and tartar.

On the other hand, cut their nails and examine their ears every week, clean them with a piece of cotton soaked in a pH-balanced product. Clean only the outside once a month. If the temperature is very high, do not let your dog exercise vigorously. Have him exercise in the morning or at night and always keep him cool. If it remains inside the house, the ideal is that you use the fan or air conditioning to cool it down. If it is outside the house, keep it in the shade. Another important thing is not to allow it to exercise on paved streets, for example. Ideally, you should do it on the grass. Prevent the Bernese Mountain Dog from carrying heavy weight or jumping excessively until he is two years old, so that his joints are fully formed.

Education and training of the Bernese Mountain Dog

There is no doubt that the Bernese Mountain Dog is happy when he is performing a task , because he loves to accomplish. We must not forget that in their country of origin, many dogs of this breed continue to work on farms taking care of livestock, pulling carts and protecting their owners. Bernese Mountain Dogs can also be trained as rescue dogs , especially in mountainous areas where there are often avalanches and tremors. Some can locate injured people in wooded areas.

This dog loves to follow trails and, therefore, helps find lost people. In fact, many dog associations organize various events to challenge the skills of different breeds of working dogs. Currently, agility is a very popular competitive modality among Bernese, although their great passion is carting . Other pleasant activities for both the owner and the dog are beauty exhibitions, since their physical attributes are well known. The Bernese Mountain Dog is a very obedient animal, so it is always willing to follow its owner's orders . He is not aggressive, but he does not like strangers, so he must be socialized as a puppy. To educate him you have to start with exercise; training sessions should be no more than 10 minutes.

Use specific words and gestures to teach the Bernese Mountain Dog what you really want him to do, and once he has complied with your commands, you'll need to reward him with a pet or a treat. Training a Bernese is a simple, but necessary job. Teach him not to pull on the leash, to come when you call him, to respond to his name and to relieve himself in the right place. The Bernese Mountain Dog is very intelligent and can learn many skills and commands, so you will have to add intelligence games to his education, as well as various activities that help him remain mentally active. One of the big behavioral problems of this breed is destructiveness. If they do not receive enough exercise and the attention they need, Bernese Mountain Dogs can be very destructive.

Conclusion

As you can see, the Bernese or Bernese Mountain Dog is a dog with many abilities , as well as faithful and affectionate. His relationship with children is excellent, but with other dogs he is dominant. Its average lifespan is eight to nine years and its maintenance cost is high. He is calm, alert and affectionate with the entire family unit, since his greatest happiness is being with his loved ones.