Bernese Mountain Dog

Personality

Berners are known for a sweet, calm nature and a soft expression, which the AKC credits for their popularity as devoted family companions. PetMD describes them as affectionate and intelligent, eager to please, and generally patient with children and other pets.

The breed is often calm, but it is ready to play when encouraged. PetMD says that although Berners were bred as working farm dogs, today most prefer to lie on the couch or in a comfy bed.

Berners may be a little shy around people they do not know, and shy in new settings. PetMD says that a Berner properly socialized to dogs, cats and people as a puppy is more adaptable and less likely to develop anxiety as an adult.

Many Berners dislike being left alone, and some may develop separation anxiety. They do best when included in family life.

PetMD calls the Berner a great family dog when socialized and trained from puppyhood, but cautions that interactions between kids and dogs of any breed should always be supervised. A large puppy that jumps up will become a very large adult, so teach manners early.

History

The Bernese Mountain Dog is one of four Sennenhund breeds, which loosely means dairy farmer's dog. It is named for the midland region of Switzerland near Bern. The AKC says Roman soldiers crossing the Alps about two thousand years ago brought Mastiff-type dogs and large black-and-tan dogs with white markings, and crosses between them produced the Berner. The dogs pulled supply carts, moved cattle and acted as watchdogs.

In the Bern region, farmers and basket weavers depended on Berners to pull milk carts and wagons, and the dogs also herded small groups of cattle. Industrial farming then replaced canine labor and the breed declined.

In 1892, a dog fancier named Franz Schertenleib searched for a good example of the breed, and when he could not find one, other fans joined the hunt. They formed a specialty club in 1907 to re-establish the breed. Wikipedia says that club was founded by breeders from the Burgdorf region and wrote the first standard.

The AKC says a Kansas farmer, Isaac Schliess, is believed to have imported the first Berners to the United States in 1926, and the AKC recognized the breed in 1937. The Bernese Mountain Dog Club of America was formed in 1968 and set up a drafting and carting program.

Appearance, coat & colors

The Bernese is a big, sturdy dog. The AKC lists males at 25-27.5 in (64-70 cm) and 80-115 lb (36-52 kg), and females at 23-26 in (58-66 cm) and 70-95 lb (32-43 kg).

The AKC history page describes the Berner as the only one of the four Sennenhund breeds with a moderately long, silky coat, which can be slightly wavy or straight. PetMD describes a thick double coat in a tricolor of black, white and tan. The tan is often called rust.

All four Sennenhund breeds share unusual tricolor coats and a similar overall appearance, but only the Bernese has the longer coat. The AKC places the breed in the Working Group.

PetMD notes that the Berner's deep chest puts it at higher risk of bloat.

The coat sheds heavily, which PetMD says is year-round and worse at seasonal changes, so a Berner's look comes with plenty of fur on floors and furniture.

Training

PetMD calls the Berner exceptionally intelligent and eager to please, making it highly trainable. Training is most successful with positive reinforcement and lots of treats for good behavior. The AKC adds that a BMDCA drafting chair calls the breed incredibly biddable, and says Berners are usually game to try something new, especially when treats are involved.

Begin as soon as your puppy comes home. PetMD says that because of their large size and strength, training a Berner to walk nicely on a leash and not to jump up on people is crucial.

Socialize widely during puppyhood. Berners may be shy around strangers and in new settings, and good exposure to dogs, cats and people helps them become more adaptable.

PetMD lists obedience training, nose work, hiking and cart pulling among good activities for Berners. The AKC says that in drafting and carting tests, dogs pull a load for half a mile in 12 to 15 minutes, and that most Berners take to carting once mature.

Safety note: the AKC says it is dangerous for a Berner to pull a cart before its growth plates close at about 2 years old. Harness introduction can begin around 6 months, but no weight should go in the cart until age 2. Our crate training guide helps with early routines.

Exercise

Berners need regular exercise to stay healthy. PetMD describes them as generally calm dogs that can easily be enticed to play and need regular exercise. Neighborhood walks, hiking, nose work, obedience and cart pulling are the activities the site lists for the breed.

Heat is a major limit. PetMD says Berners should be kept inside during hot weather, since their heavy coat makes them sensitive to overheating. Exercise in the cool of early morning or evening in summer, bring water, and stop if your dog is panting heavily or seems wobbly. Heatstroke is an emergency, so call a vet right away.

Watch the growing puppy. The AKC says a Berner's growth plates close at around 2 years old, and that pulling a loaded cart before then is dangerous. PetMD says hip and elbow dysplasia can be influenced by growth rate, diet and exercise, so avoid long runs and forced jogging while your puppy is young. Ask your vet what activity is appropriate at each age.

Mental exercise counts too. Training games and nose work give a big dog a job. Our guide on how much exercise a dog needs offers more help. Use a leash in public areas.

Grooming

The Berner's coat is a big commitment. PetMD says the double coat sheds heavily year-round, and shedding worsens during seasonal changes. It needs brushing several times a week, if not every day, to prevent matting and control shedding, though hair will still end up in your house.

PetMD suggests deshedding tools such as a FURminator to remove the undercoat, and a good vacuum cleaner. If you want a fur-free space, this is not the right breed.

PetMD says a Berner should be bathed with dog shampoo every two to four weeks. If you notice changes in the skin, such as redness or flakiness, talk to your vet.

The floppy ears can easily trap moisture, which can lead to infection. PetMD recommends regular cleaning with a veterinary-approved ear cleaner, and always after bath time or swimming. If debris collects around the eyes, clean gently with a moist cloth; excessive discharge should be checked by a vet.

Trim nails regularly and brush teeth several times a week. Our dental care guide explains how.

Grooming is also a chance to check for lumps, since cancer is common in the breed. Report any new lump or weight loss to your vet.

Feeding

PetMD advises a complete and balanced AAFCO-compliant food. As a giant breed, Berner puppies need to grow at a steady rate so muscle and bone grow in unison. Bones and joints can become weak if growth is too fast, and extra body weight puts strain on them. Hip and elbow dysplasia can also happen due to rapid growth. Use a puppy food designed for giant and large dogs, and ask your vet which one is best.

Adults do best fed twice a day, about 12 hours apart. Puppies eat more frequently, up to four times a day.

Berners are deep-chested, which raises the risk of gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), or bloat. PetMD says to avoid elevated bowls, which may increase the risk, and to use a slow feeder bowl instead. A preventive surgery called gastropexy, often done at spay or neuter, can secure the stomach. Ask your vet about it.

Measure portions. PetMD says the best way to work out how much to feed is to ask your vet and follow the feeding guide on the food label. Our dog food calculator offers an estimate. Keeping your Berner lean helps protect the joints; see how to tell if your dog is overweight.

Never give a supplement, including omega-3, without talking to your vet first.

Health

The AKC lists a life span of 7-10 years. Wikipedia notes that this is short even compared with other large breeds, citing studies that found life expectancy of about 8 years in Dutch and Swiss populations. One Dutch study attributed 55 percent of deaths to cancer.

PetMD says Berners are prone to several cancers, and one of the most common is histiocytic sarcoma, which comes in localized, disseminated and hemophagocytic forms. Signs vary, but many dogs are lethargic, lose weight and eat less. If your Berner's weight is falling, see your vet. Wikipedia says the disease is familial and accounts for about a quarter of all tumors in the breed.

Other conditions include hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia, which can cause pain, limping and arthritis, and GDV, a sudden emergency in which the stomach twists. Signs of GDV include a swollen belly, retching and restlessness, and it needs immediate vet care. Wikipedia also lists the breed as one of the more commonly affected by type I von Willebrand disease.

Because of these risks, choose a breeder who follows the club's health testing, keep your Berner lean, protect it from heat and keep up annual vet visits. Pet insurance is worth considering early, as PetMD suggests.

Health conditions to know about

• Histiocytic sarcoma — Aggressive cancer that is among the most common in the breed; weight loss and lethargy need a vet visit.
• Other cancers — Cancer accounted for 55 percent of deaths in one Dutch study; check for lumps and weight loss regularly.
• Hip dysplasia — Loose, malformed hip joint leading to pain, limping and arthritis.
• Elbow dysplasia — Abnormal elbow development causing lameness; surgery is required in most cases, per PetMD.
• Gastric dilatation-volvulus (bloat) — Deep-chested dogs are at risk; a twisted stomach is an emergency.
• Von Willebrand disease — Inherited bleeding disorder, type I is commonly seen in the breed; DNA test available.
• Degenerative myelopathy — Progressive spinal cord disease; the breed club requires SOD1A and SOD1B DNA tests for breeding dogs.

Health tests to ask a breeder about

• AKC DNA profile
• Hip evaluation (OFA at 24 months or PennHIP at 4 months)
• Elbow evaluation (OFA)
• Eye exam by a board-certified ophthalmologist
• Cardiac evaluation (12 months or older)
• Degenerative myelopathy DNA tests (SOD1A and SOD1B)
• Optional: von Willebrand disease, autoimmune thyroiditis or histiocytic sarcoma risk test

Written from veterinary sources by the Pawsplained editorial team. Not yet reviewed by a veterinarian; this is general information, not a diagnosis or treatment plan. Updated Oct 25, 2026. Editorial policy

Living with a Bernese Mountain Dog

A Berner does best in a home where it can be near its family. PetMD says many Berners dislike being left alone, and some develop separation anxiety. A house with a yard is a good fit, though the breed is calm indoors.

Heat is a serious issue. PetMD says Berners should be kept inside during hot weather because their heavy coat makes them sensitive to overheating. Provide air conditioning, shade, cool floors and fresh water, and avoid midday exercise. Never leave a dog in a parked car.

PetMD says Berners are generally patient with children and other pets, but supervise all kid-dog interactions. A very large dog can knock down small children by accident.

Berners shed heavily year-round, per PetMD, so you will need a strong vacuum and plenty of lint rollers. They also need regular grooming and bathing.

Plan for the practicalities of a big dog: a larger vehicle, a sturdy bed, and higher food, medication and boarding costs. Hip and elbow problems are common, so consider flooring that is not slippery and ask your vet about mobility aids later in life.

Puppies, breeders & rescue

Bernese Mountain Dog puppy prices vary widely. Given the breed's short life span and health risks, the choice of breeder matters more than the price tag. The Bernese Mountain Dog Club of America, the AKC parent club, strongly recommends that both sire and dam be screened under CHIC requirements for breeding programs such as Bred with H.E.A.R.T. and the Breeder of Merit.

The required tests are an AKC DNA profile, hip evaluation (OFA at 24 months or older, or PennHIP at 4 months or older), elbow evaluation, an eye exam by a board-certified ophthalmologist, a cardiac evaluation at 12 months or older, and degenerative myelopathy DNA tests for SOD1A and SOD1B. Breeders also choose at least one optional test: von Willebrand disease, autoimmune thyroiditis or a histiocytic sarcoma risk test. Ask to see the results.

A good breeder raises puppies in the home, socializes them early and lets you meet the mother. Puppies should not leave before eight weeks. Be cautious of sellers who always have puppies available, or who avoid showing health records. Do not buy sight unseen.

Bernese rescues exist in many regions, and adults sometimes come with known temperaments. Consider pet insurance and a savings fund for veterinary costs.