Can anybody give me a "character profile" of the Bernese ( also know as the Swiss Mountain Dog)?

Question

I am interested in them as my new dog, and it was suggested that they fit my personality, but until then I had never heard of them...

Answer 1

Bernese Mountain Dogs
What's good about 'em
What's bad about 'em

There are energetic Bernese, and placid Bernese.
Hard-headed Bernese, and sweet-natured Bernese.
Serious Bernese, and good-natured goofballs.
Introverted Bernese, and Bernese who love everyone.

If you acquire a Bernese Mountain Dog puppy, you can't know for sure what he or she will grow up to be like. Because a good number of purebred puppies do NOT grow up to conform to the "norm."

If you want a dog who...
Is heavy and powerful, with a thick furry coat
Is steady-tempered with everyone
Loves pulling carts and sleds and romping in cold weather
Is responsive to training in a slow, good-natured way
A Bernese Mountain Dog may be right for you.

If you don't want to deal with...
A large, bulky dog who takes up a lot of space in your house and car
Rowdiness and exuberant jumping when young, or when not exercised enough
"Separation anxiety" and destructiveness when left alone too much
Fearfulness in some lines, or when not socialized enough
Some stubbornness and/or dominance problems, especially in males
Heavy shedding
Slobbering and drooling
High price tag -- $1000 and up
Serious health problems and a short lifespan
A Bernese Mountain Dog may not be right for you.

If I were considering a Bernese Mountain Dog...

My major concerns would be:
Providing enough exercise and mental stimulation. Bernese Mountain Dogs don't need or want miles of running, but they MUST have regular opportunities to vent their energy and to do interesting things. Otherwise they will become bored -- which they usually express by destructive chewing.

I strongly recommend that you get your Bernese Mountain Dog involved in obedience classes at the intermediate or advanced level, or tracking, or pulling a cart or sled, or even just hiking and swimming. This is a working dog who needs something interesting to do.

Bounciness. Young Bernese Mountain Dogs (up to about two years old) romp and jump with great vigor, and things can go flying, including people.

If you have small children, or if you or anyone who lives with you is elderly or infirm, I do not recommend Bernese Mountain Dog puppies.

Separation anxiety. More than most other breeds, Bernese Mountain Dogs need a great deal of companionship and do not like being left alone for more than a few hours. They tend to express their unhappiness through destructive chewing. If you work all day, this is not the breed for you.

Providing enough socialization. Standoffish by nature, Bernese Mountain Dogs need extensive exposure to people and to unusual sights and sounds. Otherwise their natural caution can become shyness or suspiciousness, which is difficult to live with.

Strong temperament in some males. Some Bernese Mountain Dogs, particularly young males, are not pushovers to raise and train. Some are willful and dominant (they want to be the boss) and will make you prove that you can make them do things. You must show them, through absolute consistency, that you mean what you say. Some Bernese males are also dominant or aggressive toward other male dogs.

Heavy shedding. Bernese Mountain Dogs shed a LOT. You'll find hair and fur all over your clothing, upholstery, carpeting, under your furniture, on your countertops -- even in your food. Frequent vacuuming will become a way of life. Make sure you're REALLY up for this.

Slobbering. Some Bernese Mountain Dogs, especially those with massive heads and loose jowls, slobber and drool, especially after eating and drinking. With these individuals, you will literally be toweling saliva and slime off your clothes and furniture.

Serious health problems. The lifespan of a Bernese is short and an alarming number are crippled by bone and joint diseases and/or succumb to cancer in middle age.

If you're considering an adult Bernese Mountain Dog...

There are plenty of adult Bernese who have already proven themselves NOT to have negative characteristics. If you find such an adult, don't let "typical breed negatives" worry you.

When you acquire a puppy, you're acquiring potential -- what he one day will be. So "typical breed characteristics" are very important. But when you acquire an adult, you're acquiring what he already IS.

Hope this was helpful! :)

Answer 2

Bernese Mountain Dogs are big, sweet loveable dogs similar to St. Bernards, but a bit smaller and easier to train. Great with kids and friendly with strangers. The main problem with all of these big dogs is hip dysplasia - many have to be put down before they're six months old. Make sure you find a really good breeder who guarantees their pups and has the parents and grandparents x-rayed and certified by the OFA. Go to dog shows and get recommendations or check out the www.akc.org website for a list of breeders. (Being on the list doesn't guarantee quality - it's just a place to start your search.) Also, check out the Bernese Mountain Dog clubs - their members tend to be much more involved in the breed and its quality.

These tend to be easy going dogs that need a long daily walk, but not too much exercise. Weekly brushing to prevent mats, especially under the front legs and behind the ears. They (and all loose-lipped dogs) tend to drool - nice long slobbers of slime on you. You can make a bib for them to keep their chests clean when they eat and drink. Obedience train them young, because of their size. Work on teaching them never to take things off the stove and kitchen counter!!!!

Answer 3

Bernese Mountain Dog Breed Standard
Working Group

General Appearance
The Bernese Mountain Dog is a striking. tri-colored, large dog. He is sturdy and balanced. He is intelligent, strong and 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 feminine.

Size, Proportion, Substance
Measured at the withers, dogs are 25 to 27½ 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.

Head
Expression is intelligent, animated and gentle. The eyes are dark brown and slightly oval in shape with close-fitting eyelids. Inverted or everted eyelids are serious faults. Blue eye color is a disqualification. The ears are medium sized, set high, triangular in shape. gently rounded at the tip, and hang close to the head when in repose. When the Bernese Mountain Dog is alert, the ears are brought forward and raised at the base; the top of the ear is level with the top of the skull. The skull is flat on top and broad, with a slight furrow and a well-defined, but not exaggerated stop. The muzzle is strong and straight. The nose is always black. The lips are clean and, as the Bernese Mountain Dog is a dry-mouthed breed, the flews are only slightly developed. The teeth meet in a scissors bite. An overshot or undershot bite is a serious fault. Dentition is complete.

Neck, Topline, Body
The neckis strong, muscular and of medium length. The topline is level from the withers to the croup. The chest is deep and capacious with well-sprung, but not barrel-shaped, ribs and brisket reaching at least to the elbows. The back is broad and firm. The loin is strong. The croup is broad and smoothly rounded to the tail insertion. The tail is bushy. It should be carried low when in repose. An upward swirl is permissible when the dog is alert, but the tail may never curl or be carried over the back. The bones in the tail should feel straight and should reach to the hock joint or below. A kink in the tail is a fault.

Forequarters
The shoulders are moderately laid back, flat-lying, well-muscled and never loose. The legs are straight and strong and the elbows are well under the shoulder when the dog is standing. The pasterns slope very slightly. but are never weak. Dewclaws may be removed. The feet are round and compact with well-arched toes.

Hindquarters
The thighs are broad, strong and muscular. The stifles are moderately bent and taper smoothly into the hocks. The hocks are well let down and straight as viewed from the rear. Dewclaws should be removed. Feet are compact and turn neither in nor out.

Coat
The coat is thick, moderately long and slightly wavy or straight. It has a bright natural sheen. Extremely curly or extremely dull-looking coats are undesirable. The Bernese Mountain Dog is shown in natural coat and undue trimming is to be discouraged.

Color and Markings
The Bernese Mountain Dog is tri-colored. The ground color is jet black. The markings are rich rust and clear white. Symmetry of markings is desired. Rust appears over each eye, on the cheeks reaching to at least the corner of the mouth, on each side of the chest, on all four legs, and under the tail. There is a white blaze and muzzle band. A white marking on the chest typically forms an inverted cross. The tip of the tail is white. White on the feet is desired but must not extend higher than the pasterns. Markings other than described are to be faulted in direct relationship to the extent of the deviation. White legs or a white collar are serious faults. Any ground color other than black is a disqualification.

Gait
The natural working gait of the Bernese Mountain Dog is a slow trot. However, in keeping with his use in draft and droving work, he is capable of speed and agility. There is good reach in front. Powerful drive from the rear is transmitted through a level back. There is no wasted action. Front and rear legs on each side follow through in the same plane. At increased speed, legs tend to converge toward the center line.

Temperament
The temperament is self-confident, alert and good-natured, never sharp or shy. The Bernese Mountain Dog should stand steady, though may remain aloof to the attentions of strangers.

Disqualifications
Blue eye color.
Any ground color other than black.

Answer 4

The Bernese Mountain Dog is a sturdy, heavy dog, with a beautiful weather-resistant tri-color double coat of black with symmetrical markings of rust and white. The dog should have a white blaze on the chest, white on the head and toes, and rust markings over each eye, on the cheeks, sides of the chest, under the tail and on each leg. The coat is moderately long and either straight or slightly wavy. The broad head has a slight furrow down the middle. The medium-sized triangular ears are pendant. The dark eyes have a gentle expression and the nose is black. The teeth should meet in a scissors bite. The body is compact with a wide, deep chest. The brisket should reach down to the elbow at least. The tail is long and bushy, carried low when in repose (a slight upward curve is permissible when the dog is alert). Dewclaws should be removed.
Temperament
These gentle, cheerful dogs love children. They are very intelligent, easy to train and are natural watchdogs, but not overly aggressive. A friend for life. They are very loyal and may have trouble adjusting to a new owner after they are 18 months old. Self-confident, alert and good-natured. They are fairly friendly with strangers, and are generally good with other pets and dogs. Never sharp or shy. These dogs may by slow to mature, remaining boisterous and puppy-like for quite awhile. The Bernese needs to be with people and not relegated to the backyard or kennel run. Like any dog, the Bernese Mountain Dog should be well socialized as a puppy. These dogs are sensitive and should be trained gently.
Height, Weight
Height: Dogs 24-28 inches (61-71cm.) Bitches 23-27 inches (58-69cm.)
Weight: Dogs 85-110 pounds (38-50kg.) Bitches 80-105 pounds (36-48kg.)
Health Problems
The Bernese Mountain Dog is a very hardy breed, but beware of hip and elbow dysplasia. Also prone to cancer, bloat and eyelid problems.
Living Conditions
Bernese Mountain Dog are not recommended for apartment life. They are relatively inactive indoors and will do best with at least a large, fenced-in yard. Prefers cool climates because the thick coat makes the Bernese uncomfortable in warm weather.
Exercise
Large active dogs such as these need regular exercise.
Life Expectancy
About 6-8 years. The average lifespan of the Bernese has decreased in recent years from 10-12 yrs to 6-8 yrs. The BMD Club of America did a health survey in 2000 with 1,322 dogs. The average age of death was 7.2 yrs. Cancer is unfortunately a very large part of the Berner world and many Berners die young. One source states "I know of several that died of cancer at 3-4 yrs old and one that died two days before his 2nd birthday. The BMD Club of America is aggressively researching this cancer issue! We must see if we can end this sad situation."
Litter Size
Varies from 1 - 14 puppies - Average 8
Grooming
Daily to weekly brushing of the long thick coat is important, with extra care needed when the coat is shedding. Bathe or dry shampoo as necessary. This breed is a seasonal, heavy shedder.
Origin
Although the exact origins of the Bernese Mountain Dog are unclear, this breed probably began as a farm dog in the Swiss mountains. Paintings from the end of the 18th century show the Bernese type. By the end of the 19th century, however, many foreign dogs were being imported to Switzerland and there was a danger that the native breeds would be lost. Professor Albert Heim, Franz Schertenleib and others led the effort to preserve native Swiss breeds by finding remaining specimens and stabilizing the Berner Sennenhund (Bernese Alpine Herdsman's dog) as a distinct breed. The Bernese Mountain Dog was named after the Berne canton of Switzerland where the breed is widely known. The sturdy Bernese has been used for driving livestock, for draft work and as a farm guardian. Because of his gentle, happy temperament, the Bernese Mountain Dog makes a fine family companion. Its talents are tracking, herding, watchdogging, guarding, search & rescue, carting, and competitive obedience.
Group
Mastiff, AKC Working
Recognition
CKC, FCI, AKC, UKC, KCGB, CKC, NKC, NZKC, CCR, ANKC, APRI, ACR

Answer 5

Get a book. Books have to be fact checked while anyone can write anything on the internet.
Good on you for asking lots of questions before you get a new pet. Just be sure your sourses are good.

Answer 6

They are wonderful!! They are so gentle and friendly. However they are very large and hairy - lots of shedding.

Answer 7

read this page. hope it helps!