Bernese Mountain Dog?

Question

We are looking at this puppy....http://www.carr.org/humane/images/dogs/4627.JPG
although the humane society says she is a rottie mix, we are thinking she is a Bernese mountain dog mix.

I have a few questions.......personal experiences as well as breed generalizations are welcome........

Is there anyway a Bernese Mountain dog can have a short coat or no blaze?

Do Bernese Mountain dogs drool? One source said they drool a lot and another said that they are "dry-mouthed"? Also, at what age does a dog start to drool?

What is the average life span of a Bernese Mountain dog…or how long did yours live.....? they said "short", but how long is "short"?

Finally are their any major health concerns? I read about cancer and an elbow dysfunction........how common are these?

Answer 1

First, great looking dog. Not a full Berner, for sure. I can tell by looking at his face alone. Some berners don't have a blaze, they have an inverted cross, some even less white. But for a purebred you look for one or the other.

Also, no way a berner has a short coat. Impossible. A mix may I suppose, but a true Berner? NO WAY. The only real downside to a real berner..the SHEDDING. They shed year round, especially in the warmer months and after bathtime, but I mean...huge MOUNDS OF FUR.

Any big dog you have two big concerns, hip dysplasia and young death. It's said that if you own a berner for more than 8 years, every day after that is a real gift. :(

I have oooooodles of berner experience. Let me know if I can help. Berners have the ideal family traits, they seldom bark except when someone approaches the house. They never ever bite (okay, I'm sure a berner has bit someone, some time, but thats never happened to any of the berners I have ever known. More safe than goldens or labs, for sure.)

PS My berner is about 4 and his drool is really just coming into full bloom, not earlier. lol

Also, they have long, full double coated fur. That means it takes them about a year to dry after a bath.

They will resist going outside all summer, preferring to sit on or as close as possible to the AC vent. I know, my berners have all been AC hogs.

They are TOTALLY SUITABLE for any home that is large enough for a big dog and has ac in the summer. Not suitable for urban living? Please. Not true. You just have to take care of them. You will never be better loved by any dog. :)

Answer 2

These breeds have very exceptional tempermants. If she likes the Bernese, i might take a appear on the Newfoundland who's a very simular canine besides it is a bit more of a gaurd dog then the Bernese and the newfoundland is considered one of the nice dogs on this planet with regards to kids and also doesnt have the significant adversion to sizzling climate like a bernese or siberian does although siberians alter to warmth a lot, much better then Bernese do. You must deffinately no longer are living in sizzling climate with a Bernese, a husky nonetheless can regulate if given the suitable instruments like coloration, water, ect..(i dont be aware of where she lives, however with both of these puppies hopefully she lives in a cold weather state and now not states like Cali, Az, Nevada, New Mex, Florida, Texas, ect. Out of the 2 dogs you might have listed for her obstacle I consider the Bernese could be the higher canine. They are extra of a "loved ones" dog and would do higher with small children. Huskys are very independant puppies. They do not bond carefully with there families and do not need a variety of tolerance for harsh treatment that children commonly deal out. They'll no longer chew, however they are going to to prevent youngsters and no longer play with them. Bernese have a high suffering tolerance and bond closely with there loved ones. They do very well with children as good. I spent eleven years in canine habits coaching and for the duration of this time I determined three books that were excelent and correct on the money. I took these 3 books and there understanding and mixed it to come up with a canine score procedure for a big majority of the breeds. Heres how those 2 dogs fee. 1 is low 5 is high Bernese Mountain canine power level 1 indoor endeavor 1 outdoor activity 2-3 (will depend on idividual canine) recreation necessities 2 Playfulness 2 Affection degree 3 Freindleness twords dogs 3 Friendliness twords different pets four Friendliness twords strangers three excellent with kids four Ease of training 4 *Watchdog capability three *safety capability 2 Grooming requirements three cold Tolerance 5 heat tolerance 1 Siberian Husky power stage three indoor exercise 3 outdoor exercise 4 pastime requisites four playfulness 4 affection level 3 friendliness twords dogs 3 friendliness towards other pets three friendliness towards strangers 5 ease of training 1 *watchdog ability 2-3 (depends upon person dog) *safety ability 1 grooming requirements three bloodless tolerance 5 heat tolerance 2 good with children three *watchdog manner the likelyhood that the canine will bark or alert you to anyone approaching your apartment, automobile, ect *safety ability manner the likelyhood that the canine will act to safeguard you in a main issue that anyone intends to do you harm further information-- Be particularly hesitant to accept knowledge that you just get from people that own either breed unless they are an specific liable breeder of the breed. In my experiances it appears a number of folks that own a breed of canine that you're asking about tent to inform you how there dog acts above all, now not how the breed is famous to behave. They also are likely to have the "baby syndrome" about there puppies breed. What I mean by means of this is that each time you hear a mom speaking about her child or youngster, they always tell you that there child is the fine looking, smartest, and most strong child that do matters no different kid can. I have located various canine homeowners do this with there puppies as good.

Answer 3

Hi, A pure bred Bernese will always have the blaze on their faces. They are not short haired but of a med. coat.
Yes they drool, alot. But most who own them overlook this because they love this breed. The drooling starts at puppyhood.
The life span of one of these Gentle giants is usually 6 to maybe if your lucky 8 years. Not long I know. Why? They are prone to heart, hip, skin, elbow problems. These beautiful dogs are considered Giant Breed and like so many in this class of dogs they tend not to live very long just because of their size and the amount of stress it causes on their organs. A full grown Mountain dog can reach 110 to 150 pounds at full growth.

I took a look at the picture and she has rottie in her and maybe Bernese Mountain Dog. She a cutie, I'd take a chance knowing she may not live to be 8, but then that's just me.

I love this breed but know well ahead of time that it's time with you will be of a shortened nature. OK

Answer 4

i in my opinion, would decide for the Bernese Mountain dogs. are not getting me incorrect, Siberians are great dogs, yet they're extremely a handful and that i've got been informed they're relatively confusing to coach and obdurate as all get out. in addition they won't be able to be left in an unfenced section. yet in my opinion, i'd ought to assert she ought to attend ti'll shes performed with college and strikes right into a house. Being in an place of living and her being in college, she possibly won't have as plenty time as she concept she would. It is purely no longer honest to her or the dogs.

Answer 5

It looks more like a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog.

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/greaterswissmountain.htm