Bernese Mountain Dog Dogs and Puppies Canada
Your Canadian Online Guide to
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23 - 26 inches (female)
70 - 100 pounds (female)
Bernese Mountain Dog Breed History:
The early history of the Bernese Mountain dog is unclear but it is known that the breed is a member of the Sennehunde group, meaning Swiss mountain dogs. The Bernese Mountain Dog is believed to have originated when Julius Caesar and his Roman army invaded Switzerland in about 55 BC. The Roman army brought Roman Mastiffs as warrior dogs and it is widely speculated that some of these dogs bred with native Swiss guard dogs of unknown lineage. The result was the yet unnamed Bernese Mountain Dog.
The Bernese Mountain Dog was well suited to his name as he could easily withstand brutal alpine conditions. This quality made the Bernese Mountain Dog a suitable draft dog, herder and general purpose farm dog, but he remained unappreciated. The Bernese Mountain Dog’s early breed history is more a story of chance and neglect than selective breeding and few people were interested in establishing the breed. By the 1800’s fewer Bernese Mountain Dogs were needed for their utility and the breed was nearly lost. But, by the late 1800’s a benefactor had emerged.
Professor Albert Heim was a Swiss geologist whose work studied the physical features of the Alps. He was bemused by the rugged Bernese Mountain Dog and initiated a study on their suitability and adaptability for living in the Alps. Soon, the Bernese Mountain Dog was named and identified as a native Swiss breed and efforts were made to stabilize their numbers. Dr. Heim’s study promoted the Bernese Mountain Dog throughout Europe and an interest in this breed began to grow. Soon, the Bernese Mountain Dog could be found throughout Western Europe and in 1926, the breed was brought to America. The America Kennel Club recognized the Bernese Mountain Dog in 1937.
Bernese Mountain Dog Appearance:
The Bernese Mountain Dog sports a gentle and winsome expression. White flashings colour the chest and muzzle extend between the eyes to the crown. His ears are triangular and frame his handsome face.
Logically, the Bernese Mountain Dog has a thick double coat. The coat’s texture is silky and the fur is moderately long and wavy. This thick coat provides excellent insulation during the winter and is blown in spring.
Bernese Mountain Dog Temperament:
The Bernese Mountain Dog is an affectionate breed who will long for attention. As a puppy, the Bernese Mountain Dog is devilish and will stop at nothing in the name of fun. The new Bernese Mountain Dog owner is well advised to keep a close eye on his puppy as this pup will chew and tug without regard for designer labels.
Once grown, the Bernese Mountain Dog’s owner can take a more relaxed position on supervision, but this breed will seek and find entertainment. The Bernese Mountain Dog loves to play outside in cool and even cold weather. He is cheerful and boisterous in yard games but will be calm and is usually reasonable indoors. With children, the Bernese Mountain dog is a trusted companion, although small children should be taught to not provoke this or any dog.
Because of the Bernese Mountain Dog’s Alpine heritage, one might be tempted to characterize this breed as an outside dog. This would be an incorrect assertion as the Bernese Mountain Dog cannot be isolated from his family. He must have plenty of indoor attention and affection from his family to thrive.
Bernese Mountain Dog Exercise Information:
The Bernese Mountain Dog will need a daily 5 kilometre walk on a leash. He will enjoy these walks, but the Bernese Mountain Dog seems to think the object of these outings is to pull the walker along the pavement. Training your Bernese Mountain Dog to heed the heel command is essential for you to both enjoy these jaunts.
By nature, the Bernese Mountain Dog is a worker dog so he will need to make good use of his time. Some owners will allow the Bernese Mountain Dog to pull a stone filled cart hither and fro. And, despite its chain-gang quality, this exercise does seem to satisfy the Bernese Mountain Dog’s commitment to enterprise.
Bernese Mountain Dog Grooming Needs:
The Bernese Mountain Dog will need daily brushing with special attention to this duty in early spring. The Bernese Mountain Dog’s coat is thick and he will shed (or blow) his undercoat in seemingly unreasonable quantities. You will find alarming tufts littering the yard and sticking to any surface, especially expensive black trousers. Daily (perhaps twice daily) brushing in spring will ease this. The Bernese Mountain Dog will allow a bath, but drying him thoroughly is essential to avoid serious skin irritations. His white chest may harbour bits of food and spillage, so spot-cleaning may be necessary here. On the whole, the Bernese Mountain Dog is not a prissy dog of leisure so there is little fuss in keeping him in tip-top shape.
Bernese Mountain Dog Training
The Bernese Mountain Dog is typically eager, but the Berner is slow to mature, so he may be slow to learn. Additionally, his eagerness can melt into boredom if the training sessions drag on too long. So, be sure to keep training sessions short - 10 minutes should suffice, and be patient. Your Bernese Mountain Dog may look fully mature at one year of age, but he is still intellectually a puppy.
Most trainers have found much success with crate training Bernese Mountain Dogs. Just bring your Berner outside immediately following naps and meals and soon, an acceptable bathroom routine will be established. Other household manners need to also be taught. Just remember that your Berner is keen to please and mistakes happen. Ignore the inappropriate behaviour and amply praise the positive with a tasty treat and a pleasant tone.
Reserve a firm but controlled voice for misbehaviour and only use it immediately following the inappropriate deed. Your Bernese Mountain Dog will not make the connection between a punishment now and a chewed pillow from three hours ago.
Bernese Mountain Dog Health Information:
Some common health concerns for your Bernese Mountain Dog included; CHD, elbow dysphasia, mast cell tumour, gastric torsion, cataracts, entopion, ectropion, SAS, hypomyelination, allergies, hepatocerebellar degeneration, hypothyroidism, PRA.
Note: The Bernese Mountain Dog is intolerant to heat and is very susceptible to heat stroke.
The Bernese Mountain Dog has a short life expectancy. There is a Swiss expression explains the Bernese Mountain Dog most succinctly, Three years a young dog and three years an old dog, All else is a gift from God.
Is the Bernese Mountain Dog The Right Breed For You:
The Bernese Mountain is one of the most loving breeds. So, if your family’s hectic schedule will mean hours of isolation for your dog, the Bernese Mountain Dog may not be the breed for you. However, those families who tend to stay close to home and are keen to devote much time to a pet will find a splendid companion in the Bernese Mountain Dog.
Families with children will find the Bernese Mountain Dog to be gentle and patient, (so long as it is reciprocated), and potential owners looking for an affectionate buddy need look no further. Ideally, adoptive families should have a love of the outdoors, or at least be prepared to develop one as the Bernese Mountain Dog will make an explorer out of anyone!
When purchasing your Bernese Mountain Dog, resist the urge to purchase a dog inexpensively from a pet store or from an advertisement in a newspaper. You may unwittingly buy a mal-adjusted, sick, puppy mill dog. This is to be avoided at all costs.
Bernese Mountain Dog Puppies
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If you are ready to make a lifelong commitment to that perfect Bernese Mountain Dog puppy, your next step is to locate the most responsible and reputable Bernese Mountain Dog dog breeder you can find. We sincerely hope that our Bernese Mountain Dog dog breed profile will assist you in your search for your new puppy, and help you avoid acquiring a puppy from any source other than a responsible Bernese Mountain Dog breeder. |
A Responsible Bernese Mountain Dog Puppy Breeder:
- Is a die-hard dog lover who breeds out of a sincere desire to perpetuate and improve upon the Bernese Mountain Dog dog breed.
- Is very well educated about the breed(s) they offer and the breed's traits, both desirable and undesirable.
- Adheres to a highly selective breeding program which focuses on health, temperament and conformation.
- Breeds only healthy, conformationally correct dogs with sound temperaments that are registered with the Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) or, if from another country, with that country's authorative dog breed registry.
- Treats the dogs in their breeding home as members of the family, and does not constantly confine these dogs to crates, kennels or other pens.
- Has breeding dogs carefully screened for hereditary and other canine disorders prior to breeding.
- Whelps puppies indoors and ensures that puppies are well socialized, given proper nutrition and receive plenty of love and play.
- Offers and stands behind a reasonable health guarantee.
- Has a spay or neuter requirement on all puppies placed in pet homes.
- Is committed to each Bernese Mountain Dog puppy for life, and will re-home or take back a puppy if you cannot fulfill your commitment for any reason.
- Is happy to answer any questions you may have about the Bernese Mountain Dog dog breed or their dogs and puppies.
- Carefully screens potential puppy buyers to ensure that Bernese Mountain Dog puppies are placed only in loving, responsible forever homes.
Avoid Buying Your Bernese Mountain Dog Puppy From:
- A Pet Store.
- A Newspaper Ad.
- An online classifieds site.
- The side of the road.
- A parking lot.
- A friend or neighbour, unless they are an experienced and responsible Bernese Mountain Dog dog breeder.
- Any breeder with whom you do not feel 100% comfortable; you will be in contact with this person for the life of your dog or puppy.
Canada, like the US and the UK, has more than it's share of puppy mills. If you do not know what a puppy mill is, then please click here to read about this inhumane industry where dogs are treated as livestock, and puppies as merchandise. In addition to supporting an industry that thrives on the cruel mistreatment of dogs and puppies, by buying a puppy from a pet store, newspaper ad or online classifieds site is setting yourself and your family up for a heap of heartache.
Puppy mill puppies are generally more expensive than puppies from a reputable breeder, and can have numerous health, temperament and behavioural problems as a result of the conditions in which they were conceived, born and raised. Usually this results in taking on a family member with health problems that will cause ongoing additional veterinary costs, behavioural problems that may pose a hazard to your family, friends and neighbours, and, at worst, you may fall in love with a sickly puppy that will eventually need to be humanely euthanized.
The Bernese Mountain Dog dog breeders that are showcased on Dogs and Puppies Canada have undergone our own screening process, in an effort to ensure that we promote only highly reputable breeders, and keep puppy mills and backyard breeders from advertising with us. These breeders share our philosophy on what is a responsible breeder, and have agreed to abide by these guidelines for conduct.
Click here to View our directory of
Responsible Canadian Bernese Mountain Dog Dog Breeders
Additional Bernese Mountain Dog Information Resources
Our Featured Canadian
Bernese Mountain Dog Dog Breeders:
| Riverstead reg. Bernese |
 Bernese Mountain Dog Dog Breeders
Bernadette Warburton
Email | Web SiteRiverport , Nova Scotia Ph: (902) 764-2046 Sorry, we prefer not to ship our puppies. |
