BERNESE MOUNTAIN DOG

The Bernese Mountain Dog, also known as the Berner Sennenhund, is one of four varieties of Swiss mountain dogs.  Of the four breeds, the Bernese is the second largest (the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog being the largest) and the only one to have a long coat. Their ancestors were Mastiffs that were brought into Switzerland more than 2,000 years ago. Inter-breeding with local farm dogs created a somewhat smaller but equally trustworthy dog. Originally, the Bernese was used to drive livestock and to pull carts of produce, primarily in Berne, Switzerland.

The Bernese Mountain Dog has a wonderful temperament. He is dependable, consistent, has a strong desire to please, and always appears to be in command of a situation. The Bernese is an excellent family companion. He is devoted, faithful, and affectionate to his family and requires plenty of human companionship. This is not a dog to be left outdoors but, rather, he must be made a full member of the family. He has a calm and gentle disposition which makes him very good with children and other animals. He may appear to be aloof or suspicious of strangers but is never aggressive or timid. The Bernese is not a guard dog. While he may bark and appear intimidating, in general, the Bernese has a very friendly nature.

Unfortunately, the Bernese Mountain dog has a relatively short life expectancy with the average being 7 to 8 years. However, there are some who live 10 years or longer. The Swiss say: "Three years a young dog, three years a good dog, and three years an old dog...all else, a gift from God." [Quoted from the BMDCSEW Puppy Buyer's Guide.]