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Bernese
Mountain Dog
Bernese
Mountain Dog
The Bernese Mountain Dog is an
affectionate, outgoing, and sweet natured breed. The
Bernese Mountain Dog makes a great pet and companion for
those new to dog ownership as well as for more
experienced dog owners. The Bernese Mountain is an
intelligent dog that is easy to train. The Bernese
Mountain dog does well at obedience training. The
Bernese Mountain dog breed has a steady and even
temperament. Laid back and gentle, the Bernese Mountain
dog has a tendency to be a little shy. The Bernese
Mountain Dog is a responsive pet, and is very sensitive
and sweet. Some can be a little on the dominant side.
When it comes to male Bernese Mountain dogs, the females
some can become more dependant on one single person to
whom they attach themselves.
The Bernese Mountain dog gets along very well with
children. The Bernese Mountain dog adores the attention
and interaction of children and adults. The Bernese
Mountain dog is a large dog and therefore may easily
knock down a smaller child unintentionally when playing.
Some Bernese Mountain Dogs can be aloof with strangers
whereas others can be friendly depending on the
personality of the individual dog. The Bernese Mountain
dogs are also good around other animals, and therefore
are well suited to households with other pets and
children. An older Bernese Mountain dog may find it
difficult to adjust to a new home, and some may be
nervous of a particular group of people. The Bernese
Mountain is a dog that thrives in colder climates but
does not fare well in warmer weather. He loves to frolic
in the snow, and also loves to play with kids.
The Bernese Mountain dog is a
breed that is marked by its beautiful tricolor
coat of black, white, and rust. Ideally the white color
runs through the cheeks, head, and toes. Its
medium-length coat can either be wavy or straight. A
strong dog with thick bones, its head is broad and its
ears are slightly triangular. Although it has a compact
body, its chest is wide. The tail is bushy and long.
The Bernese
Mountain Dog can trace their ancestry to the Roman
invasion of Switzerland over 2,000 years ago. The
Mastiffs of Rome were crossed with the native
flock-guarding dogs which produced a breed that was able
to withstand severe weather, such as in the Alps. The
puppy / dog breed was subsequently named for the canton
of Berne in the central farmlands of Switzerland, the
region in which it was developed. The Bernese Sennenhund
holds the resemblance of Newfoundlands, Rottweilers, and
Saint Bernard dogs, all of which are believed to have
played a part in the development of the dog. These dogs
are believed to have ancestry from the Molossus dog of
ancient Greece and Rome. The Bernese Cattle Dogs were
used as guard dogs and draft dogs in Caesar's army.
After this, the breed was mainly used as an all-purpose
dog for farming, herding, pulling carts and other farm
jobs. In the 1800s the breed almost became extinct if it
were not for Herr Franz Schertenleib and Zurich
professor Albert Heim who worked with the breed to
revive it. Schertenleib had heard stories of the dog
from his father, and went in search of the dog that was
soon to be extinct. After finding the species, Heim
joined him in his efforts and the breed was brought
back. The Bernese Mountain Dog was brought to the U.S.
in 1926. In the 1930s, a few bloodlines of these dogs
were bred to be more of a guard dog that was fierce
looking rather than a happy family pet, therefore
resulting in some unreliable temperament in those
specific bloodlines, but not in all Bernese Mountain
Dogs. This led to the common inbreeding of Berners,
which resulted in many genetic disorders that still
perpetuate today. Today the Bernese Mountain Dog's
popularity has grown largely in Europe as well as the
U.S. Bernese Mountain Dogs can still be seen pulling
carts up the Switzerland mountainsides. Today in America
they are used at many charity events, at shows, and as a
gentle family pet.
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