The Bernese Mountain Dog is striking with its beauty and its powerful yet gentle appearance. It is a very large dog with long hair and brown almond eyes, drooping triangular ears and a bushy tail.

• Poil : tricolor coat, long and shiny, smooth or slightly wavy.
• Size (height at the withers): 64 to 70 cm for males and 58 to 66 cm for females.
• Weight : from 40 to 65 kg.
• Classification FCI : N° 45.

As its name suggests, this dog is originally from Switzerland and more precisely from the canton of Bern. The etymology of its German name Bernese Mountain Dog means “Bern cowherd dog”. In fact, in the pre-Alps south of Bern, he accompanied the herds of cows for a long time and acted as a draft dog by transporting the milk obtained from the milking of cows to the hamlets. Incidentally, his role was also to guard the farms. It was at the beginning of the XNUMXth century that farmers in the region began to take an interest in its purebred breeding and to present it at dog shows throughout Switzerland and as far as Bavaria.

The Bernese Mountain Dog is naturally balanced, calm, docile and moderately active. He is also affectionate and patient with those around him, including children. So many qualities that make it a very popular family companion around the world.

He is suspicious at first towards strangers whom he can signal by loud barking, but peaceful, then quickly friendly. It can therefore act as a watchdog in the family context, but this should not be its primary function.

This family dog ​​also knows how to reveal unsuspected qualities linked to its heritage as a mountain dog: it is sometimes used as a guide for visually impaired people and as an avalanche dog.

The Bernese Mountain Dog is prone to pathologies related to its very large size, such as hip and elbow dysplasia and torsion stomach syndrome. They are also at high risk for cancer and have a shorter life expectancy than most other breeds.

Life expectancy and causes of death: A study carried out by the Swiss veterinary authorities on 389 Bernese Mountain Dogs registered in Switzerland revealed its low life expectancy: 8,4 years on average (8,8 years for females, against 7,7 years for males) . This study of the causes of death of Bernese Mountain Dogs confirmed the high prevalence of neoplasia (cancer. Cf. Histiocytosis) in Bernese Mountain Dogs, more than half of the dogs followed (58,3%). 23,4% of deaths had an unknown cause, 4,2% degenerative arthritis, 3,4% spinal disorders, 3% kidney damage. (1)

L’Histiocytose : this disease, rare in other dogs but which particularly affects Bernese Mountain Dogs, is characterized by the development of tumors, benign or malignant, disseminated in several organs, such as the lungs and the liver. Fatigue, anorexia and weight loss should alert and lead to histological (tissue) and cytological (cell) examinations. (1) (2)

Stomach torsion dilation syndrome (SDTE): Like other very large dogs, the Bernese Mountain Dog is at risk for SDTE. The distension of the stomach by food, fluids or air is followed by twisting, often following play after eating. Any manifestation of agitation and anxiety and any futile effort to vomit should alert the master. The animal is at risk of gastric necrosis and vena cava occlusion, resulting in shock and death in the absence of prompt medical intervention. (3)

A united home, an entourage present, a fenced garden and a good walk every day are the conditions for the happiness and well-being of this dog. The owner must ensure that he receives attention and even affection, to control his weight and to forbid sudden games after meals to prevent the risks of stomach overturning typical of large dogs. The owner must be particularly careful not to push his dog to perform physical exercises during his growing years (going up and down stairs, for example, should be prohibited).