Bernese mountain dog is a type of dog breed. A Bernese mountain dog is an exceptional breed of large, robust dogs. They have a great temperament, are extremely loyal and protective. Other characteristics include being intelligent, curious and intelligent, calm and quiet without being lazy or dull. In general, they are very easy to train provided they have been introduced slowly to the training process from a young age. So as not to scare them off for good.
The term “Bernese mountain dog” is widely used in the United States, Canada, and parts of Europe. While the Bernese Mountain Dog has long been dominant in these countries, it is not recognized by any other kennel club outside the three mentioned above. Despite its Dachshund-like appearance, this breed does not fit into any other category in kennel clubs internationally. Despite not being recognized by other international kennel clubs, it can be seen at dog shows worldwide. With its specific prefix for registration – BMD- on show entries.
READ ALSO: HOW TO TRAIN A GOLDEN DOODLE
Some people say that Bernese mountain dogs can work well with children because of their patience and gentle nature. It may take you some time to train them depending on how old they are when you get them.
Appearance
Bernese mountain dogs are medium-sized dogs with many features that make them stand out in a crowd. They have very large heads, flat muzzles, pointed ears, and brown eyes. Their necks are muscular and arched in shape while their chest is rather broad with strong legs and their tail is carried high. The most common color you can find them in is this dark tri-color pattern. Which usually consists of black with white markings on the chest and rust markings on the head, legs, tail tip, and sometimes the neck. This tri-color pattern is common among many breeds of dogs.
The height of a Bernese Mountain Dog for males is about 24 inches (61 cm) while the average height for females is 22 inches (56 cm). Their weight ranges from 85 pounds to 130 pounds. They are usually very energetic, however, this depends on how they are bred. The males usually have a larger head, longer legs and most of them tend to be more muscular than the females.
Personality
As mentioned above, Bernese mountain dogs have a great temperament, making them perfect pets for singles or families with children. The Bernese Mountain Dog makes for an excellent guard dog because of the instinctive need to protect its family. These dogs are very protective of their territory and home and are not easily intimidated. They are also very loyal to their owners but can be reserved with strangers. And they are known for being very quiet, which makes them perfect for families who have small children.
Bernese Mountain Dogs are very friendly towards other dogs, but they may become aggressive if they feel threatened or attacked by another dog. It is important to know that they do not make good watchdogs as they are not aggressive enough to protect their families if needed.
Like every dog breed, some Bernese Mountain Dogs are very good with other dogs while some are not. This is because they are intelligent dogs who can easily train themselves if they see that another dog is friendly to them. It may take you time until you know how to successfully train your Bernese Mountain Dog to become a loyal friend not only to you but also to other animals.
Brief history and background of the Bernese mountain dog
The Bernese Mountain Dog originated in Switzerland which makes it one of the oldest breeds in the world. It originated from similar breeds found in the Alps, including the Akita, Japanese Chin, and German Shepherd. It is believed that Bernese Mountain Dogs were used by butchers in Switzerland in past times.
Bernese mountain dogs are a very useful breed of dogs. They are intelligent and loyal, which is why they make a great choice for a family pet or guard dog. They have also been known to be very good watchdogs because they have the instinct to protect their family from danger. However, this is not always true as their size can easily intimidate some people. So it is important to train them well from the beginning so that you don’t have any problems with your dog later on in life.
Choosing:
There are many choices when it comes to choosing a dog breed that will best fit into your lifestyle and budget. The Bernese Mountain Dog is a very loyal and loving breed of dog that will make a great addition to your family whether you live alone or with your family. They are an extremely active breed of dog and they tend to be very energetic as well as affectionate.
You should always check out the breeder as the best way to determine how much he or she cares about you and your dog. Through some simple questions that you ask during the interview time if possible. If the breeder seems candid and genuine, there’s a good chance you’ll come away with quality dogs. And a quality impression of their potential for becoming amazing friends and companions. Always do your homework before you buy a dog—whether it’s at a pet store or through a breeder.
Grooming
Daily brushing is necessary as well as trimming the hair on your dog’s feet and sharpening its nails once a month. The Bernese Mountain Dog has very long hair and it should be trimmed to avoid matting. This breed of dog should also be bathed once a month or as often as needed depending on how dirty the dog gets. Make sure that you dry your dog off after bathing so that he or she doesn’t get sick from being left wet too long. It is important to have your veterinarian check for any skin problems or parasites now and then so that you can keep your Bernese Mountain Dog free from harm and illness.
If you want to learn how to groom your Bernese Mountain Dog on your own, you can find online videos that might help HERE. It is important to understand that grooming a dog requires a lot of time and patience and it is easy for you or your dog to get injured. So it is best that you either take your dog to a professional groomer or hire one if you don’t have the time. If you decide to take the training route on your own, make sure that there are no glass doors where grooming. This breed of dogs is known for being very protective of their family which means they may end up hurting someone who enters their territory without permission.
READ ALSO: HOW TO TEACH A DOG A OBEY STAY COMMAND
Bernese Mountain Dog Health Concerns
Bernese Mountain Dogs are known for having few health problems. There is no breed-specific health concern that is common for Bernese Mountain Dogs as far as veterinary care goes. However several disorders can affect the Bernese Mountain Dog; however, they are not as common as most people think. The most common health problems that affect Bernese mountain dogs include:
Cataracts:
Cataracts develop as a type of eye disease and eventually cause blindness in some cases. This condition usually develops in older dogs and can result from trauma to the eye, degenerative diseases such as glaucoma, cataracts, and other conditions that affect eyesight. It is relatively rare and needs careful medical treatment to treat it and prevent further progression of the disease.
Diabetes:
Diabetes is a serious problem that can lead to kidney damage and even death if not treated on time. Dogs that suffer from diabetes may have to inject insulin regularly to maintain their blood sugar levels.
Epilepsy:
This is a common disorder that is caused by abnormal electrical discharges in the dog’s brain. It can cause physical seizures and injuries if not treated immediately. Dog owners often read the symptoms of epilepsy early so they can seek veterinary help as soon as possible.
Hip Dysplasia:
Hip dysplasia is caused by malformed hip bones resulting in pain and inflammation. This causes disability for dogs having this disorder affecting their daily activities such as running, jumping, sitting, etc. Some dogs can live with this condition although it requires veterinary attention regularly.
Craniomandibular Osteopathy (CMO):
Craniomandibular osteopathy is a rare disorder of the jaw bone of Bernese mountain dogs. It is also known as floppy jaw syndrome. It affects the biting mechanism of dogs and results in difficulty chewing. If left untreated it can lead to tooth loss and dental disease, infections, difficulty swallowing, etc.
Glaucoma:
Glaucoma is an eye disease that is caused by high pressure inside the eye. It can eventually lead to blindness if it is not treated on time. Dogs often get glaucoma at an older age although the cause of this disease is not well understood.
Hypothyroidism:
Hypothyroidism is a major health problem in dogs, although it occurs in Bernese mountain dogs too. It causes hormone imbalance resulting in low metabolism etc. It can be treated by taking supplements for life or by surgically removing the thyroid gland. The risk of this syndrome increases with age, especially after 6 years of age. And more.
READ ALSO: TOP 10 BEST FAMILY DOGS FOR YOU TO HAVE
Training
The Bernese mountain dog is an intelligent breed of dog which means it should be easy for the owners to train them. If you don’t train it well, then there may be problems in the long run. The Bernese mountain dog must be well trained and socialized since they are very good watchdogs. If not properly trained, the Bernese mountain dog can be very destructive around your home.
While they are usually gentle with their owners, they may become timid around strangers so it is important to teach them proper socialization skills. They should also be well-groomed daily to ensure their coat doesn’t become matted or infested with fleas. This can cause serious problems with your dog later on in life which can affect its overall health and quality of life.
To help train your Bernese Mountain Dog, you should have a well-run routine so that the dog understands what is expected of him or her. If you follow a routine, it will be easier for you to train your dog and to get it used to certain commands. You can teach your Bernese mountain dog to sit, come, lay down, shake hands, and rollover. In addition, you should always give rewards when the dog performs a command properly. It will keep him or her motivated and improving their behavior over time.
But remember that training a Bernese mountain dog can be easy or hard depending on how well you train them. Training a Bernese mountain dog has many different techniques and training methods that will help you teach your dog to do certain things.
Some steps include:
1. Crate training method
A crate training method is recommended to avoid destructive behavior. Crate training is a great tool to use when you’re not at home with your Bernese mountain dog and you want it to stay put in one area of the house. The crate should be big enough for your dog to stand up and lay down in without touching the sides of it. The crate should be easy for you to open and close when you need it.
Be sure that when you use the crate training method that you feed your dog outside of their crate. So they don’t start getting confused about where they should go potty when they need to. Crate training a Bernese Mountain Dog can be a tricky process at times. But you must learn how to control their behaviors and to nip the behavior of the dog in the bud before it becomes a habit.
2. Feeding your dog
Feeding your dog is another important part of training your Bernese mountain dog. You should always feed them at certain times so you can keep control over when they eat. Make sure that you give them enough water since they may end up exercising during the day without stopping to drink. When the dogs are fed, it will also allow them to become bored which can make it much easier for you to train them or give you more time with them.
3. Positive reinforcement
A great way to train dogs is through positive reinforcement. Positive reinforcement means that you don’t use negative reinforcement (punishment) when your dog does something wrong. Like biting someone else or chewing up your belongings inappropriately. Instead of punishing the dog for acting out, you should always give him or her a treat to keep them motivated about training. Positive reinforcement is best used with training Bernese mountain dogs.
4. Leash Training
Leash Training is also one of the best ways to train your Bernese Mountain Dog. This is because it teaches him or her respect for their owners and limits their freedom around your home. You can use this method when you want to get your dog outside to do his business. Or if you want him to get into the car so you can take a trip somewhere. Leash training is very important so the dog will listen and listen only to its owner and not other people such as strangers or acquaintances that may be visiting your home.
READ ALSO: BEST DOG BREEDS FOR KIDS
About Bernese mountain dog puppies
Bernese mountain dog puppies are great family dogs because they can be playful and energetic without being overbearing or overly aggressive. They are generally quiet and calm making them a good pet for people who do not like loud noises. They also make an excellent companion for children because they are patient, gentle, and forgiving. However, their high intelligence could cause problems with younger children since they can be a bit headstrong which can make them challenging to train at times.
An issue that you should watch out for with Bernese mountain dogs is Legg-Perthes syndrome. It occurs in the hips of puppies who are about 12 months old or younger.
This breed of dog is the ultimate watchdog without raising any alarms around your home. They are naturally cautious yet curious which makes them good watchdogs. Keep an eye on your Bernese mountain dog’s posture, behavior, and attitude. Whenever he or she behaves strangely to make sure that nothing is wrong with the dog. This caring breed of dogs is very loving and gentle with their owners. But can also be protective of their family which means they may end up hurting someone who enters their territory without permission.
Bernese mountain dog Life span
The Bernese mountain dog life span is 6-8 years. The Bernese mountain dog is healthy, but a few health concerns or problems may develop in the dog’s lifetime. Bloat is one of the most common health problems of the Bernese mountain dog. Since they are prone to it due to you giving them too much food at once. The bloating makes it difficult for the dog to breathe which can be life-threatening if not treated right away.
In conclusion, Bernese mountain dogs are a loving and affectionate breed that may or may not be a good choice for a pet. They require a calm and patient owner who can help them learn new behaviors. It will take time training to get them used to be around strangers. So you will have to give them treats to keep them motivated about socializing.