Updated October 14, 2024
Updated October 14, 2024
Bernese Mountain Dogs are gentle giants with a calm demeanor and loyal nature. They're ideal family pets who thrive with moderate exercise and a hearty helping of love.
Affectionate, Smart, Hard-working
Male: 80-115 lbs
Female: 70-95 lbs
Male: 25-27.5 inches
Female: 23-26 inches
7 to 10 years
Tri-color
Bernese Mountain Dogs are the hardworking ranch hands of the dog world with the muscles to back it up. And they’re not afraid to show off their skills—harness them to a cart, and they’re more than happy to pull the kids around the yard. (Expect to see your neighbors post videos on social media!) While they don’t have the energy of a Border Collie, they don’t like to be bored. And you can almost hear the outdoors calling their name when they’re stuck inside. So, if you enjoy a weekend camping trip, your Berner will have the car packed before you can say “Let’s go.”
Bernese Mountain Dogs are large and powerful, but their playful brown eyes reveal their affectionate, sweet personality traits. They have a muscular, proud gait that lends them an almost noble appearance. Their thick, distinctly marked tri-color coat is mostly black in color, with white markings and rust-colored highlights. Their bushy tails wag eagerly when they see you, as they’re always ready to please.
Their gently rounded, triangular ears hang close to the head when relaxed. When something catches the Berner's attention, they bring their ears forward attentively.
The Berner's intelligent, oval-shaped eyes are typically brown. In rare cases, their eyes might be blue, but this is not standard.
The Bernese Mountain Dog's nose is always black and prominently displayed on a straight snout.
The Bernese Mountain Dog's medium-length, thick, double coat can be wavy or straight, with a healthy shine.
Berners have a distinctive tri-colored coat (including the colors black, white and rust). They have white on their chest, muzzle and the tips of their tails. They sometimes have white on their feet, too.
Bernese Mountain Dogs have a bushy tail that they sometimes carry higher when alert. They carry their tails low when they're relaxed.
Bernese Mountain Dogs have an affectionate temperament, making them great as a pet. Give your Berner lots of attention. This isn’t a dog who wants to be left alone in your yard outside. They might get bored and start barking at the birds to keep themselves entertained! Berners also love to explore, so take them with you on your adventures. And at the end of the day, they’ll love nothing more than to cuddle up with you, enjoying the quiet times as much as they enjoy playtime.
These dogs also are smart and eager to please. Bred to be working dogs, they thrive with structured games or sports. Although they’re not the high-energy type like a Border Collie or Jack Russell Terrier, they still need daily exercise to meet their energy level needs. They’ll love activities like carting, drafting, herding, agility sports or scent work.
Although the Bernese breed is a powerful, large dog, they’re also docile and sweet. They have a lot of patience and are known to be good with children. (As with any dog, children should be taught how to interact gently and respectfully with their furry friends.) Like many dogs, however, they might be cautious or shy around strangers or in new situations. That’s why it’s so important to socialize them as puppies. Because they’re big, they might forget their own strength, especially when they’re younger than 3 or 4 years old and feeling extra playful. So, it’s good to keep an eye on younger Berners when they’re with kids and babies or smaller pets like cats. But overall, they’re really quite calm and sweet-tempered.
The Bernese dogs are known for their patient, calm demeanor, but they still need a lot of socialization as puppies. You will be brushing them a lot, especially when the seasons change (spring and fall). Berners thrive with mental and physical exercises, so get them involved in daily walks, dog sports and other fun activities. Just remember, the Bernese breed’s thick coats can make hotter weather tough on them. If you live in a warmer climate, take them out during the cooler parts of the day and provide them with a lot of shade.
Bernese Mountain Dogs have a life expectancy of 7 to 10 years, but unfortunately, they’re prone to a number of health concerns. It’s good to know what these health issues are, so you can help your Berner live a longer, healthier life. Some of these health issues are genetic and can be avoided if the parent dogs are tested early. To ensure you get a healthy puppy, find a reputable breeder who carefully screens for health issues. Be sure to get a copy of the test results of the parents for any litter you’re considering. If you’re adopting your pup, make sure you get a copy of the vet’s wellness exam.
The Bernese Mountain Dogs find their origin in Switzerland, where they drove cattle and guarded farmlands in the canton of Bern. It’s rumored their early ancestors were brought to Switzerland by invading Roman soldiers thousands of years ago. The Berner Sennenhund, as they’re also called, was bred for a thick, insulated coat that could keep them warm even in the freezing cold weather of the Swiss Alps. Their black coat absorbs heat, further helping them thrive in more challenging, frigid weather.
They retired from farm life thanks to the industrial revolution. When their numbers diminished in the 1800s, Swiss breeders sought to build their numbers again with the help of Professor Albert Heim. Heim, a distinguished Swiss geologist, formed the official Swiss breed club. Because their history involves being bred to be farm dogs, they excel as drafting dogs (pulling carts) and guarding property.
A Kansas farmer brought the first two Berners to the United States in 1926, which helped speed up their popularity. The first Bernese Mountain Dog was registered with the AKC in 1937. It’s closely related to the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, which wasn’t recognized by the AKC until 1995. There are four varieties of Swiss mountain dogs in total, but only Berners have a silky, longer coat.
So, where is the best place to find Bernese Mountain Dog puppies today? You can find a list of reputable Berner breeders on the American Kennel Club’s website. Depending on the breeder, the average price for a Berner puppy could range from $800 to almost $2,000. Expect to pay more for a dog who has pedigree papers along with health and temperament screenings. You can also talk to Bernese Mountain Dog rescue organizations, ask your local animal shelter, or search Chewy’s database of adoptable dogs in your area.
Expert input provided by veterinarian Georgina Ushi Phillips, DVM, who writes for Not a Bully and certified dog trainer Irith Bloom, CPDT-KSA, CBCC-KA, CDBC, owner of The Sophisticated Dog.
Breed characteristic ratings provided by veterinarian Dr. Sarah J. Wooten, DVM, CVJ, a veterinarian at Sheep Draw Veterinary Hospital in Greeley, Colorado; dog trainer and behavior consultant Irith Bloom, CPDT-KSA, CBCC-KA, CDBC, owner of The Sophisticated Dog, LLC, in Los Angeles; and certified animal behavior consultant Amy Shojai, CABC, in Sherman, Texas.
The health content was medically reviewed by Chewy vets.