Bernese Mountain Dog
Breed Group: working
"Don’t be fooled by my size; I’m a big bundle of love!"
Breed Profile
The Bernese Mountain Dog may look big and powerful from the outside, but they’re softies on the inside. This Swiss breed is known for their warm personality, loyalty, and tri-color fur. If you’ve been searching for a loving, protective companion, Bernese Mountain Dogs may be the perfect fit.
Behavior
Bernese Mountain Dogs are friendly, vigilant, and fiercely loyal to their families. They love being active, but at the end of the day, all they want is your love and attention. This breed is smart and protective, but not aggressive. They’ll alert you to unfamiliar visitors with a loud bark and may be dominant if other Bernese Mountain Dogs are around. They are terrific around kids and pets, as long as they’ve been socialized and acquainted with one another.
Coat
You can recognize Bernese Mountain Dogs by their tri-color pattern. They’re known for having solid black bodies, legs, heads, and ears; rust-colored or tan cheeks and calves; and a white chest, muzzle, toes, and tail tip. Almost all Bernese Mountain Dogs look similar, although the amount of white in their coat may vary. Their undercoat is dense, with a medium-length straight or curly outer coat that sheds frequently. The breed’s hair is weather resistant and may feel rough but not too harsh to pet.
Lifestyle
Bernese Mountain Dogs are great with children and will protect their families no matter what. They can play nicely with cats and other pets as long as they’ve been socialized. Because of their size and exercise needs, these dogs require a lot of space and prefer homes with large yards over apartments. Above all, Bernese Mountain Dogs require companionship and attention, so as long as they’re by your side, their tails will be wagging.
Activity
Bernese Mountain Dog are fans of exercising and being outdoors. Their thick coats are perfect for cold weather, but whether it’s summer or winter, they love running and playing off leash as much as possible. However, when your Bernese Mountain Dog is still a puppy, try to avoid hard exercise so they can save their energy to grow and build strong bones. During training, handle them with a loving, consistent approach and an even keel. They’re eager to learn and will be responsive to your voice during exercises and other activities.
Characteristics
Space Needs
Activity Needs
Intelligence
Playfulness
Grooming Needs
Trainability
Watch Ability
Dog-friendliness
Child-friendliness
Bernese Mountain Dog Buyer's Guide
There are plenty of ways to describe the Bernese Mountain Dogs’ personality: kind, protective, intelligent, loyal, and above all, hungry for your love and attention. This breed is the most recognized mountain dog from Switzerland. You can spot their long coat of tri-color fur from a distance, especially as they’re running toward you for a big hug. Bernese Mountain Dogs are watchful but not aggressive and play nicely with kids as long as they’re raised together. If you’re looking for a big, active companion that will adore and protect you, look no further than this furry bundle of love.
Breed information reviewed by the Puppies.com editorial team. Helping families find their perfect puppy since 2003.
Bernese Mountain Dog Quick Facts
237
Available Now
From $100
Starting Price
70–115 lbs
Adult Weight
23–27"
Adult Height
Frequently Asked Questions About Bernese Mountain Dogs
What is a Bernese Mountain Dog like?
The Bernese Mountain Dog may look big and powerful from the outside, but they’re softies on the inside. This Swiss breed is known for their warm personality, loyalty, and tri-color fur. If you’ve been searching for a loving, protective companion, Bernese Mountain Dogs may be the perfect fit. Full-grown, they typically weigh 70-115 pounds and stand 23-27 inches tall.
Are Bernese Mountain Dogs good family dogs?
Bernese Mountain Dogs are generally excellent with children of all ages. Bernese Mountain Dogs are great with children and will protect their families no matter what. They can play nicely with cats and other pets as long as they’ve been socialized. They're moderate barkers — they'll alert you when something's up but aren't excessive.
What activities do Bernese Mountain Dogs enjoy most?
Bernese Mountain Dog are fans of exercising and being outdoors. Their thick coats are perfect for cold weather, but whether it’s summer or winter, they love running and playing off leash as much as possible. However, when your Bernese Mountain Dog is still a puppy, try to avoid hard exercise so they can save their energy to grow and build strong bones. Overall, their exercise needs are moderate.
What's the coat like on a Bernese Mountain Dog?
You can recognize Bernese Mountain Dogs by their tri-color pattern. They’re known for having solid black bodies, legs, heads, and ears; rust-colored or tan cheeks and calves; and a white chest, muzzle, toes, and tail tip. Almost all Bernese Mountain Dogs look similar, although the amount of white in their coat may vary. Grooming-wise, this breed is moderate.
Do Bernese Mountain Dogs need a house with a yard?
Bernese Mountain Dogs are best suited for a home with a yard, though they can adapt to apartment life with enough exercise. Because of their size and exercise needs, these dogs require a lot of space and prefer homes with large yards over apartments. They are fairly easy to train.
