Bernese Mountain Dogs are working dogs with a history of farm work in their Swiss homeland, where they guard livestock, drive cattle and pull carts of wares. Their Swiss name, Berner Sennenhund, refers to the canton of Bern, where they were developed, and to the Swiss stock man, the Senn or Senner, who drives the cattle to the Alps for summer mountain grazing. The Sennenhund is the dog accompanying the Senner on the Alpine journeys. Today Bernese Mountain Dogs are valued as loyal companions, therapy dogs, and watch dogs on farms and in cities.

The distant origins of the Bernese Mountain Dog are not well documented. In Swiss archaeological sites have been found dog remains dating to about 3000 BC. Perhaps the native dogs were crossed with mastiff-type dogs brought by the Romans into Helvetia. Seventeenth century paintings show a distinctly Bernese-looking farmers' dog. Near the end of the 19th century, several Swiss dog fanciers realized ignoring the many good qualities of the old native breeds would be a mistake. Individuals of the breed we now know as Bernese were found in the Durrbach region south of Bern. The breed of today can be traced to that nucleus. The Swiss breed club was established in 1907†. The breed progressed steadily in Switzerland, and eventually the attractive, useful dogs found admirers in other countries.

The Bernese Mountain Dog in America

Records indicate the first imports were a pair brought to the United States in 1926 by the farmer, Isaac Scheiss, of Kansas. Mr. Scheiss failed in his attempt to register the pair with the American Kennel Club. Ten years later, Glen Shadow of Louisiana, imported another pair, Fridy v. Haslenbach and Quell v. Tiergarten. Through the efforts of Mr. Shadow and other fanciers the AKC officially recognized the breed in 1937, with Fridy and Quell the first Bernese registered here.

The breed increased only slightly in numbers in the United States before 1941, when World War II interrupted further importation. After 1945 importation and registration continued. In 1968 a few breeders and owners joined together to form the Bernese Mountain Dog Club of America.

Physical Description

For details please refer to the accompanying breed standard. Bernese Mountain Dogs are striking in appearance, with a long, shiny black coat and highly characteristic markings of white blaze, chest, feet and tail tip, and rich reddish brown found on the "eyebrows," cheeks and between white and black on the legs.

Bernese males range in height at the withers from 25 to 27.5 inches, and females, 23 to 26 inches. There are exceptions to the ranges, but those are ideal. Mature weights for those heights range from 90 to 125 pounds for males and 75 to 100 pounds for females. The coat is thick, of medium length, and slightly wavy or straight. Although the standard describes the breed it may be interpreted in different ways resulting in different "types" of BMD's.

Temperament

Bernese are generally gentle dogs as adults. Puppies and young dogs can be quite boisterous. Many Bernese are reserved and do not seek the attention of strangers, though some will climb into anyone's lap. Most adults take cues from their owners for the appropriate response to strangers: either acceptance or alert watchfulness. Some are quick reacting while others seem to take their time. Some Bernese are instinctively gentle with children and other animals; others are not. Bernese have an uncanny desire to communicate with their people on a high level. This intense desire, though found in other breeds, is present in nearly all Bernese and is one of the qualities owners refer to when they call the breed "special" or "unique." Bernese are not a breed suitable for solitary confinement in the back yard. Left without personal attention a Bernese is likely to become a miserable, shy, and LARGE problem dog. With love and nurturing, he will enrich his owners' lives. The Bernese is not generally thought of as a guard breed, although some are protective of their owners' property. Their long history and role as farmers' companions shows well in their good disposition, love of and devotion to their people, and ability to learn readily. They are not kennel or pack dogs, but rather prefer human companionship.

Some Things "The Books" Don't Tell You

Bernese do shed. "Bernerfur" is easily removed from clothing with a velvet lint brush. A daily brushing, appreciated by the dog, also helps to reduce the amount of loose hair about the home.

Bernese are not heat-tolerant dogs, though many live in warm climates about North America. Most owners report their Berners seek either air-conditioned quarters, or subterranean coolness. If a hole-free yard is important, create an approved digging area for the dog. Burying "treasures" like a beef shin bone, rawhide chew and other items the dog likes in this area will encourage him to dig there and not elsewhere.

An untrained Bernese, no matter how sweet the disposition, is a problem dog. A grown BMD can easily knock over his owner, not to mention a toddler. Training is a necessity.

Health

Cancer is quite prevalent in Bernese. For this reason the Bernese Mountain Dog Club of America began a cancer research study in 1990. This work was partially funded by the Morris Animal Foundation in conjunction with several prominent veterinary schools. To date we have learned that our most common cancer, histiocytosis, as well as mastocytoma are inherited through the action of many genes. A registry for these inherited cancers has been established at the Institute for Genetic Disease Control in Animals (GDC). With participation by all owners of Bernese diagnosed with cancer, breeders may learn to increase longevity through selective breeding.

Hip dysplasia is a progressive, degenerative joint disease. It ranges from very mild cases with no apparent ill effects to crippling cases severe enough to require euthanasia. Dysplasia is inherited, however, environmental factors contribute to the manifestation of symptoms. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) and the GDC serve as an evaluators and registrars of dogs hip conformation. Dogs may be radiographed by a veterinarian, who submits the x-ray with the proper form. Radiographs are evaluated by three board certified radiologists. Dogs who are evaluated free of hip dysplasia are issued a number and letter rating. This number may be supplied to buyers by breeders as a reference to the hip status of an individual pup's lineage. Dogs whose hips do not pass, receive no number, but owners are issued a report stating the degree of hip dysplasia to be borderline, mild, moderate, or severe. Elbow dysplasia in Bernese is as serious problem as hip dysplasia. Both the OFA and the GDC issue numbers for elbows just as they do for hips. Other Orthopedic problems are also found in Bernese. They include panosteitis (shifting leg lameness), and shoulder problems such as osteochondritis dissecans (cartilage flap or fragment).

Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) is a hereditary eye disease that causes blindness. PRA is a relatively new problem for Bernese and a cause of great concern among breeders and owners. The BMDCA established a PRA task force in 1997 to guide the club's efforts in eliminating this disease. For now only the conscientious efforts of knowledgeable breeders can stop PRA from spreading throughout the population. The following facts are known:

• There are early and late onset forms of the disease with symptoms being detected between a few months and five years.
• Blindness can occur between 1 year and old age.
• Annual eye examinations (commonly called CERF exams) can detect symptoms of the disease and lead to a definitive diagnosis. Dogs that pass this exam &Mac255;may be registered with either CERF or the GDC but the exam must be repeated yearly.

The usual inheritance mode of PRA is autosomal recessive which is fairly simple compared to dysplasia and histiocytosis. o In genetic terms a dog is either normal, a carrier, or affected. o Normal dogs and carriers do not get PRA - only affected dogs get the disease. o At present, there is no way to distinguish normal dogs from carriers. Research is underway to develop a test for carriers so that they can be eliminated as breeding stock, however, this will take time and money. o Experts advise against using any affected dog, any known carrier, or any dog with a 25% or greater probability of being a carrier.

Bernese, because of their size, body mass, thick coat and black colour are susceptible to heat stroke. Avoid situations in which the dog may become overheated. Some young dogs will foolishly overexert themselves in the heat and should be protected from this by supervision or confinement during hot weather. If left outside in the summer, a Berner should have heavy shade in which to rest, a large supply of fresh water at all times, and if possible a child's wading pool of water.

Selecting a Breeder

Perhaps as important as selecting a puppy from stock one finds suitable to one's taste, is an open and good rapport with the pup's breeder. Breeders should be willing to advise buyers about diet, obedience training, exercise management, and general breed information.

A breeder who is conscientious about developing a line of hearty dogs should be interested in the following:

• helping buyers ascertain whether the BMD is the best choice
• interviewing buyers about the potential home environment, including the number of family members and ages, daily family schedule, quarters for a large dog, and the buyer's willingness to cooperate with a recommended dietary and exercise program
• gauging the buyer's knowledge of dogs to assess where the breeder should begin educating
• obtaining the buyer's pledge to cooperate in progeny testing (assessing hip status and other traits as puppies mature)
• evaluating individual puppies for placement in optimal family situations

Some Questions to Ask Breeders

The following are a just few good questions to ask a breeder when thinking about purchasing a puppy. There are no perfect answers and listening to the breeders answers may reveal information useful in your search. The information you need may not be volunteered but may be readily shared if you ask.

• Is the breeder's dog a house dog? If a kennelled dog, how does the breeder provide the personal interaction Bernese need? Do they show their own dogs?
• Has the breeder trained any of his dogs for obedience work, tracking, carting etc? Does the breeder attend obedience classes, matches, shows etc. with his dogs?
• How does the breeder socialize puppies? Are they raised outside or in the house? What household noises and activities are the puppies exposed to? What type of testing and assessing of puppies does the breeder do?
• Does the breeder evaluate the puppies' aptitudes and temperaments? Methods used to evaluate temperament may vary between breeders, but these evaluations can be helpful in assessing which puppy is most suitable for a particular home. One pup may be too much (mischievous, impetuous) for a very soft owner and just the challenge the person looking for a dog for tracking/obedience work needs.
• Can the breeder refer buyers to individuals who have bought their puppies--preferably from similar lines to puppies they have now or are expecting?
• Can buyers meet the prospective or current dam of a litter? The sire? Can the breeder send photos/videotape of the sire/dam/pups?

Show or Pet Quality?

The AKC's BMD standard includes only two disqualifying faults. These are a ground colour other than black (there are some rust and white BMD's) and blue eyes (which should generally be obvious in pups by the time they go to their second homes). However, most breeders set higher standards than these minimums for their show quality pups. The exact criteria used for show/pet puppies will vary significantly from breeder to breeder and may include the skeletal conformation, size, head shape, markings, and many other characteristics.

The buyer's best aide in pup and breeder selection is education. A good way to start is by asking individual breeders to recommend books and videotapes. All breeders interested in their pups' welfare and in the breed's welfare should be willing to help any way they can.

Training

It is recommended that puppies attend a puppy kindergarten/ socialization class where owners are taught how to establish a working relationship with their dogs, and puppies receive important socialization with people and other dogs. Bernese and their owners benefit from obedience classes at least through the pup's first year of life. Bernese generally want to please a fair and consistent owner. Harsh training methods are usually not necessary. To find obedience instructors, ask the breeder or a local veterinarian. Many local kennel clubs offer public classes. Another source of instructors is the National Association of Dog Obedience Instructors which routinely advertises in dog publications.

To Summarize

Instinctively loyal to his people, the Bernese is an excellent breed choice for families willing to commit to responsible ownership of a large, working breed. Those desiring an independent, aloof pet need not consider the Bernese, as a Bernese's favourite resting place is on his master's feet! The life span of the Bernese is best described by the Swiss expression, "Three years a young dog, three years a good dog, and three years an old dog. All else is a gift from God." A good Bernese is watchful, alert to strangers approaching, and is contemplative before reacting aggressively.

Recommended Resource Materials

• How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend --The Monks of New Skete, Little, Brown, and Company
• The Bernese Mountain Dog --Diana Cochrane, Westgrove House, Haselor Hill, Nr. Alcester, Warwickshire B49 6ND
• The Complete Bernese Mountain Dog -Jude Simonds, Howell Book House, Inc.
• How to Raise a Puppy You Can Live With --Rutherford and Neil, Alpine Publications
• Training Your Dog: The Step by Step Manual --Volhard and Fisher, Howell Book House
• The New Dogsteps second edition--Elliott, Howell Book House
• A Videotape, The Bernese Mountain Dog --available from the American Kennel Club, 51 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10010

This text courtesy Bernese Mountain Dog Club of America

Bernese Mountain Dog: Breed Standard

Origin and Purpose:
The Bernese Mountain Dog takes its name from the Canton of Bern in Switzerland, its native land. It is one of the four Swiss tri-colour breeds known by the collective name Sennenhunde, the only one of the four with a long coat. The Bernese Mountain Dog and his ancestors lived for many generations as farm dogs with occasional use as draft dogs. From this background developed a hardy, natural, good-natured working breed that today is known principally as a faithful family companion.

General Appearance:
Large, sturdy, well balanced working dog of substantial bone. Square in appearance from withers to ground and withers to tail set. Heavy-coated with distinctive characteristic markings. In comparison with the opposite sex, dogs appear masculine, bitches feminine without loss of type.

Temperament:
The Bernese temperament is one of the breed?s strongest assets. Consistent, dependable, with a strong desire to please. Self-confident, alert, good natured. Attached and loyal to human family; may be aloof or suspicious with strangers, but never sharp or shy. A dog must stand for examination when required to do so by its handler.

Size:
Dogs 24.4-27.6inches (62-70 cm), best size 26-26.8 inches (66-68 cm); bitches 22.8-26 inches (58-66 cm), best size 23.6-24.8 inches (60-63 cm). Height measured at withers. The stocky, well-balanced appearance must be maintained.

Coat and Colour:
The adult coat is thick, moderately long, possibly with a slight wave but never curly. It has a bright natural sheen. In texture it is soft rather than harsh, but is weather resistant, easily kept and resists matting. There is a soft, seasonal undercoat. Compulsory markings: Jet-black ground colour. Rich russet markings (dark reddish brown is most favoured) appear on the cheeks, in a spot over each eye, in a patch above each foreleg, and on all four legs between the black of the upper leg and the white of the feet. Clean white markings as follows: On chest extending uninterrupted to under chin; also a slight to middle-sized blaze extending into a muzzle band which is not so wide as to obliterate the russet on the cheek (and which preferably does not extend past the corners of the mouth). Preferable markings: White feet with white reaching at the highest the pasterns and a white tip of tail. Markings should be symmetrical. Too little white is preferable to too much.

Head:
Skull: Flat and broad with a slight furrow; defined, but not exaggerated stop. Muzzle strong and straight; roughly square proportions, tapering only very slightly. Muzzle is slightly shorter than length of skull. Lips are fairly clean and tight; black in colour. Teeth: jaw is strong with good teeth meeting in a scissors bite. Dentition should be complete. Nostrils well open and black in colour. Eyes dark brown in colour, almond shaped, and well set apart; tight eyelids. Expression is intelligent, animated and gentle. Ears middle-sized, triangular in shape with rounded tip. Set above eye level high on side of head; hanging close to the head in repose, brought forward at the base when alert.

Neck:
Strong, muscular of medium length, well set on. Dewlaps are very slightly developed.

Body:
Approximately square from withers to ground and withers to tail set. The body is sturdy. The chest is broad, with good depth of brisket reaching at least to the elbows; ribs are well sprung. The back is firm and level. Loins are strong and muscular. The croup is broad, well muscled.

Forequarters:
Shoulders are well muscled, flat lying and well laid back. Forelegs are straight with substantial bone; parallel stance. Elbows are well under shoulders. Pasterns are slightly sloping, but not weak. Feet are proportionate in size, round and compact. Dew claws are preferably removed.

Hindquarters:
The hindquarters are powerful, with broad, well-muscled thighs and substantial bone. Stifles are well angulated. Hocks are well let down, turning neither in nor out. Pasterns are wide and straight, standing parallel. Feet are proportionate in size, round and compact. Dewclaws must be removed in the first few days of life.

Tail:
Bushy, hanging straight, with bone reaching to the hock joint or slightly below. Carried low in repose, higher when the dog is in motion or alert. An upward arc is permissible, but the tail should never curl over itself or be carried over the back.

Gait:
The natural travelling gait of the breed is a slow trot, but it is capable of speed and agility. Good reach in front. Strong drive from the rear, flexing well at the stifles. The level backline is maintained; there is no wasted action. Front and rear feet of each side travel in lines parallel to direction of motion, converging towards a centre line at increased speeds.

Faults:
A fault is any deviation from the standard, to be weighed in accordance with the degree of deviation. In addition and in particular: Major faults: ectropion or entropion; undershot or overshot mouth; tail rolled over back. Minor faults (subject to degree of fault): deficiency of type, particularly lack of substance; overly long or thin body; light or round eyes; level bite; incomplete dentition; too narrow or too snipey muzzle; too massive or too light head; too light russet markings or impure colour; grey colouring in black coat; nonsymmetrical markings, especially facial; white neck patch; white anal patch; curly coat in adult dog; splayed feet; kink in tail.

Disqualifications:
Cryptorchid or monorchid males; split nose; absent markings as described in compulsory markings; white neck ring; blue eye; ground colour other than black.

Breed standard courtesy Canadian Kennel Club