Bernese Mountain Dog facts for kids
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| Domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Bernese Mountain Dog is a large, friendly dog breed. It comes from the beautiful mountains of Bern, Switzerland. These dogs are also known as Berner Sennenhund in German. For a long time, they helped farmers in the Swiss Alps. They are one of four types of Sennenhund breeds. Their ancestors were large Roman dogs called mastiffs.
The name "Bernese" comes from their home, the canton of Bern. "Sennenhund" means "alpine dog" in German. This is because they worked with alpine herders and dairymen. Historically, these strong dogs pulled carts and guarded farms. The breed was officially recognized in 1912.
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History of the Bernese Mountain Dog
Long ago, some people called these dogs Dürrbachhund or Dürrbächler. This name came from a small town called Dürrbach. Many of these big dogs lived there.
The Bernese Mountain Dog's family tree goes back to ancient Roman mastiffs. These were large, powerful dogs.
Farmers used Bernese Mountain Dogs for many jobs. They guarded property and helped move dairy cattle to mountain pastures. These dogs were so strong they could pull carts filled with milk and cheese! Because of this, locals sometimes called them "Cheese Dogs."
In the early 1900s, dog lovers started showing these beautiful dogs in Bern. In 1907, some breeders created the first club for the breed. They wrote down the first rules for what a Bernese Mountain Dog should look like. By 1910, over 100 of these dogs were officially registered.
In 1937, the American Kennel Club (AKC) officially recognized the breed. Today, the AKC places them in the Working Group. The Bernese Mountain Dog is becoming very popular in the United States. In 2023, it was the 21st most popular breed. They are also much-loved family dogs in German-speaking countries.
Appearance of Bernese Mountain Dogs
The Bernese Mountain Dog is a large, sturdy dog. It has a special tri-coloured coat. This means its fur has three colors: black, white, and rust (a reddish-brown). The main color is black, with a white chest. They have rust-colored markings above their eyes, on the sides of their mouth, on the front of their legs, and around their white chest.
What makes them unique among Swiss mountain dogs is their long, beautiful coat. A perfectly marked Bernese often looks like it has a white horseshoe shape around its black nose. Many also have a white "Swiss cross" on their chest. Sometimes, there's a white mark behind their neck, called a "Swiss kiss."
Size and Weight of the Breed
Male Bernese Mountain Dogs usually stand about 64 to 70 centimeters (25 to 27.5 inches) tall at the shoulder. Females are a bit smaller, standing about 58 to 66 centimeters (23 to 26 inches) tall.
Males typically weigh between 36 and 55 kilograms (79 to 121 pounds). Females weigh around 34 to 45 kilograms (75 to 99 pounds).
Physical Features of Bernese Mountain Dogs
Bernese Mountain Dogs have a strong, muscular body. They are a bit longer than they are tall. Their head is flat on top, with medium-sized, triangular ears that are set high. Their teeth meet in a "scissors bite," meaning the upper teeth slightly overlap the lower ones. Their legs are straight and strong, with round, arched paws. They have a bushy tail that they carry low.
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In snow
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At nine months
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Running
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Head close-up
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Temperament and Personality
Bernese Mountain Dogs are known for being good-natured and confident. They are usually calm and easy to train. They are not typically aggressive or overly shy.
These dogs can be calm inside the house. However, they do need regular activity and exercise to stay happy and healthy. They might not have endless energy, but they can move surprisingly fast for their size when they want to! If they have healthy joints, they love going on hikes and staying close to their families.
Bernese Mountain Dogs are often wonderful with children. They are very affectionate and patient. They don't mind kids climbing on them. Even though they have energy, they are also happy to relax during a quiet evening at home.
They usually get along well with other pets and are friendly around new people. They are also excellent guardians for their homes. They tend to form a strong bond with one person or family.
Health and Life Expectancy
Common Health Concerns
Like all dog breeds, Bernese Mountain Dogs can have certain health challenges. It's important for owners to be aware of these. They can sometimes get different types of illnesses. Some Bernese Mountain Dogs may also have problems with their joints, like their elbows.
Some Bernese Mountain Dogs can be born with a condition that causes their eyes to be different colors. This is called Heterochromia iridum.
Life Expectancy
Even though they are large dogs, Bernese Mountain Dogs generally live for about 8 to 10 years. This is a bit shorter than some other dog breeds. Taking good care of them helps them live their best lives.
Care and Activities
Fun Activities for Bernese Mountain Dogs
The calm nature of Bernese Mountain Dogs makes them great at pulling small carts or wagons. This is a job they originally did in Switzerland! With good training, they enjoy giving children rides in a cart. They can even participate in parades. Many Bernese dog clubs offer workshops to teach dogs how to pull carts. There are even competitions for this skill!
Bernese Mountain Dogs can also learn to herd animals. Their natural instincts for herding can be tested in special events. Dogs that show these instincts can be trained to compete in herding trials.
These dogs are energetic and attentive. They are also excellent at guarding herds, especially in their home country of Switzerland. They are tireless and strong, even in cold winters. They make great protectors for homes and farms.
Famous Bernese Mountain Dogs
- Hercules is the dog of famous football player Ben Roethlisberger. Ben brought Hercules home from Switzerland in 2006.
- Smelly and Harvey Milkbone are two Bernese Mountain Dogs from the TV show The New Normal.
- Buttercup is a Bernese Mountain Dog on the television series 9-1-1: Lone Star.
- Ohly was a Bernese Mountain Dog in Canada. Ohly became famous after getting lost on Mount Seymour and being rescued by a mountain rescue team.
- Quincey von Wiesmadern has appeared in many videos with Austrian singer Hansi Hinterseer.
- Hannah is a real-life dog who inspired children's books like A Beach Day for Hannah and A Snow Day for Hannah.
- Izzy survived the big wildfires in Northern California in October 2017. Her family found her safe after their home was destroyed.
- Bród and Síoda were the beloved pet dogs of the President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins. Síoda passed away in September 2020. In March 2021, a new puppy named Misneach joined the President's family. Bród passed away in April 2023.
- Stella is a Bernese Mountain Dog in Plymouth, Michigan. Two restaurants are named after her, and a book called Introducing Stella was written about her.
Heroic Rescues by Bernese Mountain Dogs
- Nico (2015) was an adopted Bernese Mountain Dog who became a hero. He saved two people from a dangerous ocean rip current in California.
- Bella saved her owner, Chris Larocque, from a burning house. Chris had trouble moving due to injuries, and he said he would not have survived without Bella's help.
- Oakley (2014) saved her family when their Vermont ski condo caught fire overnight. She woke her owner by sitting on his head!
- Ben, a Bernese Mountain Dog and Border Collie mix, saved his family from a fire that started while they were asleep. He alerted the babysitter, who safely got the two kids and Ben out of the house.
See also
In Spanish: Boyero de Berna para niños
