The Bernese Mountain dog puppies are sturdy workers and large in size, whose height is 27 inches at the shoulder. Their silky, large, thick long coat is of tricolor with a combination of et black, rust, and clear white. There are different markings on their face, the coat is a breed of hallmarks and there is a brilliant sparkle in the dark eyes, which altogether add to the dog’s aura of majestic nobility.
The Bernese Mountain dog puppies thrive in cold weather; the brawn and brain help the dog multitask on the farms and pastures of Switzerland. This dog does get along with the whole family. It is specifically gentle towards children, but they connect more to one lucky human. Berners are not dangerous dogs and maintain an aloof dignity with strangers.
What Are the Things to Keep in Mind While Having the Bernese Mountain Dog?
Before you contact Bernese Mountain Dog rescue, learn more about it.
Care
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It is better to get a Roomba if you are going to get a Bernese Mountain dog because it has a striking appearance. Expect a lot of dog grooming and vacuuming. Their silky double-layered coat needs brushing every couple of days and full grooming at least once every 4-8 weeks.
You’ll need to take particular care if you have a Bernese Mountain puppy; like many large breed dogs, Berners grow swiftly between the age of four to seven months, making them vulnerable to bone disorders and injury. They do well on a high-quality with a low-calorie diet that slows their growing speed.
Do not let the Berner puppy play and run on hard surfaces, jump excessively, or pull loads until they are two years old to fully develop the joints. Regular grass play is fine, and so are puppy agility classes, with their 1-inch jumps.
Health
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Various diseases affect the health of Bernese mountain dogs; they are prone to cancers and can develop a lot of types of cancers. In general, they do not have a long lifespan because of that. The lifespan for these dogs is usually in the range of 7-10 years.
They are also prone to many other medical conditions associated with large dogs, such as hip and elbow dysplasia, eye conditions, and blood disorders. It would help you if you also were wary of gastric dilatation-volvulus complex, or bloat, a stomach condition that occurs when air accumulates in the stomach that causes it to twist.
Bloat is a life-threatening condition and requires emergency surgery. You can follow some steps to reduce the risk of bloating, such as feeding the dog smaller and frequent meals during the day. Talk with the vet about the chances for these conditions and how you can reduce them.
Living Needs
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These dogs suit well to cold climates as they love winters. During snow, you will notice that Bernese mountain dogs will be lying in the snow just as happy as they can be. These dogs enjoy exploring, hence you must get a fence in the yard.
It would help take the dog for regular walks as it is highly essential; at least a half-hour of brisk walking or running every day is recommended. Berners make an excellent companion for outdoor activities. For example, camping and hiking and even help to pull kids around in carts. They are good in activities such as tracking, herding, and agility.
How to Look After the Bernese Mountain Dogs?
The Bernese mountain puppies are adorable and brave, but they do also require extra care. Read the following to learn more.
Nutrition
These dogs do well on high-quality dog food, whether the food is commercially prepared or home-prepared, under the supervision and approval of the veterinarians. Any diet is appropriate to the dog’s age.
Some dogs are more inclined towards getting overweight, so pay attention to your dog’s calorie intake. You must also frequently check their weight level. Treats are an essential asset in training. However, keep in mind not to exceed because giving too many can cause obesity.
Do thorough research about which human foods are safe for dogs and which are not. Counsel with the vet for any concerns regarding the weight or diet of the dog. Make sure that the dog has fresh and clean water available all the time.
Training
Early obedience and socialization training are crucial for all dog breeds but more essential for breeds as large as the Bernese Mountain dogs. These are eager to please and intelligent, so you will not have a hard time training them.
These dogs are affectionate and openhearted; their feelings are easily hurt, for this reason, they will not respond to harsh training or corrections. A Berner wants to be a part of the family, so undesirable behaviors can result if you leave him alone for long periods.
Grooming
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The Bernese dogs have a double coat with a longer outer coat and a wooly undercoat. They shed a fair amount, even more in the shedding season occurring twice a year. Weekly brushing-daily during shedding season can help you to remove loose hair and keep the good-looking best.
You can fix any tangled hair with the help of a metal comb or slicker brush. As with all breeds, trimming nails regularly is necessary. Long nails can cause pain in the dog and structural problems.
Brush the dog’s teeth three to two times a week to remove tartar buildup and the bacteria that remains inside. Daily brushing is better to prevent bad breath and gum disease.
You should trim your dog’s nails once a month if your dog does not cut them naturally. It prevents painful injuries and other problems. If you can hear the nails clicking on the floor, it means they are too long.
Dog toenails contain blood vessels; cutting too far can cause bleeding, and your dog may not cooperate in the future when they see the nail clippers if you are not experienced trimming dog nails, as a groomer or vet for pointers.
Children and Other Pets
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These dogs are excellent family pets, usually gentle and affectionate with children; they inadvertently knock or bump over very small or young children. It is essential for every breed to teach your children about approaching and touching dogs and always keep your eyes on interactions between children and dogs to prevent biting, tail, or ear pulling.
Teach the children never to approach any dog while sleeping or to eat or take the dog’s food away. Regardless of how friendly your dog is, do not leave it alone with a child.
The Berners get along with other pets well though the more significant the size difference, the more training and supervision required to keep everyone safe.
Also Read: Knowing dog grooming techniques are very important for dog owners
History of the Bernese Mountain Dog
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These dogs initially came from Bern, Switzerland, where they used to work on farms driving cattle, guarding fields, and pulling carts and farms on valleys and in the mountains. The breed is amongst the four ancient swiss breeds called Sennenhund breeds. It is believed that Roman brought the Bernese mountain dog puppies.
As ranching and farming developed, demand for these types decreased, and the population decreased. But enthusiasts for the breed took action and led a concerted effort to increase the breed’s numbers.
It is believed that Berners have been working on swiss farms for more than 2,000 years, quietly watching over the small holdings of the Alps, where they have been pulling carts, standing watch, accompanying livestock, and providing owners with loyal companionship.
During world war 1, dog shows and breeding took a backseat to war efforts. After the war, the Bernese Mountain Dogs were exported, initially to Holland and then to the US-although the American Kennel Club didn’t yet recognize the breed. World war two also interrupted the progress of the breed outside its native land, but after 1945, registration and importation resumed in the United States of America.
A European dog lover known as Professor Albert Heim noticed the Bernese Mountain Dog and created a breeding club in 1907 to popularize the gentle, intelligent dog. The puppies returned to favor on farms also with families.
More About the Bernese Mountain Dog
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- The Bernese Mountain Dogs are strong and can pull up to 10 times their weight, or nearly 1,000 pounds.
- Thanks to their cart-pulling abilities, these dogs once served as delivery dogs, drawing carts of dairy products and other items from farm to farm. In today’s time, they may be more likely to flex those skills for their owners, helping them pull children in carts for fun.
- Of the four Sennenhund breeds, known as Swiss mountain dogs or Swiss cattle dogs, only the Bernese mountain dogs have long hair. The other ones that are not so quite furry breeds in this group are the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, the Entlebucher mountain dog, and the Appenzeller Mountain dog.
Conclusion
These dogs initially came from Bern, Switzerland, where they used to work on farms driving cattle, guarding fields, and pulling carts and farms on valleys and in the mountains. The breed is amongst the four ancient swiss breeds called Sennenhund breeds. It is believed that Roman brought the Bernese mountain puppies.
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