Most dog owners feel a sense of joy when they hug a big, fluffy dog. From playfulness to comfort, they are all about being good companions. Not that small breed dogs are any less (if your preference goes there) but here we are focusing on one particular breed among the large floofers, the Bernese mountain dog.
Appearance-wise, they are quite large dogs with pretty attractive, tri-colored coats. They have red (or rust), and white markings on their bodies while the background color is black. With a thick and fairly long coat, they do require frequent brushing to keep the coat healthy and mats-free but you’ll soon find out that having this breed around is completely worth it as they are strong and muscular, so much so, that it seems as if they were bred for work.
We are fairly certain that there are other tidbits about the Bernese mountain dog that you have not yet discovered so if you’re planning on getting one or if you’re simply inquisitive, read on to know further.
Here are the Top 10 Bernese Mountain Dogs Facts That You Didn’t Know.
1. Bernese Mountain Dogs Have Their Roots Going Back to Switzerland
The complete details about the origin of Bernese Mountain dogs are a little vague as the breed is quite old. Some believe that they originated around 2000 years ago when the Romans brought mastiff-like dogs to Switzerland.
This theory has been objected by others since some remains of giant dogs that have been discovered in Switzerland date back earlier than when the Romans crossed the Alps. However, there isn’t much art or literature to help dig further into this topic. It might be so because artists are mostly known to place stylish hunting and lapdogs on their canvas while our Berners have been working dogs since their early days. However, their American history began in 1926, when a Kansas farmer imported a pair. They caught on quickly, and the AKC registered their first Berner in 1937.
2. Bernese Mountain Dogs Are Made for The Cold-Weather
Bernese mountain dogs with their flowy signature fur thrive in winter weather. They enjoy daytime exercises during frosty days and will prove to be just the right companion when you go hiking, camping, backpacking, or even for a good romp in the snow.
Sure, they love being indoors with the family but you know where they’d rather be when the temperature falls low. They are unbothered by snow as they go ruffling and digging, so you might as well get ready for some wintertime adventures with your Berner!
3. You Will Always Have a Puppy Around
If you’ve ever wished your dog would never grow up, the Bernese Mountain Dog will turn out to be just the right choice for you. Being such a large breed, they mature more slowly compared to others and happen to show puppy-like behavior until later than most other breeds.
With their soft, thick coat, and adorable eyes, you will barely be able to stop hugging a Bernese mountain dog puppy. Talking about the puppy stage, you might want to consider this as a heads up since their energy level can be quite high, so much so that it could just tire you out. For that, you’ll have to separate lots of playtimes, heavy to moderate exercise, and obedience training.
Also, check out 50 of the cutest Bernese Mountain Dog Puppies!
4. Bernese Mountain Dogs Are Ever-Alert Dogs
This breed at times may come off as immature but this is only a result of their open and versatile nature. They just absolutely enjoy goofing off and having fun. But there is also a balance between this silly personality and a strong intelligence in this breed.
Another trait not to forget is their deep and ever-warming loyalty to family. Being bred to protect their homes and owners, Bernese carry a vigilant, watchful nature at all times. People sometimes joke that they have eyes in the back of their heads as they are always keeping an eye on things, even when they are goofing off or simply lying around.
5. Berners Can Be Your Entire Families’ Best Friend
Since these dogs have this extreme need to keep their humans happy, it kind of makes sense that Bernese Mountain dogs are good at different works. They are always up for pleasing their human families. They aren’t destined to live in a kennel. They should be part of your family.
Your Bernese mountain dog will want to be wherever you are every hour of the day. Considering their easy-going, affectionate temperament, you will also not want them anywhere far from you. This sensible breed is specifically gentle and affectionate towards children. They take it as their duty to watch over the children in their families and contrary to how they are with adults; they do not act boisterous around young kids.
6. Bernese Mountains Dogs Are Known As ‘Happy Doggos’
Making their owners happy is one of the greatest pleasures for Bernese mountain dogs. If you get amused by any of their specific antics or actions, they will stick to it and make you laugh by repeating the same thing again and again. These adorable ones will find that particular trick just to keep their humans giggling. We might say that they are some lovable people pleasers.
Bernese Mountain dogs are known to have legendary, transformative smiles which one can say are brought to mankind by angels. You won’t be able to stop your heart from melting once you see how these family lovers stay the happiest by your side.
7. Bernese Mountain Dogs Used to Be Giant Working Dogs
Made for enduring the rocky terrain of the mountains, the legs of this mighty breed are quite sturdy. Initially, they were put to use for herding and kept as guard dogs for farm families. They also made great companions with their friendly and calm personalities. And eventually, they shifted to being delivery dogs.
When cheese plants began opening up in 1850, the producers were planning on shifting large shipments of food. These powerful dogs would pull carts full of dairy products and bread to several farms. Small kids would sometimes accompany the dogs but the Bernese were very much able to do the work on their own.
As this trend of draft dogs continued, countries such as Belgium, France, the Netherlands, and even Canada caught on to the idea and began using these dog carts. It was a necessity in the Alps to have these canine-drawn carts, but in other parts of the world, they were used for amusement.
8. Bernese Mountains Dogs Are Astonishingly Strong Yet Slow Learners
You might get surprised that under all of their adorable fur, these dogs are quite muscular. They are so sturdy that they are capable of hauling up to 1000 pounds. That’s roughly around ten times their weight!
As mentioned before, their power is suited to work on farmlands as they can make expert draft dogs. This breed can, however, also prove to be somewhat of a slow learner. As they happen to mature a bit slower in comparison to other dogs, Bernese Mountain dogs require a lot of consistent and patient training.
9. Berners Are Dog Sport’s Champion
As a part of the Working Group, this breed can compete in a wide array of activities. They are exceptional at drafting but beyond that, they can also hold their on their own in briskness, compliance, herding, and conformity. This means they are also pretty easy to train once you get them to follow your commands. Being a Bernese mountain dog owner, if you hear a dog sports competition happening anywhere near, don’t hesitate to get your fluffer’s name in.
10. Bernese Mountain Dogs Were Almost Permanently Replaced
St. Bernard was the most popular dog in Switzerland in the late 1800s. As the big dog started gaining more popularity, people started forgetting about Swiss mountain dogs. The uniform coloration and distinct origin of St. Bernards were loved by fanciers. In 1883, the Swiss Kennel Club began and decided to not acknowledge any of the mountain dogs, choosing to instead showcase St. Bernard and other canines of the area. Bernese Mountain dogs and other similar breeds were not in demand because of the rise in the popularity of farm dogs.
An innkeeper named Franz Schertenleib is credited for saving Bernese Mountain dogs from being completely wiped out. He had heard many stories about these noble dogs from his grandparents, and he dedicated himself to resurrecting this breed along with other Swiss Mountain dog breeds. He did so by traveling across Europe searching for good specimens and carrying their stories along with him.
Well, that’s the end of our list on “Top 10 Bernese Mountain Dogs facts”. If you want to add one of these dogs to your family, make sure to take your time to learn all the above facts.
To explore more, check out everything we have covered on Bernese Mountain Dogs.
Do you have a Bernese Mountain Dog? Or are you planning to adopt one? We would love to hear from you. Please share with our community by leaving a comment below!