Bernese Mountain Dog
Other names: Berne's cowboy, Dürrbächler, Berner Sennenhund

The Bernese Mountain Dog, of Swiss origin, is a large dog with a spectacular appearance. As gentle as he is powerful, he is a teddy-bear dog that will delight the young and old in everyday life. This is a good guard dog who is very suited for a rural way of life, with moderate exercise needs which must be met daily.
Key facts about the Bernese Mountain Dog
Origins and history
This dog of Swiss origin (near Bern hence his name) comes, like all dogs of the molosser category, from the Tibetan Mastiffs adopted by ancient Rome before spreading through Europe following the Roman legions. From this dog followed the Grosser Schweizer Sennenhund, the Appenzeller Sennenhund, the Entlebucher Sennenhund and of course, the Berner Sennenhund. The different types vary according to their geographical region.
Originally, the Bernese was used for his guarding and herding qualities; now he is mainly considered a family dog, although he is still occasionally employed in mountain rescue scenarios.
FCI breed nomenclature
FCI Group
Group 2 - Pinscher and Schnauzer - Molossoid and Swiss Mountain and Cattledogs
Section
Section 3 : Swiss Mountain and Cattledogs
Physical characteristics of the Bernese Mountain Dog
Adult size
Female : Between 23 and 26 in
Male : Between 25 and 28 in
Weight
Female : Between 88 and 99 lb
Male : Between 110 and 132 lb
Coat colour
The Bernese’s coat is tricolour with:
- Black overall
- Rust-coloured markings on the cheeks, above the eyes, on the four limbs and on the chest
- White blaze on the forehead, white marks on the neck, chest and ideally on the feet and the tip of the tail
Type of coat
The fur is long. The coat is shiny, smooth or wavy.
Eye colour
The eyes are dark brown.
Description
The Bernese is a large and well-balanced working dog. His remarkable appearance is very harmonious and his body is powerful, flexible and well-proportioned.
Good to know
Michael D. Higgins, the President of Ireland, is the proud owner of two Bernese Mountain Dogs: Bród and Síoda. He loves them so much that he brings them along when he attends official events!