ARE YOU THINKING OF GETTING A BERNESE MOUNTAIN DOG?
READ ON ….
Bernese puppies are probably the cutest dogs on the planet, not that we are biased here in the Bernese Mountain Dog Club of Ireland, and you will see them all over social media being the cutest puppies imaginable, but they grow (rapidly) into BIG, hairy dogs weighing on average 50kg so ask yourself the following questions –
- Does your lifestyle allow you to spend quality time with your dog? You want your dog to be fit, content and sociable so this means putting in plenty of hours teaching your dog how to behave in all the social situations that you will want to bring them to. Any dog who is isolated from people and companionship will become stressed and bored and Bernese Mountain Dogs need to spend most of their time with human rather than other canine company. Many destructive behaviours result from lack of exercise, stimulation and boredom. When considering if a Bernese Mountain Dog is a good choice for you remember that you will not be able to pick up an adult dog in your arms to keep it from harming others or itself, so teaching manners and self-control from the earliest days is essential so that your dog acts appropriately at home and in public places when it is fully grown.
- Is where you live Berner friendly? Where you live will determine to some extent what types of exercise and activities you can provide for your dog. Whilst Bernese Mountain Dogs were originally bred as working farm dogs which gave them a stimulating environment, most people don’t live in these situations so it is important that you can provide your Bernese Mountain Dog with activities to stimulate their minds and body. Consider working your dog in obedience, tracking or drafting and look to see if any of these activities are available within a reasonable distance from your home so that you can partake on a very regular basis. Make sure your garden is enclosed, preferably with high fencing rather than hedging. You would be amazed how high an unneutered Berner can jump if he wants to get out, particularly if any local dogs are in heat!
- Can you provide your Bernese Mountain Dog with the opportunity to exercise daily? One of the most common questions people ask is how much exercise do Bernese need? The answer – it depends on the Berner. Often a leash walk for 30 minutes once or twice per day is sufficient for an adult Bernese but for some this will not be enough. Many Bernese are happy to self-exercise if you have a large garden for them to play in but if you don’t have this then you have to ensure that they can get out into the local park, forest or beach and allow them to burn off their energy. There are plenty of berners that are happiest when lying on the sofa, bed or floor and doing as little as possible so you will need to judge what your dog needs and make sure you stick to a routine that they are comfortable and happy with.
- Do you have other pets already? The presence of other dogs can help a new puppy to settle in and learn from their elder siblings and Bernese are usually quite tolerant of other pets, but interaction should be closely monitored in the early months to make sure that all animals are safe while learning how to live together. Some Bernese have a strong prey instinct and so might chase smaller pets and potentially kill or injure them so constant supervision will be necessary until they are all happy in each other’s company.
- Do you have young children? Many people choose a Bernese Mountain Dog because they have read or heard that the breed is great with children. In general, most Berners are gentle and nurturing and most will interact well with children. However, as a dog owner and/or parent please understand that you will need to teach your children and your dog how to behave around each other. All children and dogs should be closely supervised to avoid behaviours that could lead to the injury of your child, dog or both. All dogs have space boundaries and children (and adults) may not be able to pick up on the language your dog speaks when they are trying to tell you to ‘back off’. Berners are big dogs and could potentially frighten a child who is unused to interacting with dogs, so it is essential to teach your children how to read and respond to your dog’s boundaries and tolerance levels in order to keep them safe. Berner puppies if left to their own instincts will often chase and nip or bite as a form of play. Teaching children not to grab skin or fur, pull on legs or tails, not to scream or stare into a dog’s face can be tough especially as these kinds of behaviours are fairly common when children interact with a pet. A dog can get overwhelmed by children playing as they can be noisy and make sudden movements so you will need to have a safe space where a dog can retire to if they become stressed due to sensory overload, tired or don’t want to be bothered.
- Have you considered the long-term costs of owning a Bernese Mountain Dog? The purchase price of your dog is only a small portion of what it will cost you to maintain your dog in the years ahead. Think about your disposable income and how much of that will be spent on good quality food, grooming costs, veterinary bills, insurance, toys, training classes to name just a few things. These are the day-to-day costs so you should also factor in kennel costs when you go on holiday, day care or dog walkers if you have to engage them because of an unexpected illness to you or someone in your family and the huge costs involved if your dog develops a major illness or has an inherited condition. Bear in mind that most insurers will exclude certain conditions in large breed dogs or may only insure them up to a certain age so you will likely have to pay out large sums for a medical procedure, medication, rehabilitation, physical therapy etc. if your dog is unfortunate to suffer from some of these illnesses during their lifetime.
- Are you house proud? If keeping your home clean is a major consideration for you then ask yourself if you have the time and energy to vacuum daily (sometimes twice daily) because Bernese Mountain Dogs shed – A LOT – and it’s year-round. Berners have a double coat consisting of an undercoat and a topcoat. When you combine their large size with an overabundance of thick, long hair it doesn’t take much imagination to see how this will be found on every surface, in every press, even in your food and this would be after brushing on a daily basis! Be sure to factor in the cost of replacing your vacuum cleaner regularly too. Also consider if allergies to dog hair is something that might be a problem for your family or visitors. If you are looking for a dog that does not shed then a Berner is not for you.
If, after taking all of the above into consideration, you feel that a Bernese Mountain Dog is the right breed for you and your family contact us here in the Club for a list of reputable breeders but be prepared to wait for your puppy as most breeders have long waiting lists and not as many puppies as everyone wants. While you are waiting, do more research by talking to people who already have a Berner, come along to our events during the year and meet the breed, and educate yourself on the health conditions that unfortunately many of the breed succumb to.
PUPPY SHOPPING? SOME DO’S AND DON’TS
PUPPY SHOPPING? SOME DO’S AND DON’TS
Nowadays it’s all too easy to find cute Bernese Mountain Dogs for sale online and the photos accompanying the adverts can melt even the hardest hearts.
But before you click - ask yourself why would a breeder need to advertise their litters online? Should they not have a waiting list of people patiently waiting months or even years for their forever pup? You may just want a puppy to be your companion - not for showing or breeding – so what does it matter if there is very little information about the parents, or whether health tests can be shown to you?
IT MATTERS
Don’t be the person who falls for the ‘it’s the last dog left of the litter’ sales pitch, or the ‘I’ll meet you in a car park to show you the dog because the house is a mess/being decorated’ or the line ‘orthopaedic and genetic testing is only for show dogs’. Anyone selling a puppy or dog in these circumstances is not a genuine breeder. They want your money, and fast, and chances are if there is a problem with the puppy later you won’t be able to get through to their phone number and you definitely won’t have an address. Unfortunately, the internet is awash with sellers like this who are back yard breeders and puppy farmers who care absolutely nothing about their dogs, their puppies, where health testing does not exist and neither does socialising a puppy or making sure it is fed age-appropriate food and kept well-nourished and in clean, loving environments. The bottom line with these ‘breeders’ is profit so do your research and don’t fall into the trap of thinking that it’s only one puppy so where’s the harm?
A genuine breeder will not advertise online because they will have people prepared to wait as long as it takes to get a puppy. A genuine breeder should interview you as much as you should interview them – what type of home will you provide, have you got the time to commit to the breed, is your garden enclosed and safe, do you have children or intend to have children in the future and will you be able to cope with both. You should meet a breeder at their home and see where their dogs live before you commit to working with them, and you will probably meet more than one breeder before deciding on one that you feel comfortable with. A genuine and reputable breeder will be able to show you the results of the extensive health tests that are done on both parents as they will strive to produce litters of puppies that have the best potential to grow into healthy, happy dogs. All Bernese Mountain Dogs used for breeding should undergo genetic screening for hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, inherited eye disorders and other hereditary health conditions that have occurred in families of Bernese. A responsible breeder will keep in touch with you after the sale and will be interested to follow your puppy’s growth and progress in the years to come and will be available to assist with any issues that might arise. Your preferred breeder should be charging top prices for pups produced from well thought out breeding programmes where health, temperament and soundness are of utmost importance.
Because of the high demand for dogs, particularly since the Covid pandemic, coupled with the short supply of well-bred pups there has been a rise in the exploitation of dogs of all breeds by puppy farmers. These pups are being sold for the same price as pups from a reputable breeder but without any of the health checks, and you will have zero chance of getting your money back or even assistance with your growing puppy so don’t click or call without doing your homework and arming yourself with all the facts before you part with your hard-earned cash. You could be getting a lot more than you bargained for, don’t say you weren’t warned!
If you need advice about whether or not a breeder is genuine please reach out to us here at the Club and we will do our best to help and guide you.
At the end of the day there is no guarantee as to the long-term health of any dog regardless of where it is bred, but by doing your research and educating yourself you are giving yourself and your dog the best possible chance of a long and happy life together.
Nowadays it’s all too easy to find cute Bernese Mountain Dogs for sale online and the photos accompanying the adverts can melt even the hardest hearts.
But before you click - ask yourself why would a breeder need to advertise their litters online? Should they not have a waiting list of people patiently waiting months or even years for their forever pup? You may just want a puppy to be your companion - not for showing or breeding – so what does it matter if there is very little information about the parents, or whether health tests can be shown to you?
IT MATTERS
Don’t be the person who falls for the ‘it’s the last dog left of the litter’ sales pitch, or the ‘I’ll meet you in a car park to show you the dog because the house is a mess/being decorated’ or the line ‘orthopaedic and genetic testing is only for show dogs’. Anyone selling a puppy or dog in these circumstances is not a genuine breeder. They want your money, and fast, and chances are if there is a problem with the puppy later you won’t be able to get through to their phone number and you definitely won’t have an address. Unfortunately, the internet is awash with sellers like this who are back yard breeders and puppy farmers who care absolutely nothing about their dogs, their puppies, where health testing does not exist and neither does socialising a puppy or making sure it is fed age-appropriate food and kept well-nourished and in clean, loving environments. The bottom line with these ‘breeders’ is profit so do your research and don’t fall into the trap of thinking that it’s only one puppy so where’s the harm?
A genuine breeder will not advertise online because they will have people prepared to wait as long as it takes to get a puppy. A genuine breeder should interview you as much as you should interview them – what type of home will you provide, have you got the time to commit to the breed, is your garden enclosed and safe, do you have children or intend to have children in the future and will you be able to cope with both. You should meet a breeder at their home and see where their dogs live before you commit to working with them, and you will probably meet more than one breeder before deciding on one that you feel comfortable with. A genuine and reputable breeder will be able to show you the results of the extensive health tests that are done on both parents as they will strive to produce litters of puppies that have the best potential to grow into healthy, happy dogs. All Bernese Mountain Dogs used for breeding should undergo genetic screening for hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, inherited eye disorders and other hereditary health conditions that have occurred in families of Bernese. A responsible breeder will keep in touch with you after the sale and will be interested to follow your puppy’s growth and progress in the years to come and will be available to assist with any issues that might arise. Your preferred breeder should be charging top prices for pups produced from well thought out breeding programmes where health, temperament and soundness are of utmost importance.
Because of the high demand for dogs, particularly since the Covid pandemic, coupled with the short supply of well-bred pups there has been a rise in the exploitation of dogs of all breeds by puppy farmers. These pups are being sold for the same price as pups from a reputable breeder but without any of the health checks, and you will have zero chance of getting your money back or even assistance with your growing puppy so don’t click or call without doing your homework and arming yourself with all the facts before you part with your hard-earned cash. You could be getting a lot more than you bargained for, don’t say you weren’t warned!
If you need advice about whether or not a breeder is genuine please reach out to us here at the Club and we will do our best to help and guide you.
At the end of the day there is no guarantee as to the long-term health of any dog regardless of where it is bred, but by doing your research and educating yourself you are giving yourself and your dog the best possible chance of a long and happy life together.
BERNESE MOUTAIN DOG GROWTH STAGES

No two Bernese Mountain Dogs will grow at the same rate, even litter mates so if your puppy looks smaller or larger, is shorter or taller, is of a slighter or bulkier build don’t worry. Concentrate on keeping your puppy healthy, happy and on providing a nurturing and supportive environment. Genes inherited from your pup’s mother, father and ancestors’ control how your dog will look as a fully grown adult. Bernese are slow maturing dogs and are considered puppies until their third birthday. They will continue to add substance and bulk well into their middle years.
Quite often up to age 18 months they can look leggy, gangly or unbalanced and their run may seem uncoordinated but again, don’t worry, be patient and they will become fully formed adults with the proud Bernese stance that is so admired.
When you bring your Bernese puppy home at (usually) between 8-10 weeks you should spend the first few weeks getting them used to their new home environment, setting routines and creating bonds with everyone in your family. Handling should be done gently and rough play with other dogs or humans should not be encouraged as this can cause serious injury to muscles and ligaments in growing pups. Once your puppy has had all its vaccinations it should be taken outside, and socialising can begin in earnest. Give your puppy plenty of encouragement, taking care not to overwhelm them or tire them too much. It’s a lot for their little brains to take in during the first weeks with you so patience and calmness are essential.
At around 3 months play biting can become more prominent and it’s important to recognise that this is completely normal behaviour. Unfortunately, especially if you have young children, this is when people can question the merits of having a puppy. The best thing to do for excessive puppy mouthing is to yelp loudly in pain ‘ouch!’, stop playing with your puppy, then turn away for about 5 seconds. Then smile and turn back and offer something else to put their mouth on such as an appropriate soft toy for them to grab. Play tug gently for a few minutes then ask your puppy to ‘give’ you the toy and trade it for a treat. Don’t just leave the toy on the floor – play with your pup by making the toy move, make the game fun. Get your pup to sit or lie down and reward with a treat, and then start playing again. Repeat the exercise, remembering to take frequent breaks to allow your puppy to calm down and maintain self-control. It is important to start to build your pup’s confidence and instil manners while they are young, as trying to teach this when they weigh up to 50kg is going to be extremely tough, so start young!
Between 4-5 months of age puppies begin to lose their milk teeth and chewing or mouthing can become more intense during this period. It can help to soak food in water to soften it to make eating a more comfortable experience during this time. Around this time they begin to lose their puppy coats so it’s not unusual to see lots of puppy fuzz when brushing. A Berner is changing to an adult coat when a strip of very shing coarser looking black coat runs down the centre of the dog’s back. The adult coat will continue to come in over the course of several weeks. Fuzz often remains around the ears making them looked ‘crimped’.
Between 8-12 months old Berners are not physically or mentally mature, and their size can be misleading especially when out and about as strangers can assume that they are fully grown. Young Berners seldom carry as much coat as their older counterparts, and leg feathers are only beginning to grow on many when they hit the year-old mark. Coats on both males and female begin to lengthen as they age. At this stage in their growth reproductive hormones are kicking in and can affect their behaviour leading many to forget all the training that you have spent the last number of months working on. This is where your perseverance must prevail – your puppy that was so obedient at an early age may become oblivious to your commands, be clingy, boy mad or girl crazed. Your male puppy can become difficult to handle once their hormonal instincts are in play so they will need firm direction and guidance at this time. Reinforce everything that they have already learned and continue to build their confidence. This phase will pass, honestly. Females may become nervous and skittish prior to their first heat cycle, which can occur between 8-14 months, but again, each girl will be different so keep an eye out for changes in her behaviour and temperament. Unless you intend to breed with your dog it is advisable to have them neutered and you should get advice on the best age for your dog from your vet and it would be a good idea to also talk to your breeder about the age they would recommend having this done at.
There is an old Swiss saying which many Bernese owners are aware of, “Three years a puppy, three years a good dog, three years an old dog, and the rest is a gift”. This is a really accurate description of a Bernese Mountain Dog. They will continue to put on width and substance, their heads will broaden into their second and third years, and mature three- or four-year-olds will be maturing both in appearance and behaviour. By the time they reach 5-7 years they should be calm and self-assured, in glorious full coat and their physical structure set. This is when they are in the prime of their lives.