The Bernese Mountain Dog: A Big Stuffed Animal

Are you in search for a new addition to the family? One of my favorite breeds is the Bernese Mountain Dog. These dogs originated from Switzerland. To me the Bernese looks like a big stuffed animal; they are tri-colored (black, brown, and white) and are rather large. The females run between 75 to 100 pounds whereas the males can run between 85-120 pounds. All Bernese have long thick coats that require regular brushing and grooming. Even though you can find these breeds throughout any climate they fair best in the cold weather due to their fur.

Originally a farm dog the Bernese is capable of both speed and agility. However, due to its large size it prefers to move at a slower pace. This breed is intelligent, good nature, easy going, and loves to be around people. With my experience I have found that a Bernese really takes clues from its owner. If someone I do not know approaches me and I am apprehensive then my dog tends to be more alert. If someone approaches me and I am calm then he is more apt to go in for a quick pet or scratch. Since the Bernese loves being around people and can read people they make excellent pets for families with children.

Training, especially for the Bernese Mountain Dog, is a must. No one wants a 100 plus pound dog with a mind of their own on the loose. Do not let the size of the Bernese fool you; they still love to play and can even be mischievous at times. Mine for example decided to help me garden except he dug the holes after I had already put seeds in them. A brisk walk, his own toys, and the reinforcement that I was top dog curbed his digging ways.

There are a few downsides to the breed. One would be the high cost of buying a puppy. They can cost anywhere from $800 to upwards of $2000. Another drawback would be the short life expectancy. The average life span of a Bernese runs around 7 years. A few things contribute to this; cancer which seems to run rampant throughout the breed and congestive heart failure due to their large size. According to Dog Central the Swiss expression, "Three years a young dog, three years a good dog and three years an old dog. All else is a gift from God" best describes the life of a Bernese Mountain Dog.

All in all I could not be happier with my Bernese. The love, loyalty, and companionship I have received from him outweigh any of the negatives of the breed.