The Bernese Mountain Dog is a large, tri-coloured working breed from the Swiss Alps, used historically for drafting, droving, and farm guarding. Berners are famous for their gentle temperament, calm confidence, and affectionate nature. They are outstanding family dogs — patient with children, calm around other animals, and deeply devoted to their people. The main caveat of the breed is a relatively short lifespan compared to their size.
My Berner drools after drinking, after meals, and when he's warm. It's not dramatic but it's real and ongoing. We keep a small towel nearby at all times. If you're someone who is bothered by this, factor it in. Personally I find it charming in a slightly ridiculous way, but I know it's not for every…
Read full review →Bernese Mountain Dogs are not easy or long-lived, and they take up enormous physical and emotional space in your life. But the love you get back is proportional. My boy is now nine and every day with him feels like a gift. He has made our family better and warmer. There is no dog I would rather have…
Read full review →Bernese Mountain Dogs were bred to pull carts and work on Swiss farms. That working heritage means they love having a purpose. Mine does weekly carting sessions with a local working dog club and he's transformed by having a job. The focus, pride, and contentment after a working session is something …
Read full review →Bernese Mountain Dogs have one of the shorter lifespans in large breeds — typically 7-10 years, sometimes less. We knew this going in but knowing and experiencing are different. Our girl is eight and we're deeply aware we may only have a year or two left with her. The love you get is enormous; the t…
Read full review →Our Berner has been with our children from birth to now (they're 7 and 9). He's been a constant presence in their lives — gentle with babies, playful with toddlers, and a steady companion for older kids. He seems to understand at every stage what the children need from him. A once-in-a-lifetime fami…
Read full review →Bernese Mountain Dogs with their thick double coats struggle in heat. I avoid exercise in summer during the hottest parts of the day, keep fresh water available constantly, and make sure he has cool places to rest. In our climate (temperate with hot summers) we manage well with planning. In consiste…
Read full review →Despite being the largest dog in any room, my Berner is careful about his size around smaller people and dogs. He seems to modulate his behaviour based on the size of who he's interacting with. He plays differently with small children than with adult dogs. This awareness of his own size is genuinely…
Read full review →My Bernese Mountain Dog is 50kg of pure sweetness. He moves around children and smaller animals with a careful, deliberate gentleness that seems entirely conscious. His tri-colour coat is genuinely magnificent and he carries himself with the kind of calm dignity that makes people stop and stare. An …
Read full review →We live in a mid-sized house with a garden and our Berner has adapted perfectly. He doesn't need extreme exercise — an hour a day is enough — but loves hikes and outdoor adventures when we offer them. He's calm indoors, good with our kids, and has never been destructive. A wonderfully balanced tempe…
Read full review →The tri-colour coat is one of the most beautiful things in the dog world. It is also everywhere, always. Heavy shedding twice a year and moderate shedding year-round. I brush mine three times a week and still find fur in unexpected places. A good de-shedding brush and a powerful vacuum are non-negot…
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