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Description |
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Few dog breeds can match the stunning appearance
of the Bernese Mountain Dog with his satiny black long coat accented by
patches and snippets of white and rust, and few can equal his quiet work
ethic and easy-going temperament. Neither a scrapper nor a workaholic, the
Bernese pursues his dual career as family companion and helpmate with
skill, friendly assurance, and devotion.
One of a quartet of Swiss breeds known as
mountain dogs, the Bernese developed as a cattle drover and cart dog in
Alpine villages. He was a farm dog extraordinaire, herding cattle, hauling
milk and other products to market, and watching over the family. But
though his ancestors entered Switzerland with the Romans and he served his
masters well, the Bernese Mountain Dog nearly died out as a breed early in
the 20th Century. But for the dedication of a handful of fanciers, we
would not know the breed today.
Like the Newfoundland, Great Pyrenees, and St.
Bernard, the Berner's roots go back to the Molosser dogs of the Romans,
large mastiff-type dogs that drove and guarded the cattle herds of the
invading armies and protected outposts. Also known as the Berner
Sennenhund in Switzerland, he takes his name from Berne, the canton of his
development; senner, the stockman he worked for, and hund, the German word
for dog. Each summer, the senner and his hund drove the cattle to the
Alpine meadows to graze and watched over the animals until time to return
to the valley for fall and winter.
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| Other names: |
Berner Sennenhund, Bernese Cattle Dog, Swiss Mountain Dog |
| Country of Origin: |
Switzerland |
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Temperament:
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The Bernese Mountain Dog is very social and extremely loyal to its
family. The Bernese mountain dog is eager to please and easy to train.
This dog breed is a sweet character in nature, outgoing, affectionate
who loves children. He is a one-owner dog and may find it difficult to
adjust to a new owner if introduced after 18 months of age. They are
generally good with other pets and dogs. They are very intelligent,
easy to train and are natural watchdogs, but not aggressive.
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| Height: |
Males
25-27 1/2 inches Females 23-26 inches |
| Weight: |
Males
90-120 pounds Females 75-105 pounds |
| Colors: |
The beautiful weather-resistant tri-color double coat is jet black
with symmetrical markings of rust and white. The dog should have a white
blaze on the chest, white on the head and toes, and rust markings over
each eye, on the cheeks, sides of the chest, under the tail and on each
leg |
| Coat: |
The coat is moderately long and either straight or slightly wavy.
Seasonal, heavy shedder and requires daily brushing. |
| Living Environment: |
The Bernese Mountain Dog is not fit for apartments; it requires a
large spacious yard in a cooler climate. They need exercise, but enjoy
lounging with owner. |
| Learning Rate: |
Learning Rate - Very High, Obedience - High, Problem Solving - High. |
| Group: |
Mastiff, Working group |
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