Bernese Mountain Dog Puppies for Sale

Country of Origin:

Switzerland

Available Puppies

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Breed Characteristics

Average Size: Large

Average Lifespan: 7-10 years

Kid/Pet Friendly: Sometimes

Registry: aca,akc

Activity Level: moderate

Shedding Level: moderate

Grooming Level: moderate

Trainability: high

Good For Novice Owners: high

Adaptability: moderate

Prey Drive: high

Watchdog: aware

Breed Information

Overview

Just like a big teddy bear, the Bernese Mountain Dog will love hugs and attention. They have a calm and sweet demeanor, but be aware that these dogs are a large breed that is very strong and sturdy. Because of their size, they can at times accidentally knock over small children, so early socialization and teaching them to be gentle with kids is a key to a successful integration into your family. This dog breed has a fairly high prey drive also, meaning he/she may not be a big fan of your cat or even some smaller dog breeds. If you have other family pets, socialize them and teach the puppy that the other pets are part of the family, not something they should chase down. That being said, that may not stop him from howling at the neighbor cat. All things considered, you will be hard-pressed to find a more versatile and loving companion than the Berner.

The beautiful and majestic Bernese Mountain Dog is a versatile and intelligent working breed from the mountains of Switzerland. They are one of the four mountain dog breeds from the canton of Bern, which refers to a large agricultural region dedicated to the dairy production needed for exports of Swiss chocolate and cheese.

One of the facts about Bernese Mountain Dogs is that they were originally farm dogs. “The Berner” was bred to be an all-purpose farm dog that was able to herd livestock, stand guard over the farm, pull carts of produce to market, and still have the capacity to be a loving companion to their family.

Breed numbers were dwindling by the late 1800s and the quality of the dogs left was decreasing as well. Professor Albert Heim, one of the most respected, if not the most respected, European dog men of his generation, started a Swiss breed club in 1907 to revive the breed. It didn’t take long for the Berner to reclaim their spot as a favored farm dog and also as a popular household companion.

A Kansas farmer is credited with bringing a pair of Berners to the United States in 1926. From there, they quickly caught on with other U.S. farmers and with people looking for a large, friendly family companion. The American Kennel Club recognized the Bernese Mountain Dog as a member of the Working Group in 1937.

In addition to being beloved family companions, they can still be found working as all-around farm dogs, search-and-rescue dogs, therapy dogs, and more. They are also considered one of the dog breeds that make the best service dogs.

Temperament

Bernese Mountain Dogs are like big, affectionate teddy bears. They tend to love attention and affection, especially from their favorite humans. A well-socialized Berner has a calm and sweet demeanor and tends to get along fantastically with children, other dogs, and even strangers once introduced. They are even considered one of the great dog breeds for large families because of how well they tend to fit in and enjoy the company. Berners are known as one of the kid-friendly dog breeds, but they can have a high prey drive when it comes to small animals. They are generally fine with small animals they have been socialized within the family, especially if they were raised around them. But, they may still have the urge to chase small animals that are not part of their pack.