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CLEAR ALLHailing from the Berne region of Switzerland, Bernese Mountain Dogs are highly prized as family pets and versatile working dogs. They are one of four Sennenhund-type breeds that can trace their ancestry back to Roman Mastiff dogs. All these breeds have distinct black and tan coats with white markings that represent the cross on the Swiss flag for many people. These striking, large dogs are known to be true gentle giants, especially around children. Moreover, they are known to be affectionate, loyal, and intelligent, which means they are relatively easy to train. These robust, hard-working dogs are also well suited to compete in a range of dog sports including tracking, obedience, herding, carting, and conformation competitions. They are generally known to be calm and agreeable dogs; however, you must ensure you have the time to devote to their exercise and mental stimulation needs for them to remain happy and content.
Bernese Mountain Dogs can be suitable for first-time dog owners but remember that these dogs get large! So, you must be willing to put the effort into consistent training and exercise. These dogs don’t like being cooped up in small spaces all day and they dislike being left alone for long periods. Moreover, they are known to shed and drool excessively. However, for the right owners who understand their unique needs, these beautiful dogs make wonderful, devoted, sweet-natured companions that will attract attention wherever they go.
With ample open space, regular grooming, and a consistent training routine, the Bernese Mountain Dog will show devotion, loyalty, and unconditional love to their owners.
Hailing from the Berne region of Switzerland, Bernese Mountain Dogs are highly prized as family pets and versatile working dogs. They are one of four Sennenhund-type breeds that can trace their ancestry back to Roman Mastiff dogs. All these breeds have distinct black and tan coats with white markings that represent the cross on the Swiss flag for many people. These striking, large dogs are known to be true gentle giants, especially around children. Moreover, they are known to be affectionate, loyal, and intelligent, which means they are relatively easy to train. These robust, hard-working dogs are also well suited to compete in a range of dog sports including tracking, obedience, herding, carting, and conformation competitions. They are generally known to be calm and agreeable dogs; however, you must ensure you have the time to devote to their exercise and mental stimulation needs for them to remain happy and content.
Bernese Mountain Dogs can be suitable for first-time dog owners but remember that these dogs get large! So, you must be willing to put the effort into consistent training and exercise. These dogs don’t like being cooped up in small spaces all day and they dislike being left alone for long periods. Moreover, they are known to shed and drool excessively. However, for the right owners who understand their unique needs, these beautiful dogs make wonderful, devoted, sweet-natured companions that will attract attention wherever they go.
With ample open space, regular grooming, and a consistent training routine, the Bernese Mountain Dog will show devotion, loyalty, and unconditional love to their owners.
The Bernese Mountain Dog is a large breed, between 58 and 71 cm tall. They weigh between 32 and 52 kg, with females typically being at the lower end of the scale and males being towards the higher end.
Berners have a powerful, robust body coupled with thick, long fur, making them look larger than life. They are well-boned with broad chests, powerful loins and muscular hindquarters. Their medium-sized heads sit atop thick necks.
Berners have straight, long muzzles with black noses and almond-shaped eyes. They have triangular, floppy ears set high on their head, which they tend to raise slightly and hold forward when excited or alert.
The Berner's soft and silky coat and iconic tricolour patterning are among this breed's top attributes. Their thick coats feature medium-length hairs that are slightly wavy and with a natural sheen. Unfortunately, their coats shed excessively, especially in Spring and Autumn, so brushing them several times a week is essential.
The Bernese Mountain Dog's specific coat colouring consists of a jet-black back, sides, and thighs, with reddish markings around the eyes, cheeks, chest, and lower legs. Their muzzles, chests, and sometimes paws are white. Another iconic part of the Berner pattern is the striking white blaze going up the forehead between the eyebrows.
Berners are affectionate and intelligent canines that adore being around their owners and bring happiness and love into any home. They are patient, calm, and tolerant, making them a good fit for families with children.
Still, these gentle giants have relatively high energy levels and a playful streak, so they require plenty of exercise through walks, interactive play, and training sessions. Providing their daily exercise needs are met, Berners are happy to relax on the couch, making them a pretty easy dog to care for.
Bernese Mountain Dogs are highly protective of their families and will bark at unfamiliar people, making them excellent watchdogs. However, they are not aggressive; while Berners may act aloof to new people, they will become friendly once they realise the stranger is no fret. You can work on this shyness tendency by socialising your Berner with lots of people as puppies.
Besides being smart, Berners are eager to please their owners, making them easy dogs to train. Regular short and fun sessions are best, especially as a puppy, and remember to reward them for good behaviour.
Bernese Mountain Dogs are highly trainable and eager to please, making them a good fit for many households, including novice dog owners. However, they will thrive with active owners taking them for frequent walks and making time to play and interact with them.
While they are large dogs, Berners are giant giants, and thus, they are a fab choice for families with children. That being said, they are better suited to older children as there is a risk they could accidentally squish a toddler or baby.
Early socialisation is important for this breed, both with people and other animals. Well-socialised Berners will accept and tolerate new dogs (and cats), provided they are introduced slowly.
Their stories
We love happy endings. Discover stories of pets who found their beloved family with the help of The Pedigree Paws <3.
Neo
Russian Blue
We had some concerns purchasing a kitten online but our experience with The Pedigree Paws was great. They connected us with Caroline, the Russian Blue breeder and we had many conversations and received multiple pictures and videos. She answered to all our questions.
The Pedigree Paws verified for us all the vaccinations and health checks to make sure our new kitten was 100% healthy.
Thank you for all your help The Pedigree Paws! Highly recommended!
Jack
Miniature Dachshund
One of the reasons I was hesitant to order a puppy from The Pedigree Paws is because I live in Spain. However they connected me with a very good FCI breeder in Barcelona.
He showed me all the health documents of both parents, their pedigree and answer to all my questions. I am so happy they helped me to find a healthy puppy as finding one by myself was very overwhelming. Contacting The Pedigree Paws was the best decision and I highly recommend them to everybody!
Stitch
Chartreux
From the kittens's selection to the arrival of our Chartreux kitten, The Pedigree Paws was there to assist us. We had great experience with them, and they breeder Alexandra from France with whom they connected us and from whom we got our kitten from. They are very prompt in answering our initial and follow-up questions while our kitten was in transit. Very reliable and trustworthy!
Thank you so much for all your help. We are very happy with our new family member. We will definitely recommend it to all our friends.
Athena
Chihuahua
It's been a few months since we decided to find a Chihuahua puppy to join our family, however we had issues finding a good breeder.
We contacted The Pedigree Paws and they connected us with a very unique breeder in Greece. Many videos and pictures were shown, the breeder shared with us the proof of vaccinations, deworming and her 5 generation pedigree. We were fortunate as George, the breeder was able to deliver the puppy to us personally. We are very pleased with our beautiful Athena. Thank you, The Pedigree Paws, for being truthful and transparent.
Thor
Abyssinian
I feel wonderful having help from The Pedigree Paws finding the dream Abyssinian kitten I was looking for. Thor is the absolute dream! The Pedigree Paws team was really patient and responsible in everything. Lovely experience! They replied to every questions, requirements, and information I ask about the kitten.
Fin
Chihuahua
Thank you for finding for me such a beautiful Chihuahua puppy! I love him so much from the minute I saw him. He changed my world.
Kate, from The Pedigree Paws assisted me through the whole process informing me about everything from health checks to arranging a Pet Nanny to transport Fin directly to my door. So thankful that the experience went so well! I love my Fin.
Emi
Ragdoll
I have always wanted a Ragdoll kitten as it was my dream cat breed, but didnt know how to find one as heard a lot about kitten farms and bad breeders. I reached out to The Pedigree Paws and they were very accommodating and transparent from the start. They offered me few kittens from their list of breeders and when I saw Emi I knew she was the one! We went through the kitten's parents DNA testing as for me that was a priority to have a kitten free from genetic disorders. We sealed the deal and now I have the best kitten I could dream of! Thank you very much for all your help
Shima
Russian Blue
I really wanted a Russian Blue kitten, but was very nervous getting one after reading horror stories about scammers on the Internet. I had my first call with Natalia, from The Pedigree Paws and with her help I was able to connect with the breeder, that I knew I could trust. I am very lucky to have now Shima, she is an absolute joy to live with.
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