Bernese Mountain Dog
Overview
A gentle giant — calm, affectionate and wonderful with families, if you have the space and a big heart.
Temperament & family fit
In general, a Bernese Mountain Dog is excellent with children of all ages and sociable with other dogs. They tend to be a quiet, and as a guide they are good for first-time owners. As with any dog, early socialisation, reward-based training and supervision around young children make all the difference.
Exercise needs
A healthy adult Bernese Mountain Dog typically needs around an hour of exercise a day (roughly 60–80 minutes), split across walks plus play. A good sniffy walk, some play and a little training usually keeps them content; mental stimulation matters as much as the distance covered. Puppies, seniors and dogs with health conditions need adjusted amounts — check with your vet.
Grooming & coat
Coat upkeep is high upkeep and shedding is heavy. Plan on frequent brushing — often several times a week — plus regular trips to a professional groomer to keep the coat free of mats. Whatever the coat, check ears, nails and teeth as part of a regular routine.
Feeding considerations
Like any dog, a Bernese Mountain Dog should get most of its nutrition from a complete, balanced dog food appropriate for its size and life stage. Portions scale with body weight and activity, so a giant breed will eat a fair amount compared with other breeds — follow the food’s feeding guide and your vet’s advice, and weigh portions to avoid creeping weight gain. Treats — including fruit and veg — should make up no more than about 10% of daily calories.
Pros & cons
Pros
- +Placid, gentle and devoted to its family
- +Good with children and other animals
Things to consider
- –Heavy shedder with a thick coat that needs regular grooming
- –Large and prone to joint problems; sadly short-lived
Is a Bernese Mountain Dog right for you?
On space, a Bernese Mountain Dog is needs plenty of space — they really need plenty of room and a lot of daily activity. For experience level, they are good for first-time owners. That makes them a reasonable choice for a committed first-time owner.
Kit that suits a Bernese Mountain Dog
Size-appropriate everyday essentials:
Helpful tools
Similar breeds
Frequently asked questions
Are Bernese Mountain Dogs good with children?
Excellent with children of all ages. As a general guide, Bernese Mountain Dogs tend to be patient and tolerant. Whatever the breed, always supervise dogs and young children and teach kids to interact gently.
How much exercise does a Bernese Mountain Dog need?
As a healthy adult, a typical Bernese Mountain Dog needs around an hour of exercise a day (60–80 minutes), split across walks plus play. A good sniffy walk plus some play and training usually keeps them happy. Puppies, seniors and dogs with health conditions need less — ask your vet.
Do Bernese Mountain Dogs shed a lot?
Heavy shedding. Coat upkeep is high upkeep — plan on frequent brushing and regular trips to a groomer.
Are Bernese Mountain Dogs easy to train and good for first-time owners?
Good for first-time owners. Bernese Mountain Dogs are generally a forgiving choice for first-time owners who put in early training and socialisation. Reward-based training and early socialisation help any dog.
Do Bernese Mountain Dogs bark a lot?
Quiet. They are usually fairly easy-going about barking, though any dog will bark if bored or under-exercised.
Are Bernese Mountain Dogs good with other dogs?
Sociable with other dogs. Early, positive socialisation with other dogs from a young age makes a big difference.
Do Bernese Mountain Dogs suit flats or smaller homes?
Needs plenty of space. A Bernese Mountain Dog really needs plenty of space and a lot of daily activity — not ideal for a small flat.