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> Index of every page on this site: [llms.txt](https://www.pedibase.com/llms.txt)
+10
Dogs
# The Bernese Mountain Dog: temperament, price, health, and breeders
Switzerland
A gentle Swiss giant, affectionate, loyal and deeply attached to its family.
Size GiantLife expectancy 7–9 yearsBudget ≈ €155/monthPuppy €1,000 – €2,000
[Find a breeder 89](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-bernese-mountain-dog) [ Compare with other breeds](https://www.pedibase.com/en/compare-dog-breeds?races=bernese-mountain-dog)
The right choice?
## Is this breed right for you?
[Find your ideal breed with our online quiz!](https://www.pedibase.com/en/choose-your-dog)
Families and children Excellent
Daily exercise needs High
Apartment living Fair
First-time owners Fair
Other pets Very good
Tolerance of being alone Limited
Guarding instinct Very good
Strengths and weaknesses
- Very affectionate: He builds a close bond with his family and readily seeks their company.
- Excellent family companion: His gentleness and patience generally make him a reliable partner with children.
- Sociable: Good socialization allows him to live harmoniously with other animals.
- Versatile: Intelligent and willing, he enjoys walks, moderate work and family activities.
- Health to monitor: The breed is exposed to several serious joint, digestive and tumoral conditions.
- Does not tolerate solitude well: Its strong attachment can make long absences difficult to live with.
- Heavy shedding: Its dense coat sheds all year round and more during seasonal shedding.
- Low tolerance to heat: Its thick fur quickly exposes it to discomfort and heatstroke.
Who is it for?
Ideal for
- Families often at home: He thrives with available owners who fully integrate him into their daily lives.
- Households with children: His gentle and protective temperament is suited to families able to supervise interactions.
- Moderate outdoor enthusiasts: He willingly accompanies leisurely walks and hikes in cool weather.
- Home with outdoor space: A garden makes him more comfortable provided that real daily outings are maintained.
Not recommended for
- People often absent: He has difficulty coping with prolonged isolation and needs a regular presence.
- Restricted budgets: His food, accessories and veterinary follow-up represent significant expenses.
- Very hot climates: His dense coat and low heat tolerance complicate his well-being.
- Owners looking for an intensive athlete: He prefers moderate activity and his joints must be protected.
Meet the breed
## What does it look like?
1,75 mHuman
65 cmBernese Mountain Dog
- Height at the withers
- 60–70 cm
- Weight
- 40–60 kg
- Coat
- Long, dense, smooth or slightly wavy
- FCI group
- 2
- Origin
- Switzerland
- Grooming
- High-maintenance coat
## Photos and videos
See the Bernese Mountain Dog in photos and videos: coat colors, size, and distinctive expressions.
Origins
## Where does it come from?
The Bernese Mountain Dog is an ancient Swiss breed originating from the surroundings of Bern. Formerly known as the Dürrbächler, after the village of Dürrbach, it was used on farms as a guard dog, cattle herding dog and draft dog. Dogs were shown in exhibitions as early as 1902, then the presentation of 107 dogs in Burgdorf in 1910 helped to establish its current name and to make the breed known. Formerly a guardian of herds in the Swiss alpine pastures, it is today appreciated as a family dog, working dog and sometimes as a search or assistance dog.
Appearance
## What does it look like?
The Bernese Mountain Dog is a powerful, harmonious and well-proportioned dog, with a compact body slightly longer than tall and with solid limbs. Its massive head has a black nose, dark brown almond-shaped eyes and drooping triangular ears, rounded at their tip. Its long, shiny coat, straight or slightly wavy forms a characteristic tricolor coat, with a black base with well-distributed white and tan markings. Its bushy tail is carried low at rest and rises to the level of the back in action.
Temperament
## Temperament and personality
Very affectionate, gentle and loyal, the Bernese Mountain Dog seeks closeness to its owners and does not cope well with prolonged isolation. Calm at home, not very barky and devoid of typical aggressiveness, it is protective without excess. It is generally excellent with children and sociable with other animals when it has been properly accustomed. Its sensitivity, its curiosity and a certain temporary reserve during adolescence call for a reassuring approach.
Affectionate Playful Intelligent Sociable Protective
Living together
## Living with children and other pets
This large dog likes to take part in family life and prefers a home where it benefits from a regular presence. It enjoys walks, quiet hiking and moderate outdoor activities. One to two hours of daily outings, including at least one real walk, allow it to maintain its balance. Housing with a garden is preferable, even if it can adapt to an apartment when its needs for movement and companionship are fully met.
Training
## Training and socialization
Intelligent and endowed with a good memory, the Bernese Mountain Dog readily learns with a consistent method based on positive reinforcement, gentleness and calm firmness. Brutal methods should be avoided with this sensitive dog. Early socialization and a gradual learning of obedience are recommended. As its physical and mental maturation is slow, you must remain patient and consistent, especially during adolescence when it may lack confidence around strangers.
Budget
## Price and budget for the Bernese Mountain Dog
The price of a Bernese Mountain Dog depends on the quality of the breeding, the pedigree, the health screenings carried out on the parents, compliance with the standard, and the puppy’s intended purpose. The purchase cost represents only part of the budget, because food, veterinary prevention, and the upkeep of a giant dog remain significant.
[See cost breakdown](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/bernese-mountain-dog/price)
Health
## Health at a glance
The Bernese Mountain Dog is a dog that appears sturdy, but its breed has several significant predispositions and a relatively short life expectancy. Breeding attentive to the health of breeding dogs, regular veterinary monitoring, controlled growth and rigorous prevention of gastric dilatation-volvulus are essential.
[Prevention and things to watch for](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/bernese-mountain-dog/health)
Nutrition
## Feeding your pet well
This giant dog needs a complete, digestible diet adapted to its age, weight, activity and growth. Nutritional quality, control of energy intake and splitting meals are priorities to support the joints and limit digestive risks.
[Our feeding advice](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/bernese-mountain-dog/food)
Did you know?
## Fun facts and popularity
The former name Dürrbächler comes from Dürrbach, a village in the canton of Bern where the breed was particularly present. The Bernese Mountain Dog long pulled small carts on Swiss farms in addition to guarding properties and driving cattle. Its gentle and protective temperament also allowed it to be used as an assistance dog and in certain civil protection missions.
FAQ
## Frequently asked questions about the Bernese Mountain Dog
Answers to common questions from future owners before their new companion arrives.
### Is the Bernese Mountain Dog suitable for children?
Yes, it is generally gentle, patient and very attached to its family. However, its large size requires supervision with young children and mutual learning of respectful interactions.
### Can the Bernese Mountain Dog live in an apartment?
It can adapt to it if its needs for outings, activity and companionship are fully met, but a house with a garden is preferable. The garden never replaces daily walks.
### How much exercise does it need each day?
It generally enjoys one to two hours of daily outings, with moderate activities such as walking and hiking. Intense exertion and jumping should be limited during growth and in hot weather.
### Does the Bernese Mountain Dog shed a lot?
Yes, it sheds continuously and more heavily in spring and autumn. Weekly brushing, more frequent during shedding periods, helps remove dead undercoat.
## Find a Bernese Mountain Dog breeder
The areas where Pedibase lists the most Bernese Mountain Dog breeders, along with their litters and typical prices.
[Bernese Mountain Dog breeders in Nouvelle-Aquitaine13](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-bernese-mountain-dog/nouvelle-aquitaine) [Bernese Mountain Dog breeders in Grand Est12](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-bernese-mountain-dog/grand-est) [Bernese Mountain Dog breeders in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes11](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-bernese-mountain-dog/auvergne-rhone-alpes) [Bernese Mountain Dog breeders in Centre-Val de Loire10](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-bernese-mountain-dog/centre-val-de-loire) [Bernese Mountain Dog breeders in Hauts-de-France10](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-bernese-mountain-dog/hauts-de-france) [Bernese Mountain Dog breeders in Normandy8](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-bernese-mountain-dog/normandy) [Bernese Mountain Dog breeders in Occitanie8](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-bernese-mountain-dog/occitanie) [Bernese Mountain Dog breeders in Pays de la Loire7](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-bernese-mountain-dog/pays-de-la-loire)
### Bernese Mountain Dog breeders by country
[166 breeders of Bernese Mountain Dog in Germany](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-bernese-mountain-dog/germany) [90 breeders of Bernese Mountain Dog in Italy](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-bernese-mountain-dog/italy) [89 breeders of Bernese Mountain Dog in France](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-bernese-mountain-dog) [43 breeders of Bernese Mountain Dog in Denmark](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-bernese-mountain-dog/denmark) [23 breeders of Bernese Mountain Dog in the Netherlands](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-bernese-mountain-dog/netherlands) [20 breeders of Bernese Mountain Dog in Austria](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-bernese-mountain-dog/austria) [15 breeders of Bernese Mountain Dog in the United Kingdom](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-bernese-mountain-dog/united-kingdom) [6 breeders of Bernese Mountain Dog in Spain](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-bernese-mountain-dog/spain) [5 breeders of Bernese Mountain Dog in Finland](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-bernese-mountain-dog/finland) [5 breeders of Bernese Mountain Dog in Hungary](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-bernese-mountain-dog/hungary)
[All breeders of Bernese Mountain Dog in France](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-bernese-mountain-dog)
## Ready to welcome a Bernese Mountain Dog?
Find a registered, verified breeder near you and meet your future companion with confidence.
[View breeders](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-bernese-mountain-dog)
## Compare Bernese Mountain Dog with other breeds
- [Bernese Mountain Dog vs. Newfoundland](https://www.pedibase.com/en/compare/bernese-mountain-dog-vs-newfoundland)
## Discover other breeds
[Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/greater-swiss-mountain-dog)
[Appenzeller Sennenhund
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/appenzeller-sennenhund)
[Entlebucher Mountain Dog
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/entlebucher-mountain-dog)
[Saint Bernard
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/saint-bernard)
[Anatolian Shepherd Dog
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/anatolian-shepherd-dog)
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