Longevity
Life expectancy
Its usual lifespan is between 7 and 9 years. A suitable diet, maintaining a healthy weight, regular activity without excess and early screening for hereditary conditions help preserve its quality of life.
Build
A robust breed?
Its large size, powerful bone structure and protective coat give it good resistance to bad weather and cold. This overall sturdiness must not, however, conceal its joint, digestive and tumoral predispositions, which justify close monitoring throughout its life.
Watch points
What to watch for
The selection of breeding dogs and veterinary checks are particularly important in this breed. Any persistent lameness, drop in condition, abdominal distension, breathing difficulty, unusual mass or rapid change in behavior must lead to a consultation without delay.
Hip dysplasia : Joint malformation promoted by genetics, growth and weight, which can lead to pain and osteoarthritis.
Elbow dysplasia : Abnormality in elbow development likely to cause lameness and early osteoarthritis.
Gastric dilatation-volvulus : Life-threatening emergency in large dogs requiring splitting meals and avoiding exertion around food intake.
Histiocytic sarcoma : Aggressive cancer to which the breed is particularly predisposed and which requires prompt management.
Progressive retinal atrophy : Hereditary retinal disorder that can lead to a progressive loss of vision.
von Willebrand disease : Hereditary clotting disorder whose risk can be assessed by genetic screening.
Climate
Cold and heat tolerance
Its dense coat allows it to withstand cold and bad weather well. On the other hand, it tolerates high heat poorly and may be exposed to heatstroke. In summer, outings must be scheduled during cool hours, with shade, water and no sustained effort.
Weight
Tendency to gain weight
The Bernese Mountain Dog can gain weight if its ration exceeds its expenditure. It is advisable to weigh the food, limit treats, regularly monitor its body condition and adjust the ration to its age, its neutering and its activity. Growth that is too rapid in the puppy increases stress on the joints.
Daily life
Good habits to keep it healthy
- Have the hips and elbows of breeding dogs screened.
- Consult immediately in case of a swollen abdomen or unproductive attempts to vomit.
- Limit intense exertion during growth.
- Avoid outings during hot hours in summer.
- Regularly check ears, eyes, teeth, skin, and unusual lumps.
- Maintain a healthy weight to protect the joints.
Vaccination
Bernese Mountain Dog vaccines: vaccination schedule
Which vaccines for a Bernese Mountain Dog? Like all dogs, the Bernese Mountain Dog receives essential vaccines from 8 weeks old: CHPPi (core vaccine) and Leptospirosis. The puppy primary vaccination for Bernese Mountain Dog is given in several injections 4 weeks apart, followed by a first booster at 1 year. Depending on its lifestyle (hunting, hiking, boarding, travel, region), your veterinarian may complete the protocol with vaccines against Rabies, Kennel cough, Piroplasmosis, Lyme disease and Leishmaniasis.
| Vaccine | Primary series | First booster | Then | Who for? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
CHPPi (core vaccine)Core Distemper, Rubarth hepatitis, parvovirosis and parainfluenza | 8 weeks · 12 weeks · 3 months | 1 year | every year | All pets |
LeptospirosisCore Leptospirosis (bacterium transmitted by rodent urine and stagnant water) | 8 weeks · 12 weeks | 1 year | every year | All pets |
RabiesLifestyle-based Rabies | 12 weeks | 1 year | every year | Mandatory for travel abroad, categorized dogs, most boarding kennels and shows |
Kennel coughLifestyle-based Bordetella bronchiseptica and parainfluenza | 8 weeks | 1 year | every year | Dogs attending boarding kennels, daycares, dog clubs and shows |
PiroplasmosisLifestyle-based Tick-borne babesiosis | 5 months · 6 months | 1 year | every year | Hunting dogs, dogs living in rural or wooded areas, dogs highly exposed to ticks |
Lyme diseaseLifestyle-based Tick-borne borreliosis | 12 weeks · 3 months | 1 year | every year | Hiking dogs, hunting dogs, forest areas of the East and the Center |
LeishmaniasisLifestyle-based Leishmaniasis transmitted by sandflies | 6 months | 1 year and 6 months | every year | Dogs living or staying in the South of France, Corsica and the Mediterranean basin |
Adult Bernese Mountain Dog vaccine boosters are annual for leptospirosis and rabies; for distemper, hepatitis, and parvovirus, a booster every three years is often sufficient after the first booster. Your veterinarian will adjust the schedule to your dog’s actual risk.
Which boosters for your Bernese Mountain Dog?
Enter your companion’s age: we list the vaccines to do now and the next boosters.
Adopting well
Adopting a healthy Bernese Mountain Dog
Before breeding or acquiring a puppy, it is recommended to check the hip and elbow screening results, as well as the parents' eye and cardiac examinations. Depending on the bloodlines, targeted genetic tests, notably for von Willebrand disease, may complete this assessment.
This information is provided for guidance only and does not replace a veterinarian’s advice. If you have any concerns about your pet’s health, consult a professional.
