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.
Constitution
Is this 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.
Things to watch for
What to look out 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
Tolerance to cold and heat
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
Prone to weight gain
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.
Everyday care
Good habits to keep your pet 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 vaccinations: schedule
Which vaccines does a Bernese Mountain Dog need? Like all dogs, Bernese Mountain Dogs should receive their core vaccines from 8 weeks of age: CHPPi (core vaccine) and Leptospirosis. Puppies receive their initial Bernese Mountain Dog vaccinations in several shots spaced 4 weeks apart, followed by a first booster at 1 year. Depending on their lifestyle (hunting, hiking, boarding, travel, region), your veterinarian may add vaccines against Rabies, Kennel cough, Piroplasmosis, Lyme disease and Leishmaniasis.
| Vaccine | Primary vaccination | First booster | Then | For whom? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
CHPPi (core vaccine)Core Distemper, Rubarth hepatitis, parvovirosis and parainfluenza | 8 weeks · 12 weeks · 3 months | 1 year | every year | All animals |
LeptospirosisCore Leptospirosis (bacterium transmitted by rodent urine and stagnant water) | 8 weeks · 12 weeks | 1 year | every year | All animals |
RabiesDepending on lifestyle Rabies | 12 weeks | 1 year | every year | Mandatory for travel abroad, categorized dogs, most boarding kennels and shows |
Kennel coughDepending on lifestyle Bordetella bronchiseptica and parainfluenza | 8 weeks | 1 year | every year | Dogs attending boarding kennels, daycares, dog clubs and shows |
PiroplasmosisDepending on lifestyle 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 diseaseDepending on lifestyle Tick-borne borreliosis | 12 weeks · 3 months | 1 year | every year | Hiking dogs, hunting dogs, forest areas of the East and the Center |
LeishmaniasisDepending on lifestyle 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 booster shots are given annually for leptospirosis and rabies. For distemper, hepatitis, and parvovirus, a booster every three years is often enough after the first booster. Your veterinarian will tailor the schedule to your dog's actual risk.
Which boosters does your Bernese Mountain Dog need?
Enter your companion's age to see which vaccines are due now and when the next boosters are needed.
Choosing 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 for guidance only and doesn't replace advice from a veterinarian. If you have any concerns about your pet's health, consult a professional.
