Bernese Mountain Dogs: What's Good About 'Em, What's Bad About 'Em

The Bernese Mountain Dog is steady-tempered and easygoing.

However, his calmness and willingness to laze about doesn't mean he can be cooped up without exercise. Indeed, the Bernese loves getting out, especially in cool weather. With his thick black coat, he doesn't do well in hot climates. Romping in the snow is a favorite form of recreation for this Alpine breed, and pulling carts and sleds is a wonderful source of exercise, especially if it involves children.

His attitude toward strangers varies from friendly to aloof, but a good Bernese should remain poised and hold his ground. The most common temperament fault is excessive shyness, sometimes toward everyone, sometimes focused on one group of people, such as men with beards. A Bernese Mountain Dog puppy needs lots of socialization so that his natural caution does not become timidity.

Most Bernese Mountain Dogs are peaceful and sociable with other animals. But some Bernese males are aggressive toward other male dogs.

Responsive to obedience training in a slow, good-natured way, this sensitive breed should be handled kindly, with much praise and encouragement. However, they're not complete pushovers to train. Some can be a little bit hardheaded and dominant, especially males, and especially during adolescence when they're "feeling their hormones."

There is great variability in size in this breed. Some individuals are medium/large and quite athletic, while others are huge and ponderous (especially males).

If you want a dog who...

Keep in mind that the inheritance of temperament is less predictable than the inheritance of physical traits such as size or shedding. Temperament and behavior are also shaped by raising and training.

• You can avoid some negative traits by choosing an ADULT dog from an animal shelter or rescue group. With an adult dog, you can easily see what you're getting, and plenty of adult Bernese Mountain Dogs have already proven themselves not to have negative characteristics.
• If you want a puppy, you can avoid some negative traits by choosing the right breeder and the right puppy. Unfortunately, you usually can't tell whether a puppy has inherited temperament or health problems until he grows up.
• Finally, you can avoid some negative traits by training your Bernese Mountain Dog to respect you and by following the 11-step care program in my book, 11 Things You Must Do Right To Keep Your Dog Healthy and Happy.

More traits and characteristics of the Bernese Mountain Dog

If I was considering a Bernese Mountain Dog, I would be most concerned about...

1. Providing sufficient exercise. Bernese Mountain Dogs definitely don't need or want jogging exercise. But they do need a decent-sized fenced yard where they can romp about at will.
2. Potential separation anxiety. Bernese Mountain Dogs need a great deal of companionship and do not like being left alone for more than a few hours. They tend to express their unhappiness through destructive chewing.
3. Providing enough socialization. Standoffish by nature, Bernese Mountain Dogs need extensive exposure to people and to unusual sights and sounds. Otherwise their natural caution can become shyness, which is difficult to live with.
4. Strong temperament in some males. Some Bernese Mountain Dogs, particularly young males, are willful and dominant (they want to be the boss) and will make you prove that you can make them do things. Some Bernese males are also dominant or aggressive toward other male dogs.
5. Shedding. A big Yes! Bernese Mountain Dogs shed a goodly amount.
6. Potential slobbering. Some Bernese Mountain Dogs, especially those with massive heads and loose lips, slobber and drool, especially after eating and drinking.
7. Potential health problems. The Bernese Mountain Dog has a wonderful personality, yes. But pause for a moment.... because their serious health problems are a major drawback that you must consider before committing to this breed. Their average lifespan is shorter than other breeds in their size range because so many of them are crippled by hip and elbow dysplasia, or succumb to inherited cancers, heart disease, or epilepsy at 5-7 years of age. Read more about Bernese Mountain Dog Health.