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| Bernese Mountain Dog |
Experiencing the exceptional human understanding that is typically seen in Bernese has drawn devoted individuals to the breed. Owners' and breeders' understanding of the Breed Standard can serve the task of preserving the breed's finest qualities and protecting the best interests of Bernese Mountain Dogs. The breed standard identifies traits of the Bernese Mountain Dog. This commentary on the official Standard of the BMD is written to identify the traits of the Bernese Mountain Dog which distinguish it from other breeds. In order to preserve the distinguishing traits of the Bernese Mountain Dog, it is necessary to identify what they are.
Each Bernese Mountain Dog is completely unique; yet each bears similar traits to all others. It is important for each dog to not only be valued by its people, but to feel this value. With all their variations, many Berners fulfill the breed's most important function, and that is bringing joy to people's lives. Perhaps the breed’s development as an all purpose working farm dog and companion explains why Bernese can serve different owners well. Owners have about as many ideas about desirable traits of the companion dog as Bernese have traits to meet owners' expectations. By filling the various roles of the companion animal, many members of the breed represent the 'perfect' Bernese for their owners.
Bernese Mountain Dog history
In the area surrounding the canton of Bern, Switzerland, dogs that came to be known as Bernese Mountain Dogs were required to be versatile companions. Farm families living in remote areas made good use of dogs large enough to be respected by strangers and reliable when working with livestock. Dogs served as watchdogs around farms, cattle drovers, draft dogs, and companions for the alpine herdsmen. A dog capable of serving his master well was strong, obedient, self-reliant, and fearless able to apply good judgment and react appropriately in any situation. The dogs pictured here lived during the early and mid 20th century. Their blood lives on in the Bernese we appreciate today.
Body Proportion
Measured at the withers, dogs are 25 to 27 inches; bitches are 23 to 26 inches. The Bernese Mountain Dog is sturdy and balanced. He is intelligent, strong and agile enough to do the draft and droving work for which he was used in the mountainous regions of his origin. Dogs appear masculine, while bitches are distinctly feminine. The neck is strong, muscular and of medium length. The topline is level from the withers to the croup. The chest is deep and capacious with well-sprung, but not barrel-shaped, ribs and brisket reaching at least to the elbows. The back is broad and firm. The loin is strong. The croup is broad and smoothly rounded to the tail insertion. The tail is bushy. It should he carried low when in repose. An upward swirl is permissible when the dog is alert, but the tail may never curl or be carried over the back. The bones in the tail should feel straight and should reach to the hock joint or below. A kink in the tail is a fault.
Forequarters
The shoulders are moderately laid back, flat-lying, well-muscled and never loose. The legs are straight and strong and the elbows are well under the shoulder when the dog is standing. The pasterns slope very slightly. but are never weak. Dewclaws may he removed. The feet are round and compact with well-arched toes. Front and rear legs on each side follow through in the same plane. At increased speed, legs tend to converge toward the center line. Straight shoulders are often seen in Bernese. Angulation is the foundation for muscle structure. Poor shoulder angulation does not allow for substantial muscle structure which lends strength and stability to forequarters. Angulation of the fore quarters influences head carriage and the manner in which the neck ties in to the back. A balanced dog will have forequarters and rear quarter’s angulation that work well together.
The breed standard describes the Bernese Mountain dog as tri-colored. The ground color is jet black. The markings are rich rust and clear white. Symmetry of markings is desired. Rust appears over each eye, on the cheeks reaching to at least the corner of the mouth, on each side of the chest, on all four legs, and under the tail. There is a white blaze and muzzle band. A white marking on the chest typically forms an inverted cross. The tip of the tail is white. White on the feet is desired but must not extend higher than the pasterns. Markings other than relationship to the extent of the deviation. White legs or a white collar are serious faults. Any ground color other than black is a disqualification.
It is not uncommon to see markings variations. Markings have not been observed to affect dogs' ability to function. "Perfectly marked" is a aesthetic consideration within the bigger picture of virtues that make up a Bernese Mountain Dog. Black bands across the chest (harnesses), white legs, white extending above the pastern (boots), white patches on the nape of the neck (Swiss kisses), white collars (historically known as Ringgis), brown feet, freckles, and asymmetrical markings are seen in Bernese. It is important for breeders to pay attention to markings heritability tendencies in selecting dogs for breeding. The reality is "perfectly marked" Bernese may produce offspring that are not "perfectly marked" and visa versa.
The coat is thick, moderately long and wavy or straight. It has a bright natural sheen. The Bernese has a double coat. The breed was developed to work in the alpine meadows and snowy mountainous regions of Switzerland. The Bernese required a coat that would protect them from the cold and snow. The coat color is mainly is black, so it absorbs the sun's warmth. Many Berners choose to rest in shady areas even on cold days. Because of their heavy, black coats the breed is not well suited to live in climates that are hot (over 70°) most of the time. It requires a conscientious management effort to keep a Bernese in a hot climate.
Coats vary, not only from dog to dog, but depending on diet, age, the dog's environment, and general health. Some Bernese carry extremely dense, long coats and some sport shorter, more open coats. Some Berner coats are wooly, and some almost curly. The correct Bernese coat should not hold on to dirt or trap moisture. Extremely curly or dull looking coats are undesirable. Bernese Mountain Dog's shed. They also cast (molt) their coats once or twice a year. It usually takes about 3-6 weeks for a molt. When dogs cast their coats, the hair may become coarse and patchy. In some Berners, 'old' coats (just prior to a shed) may have a reddish or sunburned cast.
Bernese Mountain Dog Puppy coats are soft. Usually between 4 and 8 months of age the puppy coat sheds out and is replaced with the sleeker looking adult coat. Sometimes young dogs have a moderately curly coat. Future coats may have more relaxed waves.
Realize that if you plan to own a Bernese, caring for the coat will be a necessary part of caring for the dog. Berner fur" isn't confined to being only on the dog. Hair finds its way onto furniture, floors, and clothing. Regular vacuuming to remove "Berner fur" from the home is part of keeping a Bernese. If allergies are an issue, a Bernese Mountain Dog may not make an ideal companion. The Bernese Mountain Dog is shown in AKC conformation events in natural coat; and undue trimming is to be discouraged. Trimming of excess hair on feet, and either trimming or hand stripping long hair around ears is a generally accepted practice.
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