Bernese Mountain Dog

There are several things the parent of a Berner has to stay on top of to ensure their dog is happy and healthy.

Let’s start with exercise. This is a creature bred to carry out hard work on Swiss farms, so they’ll want a fair amount of stimulation to keep them satisfied. We’d recommend an hour’s activity a day and around six miles of walking a week.

When they’re at home, you’ll need to brush their thick coat a couple of times a week to keep it shiny and clean. Keeping up this level of grooming means you won’t have to bathe your dog too often — a thorough wash four to five times a year is more than enough.

In addition to this, keeping nails trimmed and ears clean is important. These dogs have been known to suffer from dental disease, so their teeth need to be cleaned with toys, dental sticks or regular brushing.

Bernese Mountain Dog Health Risks

The Bernese Mountain Dog is considered to be a generally healthy breed, but there are a few health conditions from which they’re more likely to suffer. Some of these are hereditary, which makes it important to only deal with reputable breeders that carry out screening on their dogs — don’t be afraid to ask them lots of questions.

Hip and Elbow Dysplasia

Like many larger breeds, Berners are more susceptible to being diagnosed with elbow or hip dysplasia. This is when the bone and joint socket in either the elbow or hip become misaligned, leading to friction between the two when the dog moves.

This will usually lead to mobility issues and pain, which your vet will seek to treat with supplements, NSAIDs, physiotherapy and sometimes, surgery.

One thing parents of a Bernese puppy can do is not feed their dog too much calcium during their early months, as this can encourage the development of dysplasia in later life. Our partner Dog Food Advisor has created a list of some of the best food for puppies, which you can read here.

Bloat

Another condition which Bernese Mountain Dogs are more prone to suffering from is bloat. You could be forgiven for thinking this sounds like a mild inconvenience, but it can actually be quite dangerous in dogs.

Also known as gastric dilatation and volvulus (GDV), bloat is more common in larger breeds with deep chests. The stomach begins to fill with air, which can end up cutting off blood supply to organs and other parts of the body. In worst-case scenarios, it can be fatal.

Parents can do their best to discourage bloat, perhaps by spacing out meals during the day, buying a bowl that forces a dog to eat slower, and not exercising their dogs immediately after eating.

Histiocytosis

Bernese Mountain Dogs are among the breeds more likely to be diagnosed with histiocytosis, a white blood cell disorder that leads to skin lesions. There are multiple variations of the disease, some of which are relatively benign and others that are malignant and sometimes fatal.

Depending on the exact diagnosis, your vet will usually have treatment options available for histiocytosis, including medication and surgery to remove tumors.

Nobody likes to think of their dog being struck down by a medical condition, but a responsible parent should always be prepared for that eventuality — a pet insurance policy will help you out when your pet needs it most

What’s the Best Food For a Bernese Mountain Dog?

Unsurprisingly, this big dog has a big appetite, but parents need to be careful — the breed puts on weight easily and is prone to obesity. Be sure to feed them a diet that’s high in protein, vegetables and nutrients, and low in fat and mysterious ingredients.

If you’re in need of a little inspiration when it comes to mealtimes, our partner Dog Food Advisor has put together a collection of the best dog foods for large breeds.