Great Bernese

The Great Bernese gets its name from its parent breeds: the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Great Pyrenees – both of which have long and interesting histories. The Great Pyrenees is closely related to the Kuvasz and is thought to have been in Europe as long ago as the Bronze Age.  First though, this majestic canine developed in Central Asia or Siberia, then travelled to the Pyrenees Mountain region between France and Spain. This intelligent breed was at first used for sheep herding  but later was declared the royal dog of France where they were employed as guard dogs for the French elite. Internationally,  Canada began to import the Great Pyrenees to breed with other large dogs, as did the United States. In 1933, it joined the American Kennel Club's roster of dogs. The Great Bernese’s other parent, the Bernese Mountain Dog, is from the midlands of Switzerland where it has worked on farms for centuries. It is one of four varieties of Swiss Mountain Dogs and shares similar distinctive coloring with other varieties; however, it is the only variety with a long, silky coat. The first Bernese Mountain Dog was brought to the United States in 1926 and received American Kennel Club recognition shortly after in 1937. The mating of these two parent breeds has resulted in a very large, loyal dog that has been bred since the mid 1900s.