Video:Bernese Mountain Dogs

Transcript:Bernese Mountain Dogs

I am Debra Metcalf-Morris of Ursa Minor Kennels, and I am going to tell you about Bernese Mountain dogs.

History of the Bernese Mountain Dog

They are an extremely old breed. They are an all-purpose farm dog. They came over 2000 years ago with the Romans, over the Alps. The Romans used the dogs they came with - they were very large black dogs with white and tan markings - and they are not sure if they were war dogs or watch dogs or just companions, but that is not our modern day Bernese Mountain dog.

Characteristics of the Bernese Mountain Dog

They are very rambunctious. Their tails are extremely strong, and they are forever wagging, so they knock down things quite a bit, so anything on your coffee tables or end tables gets knocked down, but really very very loyal dogs as far as a family dog. They do not like to be away from their people because they are very loyal, so if you are a person who is not going to be home a lot, it may not be the breed for you.

They are very, very good with kids. Mine get along with cats - any pet that you bring in pretty much. But you know, you have to be a responsible dog owner and you have to socialize the dog You can not keep this dog in your apartment and never see another dog another cat or anything and then expect it to be well behave.

Training a Bernese Mountain Dog

A Bernese Mountain dog is very trainable, and they are very smart, and very willful. You do not negotiate with them because they are so smart that if they feel that you are not doing a good enough job, they will take over. So you really need to do obedience lessons, socialize them, maybe do puppy kindergarten, at least a couple obedience lessons.

Grooming a Bernese Mountain Dog

You can keep your dog pretty well groomed. You know they are going to shed out twice a year. But if you take a brush to your dog at least every other week you can pretty well maintain that. It is not a lot. You can do it yourself. People can do their own Bernese Mountain dogs. Nails must be done every two weeks also. I usually use a dremel, instead of clipping the nails because most dogs prefer the dremel.

Exercising Your Bernese Mountain Dog

Bernese Mountain dogs do require some exercise. They take about thirty minutes a day because that mentally makes them healthier too. They do not become the bad teenage child because they have not gotten the exercise. If you do not exercise them, then you get problems because they get this pent up energy. If you want a dog to jog with, it is not the dog. But they do need, for physical and mental structure, thirty minutes a day.

And Bernese Mountain dogs do need a fenced in yard because they like to be out when you do not think they want to be. Because they like to be out in a snowstorm and just roll around, just lumber through the yard. Bernese mountain dogs overheat. They have a very thick double coat and they overheat very easily. Along with a big dog go big dog health problems. Our number one problem is hip displaysia and elbow displaysia.

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