Bernese Mountain Dog Breed Guide for Adopters
Bernese mountain dog history and overview
The Bernese Mountain Dog belongs to the ancient Swiss Sennenhund family, and it is the member with a full coat. The breed is thought to descend from Roman mastiff-type dogs crossed with local Swiss flock-guarding dogs. Farmers used these dogs as general farm workers, flock guardians and draft dogs. The breed is characterized by a black ground color with rust and white markings.
How big do Bernese mountain dogs get?
The American Kennel Club puts the breed in its extra-large size category, with males standing 25 to 27.5 inches and females 23 to 26 inches. The United Kennel Club gives male height as 25 to 27½ inches and female height as 23 to 26 inches. The American Kennel Club lists weight as 80 to 115 pounds for males and 70 to 95 pounds for females.
Bernese mountain dog personality and traits
The American Kennel Club describes the breed as good-natured, calm and strong. The United Kennel Club describes these dogs as good natured and reliable with their families. VCA Animal Hospitals says they tend to be somewhat aloof toward strangers. They are gentle with children, though they may not be playful enough for them, and VCA Animal Hospitals advises that dogs and children be supervised.
Exercise and weather needs
This calm, well-mannered housedog is usually described as needing a moderate walk or a short jog each day. The breed enjoys cold weather but does not do well in warm weather.
Do Bernese mountain dogs shed?
The American Kennel Club rates their shedding at the top of its scale. The coat is moderately long and needs brushing once or twice a week, and more often when the dog is shedding.
Training
These dogs do best with reward-based training that uses food rewards. Obedience training matters both for control and for the mental exercise it provides.
Weight and health screening
The breed tends to stay at a good weight or be slightly overweight, so adult diets may need restricted calories if a dog gains too much. Large-breed growth food for puppies may decrease the incidence or severity of hip dysplasia in adults.
How long do Bernese mountain dogs live?
The American Kennel Club gives a general life expectancy of 7 to 10 years for the breed, which is worth remembering when considering an older dog.
Bernese mountain dog rescue and adoption questions
When looking at a rescue Bernese, ask the organization caring for the dog about the dog's tolerance for warm weather, since the breed does not do well in the heat.
AKC breed facts
These are the American Kennel Club’s general facts and 1 to 5 ratings for the Bernese Mountain Dog as a breed. General tendencies don’t establish any one dog’s ancestry, personality or health; ask the listing organization about the dog you are considering.
- AKC group
- Working Group
- AKC recognition year
- 1937
- Height (AKC published)
- 25-27.5 inches (male), 23-26 inches (female)
- Weight (AKC published)
- 80-115 pounds (male), 70-95 pounds (female)
- General life expectancy
- 7-10 years
- AKC size category
- XLarge
AKC general breed ratings (1 to 5)
- Energy: 4 of 5
- Mental enrichment: 3 of 5
- Trainability: 4 of 5
- Grooming frequency: 3 of 5
- Shedding: 5 of 5
- Vocalization: 3 of 5
- Drooling: 3 of 5
- Adaptability: 4 of 5
- Playfulness: 4 of 5
- Watchful or protective tendency: 3 of 5
- Affection toward family: 5 of 5
- Openness toward strangers: 4 of 5
- AKC child compatibility rating: 5 of 5
- AKC dog compatibility rating: 5 of 5
Health screenings AKC lists for the breed
Breeding evaluations AKC names for the breed; they are not a diagnosis or a testing plan for any one dog.
- Hip Evaluation
- Elbow Evaluation
- Cardiac Exam
- Ophthalmologist Evaluation
- Degenerative Myelopathy (Bernese Mountain Dog Variant) (DM) - DNA Test
- AKC DNA Profile
- Degenerative Myelopathy (Common Variant) (DM) - DNA Test
Source: American Kennel Club breed profile (opens in a new tab), retrieved November 4, 2026 (snapshot akc-2026-11-04).
Written by Lily's Second Chance with AI assistance from the sources listed under References. Facts were checked automatically against those sources on November 8, 2026.
References
- Breed Standards : Bernese Mountain Dog | United Kennel Club (UKC) (opens in a new tab), United Kennel Club, checked November 9, 2026
- Bernese Mountain Dog | VCA Animal Hospitals (opens in a new tab), VCA Animal Hospitals, checked November 9, 2026
- Bernese Mountain Dog - AKC breed profile (snapshot akc-2026-11-04) (opens in a new tab), American Kennel Club, checked November 4, 2026
