The Bernese Mountain Dog, German: Berner Sennenhund or Dürrbächler, is a large dog breed originating from the canton of Bern, Switzerland and the Swiss Alps. It is one of four Sennenhund-type breeds, with ancestral roots in Roman mastiffs. The name Berner (or Bernese in English) refers to the breed's area of origin in the canton of Bern, and Sennenhund is derived from the German Senne ("alpine pasture") and Hund ("hound/dog"), as they accompanied the alpine herders and dairymen called Senne (m pl; Senn, m sg). Historically used as a general farm dog, the large Sennenhunde also pulled carts as draft animals. The breed was formally recognized in 1912.[3]

History

Benno Adam, Bernese Mountain Dog and Her Pups, 1862

Historically, in some locales at least, the breed was called a Dürrbachhund[4] or Dürrbächler, for a small town (Dürrbach) where the large dogs were especially frequent.[5]

The dogs have roots in the Roman mastiffs.[6][7]

The breed was used as an all-purpose farm dog for guarding property and to drive dairy cattle long distances from the farm to the alpine pastures. The farmers used the dogs to transport their carts of milk and cheese and were known by the locals as "Cheese Dogs."[8] In the early 1900s, fanciers exhibited the few examples of the large dogs at shows in Bern, and in 1907 a few breeders from the Burgdorf region founded the first breed club, the Schweizerischer Dürrbach-Klub, and wrote the first Standard which defined the dogs as a separate breed. By 1910, there were already 107 registered members of the breed. There is a photo of a working Bernese Mountain Dog, dated 1905 at the Fumee Fall rest area in Quinnesec, Michigan.

In 1937, the American Kennel Club recognised the breed.[9] Today, the club classifies it as a member of the Working Group.[10] In the US the Bernese Mountain Dog is growing in popularity, ranking in 19th place by the American Kennel Club in 2024.[11]

These dogs are very popular as family dogs in German-speaking countries. The German Association of Dog Breeders listed the Bernese at the 11th rank per live births in 2014.[12]

Appearance

Colouring

Like the other Sennenhunde, the Bernese Mountain Dog is a large, heavy dog with a distinctive tri-coloured coat, black with white chest and rust-coloured markings above eyes, sides of the mouth, front of legs, and out around the white chest. However, it is the only breed of Sennenhund dogs with a long coat.[10] The ideal of a perfectly marked individual gives the impression of a white horseshoe shape around the nose, which is always black.[13] There is a white "Swiss cross" on the chest when viewed from the front. A "Swiss kiss" is a white mark located typically behind the neck, but may be a part of the neck. A full ring would not meet the type standard. The AKC breed standard lists, as disqualifications, blue eye colour and any ground colour other than black.[14][15]

Height and weight ranges

Dogs stand some 64–70 cm at the withers, bitches some 58–66 cm; ideal heights according to the international breed standard are in the ranges 66–68 cm and 60–63 cm respectively.[16] Weights are approximately in the range 35–55 kg for dogs and 35–45 kg for bitches.[17]

Physical traits

Considered a dry-mouthed breed,[13] the Bernese Mountain Dog is slightly longer than it is tall, highly muscular, with a strong, wide back.[10] The head of a Bernese Mountain Dog is flat on the top with a moderate stop, and the ears are medium-sized, triangular, set high, and rounded at the top. The teeth have a scissors bite. The legs of the Bernese are straight and strong, with round, arched toes. The rear dewclaws of the Bernese are often removed. Its bushy tail is carried low.

Health

Medical problems

Dog with Heterochromia iridum

Bernese Mountain Dogs have a high frequency of neoplasia. One study found 55% of deaths to be attributable to cancer.[18] The breed has a high prevalence of elbow dysplasia,[19] with studies ranging from a prevalence of 13.91% to 26%.[20][21][22] An allele of the SOD1 gene: SOD1:c.52T has only been found in the Bernese Mountain Dog with 3.5% of Bernese Mountain Dogs having this allele. This mutation is associated with canine degenerative myelopathy. Another mutation associated with the condition — although not exclusive to the breed — has a prevalence of 38% in the Bernese Mountain Dog.[23] The Bernese Mountain Dog has an increased prevalence of immune-mediated glomerulonephritis.[24] A Swiss study found both the incidence and mortality of renal disease to be higher in this breed than any other — the incidence was 3.2 times higher than the average and the mortality was 8.2 times the average.[24] The breed has a high risk of developing high-grade mastocytoma,[25] with an Austrian study finding Bernese Mountain Dogs being three times as likely to have the condition than the general population.[26]

Histiocytosis is a rare group of disorders that involve a build up of histiocytes in tissue and organs, causing damage to the tissue or organ. It may be benign or malignant.[27] Malignant histiocytosis is a rapidly progressive multisystem cancerous disease that affects the Bernese Mountain Dog. It's a familial disease with a heritability value of 0.298 and accounts for a quarter of all tumours in the breed.[28] Other histiocytosis conditions such as systemic histiocytosis and cutaneous histiocytosis are also more prevalent in the breed.[28] Mutations have been identified that are believed to play a role in this are mutations to genes that help suppress tumours, including: CDKN2A/B, PTEN, and RB1. Another related mutation is to the PTPN11 gene, which is known to be related to histiocytosis and cancer in humans.[29]

The Bernese Mountain Dog is one of the more commonly affected breeds for type I von Willebrand's disease.[30]

Life expectancy

Despite the fact that larger breeds have a lower life expectancy than smaller breeds the life expectancy of the Bernese Mountain Dog is still low even when compared to breeds of similar size.[31]

  • In a 2016 Swiss study the life expectancy was found to be 8.4 years, based on the deaths of 381 out of 389 dogs in the study.[31]
  • A 2013 Dutch study found a life expectancy of 8 years.[18]
  • A 2024 UK study found a life expectancy of 10.1 years compared to 12 years for crossbreeds and 12.7 years for purebreds.[32]
  • A 2013 French study found a life expectancy of 8.1 years.[2]
  • A Swedish study from 2005 found 72% of Bernese Mountain Dogs to have died before reaching 10 years of age.[33]

Care

Activities

The Bernese's calm temperament makes them a natural for pulling small carts or wagons, a task they originally performed in Switzerland. With proper training they enjoy giving children rides in a cart or participating in a parade, such as the Conway, New Hampshire holiday parade.[34] Regional Bernese clubs often offer carting workshops.[35] Carting competitions are held for the breed.[A]

On July 1, 2010, the Bernese Mountain Dog became eligible to compete in AKC Herding Events. Herding instincts and trainability can be measured at noncompetitive herding tests. Berners exhibiting basic herding instincts can be trained to compete in herding trials.[36]

The breed is "energetic, attentive, impetuous," but indisposed to biting. They tend to attach to one person, and have an inherent suspicion of strangers.[37] In Switzerland they excel at herd guardianship, especially in the Holy Regions. They are untiring, often unruly, resistant to the coldest winters, and excellent defenders of stable or home. They have been used by the police in Switzerland.[37]

Notes

  1. ↑ For example, the Bernese Mountain Dog Club of America offers drafting trials open to all breeds; dogs can earn eight different titles—four as individual dogs (Novice Draft Dog, Advanced Novice Draft Dog, Draft Dog, and Master Draft Dog) and four brace titles, in which two dogs work one cart together. Regional Bernese clubs often offer carting workshops.[35]

References

  1. ↑ Borge, K. S.; Tønnessen, R.; Nødtvedt, A.; Indrebø, A. (2011). "Litter size at birth in purebred dogs—A retrospective study of 224 breeds". Theriogenology. 75 (5): 911–919. doi:10.1016/j.theriogenology.2010.10.034. PMID 21196028. "n=137 litter size=6.4 range 1-15"
  2. 1 2 Leroy, Grégoire; Phocas, Florence; Hedan, Benoit; Verrier, Etienne; Rognon, Xavier (2015). "Inbreeding impact on litter size and survival in selected canine breeds" (PDF). The Veterinary Journal. 203 (1): 74–78. doi:10.1016/j.tvjl.2014.11.008. PMID 25475165.
  3. ↑ "100th Anniversary". Swiss Club for Bernese Mountain Dogs. 2007. Archived from the original on July 6, 2011. Retrieved January 5, 2020.
  4. ↑ "Historical photos of the Berner Sennenhund (Bernese Mountain Dog)". Naturhistorisches Museum der Burgermendiz Bern. Archived from the original on January 11, 2011. Retrieved January 5, 2011.. Notice the variety in appearance of the original type
  5. ↑ Bernese Mountain Dog, Berner Sennenhund, Dürrbächler, Vertebrate Animals Department, Naturhistorische Museum Bern Archived October 25, 2012, at the Wayback Machine (in English)
  6. ↑ "Bernese Mountain Dog". Dog Owner's Guide. Retrieved June 8, 2016.
  7. ↑ Wilcox, Bonnie; Walkowicz, Chris (1993) [1989]. "Bernese Mountain Dog". The Atlas of Dog Breeds of the World. Vol. 1 (4th ed.). Neptune City, NJ: TFH Publications. p. 188. ISBN 978-0-86622-855-8.
  8. ↑ Bryan, Kim, ed. (2013). The dog encyclopedia. New York: DK Publishing. ISBN 978-1-4654-0844-0. OCLC 812257274.
  9. ↑ "Bernese Mountain Dog History". American Kennel Club. Retrieved December 5, 2019.
  10. 1 2 3 "AKC Working Group". American Kennel Club. Retrieved December 5, 2019.
  11. ↑ "Most Popular Dog Breeds of 2024". American Kennel Club. Retrieved 2025-10-28.
  12. ↑ (VDH), Verband für das Deutsche Hundewesen. "Welpenstatistik der VDH-Mitgliedsvereine- Verband für das Deutsche Hundewesen (VDH)". www.vdh.de. Retrieved 2016-06-09.
  13. 1 2 "Bernese Mountain Dog". AKC. Retrieved 2019-04-26.
  14. ↑ "Bernese Mountain Dog (Berner Sennenhund, Dürrbächler)". May 5, 2003. Archived from the original on May 1, 2011. Retrieved April 3, 2011.
  15. ↑ "Bernese Mountain Dog: Breed Standard". American Kennel Club. 28 March 1990. Retrieved 4 July 2014.
  16. ↑ FCI-Standard N° 45: Berner Sennenhund, Dürrbächler (Bernese Mountain Dog). Thuin, Belgium: Fédération Cynologique Internationale. Accessed December 2024.
  17. ↑ "Bernese Mountain Dog Profile". Bernese Breeders Association of Great Britain. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 23 March 2015.
  18. 1 2 Erich, Suzanne A.; Rutteman, Gerard R.; Teske, Erik (2013). "Causes of death and the impact of histiocytic sarcoma on the life expectancy of the Dutch population of Bernese mountain dogs and Flat-coated retrievers". The Veterinary Journal. 198 (3): 678–683. doi:10.1016/j.tvjl.2013.09.062. PMID 24231621.
  19. ↑ Coopman, F.; Verhoeven, G.; Saunders, J.; Duchateau, L.; Van Bree, H. (2008). "Prevalence of hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia and humeral head osteochondrosis in dog breeds in Belgium". Veterinary Record. 163 (22): 654–658. doi:10.1136/vr.163.22.654. ISSN 0042-4900. PMID 19043090.
  20. ↑ Roels, Joséphine; Genevois, Jean-Pierre; Fostier-Humbert, Mathilde; Porsmoguer, Charles; Blondel, Margaux; Chanoit, Guillaume; Fau, Didier; Cachon, Thibaut (2024-03-26). "Prevalence of elbow dysplasia in 13 dog breeds in France: a retrospective radiographic study (2002–2022)". American Journal of Veterinary Research. 85 (6): 1–8. doi:10.2460/ajvr.23.12.0290. ISSN 0002-9645. PMID 38518402.
  21. ↑ Bellumori, Thomas P.; Famula, Thomas R.; Bannasch, Danika L.; Belanger, Janelle M.; Oberbauer, Anita M. (2013-06-01). "Prevalence of inherited disorders among mixed-breed and purebred dogs: 27,254 cases (1995–2010)". Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. 242 (11): 1549–1555. doi:10.2460/javma.242.11.1549. ISSN 0003-1488. PMID 23683021.
  22. ↑ Oberbauer, A. M.; Keller, G. G.; Famula, T. R. (2017-02-24). "Long-term genetic selection reduced prevalence of hip and elbow dysplasia in 60 dog breeds". PLOS ONE. 12 (2) e0172918. Public Library of Science (PLoS). Bibcode:2017PLoSO..1272918O. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0172918. ISSN 1932-6203. PMC 5325577. PMID 28234985.
  23. ↑ Zeng, R.; Coates, J.R.; Johnson, G.C.; Hansen, L.; Awano, T.; Kolicheski, A.; Ivansson, E.; Perloski, M.; Lindblad-Toh, K.; O'Brien, D.P.; Guo, J.; Katz, M.L.; Johnson, G.S. (2014). "Breed Distribution of SOD 1 Alleles Previously Associated with Canine Degenerative Myelopathy". Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine. 28 (2): 515–521. doi:10.1111/jvim.12317. ISSN 0891-6640. PMC 4238831. PMID 24524809.
  24. 1 2 Pelander, L.; Ljungvall, I.; Egenvall, A.; Syme, H.; Elliott, J.; Häggström, J. (2015). "Incidence of and mortality from kidney disease in over 600,000 insured Swedish dogs". Veterinary Record. 176 (25): 656. doi:10.1136/vr.103059. ISSN 0042-4900. PMID 25940343.
  25. ↑ Bellamy, E.; Berlato, D. (2022). "Canine cutaneous and subcutaneous mast cell tumours: a narrative review". Journal of Small Animal Practice. 63 (7): 497–511. doi:10.1111/jsap.13444. ISSN 0022-4510. PMID 34671978.
  26. ↑ Leidinger, E. F.; Freeman, K.; Kirtz, G.; Hooijberg, E. H.; Sick, K. (2014). "Breed related odds ratio and anatomic distribution of canine mast cell tumours in Austria: Retrospective study of cases in the years 2000–2010". Tierärztliche Praxis Ausgabe K: Kleintiere / Heimtiere (in German). 42 (6): 367–373. doi:10.15654/TPK-140165. ISSN 1434-1239. PMID 25418504.
  27. ↑ "Histiocytosis". National Cancer Institute. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
  28. 1 2 Rhodes, Karen Helton; Werner, Alexander H. (2011-01-25). Blackwell's Five-Minute Veterinary Consult Clinical Companion. Ames, Iowa: Wiley-Blackwell. pp. 382–383. ISBN 978-0-8138-1596-1.
  29. ↑ Brooks, Marjory B.; Harr, Kendal E.; Seelig, Davis M.; Wardrop, K. Jane; Weiss, Douglas J., eds. (2022-04-22). Schalm's Veterinary Hematology. Wiley. p. 641. doi:10.1002/9781119500537. ISBN 978-1-119-50050-6.
  30. ↑ Oliver, James A.C.; Mellersh, Cathryn S. (2020). "Genetics". In Cooper, Barbara; Mullineaux, Elizabeth; Turner, Lynn (eds.). BSAVA Textbook of Veterinary Nursing (Sixth ed.). British Small Animal Veterinary Association. p. 131. ISBN 978-1-910-44339-2.
  31. 1 2 Klopfenstein, Michael; Howard, Judith; Rossetti, Menga; Geissbühler, Urs (2016). "Life expectancy and causes of death in Bernese mountain dogs in Switzerland". BMC Veterinary Research. 12 (1): 153. doi:10.1186/s12917-016-0782-9. ISSN 1746-6148. PMC 4960675. PMID 27457701.
  32. ↑ McMillan, Kirsten M.; Bielby, Jon; Williams, Carys L.; Upjohn, Melissa M.; Casey, Rachel A.; Christley, Robert M. (2024-02-01). "Longevity of companion dog breeds: those at risk from early death". Scientific Reports. 14 (1): 531. Bibcode:2024NatSR..14..531M. doi:10.1038/s41598-023-50458-w. ISSN 2045-2322. PMC 10834484. PMID 38302530.
  33. ↑ Egenvall, A; Bonnett, Bn; Hedhammar, å; Olson, P (2005-09-30). "Mortality in over 350,000 Insured Swedish Dogs from 1995–2000: II. Breed-Specific Age and Survival Patterns and Relative Risk for Causes of Death". Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica. 46 (3): 121–136. doi:10.1186/1751-0147-46-121. ISSN 1751-0147. PMC 1624818. PMID 16261925.
  34. ↑ Young-Knox, Sara (2 December 2012). "Conway celebrates with jolly holiday parade". The Union Leader. Archived from the original on 2013-12-26. Retrieved 10 December 2012.
  35. 1 2 "Afghan Hound, Alaskan Malamute, Bernese Mountain Dog, Cairn Terrier, Portuguese Water Dog". Dogs 101. Season 2. Episode 4. 24 October 2009. 60 minutes in. Animal Planet.
  36. ↑ Hartnagle-Taylor, Jeanne Joy; Taylor, Ty (2010). Stockdog Savvy. Loveland, Colorado: Alpine Publications. p. 300. ISBN 978-1-57779-106-5.
  37. 1 2 Pugnetti, Gino (1980). Schuler, Elizabeth Meriwether (ed.). Simon & Schuster's Guide to Dogs. Nature Guide Series. New York, Lodon, Toronto, Sydney, Tokyo, Singapore: Simon & Schuster. pp. 45–46. ISBN 0-671-25527-4.

Further reading

allikas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernese_Mountain_Dog