The Go-Lucky Goober
With their iconic black rust and white coat, the Bernese Mountain Dog carries a very classic look, complete with a happy-go-lucky tail that never stops waggin’. These dogs bring an affectionate, loyal, lovable, and, some say, clingy spirit to any family. And that tongue? It never stays behind that smile for long.
At Happy Paws, we’re here to help all dogs of all kinds from all walks of life, from purebreds to certified mutts. We’ve designed our dog supplements to target a range of trouble spots in your dog’s health, all to help your Berner (nickname for Bernese Mountain Dogs) live a happier, healthier life.
In this article, we’ll dive snout first into the history of the big, burly mountain dog, give you some tips on how to care for them, and help you decide which supplements are best for your massive fur baby, the Bernese Mountain Dog.
Quick Facts
Origin: Switzerland
Size: Large
Breed Group: Working
Lifespan: 7–10 years
Coat: Long hair—routine grooming recommended
Temperament: Confident, alert, and kind, though often aloof to strangers
Exercise Needs: Regardless of breed, all dogs need exercise. Just not all dogs need the same kind of tail-waggin’ work. Although Bernese Mountain Dogs come from a long line of high-skilled working dogs, the breed today doesn’t need hourly exercise to stay healthy and happy. Just a 30-minute or full-hour walk will do, giving them time to explore new scents and pick up old tracks.
Training: As with all dogs, it’s very important to socialize your pup from an early age. And this is especially important for Berners. While they are affectionate, kind, and gentle, Berners can often be wary around strangers and new experiences. So, along with obedience training, take your Berner puppies with you on errands, dates, and dog-friendly activities. This will help them grow acquainted with the world around them.
Dog Health: Certainly, a healthy diet can help fuel your Berner’s health and wellness. But many Bernese Mountain Dogs also thrive on a high-quality, kibble-based diet. Although Berners are not without their unique health problems. Common concerns for Berners include hip dysplasia, digestive problems, skin and coat dilemmas, and histiocytic sarcoma, a hereditary form of cancer. We’ll discuss how to address each below.
Happy Paws for Bernese Mountain Dogs
Enrich your Bernese Mountain Dog’s health with high-quality, tasty supplements like these!
| Type of Happy Paws Supplement | Best for … |
| Skin & Coat Dog Chews | Strengthening your dog’s coat & dermal health. |
| Digestive Health Dog Chews | Supporting healthy digestion and a strong gut flora. |
| 10-in-1 Multivitamin Dog Chews | Giving your pupper a daily dose of essential vitamins, minerals & other nutrients. |
| Probiotic Dog Chews | Reinforces gut flora health with the help of pre- and probiotics. |
| Hip & Joint Dog Chews | Soothing common symptoms of joint dysplasia & inflammation. |
In-Depth Look at Popular Supplements for Bernese Mountain Dogs
Even if your pup has a better diet than you, chances are their food won’t cover their nutritional gaps. Vitamin and mineral deficiencies are common amongst most dogs, regardless of breed. This is where many owners turn to pet supplements, all to help fill in those gaps and promote a happier, healthier life.
Our high-quality, tail-waggin’ dog supplements use an array of all-natural, organic ingredients to enrich your pet Bernese Mountain Dog’s health, while also satisfying their taste buds. Here are a few dog supplements to help you care for your Berner.
Skin & Coat Dog Chews: To help your dog ward off allergies and keep their coat looking pristine, our Skin & Coat Dog Chews use a blend of skin-supporting ingredients, like biotin and coconut oil, to restore dermal health and replenish your dog’s coat.
Digestive Health Dog Chews: Made with a powerful blend of all-natural probiotics and enzymes, our Digestive Health Dog Chews work hard to enrich your dog’s gut health and strengthen their digestive system. These tasty chews come in a delicious pumpkin flavor that helps settle their tummies and promote a healthy gut flora.
10-in-1 Multivitamin Dog Chews: For a daily multivitamin, our 10-in-1 Multivitamin Dog Chews use an array of essential vitamins and nutrients to sharpen your dog’s daily health. These vegan, lamb-flavored dog treats introduce ten key nutrients to keep your Berner healthy, happy, and active.
Probiotic Dog Chews: To promote better gut and digestive health, our Probiotic Dog Chews use a list of pre- and probiotics to settle tummy troubles and bolster better digestion. If your dog has irritable bowel movements or inconsistent stool, this supplement is a must.
Hip & Joint Dog Chews: To help soothe the symptoms of joint dysplasia, our Hip & Joint Dog Chews are packed with a blend of joint-friendly ingredients. This dog supplement helps reduce inflammation and support joint health, thanks to compounds like glucosamine, chondroitin, and hyaluronic acid.
Common Bernese Mountain Dog Health Concerns
Similar to other medium-to-large dog breeds, Bernese Mountain Dogs are susceptible to a few unique health concerns.
Elbow & Hip Dysplasia: The American Kennel Club (AKC) notes that many medium-sized to extra-large dog breeds are more prone to elbow and hip dysplasia. This issue arises from birth when the bone in a joint is misshapen, causing an awkward fit in your dog’s joints. This defect can often lead to joint pain, osteoarthritis, limping, and trouble standing up.
Digestive Issues: Large to giant breeds are commonly prone to digestive problems, like bloating. These issues can stem from their diet, lifestyle, or genetics.
Histiocytic sarcoma: A form of hereditary cancer, histiocytic sarcoma is a condition that affects a notable percentage of Bernese Mountain Dogs. Breeders typically screen for this when caring for their litter, and your vet can also help you discern if your dog has inherited this gene.
About The Bernese Mountain Dog Breed
Originating high in the Swiss Alps, the Bernese Mountain Dog breed has a long, storied history of patrolling farmlands, herding cattle, and pulling carts. But after the Industrial Revolution, this breed was welcomed into the home, where they were met with pats, pets, and praise. Today, the Bernese Mountain Dog rests in the top 20 breeds, according to the AKC. They’re a frequent fixture in Hollywood, often portraying loyal family dogs that greet guests with a few too many licks. And they’re a reliable companion for families of all sizes, all across the world.
Bernese Mountain Dog Temperament
While the breed standard says a Bernese Mountain Dog should be self-confident, alert, and good-natured, Berner owners know these dogs contain multitudes. They tend to be kind, curious, and observant, always keeping their loved ones within paws’ reach. Bernese Mountain Dogs often play well with other pets, when both parties are trained and properly socialized. They tend to remain steadfast in the face of danger, though some may come out of the litter shy and aloof. While the breed standard may look down on those traits, a little shy Bernese Mountain Dog can also make a trustworthy companion.
How to Care for a Bernese Mountain Dog
If you’re new to the breed, here’s a quick crash course on how to care for your Berner!
Weekly Coat Maintenance
These dogs are hairy. Like other mountain dogs, Berners carry around a double-layered coat that keeps them insulated and warm. During the cold, winter months, this coat is an asset. In the dog days of summer, this coat ends up strewn around your house in large little tufts. Keeping your Berner’s coat healthy may take weekly brushes and even skin-supporting supplements to deter unwanted shedding and seasonal allergies.
Daily Exercise
Like all dogs, Berners need exercise, but they don’t want to overdo it. These dogs need around an hour of low-impact exercise daily. Think more of saunter, not a sprint. If it’s during warm months, schedule their walks for the coolest parts of the day.
Venture Into the Great Outdoors
These dogs love being outdoors. Let them accompany you on nature hikes, strolls, and walks. They aren’t big swimmers, but they may love to lie on the bank and watch you swim from afar.
Early & Often Socialization
There’s a rule for puppy owners: 100 days. 100 new things. This is especially true for Berners. These dogs need early and often socialization around nice strangers, new places, and novel experiences. This training will help them distinguish friend from foe and better adapt to the world around them.
Fetch High-Quality Supplements for Your Bernese Mountain Dog
Keeping your Berner healthy and happy is easier than you might think. At Happy Paws, we’ve designed our dog treats with the best ingredients and flavors possible (our dogs definitely approve!). We’ve made sure these treats are certified organic, non-GMO, and third-party tested for purity, letting you spoil your Berner easily with healthy, tasty dog treats.
FAQ
Is a Bernese Mountain Dog a good family dog?
The Bernese Mountain Dog has a very kind, if not deeply loyal, disposition, making them a steadfast family dog. They do well around attentive strangers, kind children, and observant parents. But, like with any bigger dog, you’ll need to invest in proper training. These big goofballs can accidentally knock down a small child, or an elderly friend or family member. So, start behavioral training early to help your gentle giant learn the rules of the road.
Are Bernese Mountain Dogs high maintenance?
One aspect of Bernese Mountain Dogs that could be considered high maintenance is their deep loyalty. These pups tend to be velcro dogs; where you go, they follow; where you sit, they sit—right on top of you. So, many Bernese Mountain Dogs might not love being left alone for hours on end. Plus, their long, lustrous coat will need proper care and upkeep, just to help ’em keep that beautiful sheen.
What two breeds make a Bernese Mountain Dog?
Right around the turn of the 20th century, the Bernese Mountain Dog population dipped so low that experts thought it would go extinct. Thanks to a few quick-acting breed enthusiasts, the last few pups of this breed bred with a large, healthy Newfoundland. This union helped revitalize the breed and bring it back from the brink. Today, Bernese Mountain Dogs proudly sit amongst the most popular dog breeds.
Why are Berners so clingy?
Bernese Mountain Dogs come from a long line of guardian work dogs. They’re eager to win over their people, day in and day out. And this trait still holds strong in most litters.
How do you give Berner dogs health supplements?
You can give your dog a Happy Paws health supplement in several ways. First, we’ve designed these supplements as dog treats, so you can give them to your pupper as a reward for good behavior. Or, you can add it to your dog’s kibble; they make a pretty tasty topper, too.
