Alice White
Bernese Mountain Dog – a good-natured dog. Giants with a childlike soul and a devoted heart, this is how the Bernese Mountain Dog breed can be characterized. Huge shaggy dogs originally from the Swiss Alps, where they played the role of shepherds’ helpers and served as a kind of draft force. A dog harnessed to a cart could carry a load 10 times its weight.
Character
There are many positive qualities in the character of a Bernese Mountain Dog:
- devotion;
- courage;
- friendliness;
- calmness;
- attentiveness.
Mighty dogs take care of the whole family, but most of all they are attached to the owner and are very bored in his absence. The Bernese Mountain Dog is excellent nannies. They take good care of the kids and closely observe their behavior. Aggressiveness is completely absent in the dog, so it won’t make a real guard.
Bernese Mountain Dog perceives the presence of other four-legged pets in the house, but tries to take the position of the leader of the “pack”. The behavior of mestizos is more difficult to predict.
The Bernese Mountain Dog shepherd’s instincts are expressed inactivity and endurance. They need to spend a lot of time outdoors to maintain their healthy physical condition. At the same time, the dog can lazily lie in its place for most of the day, watching the leader in the house.
Natural wit and intelligence make the training process easier. Dogs quickly master the necessary skills and remember commands.
Maintenance
The Bernese Mountain Dog is a large breed, and an aviary in a private house will be optimal for it. Do not forget that the birthplace of the breed is the snowy Alps, so long hair with a thick undercoat will reliably protect your pet from the cold. In addition, these dogs need low-intensity but long-lasting outdoor activities. Please note that if the enclosure does not have asphalt areas and the dog walks only on soft soil, it will have to trim its nails every two to three weeks.
It is also possible to keep a pet in an apartment, if it is not too small, and there is no fear of abundant molting. Provide a place to rest and eat before bringing your puppy home. Try to remove wires and other items from the floor that he might chew on. And also tune in to the fact that until the puppy learns to go to the toilet on the street, cleaning puddles and piles will become a constant activity. It may be worth removing carpets in the rooms available to the pet during this period. But a slippery floor can be dangerous for the baby’s still fragile feet.
Features of care
The Bernese Mountain Dog sheds all year round and requires careful brushing every day. With a moderate shedding of hair, it is enough to comb once a week.
Water procedures are planned 2-3 times a year. Bathing is carried out using special hygiene products. Usually, they are limited to rubbing their paws after a walk. The eyes, ears, and teeth are examined regularly. If necessary, clean them with cotton swabs or tampons.
Particular attention should be paid to the rules of conduct during a walk (at least 2 hours). Bernese Mountain Dogs are not recommended to jump over barriers or jump from a height, as they can injure limbs. Prolonged exposure to heat can lead to heatstroke.
The future owners of the Bernese Mountain Dog must carefully analyze the advantages and disadvantages in order to make a final decision.
Pros:
- Unpretentiousness.
- Good health.
- Aesthetic appeal.
- Ease of learning.
- Devotion.
- Family friendliness;
- Incredible love for children;
- Patience and getting along with other pets;
- Excellent cold tolerance;
- Unpretentiousness in nutrition.
Cons:
- Short lifespan;
- Long walks;
- Hair care;
- Food costs.
