Bernese Mountain Dog

Big, powerful, and built for demanding work, the Bernese Mountain Dog combines impressive strength with striking beauty and a gentle, affectionate temperament. Calm and even-tempered by nature, Berners are always eager to play and interact with their owner, whose approval they deeply value.

The Bernese Mountain Dog is a large, solidly built working breed that can exceed 27 inches at the shoulder. Its thick, silky, moderately long coat is tricolored—jet black, clear white, and rich rust. The breed’s distinctive facial and body markings are signature traits and, together with the intelligent sparkle in the dark eyes, create an impression of noble dignity.

Well adapted to cold climates, the Bernese Mountain Dog was developed to combine both strength and intelligence, allowing it to perform a variety of tasks on the farms and pastures of Switzerland. Berners are affectionate with all members of the household and are especially gentle with children, though they often form a particularly strong bond with one favored person. While their size is imposing, they are not threatening, and they tend to greet strangers with a reserved and dignified aloofness.