Bernese Mountain Dog

· Bernese Mountain Dog

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History/Origin
It was the Romans who first brought the Bernese Mountain dog breed to Switzerland during a historical invasion in the nineteenth century. This breed was raised in farms to help the workers in their chores. The canine was used to be a sheep dog, guard, and outdoor help in pulling heavily loaded carts and rescuing missing livestock.

For many years, the breed was dangerously close to extinction until it was given attention by a cynologist named Franz Schertenleib. The cynologist, along with other well-meaning community groups, helped save the lineage of this Alpine dog.

After the First World War, the Bernese Mountain dog really became popular. Today, it is a favorite choice of many families as an ideal household pet.

Description
This dog can weigh from 32 to 60 kilograms. However, its physical growth is slow as a Bernese dog takes longer to reach full maturity compared to other breeds.

Its rich, tri-color pattern also gives the Bernese Mountain dog an interesting and curious look. The pattern of its fur is evenly distributed; it usually has a white patch in its chest and body, and solid, earth colors, like brown and black, in its limbs.

Unfortunately, nothing could solve the short life expectancy of this mountain dog, even if it's given the full freedom to go outside and exercise. Aside from the fact that cancer is seen as the major reason for this breed's short mortality, the Bernese Mountain dog also has a relatively short life span; it is expected to last an average of seven years, and is considered quite lucky if it reaches ten years old.

Temperament
The Bernese Mountain dog is a very affectionate pet, so it is a suitable companion for children. However, this breed has the tendency of overattachment to its owners; separating it from its master may lead to stress. It is because of this that people are advised against giving the dog away or changing owners after it has reached 18 months.

Aside from its affectionate trait, the Bernese Mountain dog's inclination and genetic attribute as a watchdog make it smart and lovely. Gifted with extremely sharp senses, the dog is not difficult to handle and train.

This dog is also known for its timid nature. It rarely becomes aggressive and is even sociable with other dogs. As such, it's easy to take a liking to this dog since it does not display hostile behavior to strangers.