Just how big is the Bernese Mountain Dog? This dog belongs to the Sennenhund breed type of Swiss Mountain Dogs, originally bred as a working dog in the Swiss Alps to herd cattle or pull carts on Swiss Farms. Suitably, you will most likely notice this sturdy dog by the white markings on its chest, which aptly resemble the Swiss Cross.
As farm dogs, the Bernese Mountain Dogs are part of the Mastiff-type dogs and are impressive in size.
This Bernese Mountain Dog guide will give you all the information about the Bernese Mountain Dog breed and how to make your Berner puppy grow into a healthy and happy dog.
The Bernese Mountain Dogs are considered large breed dogs, which make for some excellent guard dogs.
These purebred dogs mature very slowly and, therefore, only reach their full size as well as adult weight by the time they are between two and three years old.
This also means that they will keep their puppy behaviour for quite some time longer than other dogs, which may require longer periods of dog training as well.
These sturdy dogs definitely are no lightweights and can sometimes weigh as much as a medium-sized young adult. Here are the respective weights of the Bernese Mountain dogs by gender, according to the American Kennel Club (AKC):
Bernese Mountain dogs love to relax and are only moderately active; therefore, your dog’s diet plays a huge role in maintaining a healthy weight for these large dogs.
If your dog is not necessarily participating in some dog sports, the best is to provide it with some moderate exercise such as daily walks, playing tuck-of-war or fetch for about an hour per day.
The most important factor, however, is feeding high-quality dog food.
To retain their muscles, Bernese needs a healthy amount of lean meat or protein and relatively low levels of healthy fat. Make sure that any treats or kibble do not have artificial additives, especially no sugar in them, and also refrain from very grainy meals. Opt for brown rice rather than wheat.
As Berner pups mature very slowly, taking care of their diet and exercise levels from a young age is key in ensuring your Bernese Mountain Dog puppy grows into a healthy and well-grown adult.
Bernese Mountain Dog puppies will very much look a bit unbalanced and awkward in size during the first 18 months of their life, which is completely normal. Feeding your puppy nutrient-dense food with lots of healthy protein and just the right amount of calcium for healthy bone growth is absolutely mandatory.
At this time, you should also not overexercise your pup, as most large dog breeds are very fragile and have sensitive joints and bones at a young age, which can easily get damaged when overexerting them.
Generally, it is quite easy to spot an overweight dog, as they don’t have any visible waist, and it is hard to see or feel their ribs.
As Bernese Mountain Dogs have thick and fluffy coats, it is very hard to spot their actual figure, though, so you will have to feel whether you can feel your dog’s ribs when touching it, as there should never be a thick layer of fat between the skin and the ribs.
If you are still unsure, taking it to the vet is probably your best bet.
Yes, in moderation. Ensure you provide your dog with healthy treats, as being overweight because of too many snacks causes health problems for your pup.
According to the Bernese Mountain Dog Club, it is best to have a medium to large, securely fenced yard where your large dog can roam free.
These patient dogs make for loyal companions, and thus, a Bernese pup is an excellent family pet and will be loved by its human family thanks to its big heart, which is just as large as its actual body size!
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