The Bernese Mountain Dog, also known as the Berner Sennenhund, is a breed in the Working Group. This dog is one of the four Swiss Mountain Dog breeds, and they are the only Swiss Mountain Dog that has a long, silky, flowing coat. They were approved by the AKC in 1990.
The Bernese Mountain Dog stands 23 to 28 inches at the withers. Breed standards normally don't specify weight, but the usual range is 65 to 120 lbs. The breed is instantly recognized by its distinctive tri color pattern.
The Bernese temperament is a strong point of the breed. They are affectionate, loyal, faithful, stable, and intelligent. The majority of Bernese Mountain Dogs are very friendly to people and other dogs. They often get along well with other pets, such as cats and horses. They are very trainable, provided the owner is patient and consistent in training.
Health surveys of Bernese Mountain Dogs show that this breed is very short lived compared to breeds of similar size and purebred dogs in general. Berners have a median longevity of 7 years. By comparison, most other breeds of similar size have median longevities of 10 to 11 years.