The Ultimate Bernese Mountain Dog Puppy Ownership Guide

If you’re looking for a hardworking, lovable companion dog, then the Bernese Mountain Dog could be a great fit as your very own gentle giant! 

The Bernese Mountain Dog, hailing from the Bern region of Switzerland, boasts a rich history as a versatile working breed. They are also known as Berner Sennenhunds or just Berners. Its origins trace back to the Swiss Alps, where it was used by farmers as a multipurpose helper. These dogs pulled carts laden with milk and farm produce, guarded properties, and provided companionship. 

Known for their strength, endurance, and gentle nature, Bernese Mountain Dogs became beloved working companions. Their history is intertwined with Alpine farming culture, and their distinctive tricolor coat and sturdy build reflect their adaptability to the harsh mountain environment. 

Today, they're cherished family pets and continue to honor their heritage as loyal and affectionate companions. Bernese Mountain Dog puppies for sale are gaining in popularity as more people discover this lovable, mellow mammoth. 

Find out what it’s like to live with Bernese Mountain Dog puppies for sale in our ultimate guide to Bernese Mountain Dog puppy ownership.

What Does a Bernese Mountain Dog Puppy For Sale Look Like? 

Two words: Adorable Bears!

Bernese Mountain Dogs are the largest of the 4 Swiss Mountain Dogs, including the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, Appenzeller Mountain Dog, and Entlebucher Mountain Dog. All four Swiss Mountain Dog breeds share a history of close collaboration with Swiss farmers, helping with various tasks in the rugged mountain terrain.

The most distinctive features of a Bernese Mountain Dog puppy for sale are its size and its unique coloring. The Bernese Mountain Dog is a large and majestic breed, standing 23 to 27.5 inches at the shoulder and weighing between 70 to 115 pounds and even more. With a distinctive tricolor coat of black, rust, and white, their dense double coat protects them from cold weather. Bernese Mountain Dogs have a strong and sturdy build, a large head, long, pink tongue, giant paws, and eyebrows that show great expression. 

It’s hard to be sad when looking at Bernese Mountain Dogs because they are cuddly, affectionate giant dogs!

What is the Personality Like of Bernese Mountain Dog Puppies? 

As you’re considering puppies for sale, you’ll take into account your current lifestyle to see if a particular dog breed fits into your daily routine for years to come. Let’s explore the Bernese Mountain Dog's reputation as a devoted and cherished family companion that not only offers a strong bond but also enriches the lives of those fortunate enough to share their journey.

Gentle and Affectionate

Bernese Mountain Dog puppies are renowned for their gentle and affectionate nature. They have a natural inclination to form strong bonds with their families, displaying loyalty and a deep desire to be close to their loved ones.

Friendly and Sociable

With a warm and welcoming demeanor, Bernese Mountain Dogs tend to get along well with people of all ages, as well as other pets. Their friendly disposition makes them excellent companions for households with children and other animals. While some may be a bit aloof with strangers, they’ll warm right up as soon as their family members tell them it’s a friend and not a foe. 

Calm and Easygoing

These dogs possess a calm and even-tempered personality, often radiating a sense of tranquility. They handle various situations with composure and are generally adaptable to different environments.

Alert and Protective

While they might appear gentle, Bernese Mountain Dogs have a strong protective instinct for their family and home. They can be alert and will vocalize their concern if they sense anything amiss, making them efficient watchdogs. However, this does not mean they are aggressive or dangerous – far from it.

Playful and Fun-Loving

Despite their large size, Bernese Mountain Dogs retain a playful and fun-loving side. They enjoy engaging in playful activities with their family members, making them fantastic playmates for both children and adults. However, even though they’re very gentle, their size can accidentally knock over children, so supervision is important for a fun play session. 

Silly Jokesters

Your Bernese Mountain Dog puppy will have you laughing for sure with all their silly antics. Because they are so smart, you’ll swear they wait for the right time to “prank” you or play jokes on you. They may steal your socks or remote control in a fun game of keep-away, so it’s important to keep a sense of humor over their quirky personalities. 

Intelligent and Eager to Please

Known for their intelligence, these dogs are quick learners and tend to grasp commands and training cues easily. They have a desire to please their owners, which makes training sessions productive and enjoyable.

Work Ethic and Adaptability

Rooted in their history as working farm dogs, Bernese Mountain Dogs possess a strong work ethic. They can adapt to various tasks and environments, whether it's assisting with chores or participating in outdoor activities.

Loving and Empathetic

Bernese Mountain Dogs have an innate ability to sense the emotions of their family members. They offer comfort and companionship during times of distress, showcasing their empathetic nature and making them excellent therapy dogs.

How Active Are Bernese Mountain Dog Puppies? 

One may assume that as a big working dog, Bernese Mountain Dog puppies for sale need constant, rigorous activity. Even though they were historically capable of powerful feats, quite the opposite is needed with our companion Bernese Mountain Dogs today. While they will need 30-60 minutes of exercise each day to get their energy out and keep them in great physical health, they do not need excessive amounts of daily activity to satisfy their activity needs. 

Exercise choices for Bernese Mountain Dog puppies

Great choices for exercising Bernese Mountain Dog puppies include short hikes, walks around the neighborhood, swimming, playing fetch, exploring new areas, visiting dog parks, and playing mentally stimulating games like puzzles and hide-and-seek. 

Don’t leave them alone for long

However, without enough activity provided, Bernese Mountain Dogs can become destructive when they think of activities to do on their own due to boredom. They can also develop undesirable behaviors like barking and chewing, problems that can be avoided with proper outlets for their energy. 

It’s especially important to not overexercise a Bernese Mountain Dog puppy for sale before they are two years old. As a large dog breed, their bones and joints take more time to grow than smaller dogs, and you don’t want to injure them or produce joint, hip, and elbow issues before they are fully developed. 

Give them a job

All that being said about watching their activity level – Bernese Mountain Dog puppies do best when they are given a job to do, and the perfect outlet for that is through dog sports. Although not as fast and sprightly as other dog breeds in the agility ring, Bernese Mountain Dogs have lots of fun participating in herding challenges and cart and drafting competitions. 

Bundle up…for you, that is

Bernese Mountain Dog puppies prove to be the perfect companions for individuals who enjoy outdoor activities in colder environments, thanks to their insulating coat that ensures warmth and its pleasant demeanor that contributes to a fun day out. If you live in an area with snow, be sure to regularly take them outside to make doggy snow angels with them, leap into banks of snow, or roll around to their heart’s content. 

Don’t shy away from a hike in the snow, either. Their giant paws are sure-footed and robust, making them capable of traversing snowy terrain with ease. They’ll still be comfortable outside long after you want to come in to sit by a warm fire. Even though they could stay out there all day, don’t leave your Bernese Mountain Dog puppy outside for too long, and make sure to check their paws for any cuts or scrapes from ice or chemical burns from road de-icing and salt products. 

Too hot to handle

While a Bernese Mountain Dog is a fantastic choice for cold weather, they’re not quite the best choice for say, condo living in Miami or an arid desert climate. These dogs get overheated very quickly and could suffer from heat stroke. Don’t ever leave your Bernese Mountain Dog puppy outside in hot temperatures. 

You can keep a Bernese Mountain Dog puppy cool on a hot day by scheduling play time during early morning and evening hours when the direct sun is not a threat and temperatures have cooled down. Keep their paws off hot surfaces to prevent burns. Provide plenty of shade and fresh water. Definitely find some swimming opportunities for your Bernese Mountain Dog, as they do love the water! Providing them with their own splash pad or baby pool is a fantastic way to keep them comfortable in hot climates. 

Grooming the Magnificent Bernese Mountain Dog’s Coat

We’ve mentioned the luxurious coat of Bernese Mountain Dogs already, but let’s dive into what makes their coat so special. Bernese Mountain Dogs have a double-layered coat consisting of a thick, longer outer coat of harsh guard hairs and a dense, soft undercoat of lofty fur that provides insulation and helps regulate their body temperature. 

You may be tempted to avoid dealing with their hair or think they may be more comfortable in the heat if you shave them, but don’t! It’s not advisable to shave a double-coated dog. You’re actually making the issue worse by taking away their natural ability to regulate their body temperature. The skin of a Bernese Mountain Dog puppy is not used to being exposed to the elements. Overall, you may do more harm than good. 

Instead, proper grooming is vital to preventing matting, controlling shedding, and ensuring your dog's coat remains in optimal condition. If you’re not sure how to care for their coats, consulting a professional groomer can provide guidance on breed-specific grooming techniques and the best practices for maintaining a Bernese Mountain Dog's double coat in optimal condition.

Stay on top of grooming

For successful grooming, you’ll need a few tools around your house to manage Bernese Mountain Dog puppy hair. A slicker brush, a wide-toothed comb, an undercoat rake, and a variety of dog hair management products such as an amazing vacuum will be essential products in your hair-controlling arsenal. 

Bernese Mountain Dogs shed heavily year-round and blow their coats twice a year, typically in spring and fall as they prepare for seasonal changes. Be sure to have a stash of lint rollers on every floor of your home, your car, your work bag, or purse – everywhere! 

Some other services you’ll want to have done at the groomers is keeping their nails and paw hair trimmed to a healthy length to avoid paw and foot problems. Their floppy ears will need regular inspection to ensure they’re free from excessive wax and yeast or infections, and be sure to clean their eye discharge to keep them crust-free. Maintaining proper dental health is essential to their well-being. 

Caring For Bernese Mountain Dog Puppies 

In addition to grooming your Bernese Mountain Dog puppy, you can take special care to make sure you provide the best life possible for them, as they have a shorter lifespan than smaller dogs at 7-10 years. 

Feeding a proper diet specially formulated for large dog breeds will help keep their frame healthy. Bernese Mountain Dogs are not picky eaters and are highly food motivated, so make sure they don’t go stealing entire pizzas off your kitchen counter! It’s easy for them to become obese which leads to more serious health problems, so monitor their diet and exercise to maintain a proper, healthy size.

Unfortunately, Bernese Mountain Dog puppies may experience some health issues in their lifetime. Some of the more common conditions they may face are hip and elbow dysplasia, bloat, histiocytosis, Von Willebrand’s Disease, Degenerative Myelopathy, and Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA). 

Where Can I Find Healthy Bernese Mountain Dog Puppies? 

Because Bernese Mountain Dog puppies for sale can be a popular breed, demand is high for available litters. When looking for happy, healthy Bernese Mountain Dog puppies for sale, you’ll want to consider a few factors in your quest to make sure you’re getting a top dog. 

Finding a trustworthy professional Bernese Mountain Dog puppy breeder is essential to ensure the health, well-being, and temperament of your future pet. A responsible breeder genuinely cares for the puppies' welfare and future well-being. A breeder who prioritizes the well-being of their dogs will provide a clean, comfortable, and socialized environment for them. Trustworthy breeders prioritize the health of their dogs and puppies. They may conduct comprehensive health testing on their breeding dogs to screen for hereditary and breed-specific health issues. Common health tests for Bernese Mountain Dogs include hip and elbow evaluations, cardiac evaluations, and eye examinations. 

Pawrade Offers Amazing Bernese Mountain Dog Puppies 

If you don’t have the time to do your own research or don’t want to wait months or even years for a Bernese Mountain Dog puppy, turn to Pawrade. 

1. We partner with reputable Bernese Mountain Dog breeders who have passed our rigorous pre-screening process and are hand-selected to work with us, providing the highest standards of care for their puppies. 

2. We hate puppy scammers and puppy mills and actively fight against fraud by protecting you every step of the way. We use a secure transaction management system containing all important information in one location and will never ask for non-secured payment methods through apps, cash,  or money orders. 

3. Our Bernese Mountain Dog puppies for sale come with three-year comprehensive health guarantees, protecting the health of your puppy first in case of any issues. 

4. All of our Teams work tirelessly around the clock to get your sweet, fluffy Bernese Mountain Dog puppies for sale into your loving arms, providing a variety of travel options to meet your puppy. 

It’s a clear choice to utilize the services of Pawrade when you are looking for Bernese Mountain Dog puppies for sale. We can’t wait to hear from you so you can cuddle your very own gentle giant!