The Bernese Mountain Dog or "Berner Sennehund" is one of many Swiss breeds. They were used to pull carts of milk cans to market, guard the farm, and help drive cows to and from the mountain pastures. They were the Sheperd's (or Senn's) companion. "Sennenhund" translates to "Herdsman's dog". The breed has roots in a small farm cattle dog crossed to a large mastiffy type dog. The breed almost went extinct at the end of the 19th century as machines and roads replaced their usefullness.

In 1892 two breed fanciers tried to save the breed. In 1907, a specialty breed club was established in Switzerland and the Bernese started to be seen in shows again. Apparently the breed was allowed to outcross with the Newfoundland dog to regain some size hardiness and calm personality. The AKC recognized them as a breed in 1937 and the CKC in the 1970's. Most Bernese are instinctively gentle with little animals and children. They crave human companionship. They sure put a new meaning to being "close" to people.

More about the breed
The breed ranges between 58cm to 70 cm.(23 - 27.6 inches) at the shoulders. Bitches range between 58 to 66 cm. (22.8 - 26 inches). Dogs range between 62 to 70 cm. (24.4 - 27.5 inches). They weigh between 80-115 lbs. (See breed standards at www.hottub.org/~panda/standards-us.html)

Bernese can be very friendly as adults, but they also can be a little more descriminating about strangers than Golden Retrievers. They certainly do bark and warn you that there is somebody strange at your back door or that a strange dog is on your property. Women, children and small animals are rarely perceived as a threat but the odd strange man will get barked at.

They are not an attack dog but they were used to warn the sheperd in the Swiss Alps that there was something strange around the herd of cattle or flock of sheep. They were also used to pull carts of milk cans and supplies to market before there were roads in the alps. Bernese Mountain Dogs have no wander in them at all. Furthermore, they do not have to follow a scent like beagles or huskies.

This breed doesn't even want to hunt as much as some breeds. They are quite happy staying at home watching their property. Likewise if you want your Bernese to like other dogs they should be kept well socialized with other dogs as pupppies. Again they will not attack a strange dog, but they will bark at a strange dog if the dog does not belong to your place and if the strange dog is on YOUR property. At a public park they have no opinions about other dogs.

My dogs are raised together and get along famously with each other and have great play behaviour. The Bernese is known not for being a pack dog but to instead crave human companionship. Our Bernese are raised with Goldens, and they think that they are goldens and compete with each other to see who can be the friendliest to all strangers (if I'm there and say that the strange people are O.K.). Again they love to be CLOSE to you. They enjoy physical contact and are known to goose your butt to get your attention and if allowed to rub between your legs or put their body on your lap.

This is the last breed you should buy to stick on a chain and ignore.