Are you considering adding a four-legged member to your family? It’s a big decision to make and it’s important to carefully consider your options and make the right choice to fit your lifestyle and living arrangements. If you want a breed that is loving, friendly, intelligent and perfect for an active family that loves the outdoors then the Bernese Mountain Dog may just be the ideal choice for you. Here at Peak Legacy Ranch in Peyton, Colorado we’re ready to help you with plenty of information on this amazing breed.
Bernese Mountain Dogs Are Growing in Popularity
It’s no wonder that the Bernese Mountain Dog is among the AKC’s top 20 breeds. These beautiful dogs are true gentle giants, loving and loyal dogs who do just as well with a family as an individual owner. They are members of the Working Group, reflecting their origin as farm dogs in the Swiss Alps. Their large size and heavy double coat helps them to tolerate cold temperatures, making them ideal for families who love outdoor activities.
They are known for their distinctive black, white, and rust tri-color markings and bright, inquisitive dark eyes that can melt your heart. Standing between 23 and 27.5 inches and weighing between 70 and 115 pounds, these are sizable dogs so they won’t fit in well with apartment dwellers. Not surprisingly, they require plenty of room to move around. Despite their size, they are sweet and gentle dogs, known to be very good around children and often zeroing in on one member of the family that they become particularly attached to.
Their thick double coat was developed to insulate against the cold but it also requires a bit of extra care to stay ahead of their considerable shedding. They shed year round, with particularly heavy periods of shedding twice a year. Weekly brushing is usually enough to keep their coats in good shape. During heavier shedding periods you may need to increase to daily brushing. Bathing will depend on how quickly your dog gets dirty or gets that "doggy" smell.
Originally bred to work on farms and in pastures in Switzerland, Berners are happiest when they have work to do. They live to please their owner and are intelligent and quick learners, which makes them fairly easy to train. They also excel at dog sports including carting, agility, herding and obedience. Because they are so focused on pleasing you, they don’t do well when left on their own for long periods of time. If you are considering a Berner, Peak Legacy Ranch in Peyton, CO can help you to find your perfect match.
Before you begin training your Bernese Mountain Dog, it’s important to remember that while they may be large, these are also very sensitive dogs whose feelings can be hurt quite easily. We suggest that you take a slow and steady approach to training and be sure to always use positive reinforcement, avoiding harsh criticism and scolding. Because they are so intelligent and such quick learners, Berners are ideal for novice dog owners as they don’t require a lot of effort to train.
With the right approach you can get the most out of your Berner and you’ll find that you’ve got a wonderful, loving addition to your family. If you want to find out more about the breed, meet one or two and decide if this is the right breed for you, stop by Peak Legacy Ranch in Peyton Colorado any time and our experienced staff will be happy to answer all of your questions.
