Dharmansk Bernese Mountain Dogs

This page includes Fact Sheet, Code Of Ethics, and the ANKC Bernese Mountain Dog Breed Standard

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WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE BERNESE MOUNTAIN DOG

Author Fay Carvill (Neil)

BACKGROUND

The Bernese Mountain Dog is a working dog that had their origins in the farm areas of Switzerland, principally the Canton of Bern where most examples of the breed were concentrated in the late 19^th and early 20th centuries. There are four breeds of Sennenhunde(mountain dog), the Appenzell, the Entlebuch, the Great Swiss Mountain Dog and the Bernese Mountain Dog, all sharing similar markings, the Bernese having a somewhat longer coat. They are a strong and sturdy farm dog that in their native country were used extensively for herding and also for draft work when carting milk to the local cheese factories or produce to the local markets. They were also watchdogs around the farm and the herds and this required a calm natured, self-confident dog, devoted to his home and his people.

AVERAGE LIFESPAN

Usually noted as 8-10 years but recent studies indicate 10 years .

AVERAGE HEIGHT AND WEIGHT - THE BREED STANDARD

Height: Dogs 64-70cms (25-27.5inches)

Bitches 58 –66cm (23-26 inches)

Weight: Dogs 88-99 lbs (40-45Kg)

Bitches 66-77lbs (30-35kg)

Hip Displasia and OCD of the elbow are problems screened for by breeders to select suitable breeding stock by using accredited AVA/ANKC hip and elbow reports given after X-Ray examination of breeding stock..

Ectropian, Entropian, Elongated Soft Palette, and Histiocytosis (a form of cancer that affects animals between the ages of 4 and 8 years) are all conditions that breeders screen for to reduce the incidence of these problems.

BREED PERSONALITY / CHARACTERISTICS / TEMPERAMENT

The Bernese Mountain Dog is a large, sturdy working dog with striking black tan and white distinctive markings and the long double coat. They are a gentle and placid dog devoted to their family. Puppies and young dogs are often quite boisterous during their adolescent stage and for this reason they are often not recommended for families with children under the age of 10 years. Bitches are distinctly more feminine in appearance with a less commanding demeanor. Dogs have a distinctly more masculine appearance with their more imposing size, bulkier body, broader head and especially coat development over the chest area. They are a slow maturing breed. They should never express aggressive behaviour but are considered very good watchdogs as they usually bark to announce visitors arriving. Some Bernese may remain aloof to the attention of strangers.

COMPATIBILITY WITH OTHER FAMILY PETS

The Bernese Mountain Dog has a wonderful reputation in this regard.

CARE REQUIREMENTS

Grooming requirements are moderate. A regular brush of the coat is ideal and simple to do. When they molt more grooming may be required paying attention to the area behind the ears and the back of the legs in particular. Their coats are naturally quite resistant to wet conditions and the cold wet weather is not normally an issue for them. However, be mindful of their environment in the summer and always provide a cool shady place to rest and plenty of water during the hot summer days.

IDEAL OWNERS

The Bernese Mountain Dog needs a consistent, firm but kind hand in training. Encouragement and reward always ensures the best results because their most endearing quality is their willingness to please. They need to be with you and thrive in this environment. Left alone with a solitary life and no personal attention would be stressful and he would likely become miserable and shy and create problems. Despite their size and energy and enthusiasm for their walks, they generally don’t require a lot of exercise. Early socialization is important as is patience with training as they are a slow breed to mature.

SELECTING YOUR PUPPY

If you decide that a BMD is suitable for you, to avoid disappointment, it is recommended that you select and choose from screened, registered breeding stock with accredited AVA/ANKC hip and elbow X-Ray evaluation reports.

Ideally, both the sire and the dam of the puppies should have scores of 0:0 on the elbows and the hips scores should not exceed the breed average, which changes from time to time, but is approx a total of 12 on the hips.

If possible, meet the sire and the dam of the puppies to be comfortable about the temperament ensuring they have a friendly and warm nature and are not shy.

IN CONCLUSION

Be prepared to train and socialize your Bernese for a most rewarding relationship. Owners of Bernese generally comment that once “they have been owned by a Bernese”, they can never be without one !!

It is a very special experience.

Originally written by Fay Neil for the Victorian Canine Association “Breed Flyer” This version edited and modified.

For answers to most 'Frequently Asked Questions' about Bernese Mountain Dogs, e-mail Fay at phase1@vic.chariot.net.au and request a FAQ sheet.

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BERNESE MOUNTAIN DOG CODE OF ETHICS - Victoria

This Code of Ethics , with regard to enjoyment and interest in , the keeping of, and the breeding of the Bernese Mountain Dog, addresses the following :-

(a) Essentially members are encouraged to participate in the club for the enhancement and enjoyment of the breed through education and sharing of information and participation in club activities. The club therefore advocates a code of conduct for it’s members that is befitting and based on principles of honesty, integrity and pride and encourages relations between members and any interested parties accordingly.

(b) Members should always conduct themselves in an honorable and professional manner at organized shows and club events or promotions and should exhibit good sportsmanship at all times.

(d) To assist in a positive reflection on our breed, members are encouraged in a constructive and positive manner, to (a) share expertise, (b)encourage and support newcomers to the breed, (c)seek out and strive to keep abreast of the latest information not only in relation to health and care aspects of the breed but also organizational changes and amendments to rules and guidelines of relevant bodies.

(a) Members shall not use cruel or abusive punishment to control or manage their dog(s) and should be willing to take council/advice and become educated on more appropriate handling techniques

(b) Encourage training activities puppy socialization classes, obedience training , show training or carting or any other suitable work and socialization appropriate for the development and mindset and wellbeing of the breed.

(c) Members should commit to providing good and proper nutrition, regular and preventative health care and to supplying adequate housing indoors and outdoors and maintain a positive, caring environment on a daily and ongoing basis

(d) Members should be restricted to having no more dogs than may be properly cared for in terms of nutrition, health care, socialization and facilities (eg fenced yards and housing etc) and in accordance with local Government Regulations regarding the keeping of dogs.

(e) Members should at all times have control of their dog(s) . No member should place any other person or animal at risk or place their dog(s) in potentially dangerous situations, which might result in serious trauma.

(f) Members , having due regard for their dog(s) and for the general public, shall make every effort to prevent dogs from roaming unsupervised, causing a nuisance or to be picked up and placed in an animal shelter situation.

Breeders shall breed for the specific purpose of improving the breed whilst maintaining their unique beauty and character and do so in accordance with the official standard set forth by the ANKC and in this regard shall:-

(a) Ensure that appropriate health checks/measures have been taken prior to a mating

(b) Ensure that all breeding stock be x-rayed for evidence of hip dysplasia (min 12 months of age) and that the x-rays plates be submitted for scoring under an approved Australian Canine Hip Dysplasia scoring scheme.

(c) Give priority to those animals assessed for breeding that have obtained hip evaluation that does not exceed the breed average and preferably is lower than it.

(d) Ensure that all breeding stock be elbow x-rayed for evidence of osteochondrosis of the elbow (min 12 months of age) and that the x-ray plates be submitted for scoring under an approved Australian Canine Elbow Scoring scheme.

(e) Give priority to those animals assessed for breeding that have obtained an elbow grade of 0: 0

Understand that a grade of 1:1 represents a greater risk. It is recommended to give priority to 0:0 grade

elbows for breeding as any other score represents a greater risk of producing a problem with the risk

(f) Breeders shall identify and use physically and temperamentally sound stock and will refuse to breed from dogs or bitches that are (a) of a different breed, (b) are unregistered (c) are known to have obvious hereditary/genetic defects.

(g) Breeding shall be carefully planned and must be carried out selectively in an attempt to reduce as much as possible hereditary defects such as hip dysplasia, oesteochondrosis of the shoulder and elbow, entropian, ectropian, trembler (hypomyelinogenis), elongated soft palette and elongated undershot jaw. This list is not exhaustive.

(h) Breeders shall understand the strengths and weaknesses of their stock and never double up on a known or visible fault breeding towards the elimination of faults and the maintenance of strengths.

(i) Breeders should aim to preserve the breed temperamentally and as a working dog, breeding for soundness, durability and ease of movement.

(j) Breeders should co-operate with the collection of data on hip and elbow status and health status of breeding stock to assist in the establishment of a national pedigree/health data base and be pro-active in introducing accredited recommended measures to assist in breeding programs ie: DNA testing and data collection, eye testing ie PRA, temperament testing etc.

(k) Breeders should ensure that nervous or aggressive Bernese shall not be bred from Refer to Breed Standard requirements

(l) Breeders should not mate a bitch prior to 20 months of age, or before her second season and ensure that the last litter shall be whelped before the bitches 7^th birthday.

Ensure that no bitch shall be bred from in any way that is deleterious to the bitch or the breed.

(m) It is not recommended to breed from the same bitch in consecutive seasons. Should a mating of this nature take place it should be only in the most exceptional of circumstances and be accompanied by a letter of approval from a vet and be submitted to the club on request. A period of 12 months ( from the date of birth of the puppies resulting from the most recent mating) must have elapsed before the bitch can be mated again.

(n) We recommend that all dogs at the time of X-ray submit both their full kennel name and Micro chip number for identification on the X-ray plates.

(a) A breeder should sell stock with true representation of information and must not engage in misleading or untruthful statements in selling or advertising.

(b) No breeder should sell puppies or adult dogs to any known retail or wholesale outlet

(c) Breeders must be discriminating in the sale of puppies or dogs and be concerned with the type of home/environment in which the animal is to be placed.

(d) No puppy should go to it’s new home before 8 weeks of age, thus allowing for vaccinations to be given at 6 weeks of age.

(e) A buyer should be supplied with a Certificate of Registration showing at least a 3 generation pedigree with information on inoculations certified by a veterinarian surgeon . This should also include information on any other veterinary care that the dog may have received and instructions on the care feeding and exercise and training of Bernese.

(f) No member shall knowingly export or assist in the export of a dog or dogs to any country which does not have legislation for the protection of animals

(g) Breeders should try to keep in touch with the progress of the dog(s) of his or her breeding

(h) Breeders should be prepared to take back any dog(s) of his or her breeding or be instrumental in the re-homing of the dog at any time throughout the dog(s) life.

(i) A breeder will guarantee the health of his stock subject to a vet examination within 48 hours of the sale.

(j) Members of the club will ensure that neither directly or indirectly shall any dog to be given as a prize or donation in any contest of any kind

(k) Breeders should provide the purchaser of a puppy with a “Contract of Sale” which clearly defines the differences between the Open and Limited Register of dogs and in accordance with the appropriate Canine Controlling body’s Regulations. The contract will also state on which register the puppy has been placed and any other obligation that the purchaser is required to fulfill regarding ownership of the puppy.

(l) Breeders who engage a purchaser in a contractual agreement over the sale of an animal are required to

honour the contracts they engage themselves in, being sure that both parties understand all

(m) Breeders should keep accurate records of breeding and or stud service and should register all puppies with the VCA or other appropriate State Controlling body

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GENERAL APPEARANCE - Strong, sturdy working dog, active, alert, well boned, of striking colour.

CHARACTERISTICS - A multi purpose farm dog capable of draught work. A kind and devoted family dog. Slow to mature.

TEMPERAMENT - Self-confident, good natured, friendly and fearless. Aggressiveness not to be tolerated.

HEAD AND SKULL - Strong with flat skull, very slight furrow, well defined stop; strong straight muzzle. Lips slightly developed.

EARS - Medium sized; set high, triangular shaped, lying flat in repose, when alert brought slightly forward and raised at base.

MOUTH - Jaws strong with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws.

FOREQUARTERS - Shoulders long, strong and sloping, with upper arm forming a distinct angle, flat lying, well muscled. Forelegs straight from all sides. Pasterns flexing slightly.

BODY - Compact rather than long. Height to length 9:10. Broad chest, good depth of brisket reaching at least to elbow. Well ribbed; strong loins. Firm, straight back.

HINDQUARTERS - Broad, strong and well muscled. Stifles well bent. Hock strong, well let down and turning neither in nor out. Dewclaws to be removed.

TAIL - Bushy, reaching just below hock. Raised when alert or moving but never curled or carried over back.

GAIT/MOVEMENT - Stride reaching out well in front, following well through behind, balanced stride in all gaits.

COAT - Soft, silky with bright natural sheen, long, slightly wavy but should not curl when mature.

COLOUR - Jet black, with rich reddish brown on cheeks, over eyes, on all four legs and on chest. Slight to medium sized symmetrical white head marking (blaze) and white chest marking (cross) are essential. Preferred but not essential, white paws, white not reaching higher than pastern, white tip to tail. A few white hairs at nape of neck, and white anal patch undesirable but tolerated.

FAULTS - Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.

NOTE - Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

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