For all its inner calm, the Bernese Mountain Dog has a considerable energy level (4 out of 5). It doesn't need frantic ball games, but it loves long hikes, challenging scent work or, as an adult, the traditional job of pulling a cart. In training (trainability 3 out of 5) you'll sometimes run into the typical self-assurance of a former farm guardian. Pressure gets you nowhere with this sensitive giant – what's needed is loving consistency and patience.
Never underestimate everyday life with a dog of this size and coat type. The long, silky topcoat with its dense undercoat calls for intensive grooming (4 out of 5), with brushing several times a week to prevent matting. The breed isn't suited to life in a cramped city apartment (city suitability 2 out of 5) or on upper floors without an elevator. A ground-level home with a garden in a rural or suburban area is ideal – not least because you'll hardly be able to carry a 50-kilo male up the stairs if he's ill.
Your checklist for the first conversation with the breeder
Take your time on site before you buy and check documents and living conditions carefully. These points belong on your list when you visit the breeder:
- See the official joint results: Ask to see the evaluated X-ray results for hip dysplasia (HD) and elbow dysplasia (ED) of both parents in the original.
- Genomic tests and ancestor longevity: Ask specifically for the results of genomic testing (e.g. for degenerative myelopathy) and ask for documentation of the ages and causes of death of the grandparents and great-grandparents in the pedigree.
- Ask about the health of the line: Ask openly whether any cases of histiocytosis, familial nephropathy, epilepsy, meningitis or heart disease such as aortic stenosis are known among the relatives.
- Check the mother and the rearing area: Make sure the mother is steady, friendly and free of lameness. The puppies must grow up on non-slip floors, which is essential for healthy joint development from the very first weeks of life.
- Vaccination record and feeding: Check the records for microchip, deworming and age-appropriate vaccinations, and ask for a plan for slow, growth-friendly feeding of the young dog.
On HonestDog, a breeder profile only goes live once the breeder has completed sign-up: an identity check with ID and selfie, proof of club membership or a §11 permit (the breeding license under Germany's Animal Welfare Act) where applicable, a knowledge test on breeding and animal welfare, and agreement to the HonestDog breeding standards, which among other things rule out breeding with extreme-breeding traits. Health tests of the parent dogs that breeders upload are shown right on the profile; ask to see the original results when you visit. Your next step: compare the profiles of Bernese Mountain Dog breeders on HonestDog, look at the health records they've uploaded and ask directly about the next litter.
