BERNESE MOUNTAIN DOG TEMPERAMENT AND PERSONALITY

What are the Pros of the Bernese Mountain Dog's Temperament?

There’s a reason why the Bernese Mountain Dog is such a family favourite! Better yet, this dog breed makes the ideal first dog for new owners. Breeders know their puppies well, so if you’re looking for a dog with a particular temperament, don’t hesitate to ask the breeder for advice so that they can guide you. When it comes to Bernese Mountain Dogs, there is no difference in the temperament of a male or female dog.

Affectionate

Bernese Mountain Dogs are very affectionate with their family, with whom they develop a close bond. These dogs love cuddles and strokes and aren’t shy about asking for them! Docile and kind, they get along well with children; they will patiently watch over your little ones and love to play games with them. Be careful, however, not to leave toddlers alone with an unsupervised dog. As nice as they may be, Bernese Mountain Dogs have an impressive build, and could unintentionally cause an accident.

Sociable

The Bernese Mountain Dog is the very definition of a good dog! Not at all aggressive, these are very nice doggies, who get along very well with other dogs. Bernese Mountain Dogs are not hunting dogs - they don't have any semblance of a hunting instinct and won't present any danger to your cat or exotic pet. Nevertheless, you should never leave your dog alone with a much smaller animal. Accidents can happen, even if their intention is never to cause harm. This character trait does not exempt you from socialising your pooch! Make sure they meet other dogs of all shapes and sizes, other pets like cats, children, and other people so that they learn to understand the world around them without fear.

Calm

According to the breed standard, Bernese Mountain Dogs are calm and never aggressive. They are not very athletic and, as such, prefer long naps on the sofa with their owner rather than high-intensity outdoor activities. However, this doesn’t mean they don’t need some exercise! Be sure to take your dog for a long walk of at least an hour and a half each day. They must be able to stretch their legs and sniff new scents regularly. Of course, this long walk is in addition to the shorter daily walks designed for your doggy to do their business.

Intelligent

The Bernese Mountain Dog shows remarkable intelligence in many roles: guard dog, herding dog, guide dog, and even as a search and rescue dog. This intelligence is very helpful in facilitating their training. However, dog training should always be taken seriously, even for fast-learners like the Bernese Mountain Dog! In any case, and more commonly these days, they make excellent family dogs.

What are the Cons of the Bernese Mountain Dog's Temperament?

Like all dog breeds, the Bernese Mountain Dog also has a few small flaws. And it's always better to know what you're dealing with in advance so that you can be prepared.

Barks a Lot

The Bernese Mountain Dog is a good watchdog, with an excellent protective instinct; its large size acts as a deterrent. As such, these dogs are perfectly capable of standing guard and protecting their family if they sense danger. This means, your Bernese Mountain Dog will not hesitate to bark to signify a problem. While this trait comes in handy if you’re looking for a good guard dog, it can be quite problematic if you live in an apartment with your Bernese Mountain Dog. You may risk conflicts with your neighbours. If you leave your dog alone for too long, they will likely suffer from separation anxiety or boredom, which can manifest through barking or even destructive tendencies. Remember to train your pooch to be alone for short periods to avoid this kind of inconvenience.

Slow Maturing

Like many large and giant dog breeds, Bernese Mountain Dogs reach maturity quite late. This means that they still retain an adolescent quality several months after reaching adult size. This can be relatively problematic, due to the Bernese Mountain Dog's very impressive size, which makes them quite difficult to handle. This late-blooming maturity can often be accompanied by destructive tendencies. The Bernese Mountain Dog is also an extremely sensitive dog, who is very affected by the slightest notion of violence, either physical or verbal. Favour encouragement over admonishment, and utilise positive dog training to allow your pooch to learn and grow under good conditions.

Dependent

Like many dogs, Bernese Mountain Dogs cannot stand being alone. This is a dog breed that develops a very close bond with its master, to whom it shows unfailing loyalty. Very dependent, your Bernese Mountain Dog will stick to you like glue! This is not the type of dog to run away. However, this dependency can pose problems if it goes too far. If you don’t teach your dog how to be alone for a few hours while they’re still young, you risk them developing an excessive attachment to you, which can lead to separation anxiety. Start by leaving the house for a few minutes, then gradually increase the duration you’re gone. Never leave your dog alone for more than a few hours at a time. Make sure to leave some toys to keep your pooch occupied. If you are regularly away from home for more than six hours at a time, consider adopting a different playmate.