The Bernese Mountain Dog is a powerful and strikingly beautiful breed. It is built for work and has an adoring, affectionate nature. The Bernese is an enormous worker standing over 27 inches tall at the shoulder. They have a tri-coloured coat with distinctive markings and deep, dark eyes. They are highly intelligent dogs, and their large size makes them suitable for families, apartments, and the working environment.
Breed characteristics
The Bernese Shepherd inherited strong work instincts from its parent lines, so training is necessary. This breed of dog will protect its family and is loyal to its master, but it can be protective and friendly when required. The breed also has great balance, which means that they will be great guard dogs or guardians. However, the size of the Bernese Shepherd will cause it to be less suited for apartment living.
The Bernese Mountain Dog inherits the double coat of its parent breeds, which provides the dog with a layer of protection in cold weather. These dogs are also known for their high energy level. Although there is no documented history of this hybrid breed, it is important to study both parent breeds thoroughly to understand how they affect the other. It’s also important to consider the temperaments of each Bernese Mountain Dog, which are prone to behavioural problems.
Lifespan
The Bernese Mountain Dog and the German Shepherd mix are excellent choices for active families and children. These two breeds have different temperaments and should be properly socialized and trained before being brought into a family. Besides being good with children and dogs, the German Shepherd is known for its intelligence and can be trained to serve a specialized purpose. Without proper care, this breed can be very high-strung.
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A bred Bernese/German Shepherd mix can have a life span of up to 11 years. The lifespan varies from individual to individual, but most can live for over twelve years. The Bernese is a medium-sized dog, while the German Shepherd is a large, muscular breed. The average size of a Bernese Mountain dog is twenty to thirty-two inches at the withers, and males can weigh between 80 and 100 pounds. The Bernese Mountain Dog and German Shepherd mix are medium-sized dogs. The breeds have thick coats and may require daily grooming.
Health issues
There are various health issues that a Bernese Mountain Dog or a German Shepherd mix may encounter. Whether it’s genetics, environment, or both, the Berners tend to have a high risk for some types of degenerative disease. Other common conditions include Hip Dysplasia and cancer.
The club’s research team conducted a study in which they assessed the prevalence of diseases in purebred BMDs born between 2001 and 2002. The study also involved contacting the owners of the other 206 BMDs. Of the 402 dogs in the study, only seven were diagnosed with cancer.
Exercise needs
A Bernese Mountain Dog can be highly active and needs at least 60 minutes of exercise each day. This breed’s parents were farm working dogs, so exercise should be intense and vigorous. Activities such as long walks through the mountains or games of fetch should be incorporated into your Bernese’s routine. Agility training is also recommended, but you should only begin this activity with an adult dog.
A Bernese Mountain Dog can be trained to stay on command, but it can also become a guard dog if they aren’t properly socialized. While this dog is relatively easy to train, it does require daily exercise to maintain its healthy weight. A Berner can get bored easily and be prone to behaviour problems.
Colours and markings
The colours and markings of the Bernedore mountain dog are distinctive yet not dissimilar from those of other dogs. This heavy-bodied mountain dog is a dark-coloured mix of black, white, and tan. The tan or rust marks appear along the sides of the mouth, over each eye, and on the front of the legs. Some dogs have small tan spots on the chest. The white markings are symmetrical, forming a horseshoe shape along the muzzle and under each eye.
Other common features of this breed include a white blaze on the chest. The white must not extend higher than the pasterns. Deviations from these descriptions are faulted in proportion to the extent of the deviation. For example, a white leg is a serious defect. A white-collar is disqualifying. The Bernese is also disqualified if the ground colour is anything but black. Genetics and heritability are important factors to consider when breeding a Bernese-German shepherd mix.
Socialization
While these two breeds are generally friendly, they will need plenty of attention and training. Without proper socialization, these dogs can be timid and develop aggressive tendencies. To help prevent this behaviour, it’s important to take the time to socialize your new dog early.
Getting your Bernese Mountain Dog mixed with a German Shepherd can benefit you in more ways than one. While both of these breeds are friendly and intelligent, they also have very different personalities. Because of this, proper socialization is important for the future of both breeds.