Being one of the major Sennenhund dog breeds, the Bernese Mountain Dog is quite large in size. It was once used as farm dogs. Its other usages included pulling carts as well. The official establishment of the breed happened in the year 1907, and it was 30 years later in 1937 when it was recognized by the American Kennel Club. The agility and strength of these dogs shows why they were so perfect as farm dogs.

The Bernese Mountain Dog is quite tall. Though normally a male would be 24 inches long, it can reach up to the height of 28 inches. Even the females are not too short as they can go up to 27 inches, just an inch shorter than the males. As far as weight is concerned, while a male can weigh between 85 to 110 pounds, the weight of the females can be between 80 to 105 pounds. However, the length of these dogs generally surpasses their height. But these dogs also have the tendency of becoming obese quite easily. That is why regular activities and a controlled and balanced diet is a must for them. They also have bloating problems, which in turn will force you to pay extra attention towards their meals.

As far as the head and muzzle of these dogs are concerned, they have a broader head that has a flat top and a straight muzzle. A Bernese Mountain Dog has a very strong muzzle, which is quite suitable for the scissors bite that its teeth can produce. The ears are triangular and medium in size. The tip of the ears is quite round in shape. The tail of a Bernese Mountain Dog remains low and is pretty bushy.

Considering the fact that these dogs were used for guarding the farm and the farm animals, they have really strong legs. The legs are quite long too. However, the broad feature and long legs make these dogs prone to elbow dysplasia and hip dysplasia, which are common ailments among athletic and active dogs.

The toes of a Bernese Mountain Dog are arched while the feet are round. Most of the times, breeders will remove the dew claw of these dogs. However, in case you buy a dog with a dew claw, all you will have to do is to take extra care of that claw, and give the nail a bit of trimming. These dogs have a pretty thick coat that is also resistant to water. The fur of the coat is usually quite thick and long, and can be either straight or a bit wavy. Generally, these dogs come in tricolors and will have markings of white, rusty, and black. While the primary color of the dog is black, its chest has prominent white furs. Even its toes, tail tips, and head have white marks. You will also notice the rusty color above the eyes, on the legs, on both sides of the chest, and just under its tail.

Undoubtedly, Bernese Mountain Dog is one of the smartest and active dogs that can be your lifelong companion.