(AKC Working Group)
Size: Large.
Weight: 90 to 120 pounds (male); 80 to 105 (female).
Availability: May take some effort to find.
UTILIZATION : Originally used as a guard-, draught-and cattle dog
on farms in the Canton Bern, today also family dog and versatile
working dog.
BRIEF HISTORICAL SUMMARY : The Bernese Mountain Dog is
a farm dog of ancestral origin which was used as a guard and draught
dog and for driving cattle in the prealpine regions and in the midland
areas around Bern. Originally he was named “Dürrbächler†according
to the name of the hamlet and of the inn of Dürrbach, near Riggisberg
in the Canton Bern where these long-haired tricoloured farm dogs
were especially numerous. In 1902, 1904 and 1907 specimen of this
breed had already been exhibited at dog shows, and in 1907 some
breeders of the region of Burgdorf decided to promote the pure
breeding of these dogs by founding the “Schweizerischer Dürrbach-
Klubâ€, and fixing the characteristic traits of the breed. In 1910, at a
show in Burgdorf where many farmers of that region brought their
Dürrbächler dogs to, already 107 specimen were shown. From that
day onward this dog, renamed “Bernese Mountain Dog†following the
example of the other breeds of Swiss Mountain Dogs, became rapidly
appreciated all over Switzerland and in the neighbouring parts of
Germany. Today the Bernese Mountain Dog is well known and
appreciated all over the world as a family dog thanks to its striking
tricoloured coat and its great adaptability.
agile working dog, of above medium size, with sturdily built limbs;
harmonious and well balanced.
IMPORTANT PROPORTIONS :
• Height at withers : length of body (measured from the point of
the shoulder to the point of the buttock) = 9 : 10, rather
compact than elongated.
• Ideal relation of height at withers : depth of chest = 2 : 1.
vigilant, fearless in every day situations; good-natured and devoted to
his own people, self-assured and placid towards strangers ; of medium
temperament, docile.
massive.
CRANIAL REGION :
Skull : Viewed from the front and in profile little rounded. Frontal
furrow hardly marked.
Stop : Well defined, but without being too pronounced.
FACIAL REGION :
Nose : Black.
Muzzle : Strong, of medium length; nasal bridge straight.
Lips : Close fitting; black.
Jaws/Teeth : Strong, complete scissor bite (molars 3 (M3) are not
taken into consideration). Pincer bite accepted.
Eyes : Dark brown, almond-shaped, with close fitting eyelids.
Neither too deep-set nor prominent. Loose eyelids are faulty.
Ears : Medium-sized, set high, triangular in shape, slightly rounded at
the tips, in repose hanging flat and close to the head. When alert, the
rear part of the set-on is raised while the front edge of the ear remains
close to the head.
NECK : Strong, muscular, of medium length.
BODY :
Topline : From the neck running slightly downwards to the withers in
a harmonious line, then running on straight and level.
Back : Firm, straight and level.
Loins : Broad and strong; seen from above slightly less broad than the
chest.
Croup : Smoothly rounded.
Chest : Broad and deep, reaching to the elbows; forechest distinctly
developed; ribcage of wide-oval section extending as well back as
possible.
Underline/belly : Slightly rising from chest to hindquarters.
TAIL : Bushy, reaching at least to the hocks; hanging straight down
when at rest; carried level with back or slightly above when moving.
LIMBS : Strong bones.
FOREQUARTERS : Forelegs seen from the front straight and
parallel, standing rather wide apart.
Shoulders : Shoulder blade long, strong and well laid back, forming a
not too obtuse angle with the upper arm, well attached to the chest,
well muscled.
Upper arm : Long, set oblique.
Elbows : Close fitting; neither turned in nor out.
Forearm : Strong, straight.
Pastern : Seen from the side almost upright, firm; seen from the front
in straight line with the forearm.
Forefeet : Short, roundish; with well-knit, well-arched toes. Turned
neither in nor out.
HINDQUARTERS : Seen from the rear straight and parallel, not too
close.
Upper thigh : Long, broad, strong and well muscled.
Stifle : Distinctly well bent.
Lower thigh : Long and oblique.
Hock joint : Strong, well angulated.
Metatarsus : Set almost vertically. Dewclaws to be removed (except
in those countries where it is prohibited by law).
Hind feet : Slightly less arched than forefeet, turned neither in nor out.
GAIT / MOVEMENT : Sound and balanced movement in all gaits
covering a lot of ground; free stride reaching well out in front, with
good drive from behind; at the trot, coming and going, legs moving
forward in a straight line.
COAT
HAIR : Long, shining, straight or slightly wavy.
COLOR : Jet black main colour with rich tan markings on the
cheeks, above the eyes, on all four legs and on the chest, and with
white markings as follows :
• Clean white symmetrical markings on the head : blaze
extending towards the nose on both sides to a muzzle band;
the blaze should not reach the tan markings above the eyes,
and the white muzzle band should not extend beyond the
corners of the mouth.
• Moderately broad, unbroken white marking on throat and
chest.
• Desirable : white feet,
white tip of tail.
• Tolerated : small white patch on nape of neck,
small white anal patch.
SIZE :
Height at withers : for dogs : 64-70 cm,
ideal size : 66-68 cm.
for bitches : 58-66 cm,
ideal size : 60-63 cm.