Is a Bernese right for you?
Whilst we absolutely love Bernese and think they are the best breed in the world after consuming our lives for the last 40 years we also appreciate the breed is not right for everyone and they are a big commitment so a decision to have a Bernese needs to be well researched and planned.
In this section we will cover the realities of living with a Bernese and some of the key thing’s families will need to consider. Many people will tell you how wonderful Bernese are (and they definitely are very special) but it is important to have a balanced perspective and awareness of the challenges and lifestyle changes the breed will require of new owners.
1. Size
Bernese are a large breed and there is no getting away from the fact they take up a big space in your home and car. Males typically weigh between 50-60kg and females typically between 42-50kg.
Whilst Bernese are often referred to as gentle giants, without the right training from puppyhood it is not uncommon for owners to struggle with circa 50kg of out-of-control dog (pulling, jumping etc) and due to their sheer size can be difficult to manage. Bernese are a multipurpose working farm dog, built for draft work and we have seen many an owner struggle to hold onto them if they decided to pull as they are a powerful strong breed.
Obviously the above is completely avoidable if consistent training is in place from the very beginning.
2. Living Environment
Firstly, to own a Bernese it is not about having a big house and large garden. A moderate sized home and garden is sufficient as long as the dog gets exercised daily outside of this environment. More importantly than the size of the garden is the security of it and gardens need to be private and fully fenced (minimum 5ft, ideally 6ft) with secure gates.
Before considering a Bernese, it is important to look at the layout of your home:
Steps - We do not recommend Bernese puppies going to homes with unavoidable stairs/steps (such as non-ground floor flat, town houses with first floor living accommodation, multiple steep steps into the house or garden etc). Bernese puppies grow very fast and it is not possible to carry them up and down stairs beyond 10 weeks. The impact of going up and down steps on their developing joints can cause significant issues and injury. We advise that Bernese puppies are not allowed to use steps until they are fully mature. We have explained this how this impacts the joints in the ‘Nature vs Nurture’ section.
Floors – For the same reasons as discussed with steps the types of flooring can cause injuries to developing puppies. Thought needs to be given to the floors you have in your house and particularly, wooden, tiled, laminate, lino floors and whether additional nonslip mats may be required.
Layout – Bernese are family dogs and like to be with you, so it would not be a suitable breed if you intend to keep them in a kennel or confine them to one room.
Garden – whilst not particularly Bernese related it is worth noting that there are quite a lot of common plants that are toxic to dogs and if you have these in your garden they may need to be removed. Likewise, bitch’s urine often leaves brown patches on the lawn and males can wee up your patio furniture, plants etc. It’s also worth us commenting here about the mud in winter. Our garden in winter becomes a mud bath many people are now using astro-turf to try and prevent this. That said, astroturf comes with its own issues including a need for good drainage and concerns over high temperatures (compared to real grass) in warm weather.
Car – The highway code sets out that legally your dog should be secured when transported in the car (see link for more info). Before embarking on a Bernese, it is essential to consider your vehicle some things to note are:
Boot space: Bernese require room to sit, stand and lay in a boot. If you have family items that normally travel there it is worth thinking about where these will go (roof box etc)
Access to boot: for the same reasons as given about steps bernese puppies should not be jumping in and out of a car boot. In instances where the boot is high (4x4’s) a dog ramp will be required to aid them getting in and out.
Breakdown cover: not all breakdown companies will take dogs, let alone large dogs, so a plan will need to be considered for such emergency situations.
3. Grooming
Bernese have a dense double coat, which whilst beautiful takes care to maintain. Bernese tend to have several big moults a year where they drop most of their coat and it gets everywhere, including places the dogs do not go! On a daily basis outside of the moulting period Bernese can still lose a little hair but nothing like the moulting weeks.
Coat requires daily brushing and ideally Bernese should have a full groom every 4-8 weeks (depending on coat condition and thickness). A Bernese coat should not be shaved and cutting brushes like Furminators severely damage the double coat and should not be used.
It is worth noting that due to their coats when they get wet and muddy it can take a long time for them to dry naturally and leaves your house damp, dirty with an eau de dog. Even when not wet dust from the coats is a constant occurrence. It is important to ensure Bernese are fully dry to help reduce the instances of hot spots.
4. Temperament
A Bernese should be ‘self-confident, good-natured, friendly and fearless. Aggressiveness must not be tolerated’. This is what makes them the ultimate family dog and friendly with people and dogs. However just because this is the expectation and standard does not mean all Bernese are like this and unfortunately it is becoming more common to see Bernese with a shy and nervous disposition. Bernese are a sensitive breed and care needs to be taken with training and developing confidence. They are loyal and loving and it is not uncommon for them to suffer with separation anxiety so from a young age it is essential that boundaries are set.
5. Exercise
An adult Bernese ideally needs a minimum of 1 hour of exercise a day. However, Bernese puppies need incremental exercise growing up (please see our Nature vs Nurture section). Despite the fact they are a large breed they should still be physically fit and once skeletally mature should be able to enjoy good walks at a steady pace. They are not the right breed for people looking for a running companion or accompanying them alongside a horse etc.
Regarding exercise Bernese puppies need special care and protection during their growing phase to help prevent injury and it is important to recognise that you (or friends and family) may have other dogs that would like to run, chase and rough play which is not appropriate for a Bernese puppy and thought needs to be taken as to how you will be able to restrict and manage this.
6. Day Care
Bernese are not a breed to be left for long periods of time and therefore this needs to be a key consideration for families who work. A bored Bernese will be an unhappy Bernese, and this can often result in destructive behaviour. Bernese form strong bonds with people and therefore are more susceptible to suffer from separation anxiety and don’t enjoy being without company for long extended periods of time, especially when young.
Whilst there are lots of care options available for those who work, we do not recommend doggy day care where there are lots of dogs free playing as a good option for a young developing Bernese. Just as we have emphasised in the Exercise point above, they are a fast-growing breed and need special care and attention with exercise and play to support them when growing and in many cases doggy day care does not provide this.
7. Finance
Puppy price varies from breeder to breeder but it is important to acknowledge price is not a direct sign of quality. In terms of finding a breeder please read both the ‘Health’ and ‘Finding a Breeder’ sections on our website.
Bernese are an expensive breed to own, below we have broken out some of associated costs to be aware of:
Insurance: We always recommend people insure their Bernese on the best policy you can afford. As a minimum we insist our puppy owners have a lifetime policy up to £10k per year for at least the first year to support them through the growing and developing phase. Bernese are the second most expensive breed to insure and often starts off at £50 - £60 per month but by the 3rd/4th year can go up to over £100-£150 dependent on the level of cover. Always know what your insurance excess is and ensure you have this money available.
Food: Whether you choose to feed raw or a good quality complete food it is still a significant cost that should be considered as it can cost anywhere from £4 - £10 a day for a growing puppy. Which at the lower end is circa £120 a month. When reaching 9-12 months the amount of food you feed will drop significantly as their growing slows, therefore the food bill will decrease also.
Grooming: For an adult Bernese to be groomed professionally it can cost anything between £40-£80. This is potentially another monthly cost. However with regular brushing the frequency can be extended and for a small investment in a dog dryer and a bit of training they can be easily done at home at minimal cost.
Items and Consumables: Because they are a large breed everything costs more than buying things for a ‘standard’ dog e.g., treats, dog coats, beds, poo bags, dishes, large chew toys (eg antlers, Kong’s, bulls horns etc), cool coats, drying coats, large toys, collars & leads, medication (e.g. worming), supplements etc. Most of these items will be bought on the arrival of the puppy or throughout their growing periods which requires significant investment, however aside from the initial cost we would recommend budgeting £25 a month on average to allow for replacements.
Training: Puppy training classes are essential but can be expensive often £60-£100 for a 6-week course (1 hour a week) and then up to £50 an hour for private 1-2-1 training if needed. Proactive training is usually much cheaper then requiring specific and sometimes lengthy training in the event an issue arises.
8. Health
All breeds of dogs can be affected by general and breed related health conditions. However, more specific to Bernese are hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, Bloat, Cruciate ligament damage to name a few. Sadly about 70% of reported Bernese deaths are cancer related.
Whilst some Bernese live to double figures (10-12 years) the breeds general life expectancy is circa 7-8 years. Losing any pet is emotionally difficult and it is important that new owners are prepared for this. In recent years there has been lots of developments in the testing for genetic diseases, please read the ‘health’ section for more information on these conditions and tests.
9. Availability
If you feel a Bernese is the right breed for you, we suggest reading our ‘Finding a Breeder’ section for more information on the process.
It is common to have to wait for a puppy from a reputable breeder who health tests both parents, KC registers the puppies, raises the puppies in a home environment and stays in touch with owners and provides necessary support. Sometimes you can get really lucky and a puppy could be available straight away but its better to be prepared for a wait and if things happen sooner its an added bonus!
Whilst we will happily talk to people all day about how wonderful and special Bernese are and why they have taken over our lives for the last 40 years it would be unrepresentative and irresponsible to not give a balanced perspective. Please don’t see the above information as negative, for us they are truly the best breed in the world but as breeders and dedicated breed enthusiasts we would prefer prospective owners to have the information to not only know about their qualities but also the potential challenges and lifestyle adjustments needed.
We have included lots of other helpful information on this website and if you feel a Bernese is the right breed for you, we encourage you to work through the content.