Illustrated Commentary of Bernese Mountain Dogs PDF

The Bernese Mountain Dog ~ An Illustrated Commentary on the Breed Standard
The"Berner" breed was developed by Swiss farmers. The dogs were originally kept for their ability
to serve the farmers' need for a reliable, multipurpose farm dog. Historical photographs of the
breed show us the 'roots' of present day Bernese. Throughout the breed's history and in present
day, owners and breeders have appreciated the gentle nature and working capabilities of Berners.
Bernese have been the subject of paintings and have been written about in books. Some Berner art
from the mid 20th century depicts the environment in which the ancestors of today's Bernese lived
and the kinds of work the dogs were expected to do.
Experiencing the exceptional human understanding that is typically seen in Bernese has drawn
devoted individuals to the breed. Owners' and breeders' understanding of the Breed Standard can
serve the task of preserving the breed's finest qualities and protecting the best interests of Bernese
Mountain Dogs.
The breed standard identifies traits of the BMD. This commentary on the official Standard of the
BMD is written to identify the traits of the BMD which distinguish it from other breeds. In order to
preserve the distinguishing traits of the BMD, it is necessary to identify what they are.
Each Bernese Mountain Dog is completely unique; yet each bears similar traits to all others. It is
important for each dog to not only be valued by its people, but to feel this value. With all their
variations, many Berners fulfill the breed's most important function, and that is bringing joy to
people's lives. Perhaps the breed’s development as an all purpose working farm dog and
companion explains why Bernese can serve different owners well. Owners have about as many
ideas about desirable traits of the companion dog as Bernese have traits to meet owners'
expectations. By filling the various roles of the companion animal, many members of the breed
represent the 'perfect' Bernese for their owners.
Please enjoy exploring the Bernese Mountain Dog.
*The Official AKC Standard for the Bernese Mountain Dog is shown in italicized underlined text
on the Illustrated Commentary pages.
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The Bernese Mountain Dog ~ An Illustrated Commentary on the Breed Standard
Bernese Mountain Dog history
In the area surrounding the canton of Bern, Switzerland, dogs that came to be known as Bernese
Mountain Dogs were required to be versatile companions. Farm families living in remote areas made
good use of dogs large enough to be respected by strangers and reliable when working with livestock.
Dogs served as watchdogs around farms, cattle drovers, draft dogs, and companions for the alpine
herdsmen. A dog capable of serving his master well was strong, obedient, self-reliant, and fearless - able
to apply good judgment and react appropriately in any situation. The dogs pictured here lived during
the early and mid 20th century. Their blood lives on in the Bernese we appreciate today.
Max vom Oberaargau Bari vom Sommerhaus Rosi von der Milchstrasse Julia vom Oberaargau Netti von Burgdorf
Blass Farner Belline vom Schlachthof 2
The Bernese Mountain Dog ~ An Illustrated Commentary on the Breed Standard
Bernese Mountain Dogs in Art
Impressions of Berners from the past
Farms, mountains and the people who lived there is what the breed knew. The dogs were developed to
fit into such a place and lifestyle.
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The Bernese Mountain Dog ~ An Illustrated Commentary on the Breed Standard
Dog Parts ~ common terms & skeletal anatomy
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The Bernese Mountain Dog ~ An Illustrated Commentary on the Breed Standard
Body ~ Body Proportion
Measured at the withers, dogs are 25 to 27 inches; bitches are 23 to 26 inches. The Bernese Mountain Dog
is sturdy and balanced. He is intelligent, strong and agile enough to do the draft and droving work for
which he was used in the mountainous regions of his origin. Dogs appear masculine, while bitches are
distinctly feminine.
Sturdy bone is of great importance. The body is full.
The neck is strong, muscular and of medium length. The topline is level from the withers to the croup. The
chest is deep and capacious with well-sprung, but not barrel-shaped, ribs and brisket reaching at least to
the elbows. The back is broad and firm. The loin is strong. The croup is broad and smoothly rounded to the
tail insertion. The tail is bushy. It should he carried low when in repose. An upward swirl is permissible
when the dog is alert, but the tail may never curl or be carried over the back. The bones in the tail should
feel straight and should reach to the hock joint or below. A kink in the tail is a fault.
Though appearing square, Bernese Mountain Dogs are slightly longer in the body than they are tall.
Body length is measured from the point of the shoulder to the buttocks. Body height is measured from the
withers to the ground.
Note, there appears to be a dip
behind the withers; the rump
has more hair making it seem
Please notice the
distance from the
withers to the elbow
and the elbow to the
ground
Shows correct body proportion, correct (balanced) angulation of fore and rear quarters, correct length of tail.
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The Bernese Mountain Dog ~ An Illustrated Commentary on the Breed Standard
Forequarters
The shoulders are moderately laid back, flat-lying, well-muscled and never loose. The legs are straight and
strong and the elbows are well under the shoulder when the dog is standing. The pasterns slope very slightly. but
are never weak. Dewclaws may he removed. The feet are round and compact with well-arched toes. Front and
rear legs on each side follow through in the same plane. At increased speed, legs tend to converge toward the
center line.
Straight shoulders are often seen in Bernese. Angulation is the foundation for muscle structure. Poor shoulder angulation
does not allow for substantial muscle structure which lends strength and stability to forequarters. Angulation of the fore
quarters influences head carriage and the manner in which the neck ties in to the back. A balanced dog will have
forequarters and rear quarter’s angulation that work well together.
Good front
showing elbows
well under
shoulder
The dog belowshows a more open angle formed by the humerous and scapula.
The elbow is further towards the front of the ribs. The front of the chest is flat.
 This dog shows the
elbows are well under the
shoulder when standing.
Notice the angle formed by
the scapula and humerous.
Out at elbows ~
toes in
These two examples on the left show
front and rear legs on each side
following through in the same plane.
At increased speed their legs tend to
converge toward the center line.
 Notice the column of support is a
straight line. Observe the rear leg is
moving in the same plane as the front
leg. There is good breadth to the
front and rear quarters.
Forearms
inclined slightly ~
toed out
This dog is
moving wide in
front.
This dog is wide chested
and toes in.
Narrow chest ~
knock knees ~
toes out
Weak
pasterns ~
thin feet
Notice the chest appears
wider than the
rear quarters.
The rear legs
and front legs
are not
following
through in the
same plane.
The column of support breaks at the pastern.
This dog is elbowing
out. The
column of
support
breaks at
the elbow.
This dog has a narrow chest
and is toed out. Notice the
rear leg falls outside the
plane of front quarters
movement. The arrows show
how the column of support
breaks at elbow and pastern.
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The Bernese Mountain Dog ~ An Illustrated Commentary on the Breed Standard
Hindquarters
The thighs are broad, strong and muscular. The stifles are moderately bent
and taper smoothly into the hocks. The hocks are well let down and straight
as viewed from the rear. At increased speeds the legs converge to the center
line.
Good rear
showing hocks
straight. This is a
correct
gait.
Notice the
straight
column of
support
from hip
to foot.
Narrow rear ~
dewclaws ~
Dewclaws
should be
removed. This dog
is toed out;
notice the
direction of
the pads of
the feet.
Barrel hocks
This dog is traveling
too close; the rear
assembly is narrow.
This dog shows a
cowhocked gait.
Cowhocks limit drive
from the rear. The
arrows show areas
where the column of
support breaks.
'Going away'
This dog shows a good rear movement
sequence of steps. There is adequate breadth
across the top (hips) of the rear quarters.
Cowhocks
The hips, stifles, hocks and feet
are aligned in an efficient column
of support to provide strength and
drive. With speed the legs tend to
converge towards the center line.
Straight
angulation ~
the rear leg
should not appear straight
when viewed
from the side.
The feet are compact and
turn neither in nor out.
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The Bernese Mountain Dog ~ An Illustrated Commentary on the Breed Standard
Structure & Proportion Studies 1
The outline we see when looking at a dog is often a reflection of underlying structure and physical condition.
Bernese carry heavy coats which may mask structure. Long furnishings, heavy hair on the legs, and differing
lengths of hair occurring on various parts of the body can result in incorrect structure appearing more correct
than it actually is. Likewise a dog with correct structure might not appear that way. Dogs carrying heavy, dense
coats are sometimes mistakenly called fat; when, in fact, they are in good weight and condition. A hands on
examination and watching dogs gait offers insight into how dogs are really made.
The studies below explain a few basic structural aspects of Bernese. A dog's structure influences the kind of
work he is capable of doing. It also may determine whether or not he will remain physically sound over the
course of his life. Structural defects result in more stress on bones, joints, tendons and muscles which can
significantly limit a dog's ability to function in day to day living. Structure is inherited.
Proportions ~
Length of back
compared to
length of leg
The dog shown below has correct proportions, and good balance of fore and rear
quarter’s angulation.
The neck is of medium length and blends smoothly into the
back.
The pasterns are
moderately inclined.
The dog shown to the right is short in back and high on leg.
The hocks are perpendicular to the ground. The
dog's feet turn neither in nor out.
*How a dog is made - its proportions, length of back,
length of leg and fore and rear angulation affects the
dog's movement.
Correct proportions and angulation allow for
efficiency, agility and power when a dog gaits. Long
legs coupled with short backs and long backs coupled
with short legs are seen in some Bernese. These traits
can affect soundness and durability in the dogs that
display them.*
The dog shown to the right is long in back and low on leg.
Correct Angulation & Balance
The standard describes Bernese as sturdy and balanced, deep
chested with a flat topline. Shoulders are moderately laid back,
flat-lying, well-muscled and never loose. The thighs are broad,
strong and muscular The stifles are moderately bent and taper
smoothly into the hocks.
Bernese vary somewhat in size, substance and angulation. A well
built, balanced dog is functional and durable. Both of the dogs to
the right show substance, good balance and moderate
angulation. The first dog has slightly more angulation in fore
and rear quarters than the second dog. While the two example
Bernese differ, they represent typical structures and body styles
seen in the breed.
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The Bernese Mountain Dog ~ An Illustrated Commentary on the Breed Standard
Structure & Proportion Studies 2
Tailset
Angle of croup affects tailset.
A long pelvic bone set at the correct angle
results in a correct tailset.
Angle of croup indicated by arrows
The first dog has an incorrect croup angle
and carries his tail high, over his back . The
second dog shows a good tailset. His tail
will be carried low when in repose. It will
not be carried over his back.
The dog below is low in front
and high in rear.
Please notice how
straight shoulders
affect the tie in of
the neck to the
back. The
transition is not
smooth.
The topline inclines (slopes down,
rear to front). This type of
conformation places considerable
stress on the front end assembly.
The body's weight is shifted onto the
dog's front quarters due to
the slope of the topline.
Note the angle
of the pastern. The pasterns are
weak.
The dog shown above has straight shoulders and pasterns.
When a dog gaits, straight pasterns do not absorb the weight
of the front quarters as well as pasterns with a gentle slope.
The dog's fore and rear quarter’s angulation are not
balanced.
Short neck
The dog shown
on the right has slight
angulation of
fore and rear
quarters. The
pasterns are
straight as well.
The dog shown on the
right has a short neck.
The forequarters show
straight angulation.
These traits often occur
together in Bernese. The
elbows are not set well
under the ribcage. The
front of the chest appears
flat.
While the dog's structure is balanced, it does
not provide a framework for good muscling or
substance. A structure such as this shortens
stride. This dog will take more steps to cover
ground and tire more quickly than a dog with
moderate angulation.
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The Bernese Mountain Dog ~ An Illustrated Commentary on the Breed Standard
Side gait
The natural working gait of the Bernese Mountain Dog is a slow trot. However in keeping with his draft and
droving work, he is capable of speed and agility. There is good reach in front. Powerful drive from the rear is
transmitted through a level back.
Notice the topline is flat. The feet are traveling close to the ground. There is no wasted action.
Trot
Notice the extension of the
front leg. The leg reaches
forward and the foot is in
line with the nose.
The angles of the front and rear legs
have the same slant which indicates
balance of fore and rear angulation.
When in a trot, the dog's feet should meet underneath
the dog (just barely touch). There should not be space
between the feet when they meet under the dog nor
should the front and rear feet cross (interfere).
Examples of sidegait
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The Bernese Mountain Dog ~ An Illustrated Commentary on the Breed Standard
Eyes
The eyes are dark brown and slightly oval in shape with
close fitting eyelids. Inverted or everted eyelids are serious
faults.
Normal eye ~ Dogs do not
have lower lashes. Entropion (rolling in of the eyelids) and ectropion (rolling out
of the eyelids) are conditions caused by abnormal eye
position in relationship to the globe of the eye. An entropion
condition may cause irritation due to lids or lashes scratching
the eye or conjuntiva. Surgical correction may be required as
the condition can be extremely uncomfortable and/or
interfere with affected dog's vision. An ectropion condition
may cause irritation of the eye and surrounding tissue
because loose fitting lids act as debris catchers. Foreign
matter such as pollen and dust collecting in the eye's moist
environment can become a breeding ground for bacteria and
infection. Depending on the severity of the condition, surgical
correction may be required. Most cases of entropion and
ectropion are heritable in so far as conformation of the head,
size of orbit, size of globe and eyelid conformation are
heritable.
Inverted eyelid (entropion) usually affects lower lid, may affect
upper lid.
Everted eye (ectropion)
results in a droopy look.
 Round eyes
*Eye color in Bernese puppies under four months of age
may have a hazel or bluish cast. A practiced observer
can usually determine if a pup has a blue eye(s)
between the age of 3-4 weeks.
Progressive retinal atrophy is a heritable condition seen in a few BMD's. Cataracts, some which affect vision, some
which do not, also occur in Bernese Mountain Dogs. Eye examination by a canine ophthalmologist to determine the
eye health of Bernese used for breeding and certification of eyes by The Canine Eye Registration Foundation
(CERF) is advised.
For AKC conformation events, blue eye(s) color is a disqualification. Blue eye in Bernese has not historically been
associated with other heritable health conditions. Blue eye color has not been known to affect the dog's vision. Blue
eye color is inherited. Yellow or light brown eyes are not desirable. Round eyes are not desirable.
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The Bernese Mountain Dog ~ An Illustrated Commentary on the Breed Standard
Heads
The skull is flat on top and broad, with a slight furrow and a
well defined but no exaggerated stop. The muzzle is strong and
straight. The nose is always black. The lips are clean, as the
Bernese Mountain Dog is a dry-mouthed breed, the flews are
only slightly developed.
Male heads should appear
masculine, female heads,
feminine.
Normal head ~ ear
relaxed nothing
Very little stop ~ features too fine ~
muzzle too long for skull Berner head types differ. The bones in
the skull affect the shape of the head.
Eye placement, ear placement, muzzle
length and breadth, form and
placement of the under jaw, bite, and
the manner in which the bones of the
skull interact to form planes
Stop too steep ~ short heavy muzzle ~
loose flews
Variations
The dogs pictured here show head type variations seen in Bernese. Both relaxed ear and raised ear
representations are present in the examples. The examples show both desirable features and less desirable
features as they are described in the explanation of "Heads" in the AKC Breed Standard. Each of these dog's
facial expressions represent the most important feature Bernese Mountain Dog's possess; and that is their
fine spirit.
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The Bernese Mountain Dog ~ An Illustrated Commentary on the Breed Standard
Teeth
The teeth meet in a scissors bite. An overshot or
undershot bite is a serious fault. Dentition is
complete.
Molars
Premolars
Canines
Incisors
Incisors
Scissors bite Canines
Molars
Premolars
Even (level) bite causes
wearing of incisors ~ other
teeth aligned properly
Undershot Lower incisors
beyond upper ~ other teeth
displaced as well
Overshot ~ Upper incisors
beyond lower ~ other teeth
displaced as well
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The Bernese Mountain Dog ~ An Illustrated Commentary on the Breed Standard
Color and Markings
The breed standard describes the Bernese Mountain dog as tri-colored. The ground color is jet black. The
markings are rich rust and clear white. Symmetry of markings is desired. Rust appears over each eye, on the
cheeks reaching to at least the corner of the mouth, on each side of the chest, on all four legs, and under the tail.
There is a white blaze and muzzle band. A white marking
on the chest typically forms an inverted cross. The tip of
the tail is white. White on the feet is desired but must not
extend higher than the pasterns. Markings other than
relationship to the extent of the
deviation. White legs or a white collar
are serious faults. Any ground color
other than black is a disqualification
It is not uncommon to see markings variations. Markings
have not been observed to affect dogs' ability to function.
"Perfectly marked" is a
aesthetic consideration within
the bigger picture of virtues
that make up a Bernese
Mountain Dog. Black bands
across the chest (harnesses),
white legs, white extending
above the pastern (boots),
white patches on
the nape of the neck
(Swiss kisses),
white collars
(historically known
as Ringgis), brown
feet, freckles, and
asymmetrical
markings are seen
in Bernese.
It is important for breeders to pay attention to markings heritability
tendencies in selecting dogs for breeding. The reality is "perfectly
marked" Bernese may produce offspring that are not "perfectly
marked" and visa versa.
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The Bernese Mountain Dog ~ An Illustrated Commentary on the Breed Standard
Coat
The coat is thick, moderately long and wavy or
straight. It has a bright natural sheen. The
Bernese has a double coat. The breed was
developed to work in the alpine meadows and
snowy mountainous regions of Switzerland. The
Bernese required a coat that would protect them
from the cold and snow. The coat color is
mainly is black, so it absorbs the sun's warmth.
Many Berners choose to rest in shady areas
even on cold days. Because of their heavy, black
coats the breed is not well suited to live in
climates that are hot (over 70°) most of the
time. It requires a conscientious management
effort to keep a Bernese in a hot climate.
Coats vary, not only from dog to dog, but
depending on diet, age, the dog's environment,
and general health. Some Bernese carry
extremely dense, long coats and some sport
shorter, more open coats. Some Berner coats
are wooly, and some almost curly. The correct
Bernese coat should not hold on to dirt or trap
moisture. Extremely curly or dull looking coats
are undesirable.
Bernese Mountain Dog's shed. They also cast
(molt) their coats once or twice a year. It usually
takes about 3-6 weeks for a molt. When dogs
cast their coats, the hair may become coarse and
patchy. In some Berners, 'old' coats (just prior
to a shed) may have a reddish or sunburned
cast.
**Puppy coats are soft. Usually between 4 and 8 months
of age the puppy coat sheds out and is replaced with the
sleeker looking adult coat. Sometimes young dogs have a
moderately curly coat. Future coats may have more
relaxed waves.**
Realize that if you plan to own a Bernese, caring for the
coat will be a necessary part of caring for the dog.
Berner fur" isn't confined to
being only on the dog. Hair
finds its way onto furniture,
floors, and clothing. Regular
vacuuming to remove "Berner
fur" from the home is part of
keeping a Bernese.
If allergies are an issue, a
Bernese Mountain Dog may
not make an ideal companion.
The Bernese Mountain Dog is shown in AKC conformation events in natural coat; and undue trimming is to be
discouraged. Trimming of excess hair on feet, and either trimming or hand stripping long hair around ears is a
generally accepted practice.
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The Bernese Mountain Dog ~ An Illustrated Commentary on the Breed Standard
Facial Markings
Symmetry of Markings is desired. Rust appears over each eye, on the cheeks reaching at least to the corner of
the mouth. There is a white blaze and muzzle band.
Berner facial markings can deviate from the 'ideal'
description in the Breed Standard.
Breeder and owner focus on markings has
historically be a subject of discussion. Preferences
for dogs with less white or more white on muzzle
band and blaze seem to rest in the eye of the
observer. Blue eye color often appears on dogs with
more white, but 'perfectly' marked dogs also can
have blue eye(s).
The early breeding stock with very
little white were referred to as
"Barris". The "Blazies" had the white
blazes and chest markings we
typically see in Bernese.
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