Interesting Facts about Bernese Mountain Dogs

Country/Region of Origin: Switzerland

Life span: 7 to 10 years

Weight: 80 – 110 pounds (36 – 50 kg)

Gestation: 61 days

 

Health issues in Bernese Mountain Dogs:

• Hip and elbow dysplasia
• The most common killing disease in Bernese Mountain Dogs is cancer
• Panosteitis (a disease of the bones)
• Osteochondritis Disscans (a disease that affects the cartilage)
• Arthritis
• Degenerative Myelopathy (a disease of the spinal cord)
• Bloat/Torsion (A build-up of gases in the stomach and intestine which causes the stomach to twist)

Interesting Facts on Bernese Mountain Dogs:

 

The oldest recorded Bernese Mountain Dog lived to 15 years of age.

They originate from a region in Switzerland call Berne, hence the name.

These dogs were originally bred for pulling dairy carts and for herding cattle and sheep.

Bernese Mountain Dogs are also known by the names Berner Sennenhund and Bernese Cattle Dog.

They faced near extinction by the end of the 19th century. Due to efforts by a gentleman called Franz Schertenleib, their numbers were revived by collecting all possible specimens for a breeding program.

Due to a weak gene pool and inbreeding Bernese Mountain dogs are susceptible to a number of diseases