Great Bernese Breed Information & Characteristics

Unfortunately, the Great Bernese is not hypoallergenic, making it not a good choice for a dog lover who suffers from pet allergies.

Intelligent
Confident
Affectionate
Patient
Loyal
Gentle
Strong
Willed
Fearless
Faithful

Great Bernese dogs are heavy shedders, they will lose a significant amount of hair each year. To decrease the amount of shedding, you can regularly brush your Great Bernese. This will remove loose hair and keep his coat growing in the same direction.

Great Berneses are very good watchdogs. They are a vocal breed, and are wary of outsiders, so if someone approaches your home or aims to intrude, the Great Bernese is going to make sure everyone knows about it.

Great Bernese and Great Pyrenees

ACHC = American Canine Hybrid Club
DRA = Dog Registry of America, Inc.
IDCR = International Designer Canine Registry®

Mid 1900s

Brown

Black

Black
White
Brown
Gray
Red

The coat of a Great Bernese is longer than that of the typical dog.

Straight

A Great Bernese can have a litter of 6-9 puppies on average. However, it's worth noting that the size of the litters can vary greatly. Factors that can influence litter size include the health of the mother, breeding history, and genetics.

The adaptability of Great Bernese dogs is a well-known trait, they are known for being able to adjust well to different living environments and lifestyle changes.

The Great Bernese is a very healthy breed, with little need for frequent vet visits. However, it's important to keep an eye on their health and have them checked by a veterinarian when needed.

Bloat
Histicytosis
Addison's Disease
Meningitis
Joint conditions

Entropion
Cataracts
Epilepsy
Cerebellar Abiotrophy
Kidney Problems
Color Dilution Alopecia
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)

Biopsy
Electrocardiogram
Spinal Tap
Internal Imaging (x-ray, CT scan, MRI, etc.)
Blood And Urine Analysis
Blood and Urine Tests
Neurological Testing
Orthopedic Exam
Ocular Exam
Skin and Hair Exams

For those who lead a balanced lifestyle, Great Berneses may be a good choice as they have an average energy level.

Great Bernese have above average social needs compared to other breeds.They thrive in environments where they have a lot of interaction with humans and other dogs.

The Great Bernese dog requires a moderate amount of physical activity to maintain a healthy lifestyle. These breeds are ideal for people who have a moderate amount of time to devote to their pet and enjoy regular physical activity themselves. They also make great family pets as they have the energy to keep up with children and the temperament to be great companions.

Great Berneses dogs are tend to sleep less than other breeds, but they still require adequate sleep to maintain good health.

Great Berneses tend to bark moderately, they bark when necessary, such as to alert their owner or to communicate something. They may also bark due to certain triggers like fear, alarm, boredom, greeting, separation anxiety and compulsive barking.

Playfulness, Cuddling, Walking, Lounging, Fetch, Tug-of-war, Walks, Chase, Naps, Morning runs, Long walks, Going for walks, Swim, Walk, Snuggling, Play dates w bf, Car rides, Cuddles, Walking trails, Camping, Hiking, Swimming

Great Berneses are medium-energy dogs and typically enjoy socializing and playing casual or even sustained games of chase with other dogs. They may also have occasional periods of barking or racing around the house.

There's really no limit to how far you walk your dog as long as they're comfortable. For Great Bernese, it's at least 11 miles / week. Just remember to build distance and stamina gradually over time.

In general most Great Berneses usually need at least 45 minutes of exercise daily. This can be spread across the day and include all sorts of high-energy activities, like walking, running and playing.

The Great Bernese is a breed of dog that requires an average amount of grooming effort.

Ideally, Great Bernese should be brushed at least 2 or 3 times a week (preferably daily) improve shedding.

Pin Brush
Slicker Brush
Dematter
Nail Clipper

For an average 85-115 pound (39 - 52 kg) Great Bernese feed 4 cups daily. But, keep in mind, the amount you feed is going to be dependent on the quality of the food you are feeding.

The average cost of a Great Bernese is somewhere $3.90 - $4.20 per day.

The average per month expenses of a Great Bernese is between $112 - $126. This makes an average of $1344 - $1512 per year. It will be on the higher side when the dog is still small because it will need more frequent visits to the vet, shots.

Great Berneses has average obedience intelligence. But, they're also independent thinkers. The Great Bernese is a breed with an exceptionally high IQ and may get into mischief if left to their own devices.

This dog breed is more sensitive than others and easily overwhelmed by new surroundings and people. They need gentle handling and a calm, stable home environment with positive reinforcement training.

It's not recommended to keep the Great Bernese in an apartment, but this breed make good apartment dogs as long as they get to spend a good amount of time outside of the apartment. Great Berneses living in apartments will need plenty of physical exercise and stimulation throughout the day to remain happy and well-behaved.

Great Berneses are kid-friendly dogs. They are good with children and excellent dogs with children if they are socialized and trained at a young age.

Great Berneses are one of the best dogs for cats. They're accept cats readily as part of the family. However, this dog breed should be trained to not chase after the kitty early on

Great Berneses are average friendly towards other dogs. If they are raised with other dogs, they are likely to get along with them. And, if they are socialized properly from a young age, they will usually be great with other dogs.

Great Berneses are average friendly around strangers. They can be wary around strangers and a little standoffish. Early socialisation is key.

Great Berneses have an average level of playfulness. The Great Berneses, like other dogs, like to play. But they are not the most playful dog breed.

Great Bernese dogs are known for their ease of training and ability to learn quickly, making them a popular choice for pet owners and trainers alike.