This is a relatively short lifespan compared to other breeds. Purposeful Activity (see exercise ideas below). Monitor your Bernese on the walk. Summary – Bernese Mountain Dog Exercise Needs How much exercise does a Bernese Mountain Dog need Being a working breed the Bernese Mountain dog is relatively high energy and require a minimum of 30 minutes to an hour of exercise and activity every day. In addition to the daily walk, your Bernese Mountain Dog will require other purposeful activity and free play. While some Berner bitches breed naturally and free whelp litters of puppies, owners have encountered difficulty with getting bitches to stand for breeding, and faced problems with their bitches' successfully bringing healthy litters to full term. They are a great choice for first-time dog owners, but they do need to be given lots of daily exercises as well as mental stimulation to be truly happy, well-balanced characters. amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "manual"; Instead of feeding them from a bowl, give them activities that require them to work for their food. The daily walk is essential for a Bernese Mountain Dog not only to release some pent-up energy. This should include a daily walk, additional purposeful activity, and free play and mental stimulation. Monitor your Bernese puppy on the walk for signs such as lagging behind, lying down or panting. AKC Group: Working 2. Answer: The Bernese Mountain Dog is a working breed. 1. Overly strenuous walks are not necessary and in fact, could possibly cause harm. They can be prone to being overweight or even obese without a good diet and energy-burning activity. The average male Bernese dog weighs 80-115 lbs with a height of 25 – 27.5 inches, while the female Bernese is 23-26 inch tall and weighs 70 – 90 lbs. If they are not provided the opportunity to challenge their minds they will come up with their own ways to achieve this. Barkercise  is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and other affliate programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com and other sites. Also, start to train the puppy how to walk on a leash. The Bernese Mountain Dog was originally bred as a working farm dog from Switzerland. The Bernese Mountain Dog was bred for the cold weather and has a thick coat for this purpose. Start at the bottom of the stairs and have your dog “stay”. Chewing is a great way to occupy them. How much exercise does a Bernese Mountain Dog puppy need? Puppies under three months probably haven’t had all their vaccinations so shouldn’t be walked in public. Required fields are marked *. It is not necessary to have too much weight in the cart. The Bernese is an extremely handsome dog with their lovely tricolor coats which is one of their defining physical traits. Then we should consider the size of the Bernese mountain dog because you know what they say – size always matters. For a guide to calculate if your dog is overweight see here.eval(ez_write_tag([[580,400],'barkercise_com-box-3','ezslot_2',108,'0','0'])); There are three main types of exercise and activity you must provide your Bernese Mountain Dog every day. The Bernese Mountain Dog and many of the deep-chested large breed dogs are prone to bloat or torsion. It is recommended that no more than 10% of their body weight be added. This breed has varying exercise requirements, she says, with some needing 30 minutes per day, but others need much more. Life Expectancy: 7–10 yearsThe Bernese Mountain Dog (a.k.a. amzn_assoc_asins = "B017DCFUNO"; There are affiliate links in this post. The Bernese Mountain dog is very social and enjoys both human company and the companionship of other dogs and pets. Bernese Mountain Dog Club of Northeastern Illinois (Illinois) This organization serves the Northern … You probably don’t want your dog digging up your yard or garden or even your carpet. Do Bernese mountain dogs need a lot of exercise? Most Bernese Mountain Dogs are friendly with other dogs and love social activity with them. The best exercise for a young puppy is free play with age-appropriate toys. Yes, the Bernese Mountain Dog sheds more than average, hence they are not recommended as pets for those who are allergic to dogs or dislikes shedding. Bred for cold weather, they love playing and exercising in the snow. Bernese dog ares have high energy and stamina, but they also need mental stimulation. Around 10% of their body weight is more than sufficient for a good workout.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'barkercise_com-banner-1','ezslot_7',112,'0','0'])); If you are going to do pulling with your Bernese it is crucial to use a correct harness. Bernese Mountain Dogs are not recommended for apartment life. Have them return down the stairs at a slower pace to avoid injury. As a dog gets older they become less active and have lower energy levels. Because of their thick coats they are sensitive to the heat and would much rather be in cold temperatures. This makes for a fun game for both your dog and you. Hot weather is another story. A minimum of 30 to 60 minutes of exercise a day is recommended. Any exercises together, free play, long walks and mental games are needed for your intelligent furry friend. They need a moderate amount of exercise such as a daily walk. These are designed to spread the weight evenly over their bodies to avoid injury. Their duties were to herd cattle, pull carts and to be watchdogs. View a correct pulling harness here on Amazon. daily food consumption 3 to 4 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals. They also need to be given lots of mental stimulation because keeping their minds busy will fend off the chance of boredom setting in. Learn more about the Bernese Mountain Dog. The Bernese mountain dogs were bred as … The walk allows your Bernese to stimulate the mind with the sights, sounds and smells they come across. As a dog gets older they become less active and have lower energy levels. Apart from the GoBone, there are a couple of similar chase toys also available including the Wicked Bone and the PetGeek Play Bone. This is not only great to burn energy and stimulate their mind, but teaches them important social skills. 60-90 minutes of exercise is recommended to keep your Bernese healthy. Well, puppies are always little balls of energy, and Bernese puppies are no exception, especially since they mature slowly. amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon"; The Bernese Mountain Dog Club of Great Britain suggests up to one hour of activity per day. They can sometimes be slow to learn, so patience is very important when training this breed. Also, provide a cool and shady place for your dog outside or consider fans and air-conditioning. Just touch the GoBone and it will keep your dog entertained for up to 8 hours. To make it even better for your dog you can place treats inside the wheels. It prefers to be around people and to be part of their activities and daily routine. The walk can be just once a day, or two walks a day would be better if your schedule allows. Top 5 Apartment-Friendly Dog Breeds Helpful articles for dog owners wanting answers to questions and tips  for exercising their dog. Check out “Top puzzle toys for dogs” for my top picks. Can Bernese Mountain Dogs Be Apartment Dogs? To keep your Bernese mountain dog in good shape, it requires at least 30 minutes of daily exercise. If the puppy is tired and lies down to rest, you should let them rest. The Bernese Mountain Dog drools quite a lot, so if you dislike being covered by slobber spots on your clothes, you may want to choose another dog breed. To find the answer, we should look at the history of the Bernese mountain dog. The Bernese dog is a working dog, who loves physical exercise although he is not a runner. Like most dogs, the Bernese Mountain Dog responds well with a lot of positive reinforcement from treats. Bernese Mountain Dogs need at least an hour of exercise every day. The general rule of thumb for walking a puppy is around 5 minutes for every month of age. If you are a human, do not fill in this field. If they are lagging behind or panting excessively you should cut the walk short. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Bernese Mountain Dogs are a large breed so realistically they need a large space. Despite their appearance as big, cuddly bears, Bernese Mountain Dogs actually do require a lot of activity to be happy. To learn more about the various options see Dog toys that move on their own. Playing scenting and nose games helps to provide mental stimulation. Read “How to exercise an arthritic dog” to learn more. See the bottom of this post for more on exercising an older Bernese Mountain Dog. The puppy should walk/play as long as they want, but not more than that. Many dogs hold stress in the jaw. Your email address will not be published. amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "manual"; The exercise needs of a puppy are different as they are still growing. They might run after the ball, but most aren’t very interested in bringing it back. For this reason, it is important not to feed your Bernese too soon before or after a walk or exercise.eval(ez_write_tag([[580,400],'barkercise_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_3',109,'0','0'])); Bloat is a digestive issue that causes a dog’s stomach to fill with gases blowing up like a balloon. Too much exercise can leave them sore and stiff. They are loyal, affectionate, friendly with kids, and easy to train. This is why it’s important to not overexercise. Throw the ball to the top of the stairs and then say, “Go!” Let your dog dash up the stairs as fast as they can. These working dogs will find a job to do if one isn't providedtheir favorite task is watching over the family. To learn more about feeding enrichment for dogs see here. Don’t underestimate the daily walk even if you have a garden and your Bernie can play on their own. Berners are social by nature and dislike being left alone. Daily walks are an absolute necessity, whereby the walks should be walks and not long-distance runs or, even worse, runs by the side of a cyclist. No wonder, they are so popular nowadays. During the summer, they can easily get heat stroke, so only exercise in the early morning and late night. This is more than sufficient to tire them and strengthen their muscles without overworking them. Bernese Mountain Dog Activity Requirements. So, for example for a 4-month-old puppy, a walk of 15 minutes to 20 minutes is enough. If you live in a place that gets snow, shed pulling is also ideal and fun for you both. Weight: 80–115 pounds (male); 70–95 pounds (female) 4. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Height: 25–27.5 inches (male); 23–26 inches (female) 3. Alternatively, you can use a retractable leash or long lead to allow them more freedom while maintaining control. Environmental enrichment is the process of making a dog’s living space more engaging and interesting. The Bernese Mountain Dog (German: Berner Sennenhund) is a large-sized breed of dog, one of the four breeds of Sennenhund-type dogs from the Swiss Alps.Bred from crosses of Mastiffs and guard-type breeds, Bernese Mountain Dogs were brought to Switzerland by the Romans 2,000 years ago. How Much Exercise a Bernese Mountain Puppy Needs, Most suitable exercises for Bernese Mountain Dogs, not the kind of dogs you want to keep confined in a small apartment, [Best] Natural Food for Dogs with Sensitive Stomach, How to Figure Out What Your Dog Is Allergic To. One of my friends up there has at least two Bernese Mountain dogs at a time, and from what I've heard from her is that they're lower energy than a lot of working dogs, but they still need about an hour a day of exercise (whether that's hiking, playing, or jogging) plus mental stimulation. For great health, Berners need at least 30 minutes of exercise on a daily basis. You should take extra care to provide your dog with stimulating and engaging activities to keep it happy and healthy. Provide the opportunity for your Bernese to play with other dogs. Find out about training, behavior, and care of Labernese dogs. This can lead to behavior issues such as barking, digging, escaping and destructive behavior. The Bernese Mountain Dog can also be prone to hip and elbow dysplasia. Check with your vet when it is alright to venture out to the park or street. Bernese Mountain Dog Exercise Needs Basic Facts Appearance Temperament Playfulness Easy to Train Intelligence Watchdog Ability Barking Tendencies Lifespan Health Issues & Symptoms Grooming Needs Shedding or Not Exercise Requirements Adaptability In general, Bernese Mountain Dogs are obedient and easy to train and usually have good recall. If you leave it alone in the yard for the better part of the day, it’s likely that it’s not getting enough exercise. Exercise for them becomes a balancing act. It is important to keep their joints mobile and manage weight, but too much can make them sore. Strong muscles provide protection for the joints and tendons helping to prevent potential injury. Berners are goofy and will often r… Bernese Mountain Dogs are a fairly heavy breed, and too much exercise can put unnecessary and harmful pressure on the puppy’s bones and muscles. For more on the benefits of chewing and the best chew toys click here. Are Bernese Mountain Dogs hyper? This means that at no cost to you, Doglovely may receive a small commission if you purchase through a link. Some ways to provide mental stimulation and enrichment include; Puzzle toys are ideal for dogs like the Bernese Mountain Dog to challenge their minds and test their problem-solving skills. For more on exercise for your Bernese Mountain Dog puppy read “How to exercise your puppy”. Berners are sociable dogs that need to be with their families. The Bernese Mountain Dog comes from the Swiss Alps and is one of four separate breeds called Sennenhund or “Alpine pasture dog”. They are relatively inactive indoors and will do best with at least a large, fenced-in yard. In fact, the Bernie dog loves nothing more than to romp in the snow, dig holes, or pull sleighs with enthusiastic children. However, it is still important that they remain reasonably active to keep their joints and muscles mobile and to manage their weight. They love to nap and relax with their family as well, but would rather be outside playing, making them not the best dogs for living in apartments. Bernese Mountain Dogs need a moderate amount of exercise but at her age you do need to be careful about not overdoing it because they can have very bad joint issues. This usually manifests itself in bad behavior such as excessive barking, digging, escaping and other destructive behaviors. Ideally, the daily walk should be 30 to 45 minutes daily but more would be ok.  Every dog is an individual and some may need more or less. You can use items you have around the home, build your own agility or you can get reasonably priced agility sets on Amazon. Alternatively, you can use the app to control the GoBone yourself. If you have access to the great outdoors and some good walking trails they can make an ideal hiking partner. Turn mealtimes into an opportunity for your dog to get a mental challenge and enrichment. Don’t walk your dog at a young age too much. In addition to puzzle toys, Kongs for dogs are another great way to get your Bernese to solve a problem and challenge the mind. This is a natural instinct for many dogs and can become a problem. The life expectancy of a Bernese Mountain Dog is between 6 to 8 years of age. These groups of dogs accompanied the dairymen and herders and they were farm dogs. They are also a breed that requires long walks and at least 30 minutes of vigorous exercise per day. Read “How to use a Kong for dogs“. Read ” Dog exercise for a senior dog” to learn more. The wrong quantity and type of exercise can cause injury to a puppy with growing bones and joints. Walking up steps or a hill strengthens the rear legs as the full body weight of your dog is on each leg as the step. Why do Bernese Mountain Dogs constantly want to cuddle? How much exercise does the Bernese Mountain Dog need? Tug of war is a great strength-building game for all dogs. However, be careful to choose the right time for such activities. The  GoBone is tough and made from durable materials. Berner) is the only Swiss Mountain Dog to have a long coat. As your puppy gets older you can take them for short informal walks allowing them to sniff and explore and get used to being on a leash. For more on stair exercise for dogs see here. This will aid in burning pent up energy and keeping their muscles strong.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'barkercise_com-box-4','ezslot_6',111,'0','0'])); Here are some suggestions of ways to provide exercise and purposeful activity for your Bernese Mountain Dog. amzn_assoc_linkid = "f8817437fbe770267258bf5ad0314d3d"; Your email address will not be published. Mental Stimulation for Bernese Mountain Dogs. They love to nap and relax with their family as well, but would rather be outside playing, making them not the best dogs … This recipe features fresh deboned lamb as the main ingredient which is a novel source of protein for many dogs, making it a good option if your dog has food allergies. Moreover, don’t let your puppy pull carts or other heavy loads until it reaches two years. Your email address will not be published. They had a lot of responsibilities around the farm – they pulled carts to the market, herded cattle, and watched over the property and their owners. The Bernese Mountain Dog is a large and athletic character which means they need a good two hours’ exercise daily. Due to their high intelligence, try to find puzzle toys that are a bit more challenging as they tend to work these out quite quickly. Exercising an older dog can be a balancing act. Failure to provide to these needs can result in a bored and frustrated dog. Best Healthy & Natural Dog Treats, Nutrition for Longer Life. Provide your Bernese Mountain Dog with good strong chew toys. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Don’t expect your Bernese dog to be very enthusiastic about the “Go, fetch!” game. You can include tasks such as the weave, hurdle jumps, tunnels or jumping through hoops or a platform to jump on and stay. Bernese Mountain Dogs often times are not 'easy breeders'. 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