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Great Bernese – Your Great Pyrenees Bernese Mountain Dog Mix

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The Great Bernese is a Great Pyrenees Bernese Mountain Dog mix. In this article you will learn about where the Great Bernese comes from, his temperament and health, some fun facts, and lots more!

This is a large dog that has a calm and patient personality, while at the same time being a good protector. Due to their large size and high energy levels, they need lots of space to be active.

Where Does the Great Bernese Come From?

Bernese Mountain Dogs and Great Pyrenees are both large and powerful mountain dogs with thick coats. They thrive in colder climates. They are well adapted to the rigors of farm life, which can involve protecting livestock from predators and herding sheep.

Origins of the Bernese Mountain Dog

The Bernese Mountain Dog comes from the farms and pastures of Switzerland, where he has worked for centuries. One of the great advantages of this working dog was his ability to pull many times his own weight, whether pulling a cart or sled. This dog was first brought to the United States in 1926.

Origins of the Great Pyrenees

The Great Pyrenees comes from the border between France and Spain, in the Pyrenees Mountains, where they were bred centuries ago to assist shepherds and herding dogs. Just like the Bernese Mountain Dog, the job of the Great Pyrenees was to protect and guard livestock.

Sometimes this involved patiently watching the farm animals for days at a time, and then courageously springing into action when a threat such as wolves or bears appeared.

Fun Facts About the Great Bernese

These dogs are well-known in celebrity circles. For instance, Sarah Michelle Gellar (from the television show Buffy The Vampire Slayer) has pictures posted online showing off her beautiful Bernese Mountain Dog. Other celebrity owners include Courtney Cox and William H. Macy.

The Great Pyrenees is no slouch either when it comes to celebrity pop culture. In the 1994 movie Dumb and Dumber, a Great Pyrenees shows up in the dogmobile. In the 2004 movie Finding Neverland, J. M. Barrie’s Landseer Newfoundland dog is represented by a Great Pyrenees.

Great Bernese Appearance

The fully grown Great Bernese is on average between 26 and 28 inches tall, with a weight between 70 and 115 pounds. The males are more on the upper end of this range and the females, being smaller, are more towards the lower end. They have hardy frames with muscular bodies hidden underneath their long and thick coats.

Their thick coat is usually straight with a rough texture, and they have a dense and wooly undercoat. They typically have a coat pattern consisting of a three-color combination among the colors black, brown, white, or rust. They have dark brown eyes, and floppy triangle-shaped ears.

great bernese

Great Bernese Temperament

The behavioral traits of this dog will depend on the traits of the parent breeds, and there is no hard rule on which traits will win out, so your best bet is that you will get some combination of the traits present in both dogs. Some Great Bernese will resemble more the Bernese Mountain Dogs, while others will resemble more the Great Pyrenees. In any case, this dog is non aggressive and has a calm patient demeanor.

Their protector nature means that their greatest affection is reserved for their owners, although they still get along with other people. A playful nature and genetic heritage means that they prefer to play outside in cooler weather than indoors.

The Great Pyrenees is known for being stubborn and independent, which is a testament to its suitability for guarding sheep in harsh environments. A dog owner experienced in training can rise to the challenge of training this dog much more easily than inexperienced trainers.

The Bernese Mountain Dogs are gentle giants and can get along very well with children. They have a tendency to become extra attached to one chosen special person in their family. Their large size requires that small children should be monitored when in his presence.

Training Your Great Bernese

The large size and high energy level of this dog means that it is supremely suited to daily outdoor exercise. A nice outdoor walk or hike in cool weather is a joy for this dog. At least 30 minutes of exercise per day is required.

Pulling children around in a cart would could also be a welcome addition to his exercise routine. The thicker coat of this dog tends to make warmer climates unsuitable for him during periods of physical exertion. That said, they can still love to lay around indoors, but because of his large size, larger homes (inside and out) are recommended to satisfy his activity requirements.

Giving this dog a means to expend its energy through exercise also boosts its mood. Not having this outlet can result in depression, which can result‌ in destructive behavior.

In addition to exercise, giving this dog activities to do, such as involving them in regular household work, can also boost their mood. In terms of training, early socialization starting at the puppy stage is beneficial. An owner needs to be consistent and use positive methods of training.

Having patience and gentleness is key in this regard. Use a reward system such as giving treats and vocal praise and affection, which serve as good motivators. Ideally, start training from an early age and they will carry this into their adulthood and be a well-behaved Great Bernese.

Great Bernese Health

The common health concerns for the Bernese Mountain Dog which must be monitored/tested for are:

Regular hygiene requirements include checking the ears for infection, and brushing the teeth often using a toothpaste made for dogs.

The common health concerns for the Great Pyrenees which must be monitored/tested for are:

The Great Bernese has a life span of 8-12 years. The above mentioned health issues can shorten this lifespan.

The Great Bernese, because it is a mixed breed, can have any of the health issues present in the parent breeds. So tests are recommended for the following areas: Hip, elbow, patella, heart, and blood (such as DNA tests).

In terms of the type of food to give this dog, high-quality food suitable for large breeds is recommended, and this could be store-bought or prepared at home. Be mindful of how much food to give based on the life-stage of the dog, whether he is a puppy, adult, or senior dog. Also, note that too much food can cause obesity, so keep a limit on how many reward treats are given!

A 2012 study  on the obesity of show dogs reveals that Bernese Mountain Dogs are prone to being overweight.

Additional care, such as nail trimming, a good weekly brushing to remove loose hair, and regular ear cleaning are important. It’s also prudent to often brush the dog’s teeth using a suitable dog toothpaste.

Do Great Bernesees Make Good Family Dogs?

The Great Bernese love to be in the company of their family, and are really friendly with children. However, their large size can make them worthy of close monitoring when they are around very small children – little kids are easily knocked over by accident!

These dogs often get extra attached to one special person in the family, a tendency that can be traced to their Bernese Mountain Dog roots. Their sweet intuitive nature, along with their ingrained ability to guard members of their family, makes them wonderful family pets to have.

Rescuing a Great Bernese

Bigger dogs like the Great Bernese can still be the victim of horrible conditions, just like smaller dogs can. Likewise, owners of big dogs can experience sudden illness, homelessness, or change of circumstances which mean they have to give up their much loved and well raised pet.

Rescuing this mix or any other dog has lots of potential to be a rewarding experience. If you would like to know whom to contact about rescuing a Great Bernese (or any other dog), local humane societies are the first place you can try.

Patience is necessary when welcoming a rescue dog into your home. Having a larger home and property to explore and play in, is ideal for this larger dog, and will help him get in touch with his instincts.

Finding a Great Bernese puppy

Pet stores and puppy mills should be off your list of places to go when looking to get a puppy. This includes many internet sites!

Don’t support industries which exploit and mistreat dogs. Most pet stores receive their puppies from puppy mills. A much better alternative is to look for a puppy at a shelter or rescue.

Whether you want a larger dog, like a Great Bernese, or a smaller dog, these places have lots of wonderful choices available for you, whether they are larger or smaller dogs, mixes, or purebreds.

Here’s an interesting fact, mixed breed dogs are generally healthier  and more trainable than purebreds. It is perhaps no surprise that mixed dogs are growing in popularity. Here is a helpful guide to finding a puppy.

Raising A Great Bernese Puppy

If you’re ready to get a Great Bernese puppy you’ll no doubt want some information on how to raise them. Here’s some very useful info. Check out the dog training guides, and puppy care.

   

Pros and Cons of Getting A Great Bernese

The cons of having this dog are:

  • Can be stubborn and independent – minded which can make training a challenge
  • Main health issues such as hip and elbow dysplasia, certain types of cancers, eye disorders, and tendency to bloat
  • Needs lots of space inside and outside of the home to satisfy his activity requirements. Not suitable for small apartments.

The pros of having this dog are:

  • Great family dog that is wonderful around children
  • Great guard dog ability due to his large size and genetic breeding
  • Loyal and calm.

Breeds Similar to the Great Bernese

Despite how great a dog the Great Bernese is, you may have decided that this mix is not quite the right dog for you and your family.

That’s okay. Here’s some other similar breeds for you to consider.

Great Bernese Rescues

Many dogs are in great need of your help. Here is a list of websites which contain all the information you need to rescue a Bernese Mountain Dog or a Great Pyrenees:

If you know of any similar organizations please share that info in the comments below.

Is A Great Bernese Right For Me?

There’s a lot of information here to absorb which will ultimately help you decide if this is the right dog for you and your family. You may find it helpful to first think about the space requirements for this dog. Do you have a large enough home, inside and out, for this dog to engage in the activity he requires for his well-being?

This is of primary importance since it directly affects the dog’s health and well-being. So if you have this in place, then you can consider all the other points mentioned (such as temperament and potential health issues), to determine the suitability of this dog for you.

This dog is truly a gentle giant, and has a lot to offer the right family. You will get a great guard dog, and also a big affectionate loveable and loyal dog that socializes well with family members, as well as children.

Feel free to share your thoughts on the Great Bernese in the comments below!

References and Resources

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