The Bernese Mountain Dog is one of the 4 Swiss Bouviers breed we can find. They are the largest of them and they hair is the longest.
This breed comes from the Tibetan molosoide. It was a big dog (mastin type) that used to travel with the Roman soldiers all around the European continent during the expansion of their empire.
This special breed just as its name tells us, is from the Swiss mountains, a small village called Dürrbach. That is why it is also known as Dürrbächler.
Just from the beginning our breed was bred by country men such as farmers just to help them in their daily work in the high Swiss mountains as herding and defending. They also used to transport the milk pots in small carts .
Their public presentation took place in 1902, in Berna although they had to wait until 1913 to be recognized by the Swiss Cinology Society with the name of Berner Sennenhund.
This first breed standard was published in 1907 thanks to Albert Heim. He developed a great work just in the beginning of the breed.
The actual characteristics of the breed were set in 1983. Some details of the standard were modified such as the size and the coat.
We can use this breed for several purposes such as herding or a guardian dog. We also can find them helping blind persons, civil protection and personal defense.
They are calm and kindly dogs, really friendly with other dogs and humans. Due to these special characteristics nowadays they can be used for discapacited persons therapies.
