Glucosamine For Dogs

Originally from Switzerland, the Bernese Mountain Dog takes its name from the Swiss capital, Berne.

Bred originally to do farm work, these large, affectionate dogs are extremely versatile and can do a number of jobs, including herding and protecting livestock, and pulling carts. They were also once used by the Romans as fighting dogs, which is rather surprising given their amiable, laid-back personality.

The Berner Sennehund, as it is known in its native land, first came to America in 1926 and achieved AKC status in 1937.

The Bernese is a handsome, distinctive looking dog with a heavy coat that is primarily black, offset with white and rust marks on the face and chest. The lower legs are rust colored, and the paws are white. The coat is heavy, to protect against the icy Alpine winters. The tail is furry and the ears are folded to provide extra protection against the cold.

These are loyal, devoted and gentle pets who are exceptionally good with children and also get on well with other dogs and with non-canine pets. The Bernese is renowned for its happy disposition and kind nature.

The Bernese is a very playful dog which makes him an excellent choice for a family with kids. They are also very adaptable, meaning they’ll fit in to most living arrangements, as long as they are close to their human family.

In terms of grooming, the Bernese is a relatively high maintenance dog. That thick coat sheds quite heavily, especially in the spring, so you’ll have to brush the dog daily if you want to keep your home free of dog hair. When grooming your Bernese you should pay special attention to the ears, as they are prone to infection.

In common with most purebred breeds, the Bernese has a number of inherited health problems. The most serious of these is canine cancer, while the breed is also at risk from joint and bone diseases, like arthritis, ligament ruptures and hip dysplasia. Less serious ailments include infections of the eyes and ears. Unfortunately, the Bernese is a short-lived breed, with an average lifespan of just 6-8 years.

Despite its history as a working dog, the Bernese can be quite lazy, and will loaf around if allowed to. It is up to the owner to ensure that the dog gets sufficient exercise. Like most dogs, the Bernese enjoys a good walk and can even be taught to pull a cart, like their forebears did.

A big plus point with this breed is their temperament. They are affectionate, loyal, friendly, balanced, and intelligent dogs with a genuine love of people. They respond well to reward based training, but can sometimes be a challenge to train because of their playfulness. It has been said that a Bernese remains a puppy throughout his life.

Good dog names can be hard to find. The best advice is to try one of the online dog names, sites. My personal favorite is Puppy Names HQ, a site that has tons of excellent dog names to pick from, including thousands of girl dog names.

Tags: dog-breeds, dogs, puppy names dog names

This entry was posted on Friday, February 3rd, 2012 at 5:58 am and is filed under Dog Stuff. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.