One of the most common traits that is desired in a pet is that of the temperament. With the wrong disposition, a dog of any size can be a miserable addition to a home. The right temperament, combined with right surroundings, will make any home feel more complete. Dogs have an emotional bond with their owners like no other animal. This partially explains why the popularity of the great Bernese mountain dog continues to grow in the modern age.

The Bernese mountain dog almost never made it out of the 1800′s. A dog originally bred by the Romans, it was introduced as a sheep dog in the Swiss Alps in ancient times. As early as the 1700′s, Swiss weavers would use the animal to carry supplies with wagons. It is rare that a dog is able to pull a cart, but the sheer size of the breed made it a perfect candidate.

The breed was substantially improved and revived by the professor Albert Heim in the late 1800′s. Heim saw fit to breed the animal with a version of a Newfoundland, which produced an animal of greater size and more amiable disposition. This made the pet much more attractive as a family pet, and the breed continued to grow in numbers.
The AKC first recognized the breed around the mid 1950′s, and Bernese mountain dog breeders began to pop up all over the United States. At last count, there were almost 1600 officially recognized breeders in the US alone.

There are many reasons for the resurgence in popularity of the Bernese Mountain Dog. Perhaps the greatest reason is it’s temperament. Although it can grow to be over 100 pounds it is still quite docile. It is also intelligent and playful, making it a perfect pet for families of all sizes. The breed can be easily trained, and loves to be around people. It has all kinds of curious behavior, including leaning on people and sitting on its own feet. This breed has so many great qualities, and it is little wonder that it is becoming so popular in the world of dogs.