There are many qualities to look for in a pet. Most families that are looking for a pet need it to be good with children, evenly tempered, and fun to be around. These qualities all exist in the great Bernese mountain dog.

The Bernese mountain dog has benefited greatly from its rich history. It was originally used by the Romans for sheep herding, but was eventually introduced into the Swiss Alps region. Many Swiss textile workers would use it as a draft animal because of its immense size. The dog was continually used for guarding sheep and goats, and it still does well in this capacity to this day.

In 1939, a professor named Albert Heim made some great strides in cross-breeding the animal with Newfoundland breeds. This led to a breed that had a more even temperament, and that was larger in size. This was welcomed news to the herding community, as Bernese mountain dogs can be a bit shy at times.
In modern times, the animal is a thriving breed. The AKC officially recognized it as a breed in the mid 1900′s, and since that time, the animal has been bred at a respectable rate. As of 1994, there were almost 1600 different breeders that were recognized by the AKC.

One of the major reasons the Bernese Mountain dog mix has been so popular is because of the temperament improvements. A mix has a decidedly more amiable demeanor, and it also gains some of the other benefits of the Newfoundland.

On a practical level, the Bernese mountain dog makes a lot of sense for a family. Because it is so docile, it can easily be around small children despite its rather large frame. The animal can grow to be over a hundred pounds, so ample space should be available for the dog to spread out. The breed commonly likes to lean against people, lie under tables, and sit on its own feet. These are just some of the playful habits that are commonly noticed by Bernese mountain dog breeders.

This animal is a fantastic choice for anyone that has plenty of time to spend with a dog. The Bernese mountain dog promises to make a very happy home where it is able to live.