Do Bernese Mountain Dogs Shed?

The large, strong and good-natured breed, all the way from the magnificent Swiss Alps, Bernese Mountain Dog, was originally developed as an all-purpose farm dog for guarding property and driving dairy cattle long distances from the farm to the alpine pastures. ‘Cheese Dogs’, as the locals used to call them, used to help farmers transport carts of milk and cheese. ⁽¹⁾

These dogs are friendly, gentle and loyal. They are great with children and other pets in the house, and they will keep putting in effort to please you all the time. If you have an active lifestyle, you will have a great hike buddy in a canine form. 

Yes, we will answer your question shortly. We just thought that now that you’re planning to get one of these beautiful dogs home (or have already got one), you should know a bit about their history and some other interesting facts about them. 

About their coats and shedding - they have a thick, double coat that is weather resistant. They are usually moderately long, slightly wavy and come with a bright sheen. These coats come in a popular tricolor black, white, and rust shade. Under these coats, you’ll find a shorter, woolly undercoat. The double coat is what helped them stay insulated in the cold Swiss Alps. The undercoat is for insulation and the outer one is for is to protect them from the wind and rain. ⁽²⁾

While double coats are great for Bernese Mountain Dogs, unfortunately, they are not so great for your vacuum cleaner as they shed moderately throughout the year and heavily during the shedding season. You’ll find hair everywhere – your clothes, your furniture and eventually your food (yes, it can happen). 

Do Bernese Mountain Dogs Shed All Year?

The way shedding works is when the dog’s hair reaches a certain predetermined length, it starts falling. This is why you’ll see some loose hairs lying around all around the year as new hair growth starts.

However, they have a shedding reason when they shed a lot. This usually happens during spring and fall when you’ll see loads of hair falling all over the house. The season lasts 4 to 6 weeks. This season is also called as ‘blowing coat’. They shed their undercoats during these seasons to adapt to the warm weather. ⁽³⁾

Bernese Mountain Dog Grooming Tips

The long, thick coats of Bernese Mountain Dogs, or Berners (as they are also known), are prone to matting and knots. You’ll see these, especially behind the ears, in the armpits, and around the tail. This is why grooming them regularly is very important to avoid these. 

Here are some tips for grooming a Berner – ⁽³⁾

Are Bernese Mountain Dogs Hypoallergenic?

Bernese dogs are not hypoallergenic as they shed lightly throughout the year and heavily during shedding season. This means that if you are prone to allergies, these dogs may not be the best option for you. 

Are Bernese Mountain Dogs High Maintenance?

Yes, Bernese Mountain Dogs can be a bit high maintenance because of their size and shedding properties. Maintenance costs can be in terms of both time and money. You will have to invest in grooming products and spend a good amount of time every week brushing and grooming them. 

They will also need around half an hour of exercise every day. They cannot be left alone for a long time as they tend to develop separation anxiety. But this is all part and parcel of having a bubbly and adorable four-legged buddy at home. And aren’t these times the ones when you make some beautiful memories with them?  

More About Spot Pet Insurance

You learned about the shedding behavior and grooming requirements of Bernese Mountain Dogs. Now, here’s something that is equally important, if not more, about them that you should absolutely know – They are prone to some health conditions during their lifetime, some of which can be very severe. 

The common health problems for Berners include – ⁽²⁾

Apart from these, they are prone to all other conditions that other dogs have, like allergies, infections, cancers, etc. The cost of treatment for some of these can easily reach up to 4-digit thousand dollars.

With insurance, you can save up to 90% of the costs. With Spot Pet Insurance, you can save many more costs along with it. 

Spot accident and illness plans can be used with any licensed vet in Canada or the U.S. Whether you are home, or traveling to the U.S., veterinary services your pet receives for the diagnosis, treatment, or management of covered conditions can be eligible for reimbursement. Spot’s accident and illness plans can help cover a variety of conditions including broken bones, lacerations, aggression, kidney disease, diabetes, and more. With the addition of Wellness Riders for an extra cost, you can also receive reimbursements for wellness exams, certain vaccinations, dental cleanings, and more. 

Learn more about dog insurance or get a free quote!