Skip to content
Browse
Browse available puppies

Petland Batavia, Illinois

Petland Logo
Login/Register

Please create a free account, or login by clicking here.

Back to Breeds

Large breed

Bernese Mountain Dog Puppies

Commonly known as Berners and hailing from the high swiss mountains, the Bernese Mountain dog was formerly a working dog. This dog breed was initially developed to pull carts, herd cattle and also act as watchdogs. They are widely known for their loyalty and the high amount of energy they have. Discover more about our Bernese Mountain Dog puppies for sale below!

  • Great with kids
  • Sticks by your side
  • Alert watchdog

We do not have Bernese Mountain Dog puppies on the floor today. Tell us what you are looking for and we will let you know the moment one arrives, or help you find a breed that suits your home just as well.

  • Exercise 60 min a day
Bernese-Mountain-Dog

About the Bernese Mountain Dog

The Bernese Mountain Dog is a gentle giant originating from the picturesque Swiss Alps, where they were originally bred to be loyal farm helpers and affectionate family companions. Known for their striking tri-color coat and friendly disposition, these dogs can easily adapt to most family settings. They thrive in loving environments and are particularly great with children, making them a wonderful addition to homes filled with energy and laughter. Their adaptable nature extends to living conditions, as they can do quite well in apartments, especially if given ample opportunity for daily adventures.

Read more about the Bernese Mountain Dog Show less

With a moderate energy level, Bernese Mountain Dogs enjoy their share of playtime but are not overly demanding in exercise requirements. Regular walks and some time spent outside will keep them stimulated and happy. Their affectionate nature means they often want to be beside their family members, sharing in daily activities. While they do shed and require weekly grooming to manage their beautiful coats, this commitment is well worth it for the love and loyalty they provide in return.

Training a Bernese Mountain Dog is a rewarding experience, as they are intelligent and eager to please, though they can show a bit of an independent streak. With consistent training and positive reinforcement, they can learn a variety of commands and tricks. Their enthusiastic yet calm demeanor makes them a joy to be around, and their moderate barking tendency ensures they will alert you to visitors without becoming overly chatty. If you are looking to welcome a gentle and devoted companion into your home, consider the Bernese Mountain Dog as your next family member. Stop by Petland Batavia, Illinois to meet these delightful dogs and discover the joy they can bring to your life.

Bernese Mountain Dog breed profile

Every score below is set by our team for this breed. Higher is simply more of that trait, not better or worse.

Temperament

  • Affection Devoted
  • Playfulness Playful
  • With strangers Warms up
  • Territorial Somewhat
  • Prey drive Low

Family & other pets

  • Young children Excellent
  • Older children Excellent
  • Other dogs Sociable
  • Cats With introductions

Energy & exercise

  • Energy Moderate
  • Mental stimulation Moderate

Training

  • Trainability Quick to learn
  • Intelligence Very bright
  • Stubbornness A stubborn streak

Care & upkeep

  • Shedding Heavy
  • Drooling Some
  • Barking Occasional

Home life

  • Apartment living Prefers a house
  • Time alone Short periods
  • Cold weather Thrives in it
  • Warm weather Needs shade

A good match for

  • First-time owners Manageable
  • Senior owners Good
  • Running partner Short distances
  • Hiking Moderate
  • Therapy work Good
  • Guarding Alert

Living with a Bernese Mountain Dog

History

It is said that the berner was being put to work on swiss farms for more than a thousand years where it was hidden away far away in the alps, herding cattle and giving companionship. However, the need for a working dog began to dwindle in Switzerland around 1888 as more than half of the population gave up agricultural work. 

Some breeders took it upon themselves to preserve their native dog breeds and they achieved this by creating a dog club which they called “Berna”. After the first world war, Berners were exported to holland and the united states. 

In 1936, English breeders took it upon themselves to breed Bernese mountain dogs and succeeded as the first litter was born in England in the same year. The second world war put a halt on the importation of dog breeds, but these activities soon resumed in the united states after 1945. Today, the Bernese Mountain dog is a full member of the AKC.  

Temperament

Berners are very intelligent, loving, and affectionate dogs. They love being part of a family and thrive when they are included in all fun family activities. Although berners are quite protective of their territories, they are not overly aggressive with strangers. 

Instead, they tend to be withdrawn and a little shy around many people. It is therefore important that owners expose their dogs to different people and animals in the early stages of their lives to make them comfortable with new faces. 

Socialization is very important to the overall health of every dog and with berners, the earlier they are trained in this aspect, the more well-rounded they become as adult dogs. 

Environment

Since they were initially bred as working dogs, the Bernese mountain dog has to be kept active and learning for it to thrive. It doesn’t do well in small places so this is not the dog breed for you if you live in an apartment. 

They love having a wide expanse of land to run around in and use their playtime to get as much exercise as they need. Berners are family dogs and they need to be around kids and friendly adults as often as possible.  

Exercise

Aside from the usual yard playtime they get, berners need to be exercised daily for about 30 minutes. These exercises should be both mental and physical and not too easy to ensure that they stay in great shape. 

Since Berners have the tendency to add a lot of weight if not well monitored, some experts advise they get at least 60-90 minutes of vigorous exercise daily to keep health conditions associated with weight gain at bay. Simple activities like swimming, hiking, running, etc, are great choices of exercise.  

Grooming

As beautiful as berners are, it comes at a high price. They are huge shedders and will shed all year long, especially during the spring and fall seasons. To control this, they need to be thoroughly brushed several times every week to prevent tangling of their coat and also minimize the amount of hair around the house. 

Their teeth should be brushed at least twice monthly and their nails should be trimmed every other month. The back of their ears and gums should also be checked as often as possible to avoid any infectious occurrences. Every three months, berners should be bathed thoroughly to maintain a neat appearance. If berners are groomed often at a young age, they become more accustomed to it as they grow and will cooperate fully.  

Our Bernese Mountain Dog puppies for sale come from either USDA licensed commercial breeders or hobby breeders with no more than 5 breeding mothers. USDA licensed commercial breeders account for less than 20% of all breeders in the country. 

The unregulated breeders who are selling outside of the USDA regulations and without a license are what we consider to be “Puppy Mills.” We are committed to offering Bernese Mountain Dog puppies who will grow up to become important members of your family. We only purchase puppies from the very best sources, and we stand behind every puppy we sell.

Caring for a Bernese Mountain Dog

Grooming
Weekly brushing
Grooming cost
Average
Monthly food
Average
Outdoor space
A yard is recommended
Allergy friendly
Not considered hypoallergenic

Bernese Mountain Dog Video

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Bernese Mountain Dogs need a lot of exercise?

Yes, they do. For great health, Berners need at least 30 minutes of exercise on a daily basis.  

Why do Bernese Mountain Dogs constantly want to cuddle?

The Bernese mountain dogs were bred as watchdogs. They have the natural instinct to protect and care for their owners. This is why they will constantly place their paws on you and want to get into bed with you.  

Do Bernese Mountain Dogs shed often?

Berners shed all year long with an emphasis on the fall and spring seasons. They are huge shedders and hence, they require a lot of brushing and coat grooming.  

Can Bernese Mountain Dogs survive in apartments?

Berners crave companionship and don’t like being left alone. They will not thrive in apartments and elongated solitude will take a toll on their health and character.  

Are Bernese Mountain Dogs aggressive?

The Bernese Mountain dog is one of the calmest and quiet dog breeds in existence. They are nurturing, caring and although they can be protective, they do not mark their territory in an aggressive way.  

How long do Bernese Mountain Dogs live?

Berners have an average lifespan of 6-8 years.  

How smart are Bernese Mountain Dogs?

Berners are more obedient than smart. They are eager to learn and please their masters and will do whatever is asked of them. This means they are quite easy to train and with consistent mental exercises, can become quite intelligent.  

Are Bernese Mountain Dogs playful?

Berners have a lot of energy and can be very playful especially in the early ages.  

How much do Bernese Mountain Dogs weigh?

Male Berners weigh about 80-115pound while their female counterpart weighs about 70-95pounds 

Should Bernese Mountain Dogs be spayed?

Although not mandatory, vets do advise that your berner should be neutered or spayed between 4-9 months of age. 

Similar Breeds

Posted on Google Google
Kevin profile picture
Kevin
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Amazing staff. All very nice and answered all my questions. I loved all the dogs but I had to see the dog named Kevin! I went in with a completely negative view on petlands but the staff really changed my mind by going over all the breeder info, If I am ever in need of a puppy I will go there and you should too.
Posted on Google Google
Cecilia Caballero profile picture
Cecilia Caballero
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
We came at a time they were very busy and never once did we feel rushed, or given attitude while asking questions. The two on staff were amazing and sweet!
Posted on Google Google
Noelle Chaney profile picture
Noelle Chaney
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
I went in to get my dogs nails trimmed and was met with a smile and warm greeting from an employee, Dean. The trimming was quick and they really showed my scared dog good care. It was the most pleasant experience I’ve had when it comes to some of these pet places!
Posted on Google Google
Shayna V profile picture
Shayna V
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
We just went for a walk”puppy therapy.” Look at how cute they are. I was a little surprised that considering how few customers were in at the time & yet we only got a “let us know if we can help you with anything” and that was it. There were plenty of employees in store, as it was probably the beginning of the Friday night shift, before families started coming in. I had made an appointment, just in case we decided to see any of the dogs. I guess I’m accustomed to the employees being more personal and wanting to tell me things based on the conversation my group is having without me having to reach out to them.
Help Need Help?