Great Bernese

Breed Information


Type

Is Great Bernese a purebred?

Cross Breed

Purpose

What were Great Berneses originally used for?

Companion

Lifespan

How Long Do Great Berneses Live? What is average life expectancy for a Great Bernese? How long can Great Berneses live?

10-12 years

The average Great Bernese lifespan is somewhere between 10-12 years, provided they aren't beset by any exceptional health issues or injuries.

Great Bernese Height & Weight


How big is a full grown Great Bernese?

What is the average height of a Great Bernese? How big is a Cross Breed Great Bernese height? Great Bernese dog height:
Height
Average 6 months 12 months 18 months
Male 26-28 inches (66 - 71.1 cm) 11.0 inches (27.9 cm) 14.0 inches (35.6 cm) 14.0 inches (35.6 cm)
Female 27-27 inches (68.6 - 68.6 cm) 9.0 inches (22.9 cm) 12.0 inches (30.5 cm) 12.0 inches (30.5 cm)
What is the average weight of a Great Bernese? How much should Great Berneses weigh?
Weight
Average 6 months 12 months 18 months
Male 85-115 pounds (39 - 52 kg) 15.0 pounds (7 kg) 22.5 pounds (10 kg) 22.0 pounds (10 kg)
Female 70-100 pounds (32 - 45 kg) 12.0 pounds (5 kg) 19.0 pounds (9 kg) 19.0 pounds (9 kg)
Hypoallergenic

Are Great Berneses Hypoallergenic?

No

Unfortunately, the Great Bernese is not hypoallergenic, making it not a good choice for a dog lover who suffers from pet allergies.

Temperament

What is a Great Bernese personality? What are Great Bernese dogs best known for?

Intelligent
Confident
Affectionate
Patient
Loyal
Gentle
Strong
Willed
Fearless
Faithful

Shedding Level

Are Great Berneses heavy shedders? How Much Does a Great Bernese Shed?

Great Bernese dogs are heavy shedders, they will lose a significant amount of hair each year. To decrease the amount of shedding, you can regularly brush your Great Bernese. This will remove loose hair and keep his coat growing in the same direction.

Watchdog Ability

What is the watchdog ability of a Great Bernese dog?

Great Berneses are very good watchdogs. They are a vocal breed, and are wary of outsiders, so if someone approaches your home or aims to intrude, the Great Bernese is going to make sure everyone knows about it.

Breed History


Ancestry

What are Great Berneses descended from?

Great Bernese and Great Pyrenees

Breed recognition

What organizations or kennel clubs recognize/register the Great Bernese breed?

ACHC = American Canine Hybrid Club
DRA = Dog Registry of America, Inc.
IDCR = International Designer Canine Registry®

Date of Birth

When were Great Berneses first bred? How old is the Great Bernese breed?

Mid 1900s

Great Bernese Appearance


Eye Color Possibilites

What color are Great Bernese eyes?

Brown

Nose Color Possibilites

What color can Great Bernese nose be naturally?

Black

Coat Color Possibilites

What color can Great Bernese coat be naturally?

Black
White
Brown
Gray
Red

Coat Length

How long is a Great Berneses coat?

The coat of a Great Bernese is longer than that of the typical dog.

Coat Density

How Dense Is The Great Bernese Coat?

Coat Texture

What is the texture of the hair of a Great Bernese?

Straight

Litter Size

How many puppies can a Great Bernese have in a litter? How many puppies can a Great Bernese have in her first litter?

6-9 puppies per pregnancy

A Great Bernese can have a litter of 6-9 puppies on average. However, it's worth noting that the size of the litters can vary greatly. Factors that can influence litter size include the health of the mother, breeding history, and genetics.

Adaptability

The adaptability of Great Bernese dogs is a well-known trait, they are known for being able to adjust well to different living environments and lifestyle changes.

Great Bernese Health Issues


Health Issues

Do Great Berneses have a lot of health problems?

The Great Bernese is a very healthy breed, with little need for frequent vet visits. However, it's important to keep an eye on their health and have them checked by a veterinarian when needed.

Major Concerns

What are the major health concerns to be aware of when owning a Great Bernese?

Bloat
Histicytosis
Addison's Disease
Meningitis
Joint conditions

Minor Concerns

What are the less significant issues to keep in mind when it comes to Great Berneses?

Entropion
Cataracts
Epilepsy
Cerebellar Abiotrophy
Kidney Problems
Color Dilution Alopecia
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)

Occasional Tests

What are the occasional tests recommended for Great Bernese breed?

Biopsy
Electrocardiogram
Spinal Tap
Internal Imaging (x-ray, CT scan, MRI, etc.)
Blood And Urine Analysis
Blood and Urine Tests
Neurological Testing
Orthopedic Exam
Ocular Exam
Skin and Hair Exams

Great Bernese Needs and Activities


Energy

Do Great Berneses have a lot of energy?

For those who lead a balanced lifestyle, Great Berneses may be a good choice as they have an average energy level.

Social Needs

Do Great Berneses need socialization? How social are Great Berneses?

Great Bernese have above average social needs compared to other breeds.They thrive in environments where they have a lot of interaction with humans and other dogs.

Exercise Needed

How much exercise should Great Berneses get?

The Great Bernese dog requires a moderate amount of physical activity to maintain a healthy lifestyle. These breeds are ideal for people who have a moderate amount of time to devote to their pet and enjoy regular physical activity themselves. They also make great family pets as they have the energy to keep up with children and the temperament to be great companions.

Sleeping Need

How much sleep should a Great Bernese have? Do Great Berneses sleep a lot?

Great Berneses dogs are tend to sleep less than other breeds, but they still require adequate sleep to maintain good health.

Tendency to Bark

How much does it bark?

Great Berneses tend to bark moderately, they bark when necessary, such as to alert their owner or to communicate something. They may also bark due to certain triggers like fear, alarm, boredom, greeting, separation anxiety and compulsive barking.

Mouthiness

Are Great Berneses mouthy?

Roaming urge

What is the likelihood of a Great Bernese running away? Do they have a tendency to explore or wander frequently?

Prey Drive

Do Great Bernese dogs have a high prey drive?

Past times

What do Great Berneses enjoy doing? How do I keep my Great Bernese busy?

Playfulness, Cuddling, Walking, Lounging, Fetch, Tug-of-war, Walks, Chase, Naps, Morning runs, Long walks, Going for walks, Swim, Walk, Snuggling, Play dates w bf, Car rides, Cuddles, Walking trails, Camping, Hiking, Swimming

Activity Level

What is the energy level of a Great Bernese? How much energy does a Great Bernese have?

Medium

Great Berneses are medium-energy dogs and typically enjoy socializing and playing casual or even sustained games of chase with other dogs. They may also have occasional periods of barking or racing around the house.

Tolerance of being left alone

Walks per Week

How far should a Great Bernese walk each week? How many miles should a Great Bernese walk every week?

11 miles / week

There's really no limit to how far you walk your dog as long as they're comfortable. For Great Bernese, it's at least 11 miles / week. Just remember to build distance and stamina gradually over time.

Activity per Day

How much a Great Bernese should exercise a day? How much activity does a Great Bernese need?

45 minutes

In general most Great Berneses usually need at least 45 minutes of exercise daily. This can be spread across the day and include all sorts of high-energy activities, like walking, running and playing.

Grooming

What level of grooming should be provided for a Great Bernese?

The Great Bernese is a breed of dog that requires an average amount of grooming effort.

Brushing Frequency

How often should you brush a Great Bernese?

Daily

Ideally, Great Bernese should be brushed at least 2 or 3 times a week (preferably daily) improve shedding.

Brushing Tools

What are the most commonly used brushing tools for Great Berneses?

Pin Brush
Slicker Brush
Dematter
Nail Clipper

Costs


Cups

How many cups of food does a Great Bernese eat?

4 cups

For an average 85-115 pound (39 - 52 kg) Great Bernese feed 4 cups daily. But, keep in mind, the amount you feed is going to be dependent on the quality of the food you are feeding.

Daily Cost

How Much Does a Great Bernese Cost Daily?

$3.90 - $4.20 / day

The average cost of a Great Bernese is somewhere $3.90 - $4.20 per day.

Monthly Cost

How Much Does a Great Bernese Cost Per Month?

$112 - $126 / month

The average per month expenses of a Great Bernese is between $112 - $126. This makes an average of $1344 - $1512 per year. It will be on the higher side when the dog is still small because it will need more frequent visits to the vet, shots.

Great Bernese Characteristic


Intelligence

How intelligent is a Great Bernese?

Great Berneses has average obedience intelligence. But, they're also independent thinkers. The Great Bernese is a breed with an exceptionally high IQ and may get into mischief if left to their own devices.

Sensitivity Level

How sensitive is a Great Bernese dog?

This dog breed is more sensitive than others and easily overwhelmed by new surroundings and people. They need gentle handling and a calm, stable home environment with positive reinforcement training.

Affection Dependance

Are Great Bernese dogs affectionate?

Apartment Friendly

Do Great Bernese do well in apartments? Are Great Berneses good indoor dogs?

It's not recommended to keep the Great Bernese in an apartment, but this breed make good apartment dogs as long as they get to spend a good amount of time outside of the apartment. Great Berneses living in apartments will need plenty of physical exercise and stimulation throughout the day to remain happy and well-behaved.

Child Friendly

Are Great Berneses good with kids? Are Great Berneses good around children?

Great Berneses are kid-friendly dogs. They are good with children and excellent dogs with children if they are socialized and trained at a young age.

Senior-friendly

Are Great Berneses good for elderly?

Cat Friendly

Are Great Berneses good with cats? How friendly Great Berneses are toward cats?

Great Berneses are one of the best dogs for cats. They're accept cats readily as part of the family. However, this dog breed should be trained to not chase after the kitty early on

Dog Friendly

Do Great Bernese dogs get along with other dogs? Are Great Berneses OK with other dogs?

Great Berneses are average friendly towards other dogs. If they are raised with other dogs, they are likely to get along with them. And, if they are socialized properly from a young age, they will usually be great with other dogs.

Pet friendly

How do Great Bernese dogs interact with other pets? Are they considered pet-friendly?

Stranger Friendly

Are Great Berneses friendly with strangers?

Great Berneses are average friendly around strangers. They can be wary around strangers and a little standoffish. Early socialisation is key.

Playfulness

Do Great Berneses like to play? Are Great Berneses playful?

Great Berneses have an average level of playfulness. The Great Berneses, like other dogs, like to play. But they are not the most playful dog breed.

Trainability

Are Great Bernese easily trained?

Great Bernese dogs are known for their ease of training and ability to learn quickly, making them a popular choice for pet owners and trainers alike.