Bernese Mountain Dog Free To Good Home
Finding Free Bernese Mountain Dog Puppies in the United States may seem almost impossible. However, it isn’t. Dog enthusiasts looking to get a puppy without breaking the bank can still get free puppies if they know where to look, and this article will show you a few tried and tested options. Remember that you are taking a risk when looking for a free Bernese Mountain Dog.
Therefore, you must be vigilant to weed out legitimate sources from scammers. One way to ensure you get a genuine dog is to visit the premise of whoever is giving away the puppy to see the puppy before you take it home. If you live far away, arrange a video call, as pictures and videos can be doctored.
You could also arrange to have the puppy checked by a vet before you take it home if the owner permits. You could also ask the owner if you could do a trial period of a few weeks before committing to taking the puppy home. The most important thing to remember is that you need to be 100% comfortable before bringing the puppy home.
Before Beginning Your Search For Free Bernese Mountain Dog Puppies
Characteristics of the Bernese Mountain Dog
Bernese mountain dogs typically have a good-natured personality. Hallmarks of their temperament include their gentle nature and eagerness to please. With proper socialization, they can be open to meeting strangers and are quite affectionate with their families. They are protective and make good watchdogs, though some can bark more than you might desire.
Berners are intelligent dogs that are quite trainable, and while any dog should have thorough obedience training starting in puppyhood, it is especially important with a large-breed dog like the Bernese Mountain Dog. Although gentle, these dogs can be playful and exuberant, and their size and weight means that they might accidentally knock over a child, or even an adult, should they jump up in greeting or get too energetic while playing.
Because of their outgoing personalities and devotion to their family, Berners don’t like to be left alone for too long. This isn’t the right breed for you if you work long hours and expect a dog that can remain happily alone at home.
| Affection Level | High |
| Friendliness | High |
| Kid-Friendly | High |
| Pet-Friendly | High |
| Exercise Needs | Medium |
| Playfulness | Medium |
| Energy Level | Medium |
| Trainability | High |
| Intelligence | Medium |
| Tendency to Bark | Medium |
| Amount of Shedding | High |
History of the Bernese Mountain Dog
The Bernese mountain dog originated in Switzerland around the city of Berne, for which it is named. Its ancestors came to the area thousands of years ago and descend from Roman mastiffs, among other dogs. Today, the Berner is one of four varieties of Swiss mountain dog, set apart by its longer and silkier coat. The other three varieties are the Greater Swiss mountain dog, the Entlebucher mountain dog, and the Appenzeller mountain dog.
In the 1800s, these dogs were used to drive livestock, guard farms, and pull heavy loads. They also were loving companions to their families. The breed declined in popularity toward the end of the 1800s due to machines replacing them in much of their work. However, that spurred clubs to form to preserve the breed and revive its popularity.
Berners arrived in the U.S. in the early 1900s. And the American Kennel Club first recognized the breed in 1937. They’re now regularly one of the most popular dog breeds in the country, thanks to their friendliness, reasonable energy level, and good looks.
Grooming
The Berner has a double coat (a shorter undercoat paired with a longer outer coat), which repels dirt and debris nicely. But the coat does shed a lot. Brush your dog thoroughly at least weekly to remove loose fur and prevent mats and tangles. Also, shedding will typically increase when the weather changes in the spring and fall, and daily brushings might be necessary to keep up with all the loose fur. Begin brushing your Berner as a puppy so it becomes accustomed to regular grooming; many dogs will even look forward to their grooming sessions if you make it a habit when they are still young.
Bathe your dog roughly every month, depending on how dirty it gets. And check to see whether it needs a nail trim every month as well. Also, examine your dog’s ears weekly to see whether they need cleaning. Look for dirt, along with any redness, swelling, or smell in the ears. Dogs with floppy ears, like the Bernese Mountain Dog, can be more prone to ear infections than dogs with upright ears.
Finally, many Bernese mountain dogs drool very little, but those with loose jowls can drool quite a bit. That slobber can end up on the dog, in the house, and on you. So if you have a drooler, keep a cleanup cloth on hand to prevent the drool from embedding in your dog’s fur. And as with any dog, try to brush your Berner’s teeth regularly to prevent the buildup of tartar that can lead to gum disease.
Exercise
Berners have a moderate energy level, and they need space for their big bodies to move and play. Aim for a minimum of 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise every day, such as brisk walks, hikes, and games of fetch. Berners are quite athletic dogs and can compete in dog sports, such as obedience, agility, tracking, and carting. This will help to challenge them both mentally and physically, and can be lots of fun for you both.
As a general rule, these dogs do best in a house with a yard. If you live in an apartment or a home without a yard, then it is even more important to make sure your Bernese Mountain Dog gets daily outdoors time in the form of a long walk, time at the dog park, a session of doggy daycare, or a vigorous game of fetch the ball or Frisbee. Your Berner will likely love playdates with fellow friendly and outgoing dogs as well, as long as they are matched in size and strength.
Training
Bernese mountain dogs are bright and eager to please, which helps to make training easy. Start basic obedience and socialization when your dog is a puppy, teaching it to sit, stay, and lie down on command. This is especially important for such a large breed like a Berner, as adults are powerful and thus difficult to control if they haven’t learned their manners. Aim to expose your dog to different people, other animals, and various situations to boost its comfort and confidence.
Berners respond well to consistent and positive training techniques, such as clicker training. They are sensitive to harsh corrections and might shut down with such training. And like many other large-breed dogs, they take longer to reach full physical and mental maturity, so always be patient with your pet and remember that multiple short training sessions each day—just five minutes or so—are more effective than one long session.
Common Health Problems
Bernese mountain dogs have relatively short lifespans compared to many other smaller breeds, which is something to take into consideration before deciding to bring one home. Like many breeds, the Berner is prone to certain hereditary conditions1, including:
- Hip and elbow dysplasia, which is a genetic abnormality in the development of the joints
- Blood disorders, including Von Willebrand’s disease, in which the blood doesn’t clot properly
- Cancer, especially a type of cancer that affects the white blood cells
- Progressive retinal atrophy, a degenerative eye disease
- Bloat, a potentially life-threatening condition in which the stomach bloats and can twist—often from eating too quickly
Diet and Nutrition
Always have fresh water available for your dog, and select a quality, nutritionally balanced canine diet. Berner puppies especially will benefit from a diet made for large breeds. These diets contain the proper nutrition to encourage slow and steady growth to help prevent joint problems and other issues.
Most owners feed meals twice per day. Discuss the diet and quantity with your vet to ensure your dog is eating properly. And make sure treats and other extra food don’t lead to your dog overeating and becoming overweight. Excess weight can put a great deal of stress on these big dogs’ joints and lead to other health problems.
Find Free Bernese Mountain Dog Puppies Near Me
All the Bernese mountain dog rescue agencies on this list are recognized by the Bernese Mountain Dog Club of America (BMDCA). Here are the best Bernese Mountain Dog rescues in the United States.
Final Thoughts
We hope that you enjoyed our list of the best Bernese Mountain Dog Rescues where you can hopefully try to adopt or rescue one of these beautiful dogs. Typically, adopted Bernese Mountain Dogs tend to be adults and they may have had a not so great past. Make sure that you are able to financial care for these dogs and have enough free time to adequately exercise them. Best of luck finding one of these dogs.
