A Bernese Mountain Dog will bring joy – and some silliness – into your life. This breed is energetic, affectionate, and hardworking.
If you’re a Berner owner or considering adopting, we’ll give you the rundown on this dog breed to see if it’s the right fit for you. We’ll cover breed characteristics, personality, cost, common illnesses, and of course, references to pop culture. Scroll down to find the freshest Bernese Mountain Dog influencers that’ll brighten up your Insta feed!
But, as we all know, having a dog isn’t always as easy as scrolling through your feed. So before giving the run down on Berners, we’re going to tell you how to protect your pooch, and explain how pet insurance for dogs could help take the bite out of vet bills.
Getting pet insurance for you Berner
Pet insurance helps cover the costs of your vet bills. You pay a monthly premium and in exchange, you can provide care for your fur fam without stressing as much about the costs. With Lemonade pet insurance, pet parents can customize their policy to get the coverage their furry friend needs.
For starters, a basic Lemonade pet health insurance policy includes accident and illness coverage. This will help cover the costs of tests, treatments, and medication if your dog or cat has an unexpected accident or illness.
A basic policy is great for the unexpected things in your fur fam’s future, but Lemonade also offers affordable preventative care, designed to keep your pet healthy, and helps cover expenses you’re probably already paying for. By adding a preventive care package to a Lemonade policy you’ll also get access to live medical chat and be covered for all types of routine care—like your annual wellness exam, checkups, blood tests, several vaccinations, and other routine health care for your pet. Get a quote for the best pet insurance plan for your furry friend.
We asked a Bernese Mountain Dog about a day in their life…
“We made it to the weekend! After your long day at work, I’m here to give you all of the cuddles. I think I’m a work-from-home advocate. Why would I ever want you to leave?
As you can tell, I’m an indoor pup, but I also thrive on long walks or hikes. Since I’m an outdoor enthusiast, I’m the perfect companion for our weekend camping trip in the mountains. You can teach me fun tricks and tasks, so I can help out. Just make sure you’re not giving me harsh corrections. I’m a strong, but sensitive dog – I hate disappointing you. Some call me a gentle giant.
Once we start our hike, don’t worry, I’m not the dog that slows everyone down. As long as you give me an occasional water break, I’ll keep you entertained the entire way. A nice lengthy sleep is waiting on the other side – that’s enough motivation for me. A yummy treat every now and then won’t hurt though.”
The Bernese Mountain Dogs personality
Bernese Mountain Dogs have a great temperament. They’re loyal, affectionate, and silly. If you’re looking to have a new best friend, a Berner is the way to go. This breed’s loyalty will push them to do whatever you need.
Luckily, they’re easily trained too. As a working dog, your Bernese Mountain Dog loves to be productive. She might get bored if you leave her alone for too long, leading to barking or chewing.
As a pet parent to a beautiful Berner, we hope you understand a few things. Be prepared for getting hair everywhere. This dog breed sheds year round. It’s a must for Berner parents to live in an area with extra space. Your pup will have ample amounts of energy, so being in an apartment all day is not ideal. While Bernese Mountain Dogs are highly trainable and friendly, they need a lot of work and attention.
How much does a Bernese Mountain Dog cost?
Owning a Bernese Mountain Dog puppy is moderately expensive, with an average initial cost between $600-$2,000.
When it comes to buying a puppy, be very careful. Only buy from a reputable breeder. Sadly, some breeders take advantage of the Berners’ popularity while neglecting important health and temperament issues.
We always recommend adoption. But, be prepared: it may be hard to find trustworthy options. Before adopting, ask for as much information as possible on the dog’s health conditions.
Be prepared: during the first year, you’ll spend near $3,600 to get your new friend vaccinated, groomed, insured, and set up with a comfy dog bed. This average price drops to around $2,000 for each of the following years for vet checkups, dog food, grooming appointments, etc.
On average, Berners cost their owners around $20,000 over their lifetime. But if you plan on spaying/neutering your dog, hiring a dog walker, and boarding your pup once a year, expect to pay anywhere from $45,000 to $100,000 over their lifetime.
What are common Bernese Mountain Dog health issues?
To decide if this breed of dog is for you, we wanted to share some health problems you might run into. We hope you never see your dog go through these. But if you do, it’s always a good idea to be prepared and know the signs.
Before we get into some common health problems your pup might encounter, a quick reminder that Lemonade offers stellar Pet Health insurance that’ll keep your Bernese Mountain Dog happy and healthy. You can get a quote from your favorite insurance company in just a few minutes—it’s quick, simple, and even a little fun…
Hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia are common in many breeds. If your dog goes untreated, these diseases could cost you $1,500 to $6,000. Since these conditions are inherited, we recommend asking your breeder for certifications from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals.
Von Willebrand’s Disease is an inherited bleeding disorder caused by low levels of blood clotting. If your dog gets injured and has this condition, it’ll be difficult to stop the bleeding. Other symptoms are bleeding gums and nose bleeds. While there is no known cure, vets can use medicine to prevent bleeding episodes.
Eye problems are common in a few forms. The three main types are progressive retinal atrophy, cataracts, and glaucoma. Progressive Retinal Atrophy is a hereditary disease that eventually leads to blindness. We suggest you ask your breeder about the parents’ eye history to avoid this condition. Cataracts are a cloudy film that forms over the eye and causes blurry vision. Cloudy corneas can also be a symptom of Glaucoma, a disease that puts pressure on your dog’s eye potentially causing loss of vision. Rule of thumb? If you notice your Berner is itching a lot or has red eyes, schedule an appointment with your vet.
Along with other deep chested large dogs, Bernese Mountain Dogs are at risk of bloat, or gastric torsion. Usually, it impacts dogs who rapidly eat large meals, chug too much water, or eat after working out. It is an unexpected, lethal condition that can develop rapidly, so it’s important to know the signs. If your dog is excessively salivating, throwing up without vomit, whining when his abdomen is touched and his stomach is distended, get him to the vet immediately.
It’s common for Bernese Mountain Dogs to develop cancer as they age within an average lifespan of 6 to 9 years. Like humans, dogs show symptoms in a variety of ways. We suggest calling your vet if your dog starts acting differently, so you never overlook something serious.
Instagram-famous Bernese Mountain Dogs
Nothing cheers us up like our favorite Instagram Berners. Add these photogenic pups to your feed!
Kate’s four-legged friend, Waffle Nugget, helps her fight her mental illnesses daily. He proves that dogs are more than a human’s best friend – they’re family. Follow along to see cute Bernese Mountain Dog content and hear about Kate’s inspiring journey.
Klueso Kapel is a bundle of fluffy cuteness. He’s a professional snack lover who’s besties with his sausage siblings. If you’re looking for a smile, you’ll find one on this account!
Did you know that there’s virtual therapy dogs? Look no further… Kevin the Berner is here to help. He’ll give you the strength to power through Monday mornings.
Luna is a down-to-earth mountain dog exploring the beautiful country of Norway. Follow her to be immersed in her mountain, beach, and lake adventures.
And don’t forget Bernese Mountain Dog pet insurance!
Your Bernese Mountain Dog is a bundle of cuteness, and you want to keep that pup happy and healthy—without going bankrupt with vet bills in the process. Enter Lemonade’s Pet Health insurance, which offers an affordable way to make sure your furry friend can live their fullest life. Get your quote in just a few minutes, with a dog insurance policy that Bernese Mountain Dogs and their pet parents both love!
