Mini Bernese Mountain Dog – Your Tiny Family Friend

The Bernese Mountain Dog is a large breed of dog that originated in the canton of Bern in Switzerland. It is one of four mountain dogs from the Swiss Alps. In a survey in 2012/2013, the Bernese Mountain Dog was named one of the world’s thirty most popular dog breeds. The large Bernese mountain dog is beautiful to look at with his tri-colored silky coat of black, white, and rust. He stands at roughly 25 inches at the shoulder. He is good-natured too, intelligent and active. The Mini Bernese Mountain Dog has been bred from two excellent dog breeds – the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Cavalier King Charles spaniel too, first of all, make them smaller and also give them the excellent characteristics from both dog breeds.

A Popular Large Dog In A Convenient Small Size

So for many people who can’t afford to own a large, strong dog like this, they look at a miniature version. To do this, the other dog used is the Cavalier Spaniel. Cavaliers can be found in colors and patterns such as tan, black and white, much the same as the Bernese Mountain Dog.

They are about 12 inches at the withers. They are also active, sporting dogs and have sweet, playful, loyal natures. In fact, today they are one of the most popular dog breeds in the world.

People love their sweet little faces and their long silky hair. They are easy-going dogs too and are able to adapt to lots of lifestyles. They tend to be a little bit smaller than your regular spaniel. With their amicable nature, they are ideal for therapy dogs too, getting on well with infants, children, and adults.

Bernese Mountain Dog Price

When it comes to Bernese Mountain Dog prices, you may well count yourself lucky if you can find a puppy in the region of $1,500. However, if you want a puppy from a top breeder and with a top pedigree you can even look at a Bernese Mountain Dog price of $4 000. These dogs are so costly that people make sure that they take out medical insurance for their pets. Because of their popularity, you will find that the price of the Mini Bernese Mountain Dog is much the same as the standard-sized dog.

A New Crossbreed – Cocker-Pei

One of the newer mixed breed dogs that people are interested in is the Mini Hippo Dog. Similar to the Mini Bernese Mountain Dog, the Mini Hippo Dog has a spaniel breed in the mix. This dog is a mix between a Shar-Pei and a Cocker Spaniel.

Some people refer to them as Cocker-Pei. It’s a medium-sized dog that makes a great family dog. You can’t really say for certain what the Mini Hippo Dog will look like and there will be some variation between puppies in the same litter.

Some will look more like a Sharpei, some will look more like a Cocker Spaniel and some will be a merry mix of both parents. There can be several different colors but the dog will have all the characteristics that make him such a wonderful family pet – feisty, loyal, intelligent, active, and protective.

Australian Shepherd Bernese Mountain Dog

Yet another very popular mixed breed is the Australian Shepherd Bernese Mountain Dog. The cross-breed comes from two large dog breeds, which means that your Australian Shepherd Bernese Mountain Dog is going to be a large dog.

A fairly large garden will be recommended to ensure that he can run and play. It’s a very active dog breed and will require plenty of exercise such as walks and being allowed to be leashed so that he can run beside you when you go on your bicycle rides.

Loving and wanting his human family’s companionship, the Australian Shepherd Bernese Mountain Dog promises to be loyal, loving, and protective.

Baby Bernese Mountain Dog

A baby Bernese Mountain Dog is just a big ball of fluff. They are large, robust puppies and will need a fairly large garden so that they can have a good romp.

It requires a lot of consideration to get a baby Bernese Mountain dog as they will require a lot of food. It can turn out to be costly to feed such a large, active puppy. You want to be a responsible pet owner and do the right thing with such a beautiful dog.

You will even find these magnificent dogs in dog rescue centers and this is often because people did not realize how costly it can be to feed such a large dog. Perhaps the Mini Bernese Mountain Dog would have been a better idea.

If you do get a Bernese Mountain Dog rescue, he will come to you neutered or spayed if it’s a female. Neutering or spaying a young Bernese Mountain dog comes with a host of health benefits.

By crossing two such splendid breeds, you get the most amazing family pet. Miniature Bernese Mountain Dogs, coming from a large Bernese dog and a medium-sized Cavalier King Charles, can have you guessing as to how the puppies will turn out. Some will be tiny while others will be medium-sized.

Of course, when it comes to dogs, nothing can be set in stone. There are always going to be variations in size and weight, even in the same litter. But generally, with the Mini Bernese Mountain dog, you can expect a medium-sized dog that looks like a mini Bernese Mountain Dog.

They Make A Splendid Family Pet

The Mini Bernese Mountain Dog is a sociable canine. He loves nothing more than to be part of a loving human family. The Bernese Mountain Dog used to be a working dog, but today he is essentially a family pet, though he still loves to be busy. Like any other dog, he will need to be trained and socialized to turn him into an even-tempered, obedient dog. They make great pets and are at home with both adults and children as well as other pets.

Some Health Issues To Watch For

Your Mini Mountain Dog is a healthy dog breed, with very few health issues. He has an average lifespan of 10 to 15 years, and although not likely, he can suffer from minor health problems.

You know the two breeds that have been brought together to bring about the Mini Bernese Mountain Dog so it’s a wise move to take a look at the two original dog breeds and see what health issues they have. Doing that will give you some insight into what to expect health-wise from your family pet.

• Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)

This is an inherited eye disease where the retina degenerates, and your canine friend battles with an impaired vision which can lead to blindness. Unfortunately, there is no cure for PRA, but at least it is painless. If you buy a puppy, make sure that you get a health certificate to show that the parents have not got PRA.

• Histiocytosis

This is a type of cancer where the white blood cells reproduce rapidly and invade a variety of tissues. It’s a hereditary disease that is rare in other breeds but common cancer in the Bernese Mountain Dog. The malignant form will see your dog being lethargic, having a loss of appetite, and losing weight. There is unfortunately no cure for histiocytosis.

• Bloat

This is a serious, life-threatening condition for a dog. Instead of feeding your Mini Bernese Mountain Dog one large meal, it is recommended to feed him 2 smaller meals. Bloat occurs when the stomach is distended with gas or air and twists, restricting the normal return of blood to the heart. The stomach swells and immediate veterinary attention is required.

The Critical Importance Of A Good Diet

The Mini Bernese Mountain Dog is a robust dog. When you buy your puppy Mini Bernese Mountain Dog from a breeder, they will recommend a diet for your dog.

They will have provided your puppy with food that meets the nutritional needs of your dog. Remember that if ever you battle with digestive issues with your dog, get him to the vet for advice on the appropriate diet for your pet.

Mini Bernese Mountain Dogs can benefit from homemade diets to commercially prepared kibble. Your older puppy and adult dog will do well on a diet of kibble to raw meat to some cooked homemade food such as chicken, brown rice, and vegetables. Just like underfeeding is a problem, a serious issue can also be overfeeding, resulting in uncomfortable digestive problems and of course, obesity.

That is precisely why your Mini Bernese Mountain Dog will require being exercised. He will need to be taken on daily walks and to enjoy ball- and rope games to keep him healthy and free from obesity.

Do Bernese Mountain Dogs Shed?

Yes, the Bernese Mountain Dog does shed, and fairly heavily too. This mountain dog breed from Switzerland was actually bred to withstand harsh climates and it has a thick coat to protect it from the cold.

This is one of the reasons the dog has such a thick coat. Do Bernese Mountain dogs shed when they are puppies? Yes, it’s a double-coated breed, and both the adults and puppies shed. Shedding is a natural process for most dogs. Even humans shed their hair in preparation for new hair growth. Shedding is just a natural part of being a dog.

Do Bernese Mountain Dogs shed throughout the year? Yes, but they have seasons when the shedding is heavier than usual. You will need to invest in the proper grooming accessories to keep his coat in tip-top condition. He has a silky coat that can become tangled if left. A rake comb for detangling fur can be a good buy.

Ensure The Correct Grooming Accessories

All dogs have coats unique to their breed so you want to choose the correct grooming accessories for your dog. You will need to keep your Mini Bernese Mountain Dog groomed too.

Both the pure Bernese Mountain Dog and the Cavalier are long-haired dog breeds and they both shed. Brushing dogs like this will get rid of the loose hair on your dog’s coat and keep the coat free of dust and tangles.

Try not to bathe your Mini Bernese Mountain Dog often as it just strips the natural oils from his skin and dries it out, making it itchy and irritated. While grooming your family pet, check his eyes for clarity, check inside his ears that there is no redness, and check his nails too. If you do not like to clean inside the ears or trim the nails, get him to a professional dog grooming parlor where they do this all for you.

The Bernese Mountain dog might not be the best choice of dog for those who have allergies. The Mini Bernese Mountain Dog also sheds, however they shed far less than a pure Bernese Mountain Dog.

Some people nonetheless choose to have the coat of their Bernese Mountain Dog cut at a professional dog grooming salon, especially during the shedding season. Remember that shaving your double-coated dog can be good in terms of making the shedding more bearable, but it would not reduce shedding.

A Good Temperament

The Mini Bernese Mountain Dog is an easy-going dog and will adapt easily to his human family’s lifestyle. He is a medium-sized dog that is known for his loving, loyal, playful, and protective temperament.

He absolutely loves the outdoors and will be happy to join you in any games you have in mind. He will, however, be your indoor companion too.

He is loving and social, and if you treat him well, you will be rewarded with a loyal, loving 4-legged family friend.