Bernese in Hot Weather: Keeping a Berner Cool

By the Riverside Berner Guide editorial team
Last updated November 7, 2026

Bernese Mountain Dog heat tolerance is low. The breed’s national club says Berners don’t do well in hot, humid climates, so in summer your dog needs shade, water and, in extreme heat, air conditioning. Heatstroke is an emergency: if you see the warning signs below, call your vet or an emergency vet right away.

This guide explains why Berners struggle in the heat, what to watch for and the everyday steps that veterinary sources recommend. It’s part of our Bernese Mountain Dog care guide, and it’s general information, not a replacement for your own vet’s advice.

Why Bernese Mountain Dog heat tolerance is low

A thick, dark double coat

The BMDCA’s 2024 FAQ says plainly that the breed handles hot, humid climates poorly. It describes the Berner as a double-coated breed that sheds a lot. The AKC breed standard calls the coat thick and moderately long, on a jet-black base with rust and white markings.

That coat matters because coat type is a known risk factor. Cornell’s Riney Canine Health Center lists thick-coated and dark-coated dogs among those at higher risk of heatstroke. AKC adds that dark coats soak up more sunlight.

A big body that cools by panting

Berners are large dogs. The BMDCA gives typical weights of 80 to 115 pounds for males and 70 to 95 pounds for females.

Dogs can’t sweat off heat the way people do. Cornell explains that dogs sweat only through their paws and rely mainly on panting to cool down. According to AKC, panting works less well in humid air, which is one reason muggy days are so hard on a Berner.

Size shows up in research, too. A 2020 study of UK dogs seen by primary-care vets found that dogs weighing 50 kg (about 110 pounds) or more had 3.42 times the odds of heat-related illness compared with dogs under 10 kg. Dogs at or above the average weight for their breed and sex also had higher odds than lighter dogs.

The same study found purebred dogs had higher odds than crossbreds. The authors wrote that double-coated breeds may also be at greater risk, but their data couldn’t test coat type. These are UK records from 2016, so treat them as a general guide, not a forecast for your dog.

Other things that raise the risk

Cornell also lists old age, extra weight, and breathing or heart problems such as laryngeal paralysis or heart disease. If your Berner has any of these, ask your vet how careful you need to be in summer. Our Bernese health guide covers the breed’s common health problems.

How hot is too hot for a Bernese Mountain Dog?

No source gives one safe temperature for every Berner. Humidity, sun, exercise and your dog’s health all change the picture. A Texas A&M veterinary article lists humidity, pavement temperature, age, health and body build among the things that shape a dog’s heat risk.

Some guideposts help. AKC advises not leaving double-coated breeds outside for long when it’s above 90°F. Cornell says heatstroke can come from hot or humid weather or from exercise that’s too hard, so a day that only feels warm can still be risky if your dog is working hard.

Exercise is a bigger trigger than many owners expect. A second UK study by the same research team found that exercise caused about 74% of heat-related illness cases with a known trigger, while hot cars caused about 5%. Exercise-related cases turned up in every month of the year.

The University of Illinois veterinary college notes that many heatstrokes happen on a warm early-spring day, when an owner takes a dog that’s been inactive out for a run. Your Berner needs time to get used to warmer weather each year.

Heat stroke in dogs: the warning signs

A dog’s normal body temperature is about 100.5 to 102.5°F, according to Cornell. Heatstroke happens when the body can’t control its temperature and it climbs to 105°F or higher. It can damage every organ, and Cornell says many dogs don’t survive it.

Watch for these signs, drawn from Cornell and Texas A&M:

• Heavy panting that won’t stop, or trouble breathing
• Drooling
• Bright red, purple or blue gums
• Vomiting or diarrhea, which may be bloody
• Weakness or confusion
• Seizures
• Collapse

Early heat stress can look mild. The Illinois article says an overheating dog will often slow down, pant a lot and may stop running. When in doubt, it advises stopping, wetting your dog with cool water and offering cool water to drink.

What to do if you suspect heatstroke

Heatstroke is a medical emergency. Call your vet or the nearest emergency vet right away, and get your dog there. Don’t wait to see whether your dog bounces back, because AKC says even a dog that seems to recover needs a vet check for internal damage.

While you travel, Cornell suggests two simple steps:

• Wet your dog with cool water.
• Put your dog right in front of the car’s air conditioning.

Use cool water, not ice. Texas A&M warns against ice baths or putting a dog into water, because the body temperature can drop too low. If you use a garden hose, Illinois reminds you that water sitting in a sunny hose can be very hot, so check it first.

Everything after that is your vet’s job. Heatstroke needs hospital care, and only your vet can decide what your dog needs.

How to keep a dog cool: everyday steps for a Berner

Prevention is far easier than treatment. These steps come from veterinary schools, the BMDCA and AKC.

Give shade, water and air conditioning

The BMDCA calls shade and enough water essential, and it prefers an air-conditioned space during extreme heat. Texas A&M recommends keeping pets in air conditioning when you can and says shade can feel 10 to 15 degrees cooler. It also says your dog should always have cool, clean water.

Berners want to be with their people anyway. The BMDCA says they prefer to be with their family, so access to the house is important. On hot days, the best place for your Berner is usually inside with you.

Walk early and keep it easy

Texas A&M suggests walking dogs early in the morning or late in the evening. Cornell advises skipping walks during the hottest part of the day and avoiding hard exercise when it’s hot and humid. Hot pavement adds to the load, since Texas A&M counts pavement temperature among the factors in a dog’s heat risk.

Slow down, too. Illinois advises a walk instead of a run on warm days and says never to force a dog to exercise. In spring, build up gradually so your dog can adjust.

The BMDCA says some Berners do well with at least 30 minutes of moderately vigorous exercise a day plus several trips outside, while others need more. On hot days, break that into short sessions in the coolest hours and fill the gap with indoor training games. Our guide to training a Bernese Mountain Dog has leash and manners work you can practice anywhere.

Save hard work, like pulling a cart, for cool days. If drafting interests you, see carting and drafting with a Bernese.

Never leave your Berner in a parked car

Cornell and Texas A&M both say never to leave a dog alone in a vehicle. Texas A&M notes that an unventilated car is a risk at any time of year, not just summer. The National Weather Service says heat illness can happen in a parked car on a mild day in the 70s, and opening the windows slightly doesn’t slow the heating much.

Brush the coat, don’t shave it

It’s tempting to shave a fluffy dog in July, but the sources we checked advise against it for double coats. AKC explains that the undercoat insulates against both heat and cold, and its chief veterinary officer describes the coat as an insulator. Shaving removes that layer, which AKC says can raise the risk of heatstroke and lead to patchy or damaged regrowth.

Texas A&M’s veterinary college agrees that fully shaving a dog usually isn’t needed unless the coat is matted. It recommends frequent brushing instead, to clear out the loose undercoat that double-coated dogs shed in warm months. The BMDCA also says a Berner’s coat stays neat with frequent brushing and a bath now and then.

If your dog has mats, a skin problem or another reason you think clipping might help, ask your vet first.

Use a cooling vest for dogs as a helper, not a fix

Gear can add comfort. AKC lists cooling vests and wraps, cooling mats and cooling beds among ways to help a dog stay cool. It describes a cooling vest as something that reflects heat and cools the dog as water evaporates.

Think of these as extras. AKC says a fan on its own isn’t enough in extreme heat, and no vest or mat replaces shade, water, cool indoor air and smart timing.

Keep your dog lean

Being overweight is a heatstroke risk factor, according to Cornell. Ask your vet whether your Berner is at a healthy weight and how much to feed. A lean dog is easier to keep comfortable in any season.

Plan for a power outage

AKC suggests keeping your home cool and thinking about a connected temperature alarm, because a dog at home can be in danger if the air conditioning quietly fails. If your air conditioning does go out, AKC’s hot-weather tips suggest moving to the coolest part of the house, such as a basement, or staying with a friend until it’s fixed.

Can Bernese Mountain Dogs live in hot weather?

They can, but it takes planning. The BMDCA doesn’t rule out warm places; it says Berners need shade and water and are better off with air conditioning in extreme heat. In a hot climate, plan on an indoor dog whose outdoor time happens in the cool parts of the day.

If you’re still deciding whether a Berner fits your life, weigh your summers honestly before you buy. The BMDCA encourages future owners to talk with Berner owners, so ask local owners how their dogs handle the heat. Families in Iowa can read our guide to Bernese Mountain Dogs in Iowa, which looks at how humid summers there can get.

Bringing a puppy home in summer? Our Bernese puppy guide covers price, choosing and the first year. For grooming, food, exercise and training in one place, head back to the Bernese care guide.