Bernese Mountain Dog Pros and Cons: Is a Berner Right for You?

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

The biggest Bernese Mountain Dog pros and cons come down to this: you get a gentle, affectionate dog that wants to be with its family, but you also get a short life, high vet bills, a lot of hair and a big puppy that grows up slowly. Heat is hard on the breed, and a Berner needs to live indoors with you, not in the yard.

Below, each point is backed by the breed club, the AKC or veterinary research. Read both lists before you decide, because the cons are serious ones.

Bernese Mountain Dog pros and cons at a glance

Pros:

• Gentle, affectionate, easygoing temperament as a trained adult
• Devoted to its family and happiest close to you
• Not a big barker
• Usually good with children and other pets, with supervision
• Versatile and eager to please the right owner
• Coat is fairly easy to keep neat
• Loves cold weather and snow

Cons:

• Short lifespan, often 7 to 8 years
• Many inherited health problems and high vet bills
• Heavy shedding
• Poor tolerance of heat and humidity
• Very large size
• Slow to mature, sensitive, and prone to shyness
• Needs a lot of time with people
• Some drool, many dig, and most need a solid fence

The pros

A gentle, affectionate temperament

This is the main reason people fall for the breed. The AKC’s breed page describes a sweet, affectionate dog that is generally placid but always up for a romp with its owner. The breed standard asks for a self-confident, alert and good-natured dog.

The BMDCA’s FAQ sheet adds one condition. With the training a large working breed needs, adult Berners are generally gentle, easygoing and tolerant. Read more in our guide to Bernese Mountain Dog temperament.

Devoted to family

A Berner wants above all to be part of your family, according to the BMDCA. The breed was bred as a farm companion, and the club says its calm, people-focused nature made it ideal for that job. If you want a dog that stays close, this is a plus.

Not a big barker

The BMDCA says Berners aren’t prone to excessive barking unless they’re left alone too long.

Usually good with kids and other pets

The club’s About sheet says Berners are usually excellent with children. Its FAQ says most Berner puppies adjust to other dogs, cats and pets in the home. There are real caveats about size and supervision, covered in are Bernese Mountain Dogs good with kids and other pets.

Versatile and eager to please

The BMDCA calls the breed highly versatile. Berners compete in obedience, rally, agility, tracking, herding, carting and scent work, and many make wonderful therapy dogs. The club’s FAQ says Berners generally like to please people they respect.

Easy coat care, apart from the hair

Shedding is a con, but the coat itself isn’t fussy. The BMDCA says a Berner’s coat is fairly easy to maintain with a periodic bath and frequent brushing. The standard calls for a natural coat and discourages heavy trimming.

Built for the cold

The BMDCA says Berners love cold and snow. The AKC’s breed facts article describes a dog that enjoys hiking, camping and playing in the snow, while still living indoors with the family.

The cons: Bernese Mountain Dog problems to weigh

A short lifespan

This is the hardest con. The BMDCA’s About sheet gives an average life of 7 to 8 years, though some dogs are still going strong at 10 and beyond. The club’s FAQ says cancer is the most common cause of death before age 7.

Research backs this up. A study of Berners born in Switzerland, published in BMC Veterinary Research, gathered data on 389 dogs born in 2001 and 2002 and found a median life expectancy of 8.4 years. Females lived longer than males (medians of 8.8 versus 7.7 years), and cancer caused 58.3% of the 381 deaths recorded.

Our guide to why Bernese lifespan is short and what helps covers what owners and breeders can do. For the cancer most linked to the breed, see cancer in Bernese Mountain Dogs.

Health problems and vet bills

The BMDCA lists a long set of health issues in the breed: cancer, hip and elbow dysplasia, other orthopedic problems, bloat, eye diseases, autoimmune diseases, hypothyroidism and degenerative myelopathy. It says many Berner owners face high vet bills because of them.

The costs can be large. The club says treatment and hospital care for a critically ill dog can cost many times the dog’s purchase price, and its About sheet suggests considering pet health insurance. The buying tips warn that hip and elbow dysplasia can mean crippling pain and heavy vet expenses.

The buying tips also say these joint problems are generally genetic, and a responsible breeder tests to lower the chances of producing them. Our guide to Bernese Mountain Dog health problems explains each condition, and the cost of owning a Bernese helps you budget. Ask your vet about any health concern in your own dog.

Heavy shedding

The AKC’s breed facts article says the double coat sheds a lot, and that the breed may not suit families with allergies. The BMDCA says a tidy household may need daily sweeping or vacuuming for much of the year.

The club’s About sheet adds that Berners shed their coats seasonally, while intact females shed in line with their heat cycles. Its bottom line is blunt: if hair in the house is a problem, this breed isn’t for you.

Poor heat tolerance

The BMDCA says the breed does not do well in hot, humid climates. Shade and water are essential, and air conditioning is preferred during extreme heat. The club’s About sheet says the dogs’ size and heavy black coats make them prone to heat stroke.

Cornell’s veterinary college lists thick or dark coats among the risk factors for heatstroke, along with being older or overweight. It calls heatstroke a medical emergency, so get to a vet fast if you suspect it. Our guide to keeping a Berner cool in hot weather has practical tips.

Very large size

Berners are big. The BMDCA gives 25 to 27½ inches at the shoulder for males and 23 to 26 inches for females, with males usually 80 to 115 pounds and females 70 to 95 pounds. Plan for a dog that size in your car, your home and your budget.

The AKC notes that the breed’s size may make it too much for very young kids. See Bernese Mountain Dog size and weight for growth details.

Slow to mature, sensitive and prone to shyness

The BMDCA says the breed can be slow to mature, and young dogs can be very active. Many puppies go through a mouthy stage, and many grow in body faster than in good sense, which can be hard on a first-time owner.

Berners are also sensitive. The club says bad or scary experiences are hard to overcome, so only positive training should be used. It also says a tendency to shyness runs in the breed, which makes socialization in the first year very important.

The club’s buying tips add that not every Berner has the ideal temperament, since some can be aggressive and some very shy. See when Bernese Mountain Dogs calm down and our guide to Bernese Mountain Dog training.

Needs a lot of time with people

The BMDCA says Berners don’t do well isolated from people, and behavior problems are likely when they lack time with their family. They should live inside, not as kennel dogs, and never be tied outside and left alone.

The club’s FAQ says the breed demands attention and suggests a more independent breed if you can’t commit to that. Long workdays with nobody home are a real problem for this dog.

Exercise, drool, digging and fences

These are smaller cons, but worth knowing:

• Exercise: The BMDCA says at least 30 minutes of moderately vigorous exercise a day, plus several trips outside, is enough for some Berners, but others need much more.
• Drool: The standard calls for a dry-mouthed dog, but the BMDCA says not all Berners are, and looser lips tend to mean more drool.
• Digging and fences: The BMDCA says Berners like to dig and need a sturdy four- or five-foot fence, and many breeders won’t place a dog without suitable fencing.

The price of a puppy

A well-bred Berner isn’t cheap. The BMDCA gave a typical range of $3,000 to $5,000 in 2024, and it notes that price often says nothing about quality. Our guide to Bernese Mountain Dog price explains what you should get for that money.

Should I get a Bernese Mountain Dog?

The BMDCA says plainly that this is not a breed for everyone. It urges you to research the breed, talk to breeders and owners, and meet some Berners before deciding.

A Berner may be right for you if you can say yes to most of these:

• You want a gentle, affectionate dog that lives indoors with you.
• Someone is home for much of the day, or the dog can come along.
• You can afford a large dog’s food, vet care and possibly insurance.
• You can live with dog hair and some drool.
• Your summers are mild, or you can keep the dog cool.
• You’re ready to train and socialize a big, slow-to-mature puppy.
• You can accept a shorter life than many breeds have.

Let a good breeder help you decide

The club’s buying tips say a responsible breeder will steer you to the right breed, maybe a Berner and maybe not, and will discuss both the good and bad sides of the breed. Be wary of anyone whose only goal seems to be a quick sale.

When you’re ready, our guide to finding a healthy Bernese puppy without getting scammed explains where to look. For day-to-day care, see the Bernese Mountain Dog care guide, and for everything about the breed in one place, start with our complete Bernese Mountain Dog breed guide.