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General Appearance
The Bernese Mountain Dog is a striking. tri-colored, large dog. He is sturdy and
balanced. He is intelligent, strong and agile enough to do the draft and droving
work for which he was used in the mountainous regions of his origin. Dogs appear
masculine, while bitches are distinctly feminine.
Size, Proportion, Substance
Measured at the withers, dogs are 25 to 27½ inches; bitches are 23 to 26
inches. Though appearing square, Bernese Mountain Dogs are slightly longer in
body than they are tall. Sturdy bone is of great importance. The body is full. Head
- Expression is intelligent, animated and gentle. The eyes
are dark brown and slightly oval in shape with close-fitting eyelids. Inverted
or everted eyelids are serious faults. Blue eye color is a disqualification. The
ears are medium sized, set high, triangular in shape.
gently rounded at the tip, and hang close to the head when in repose. When the
Bernese Mountain Dog is alert, the ears are brought forward and raised at the
base; the top of the ear is level with the top of the skull. The skull
is flat on top and broad, with a slight furrow and a well-defined, but not
exaggerated stop. The muzzle is strong and straight.
The nose is always black. The lips
are clean and, as the Bernese Mountain Dog is a dry-mouthed breed, the flews are
only slightly developed. The teeth meet in a scissors
bite. An overshot or undershot bite is a serious fault. Dentition is complete.
Neck, Topline, Body
The neckis strong, muscular and of medium length. The topline
is level from the withers to the croup. The chest is deep and
capacious with well-sprung, but not barrel-shaped, ribs and brisket reaching at
least to the elbows. The back is broad and firm. The loin
is strong. The croup is broad and smoothly rounded to
the tail insertion. The tail is bushy. It should be
carried low when in repose. An upward swirl is permissible when the dog is
alert, but the tail may never curl or be carried over the back. The bones in the
tail should feel straight and should reach to the hock joint or below. A kink in
the tail is a fault.
Forequarters
The shoulders are moderately laid back, flat-lying, well-muscled and never
loose. The legs are straight and strong and the elbows
are well under the shoulder when the dog is standing. The pasterns
slope very slightly. but are never weak. Dewclaws may
be removed. The feet are round and compact with
well-arched toes.
Hindquarters
The thighs are broad, strong and muscular. The stifles
are moderately bent and taper smoothly into the hocks. The hocks
are well let down and straight as viewed from the rear. Dewclaws
should be removed. Feet are compact and turn neither
in nor out.
Coat
The coat is thick, moderately long and slightly wavy
or straight. It has a bright natural sheen. Extremely curly or extremely
dull-looking coats are undesirable. The Bernese Mountain Dog is shown in natural
coat and undue trimming is to be discouraged.
Color and Markings
The Bernese Mountain Dog is tri-colored. The ground color is jet black. The
markings are rich rust and clear white. Symmetry of markings is desired. Rust
appears over each eye, on the cheeks reaching to at least the corner of the
mouth, on each side of the chest, on all four legs, and under the tail. There is
a white blaze and muzzle band. A white marking on the chest typically forms an
inverted cross. The tip of the tail is white. White on the feet is desired but
must not extend higher than the pasterns. Markings other than described are to
be faulted in direct relationship to the extent of the deviation. White legs or
a white collar are serious faults. Any ground color other than black is a
disqualification.
Gait
The natural working gait of the Bernese Mountain Dog is a slow trot. However, in
keeping with his use in draft and droving work, he is capable of speed and
agility. There is good reach in front. Powerful drive from the rear is
transmitted through a level back. There is no wasted action. Front and rear legs
on each side follow through in the same plane. At increased speed, legs tend to
converge toward the center line.
Temperament
The temperament is self-confident, alert and
good-natured, never sharp or shy. The Bernese Mountain Dog should stand steady,
though may remain aloof to the attentions of strangers.
Disqualifications
Blue eye color.
Any ground color other than black.
Approved February 10, 1990
Effective March 28, 1990
For More information visit AKC.org