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ORIGIN:Switzerland
Berner Sennenhund, Dürrbächler
Date of Publication of Publication :
25/03/2003
UTILIZATION : Originally used as a guard and draught
dog and for driving cattle in the Kanton Bern; today also multi purpose, companion
and family dog.
CLASSIFICATION F.C.I. :
Group 2 Pinscher and Schnauzer type-Molossoid breeds-Swiss Mountain andCattle-Dogs and other breeds.
Section 3 Swiss Cattle Gogs. Without working trial.
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BRIEF HISTORICAL SUMMAR :The Bernese Mountain Dog is a farm
dog of ancestral origin which was used as a guard and draught dog and for driving
cattle in the prealpine regions and in the midland areas around Bern. Originally
he was named "Dürrbächler" according to the name of the hamlet and of the inn of
Dürrbach, near Riggisberg, where this longhaired tricoloured farm dog was especially
appreciated In 1902, 1904 and 1907 subjects of this breed were exhibited at dog
shows. In 1907 a few breeders of the region of Burgdorf decided to promote the pure
breeding of this native dog by founding the "Schweizerische Dürrbach-Klub" and fixing
the characteristic traits of the breed in a first standard. In 1910, at the invitation
of the "Dürrbach-Klub", there were already 107 subjects shown by the farmers at
this very special event. From that day onward this dog, renamed "Bernese Mountain
Dog" (following the example of other breeds of Swiss Mountain Dogs) became rapidly
known all over Switzerland and Southern Germany. Today the Bernese Mountain Dog
is well known and appreciated all over the world as a companion and family dog thanks
to its striking tricoloured coat and its great adaptability.
GENERAL APPEARANCE : Longhaired, tricoloured, strong and agile working dog, of above medium size, with sturdily built limbs; harmonious and well balanced.
IMPORTANT PROPORTIONS :
Height at withers : length of
body = 9 : 10
compact rather than long
- Height at withers : length of body (measured from the point of the shoulder to the point of the buttock) = 9 : 10, rather compact than elongated.
- Ideal relation of height at withers : depth of chest = 2 : 1.
BEHAVIOUR / TEMPERAMENT : Self confident, attentive,
vigilant, fearless in situations of every day life, good natured and devoted to
his own people, self-assured and friendly towards strangers; of average and docile
temperament
HEAD : Strong. In size balanced to general appearance, not too massive.
Cranial Region :
- Skull : Viewed from the front and in profile little rounded. Frontal furrow hardly marked.
- Stop : Well defined, but without being too pronounced.
Facial Region :
- Nose : Black
- Muzzle : Strong, of medium length; nasal bridge straight.
- Lips :Close fitting; black.
- Jaws/Teeth :Strong, complete scissor bite (molars 3 (M3) are not taken into consideration). Pincer bite accepted.
- Eyes: Dark brown, almond-shaped, with close fitting eyelids. Neither too deep-set nor prominent. Loose eyelids are faulty
- Ears :Medium-sized, set high, triangular in shape, slightly rounded at the tips, in repose hanging flat and close to the head. When alert, the rear part of the set-on is raised while the front edge of the ear remains close to the head.
NECK : Strong, muscular,of medium length
BODY : Compact and sturdy
- Topline : From the neck running slightly downwards to the withers in a harmonious line, then running on straight and level.
- Back : Firm, straight and level.
- Loins : Broad and strong; seen from above slightly less broad than the chest.
- Croup : Smoothly rounded.
- Chest : Broad and deep, reaching to the elbows; forechest distinctly developed; ribcage of wide-oval section extending as well back as possible.
- Underline/belly : Slightly rising from chest to hindquarters.
TAIL : Bushy, reaching at least to the hocks; hanging straight down when at rest; carried level with back or slightly above when moving.
LIMBS: Strong bones.
Forequarters: Forelegs seen from the front straight and parallel, standing rather wide apart.
- Shoulders : Shoulder blade long, strong and well laid back, forming a not too obtuse angle with the upper arm, well attached to the chest, well muscled.
- Upper arm : Long, set oblique.
- Elbows : Close fitting; neither turned in nor out.
- Forearm : Strong, straight.
- Pastern : Seen from the side almost upright, firm; seen from the front in straight line with the forearm.
- Forefeet : Short, roundish; with well-knit, well-arched toes. Turned neither in nor out.
Hindquartes: Seen from the rear straight and parallel, not too close.
- Upper thigh : Long, broad, strong and well muscled.
- Stifle : Distinctly well bent.
- Lower thigh : Long and oblique.
- Hock joint : Strong, well angulated.
- Metatarsus : : Set almost vertically. Dewclaws to be removed (except in those countries where it is prohibited by law).
- Hind feet : less arched than forefeet, turned neither in nor out.
GAIT / MOVEMENT : Sound and balanced movement in all gaits covering a lot of ground; free stride reaching well out in front, with good drive from behind; at the trot, coming and going, legs moving forward in a straight line.
COAT
Hair : Long, shining, straight or slightly wavy.
Colour : Jet black main colour with rich tan markings on the cheeks, above the eyes, on all four legs and on the chest, and with white markings as follows :
- Clean white symmetrical markings on the head : Shoulder blade long, strong and well laid back, forming a not too obtuse angle with the upper arm, well attached to the chest, well muscled.
- Moderately broad : unbroken white marking on throat and chest.
- Desirable : : white feet, white tip of tail.
- Tolerated : small white patch on nape of neck, small white anal patch.
SIZE
Height at withers :
- For dogs :64-70 cm, ideal size : 66-68 cm.
- For bitches :68-66 cm, ideal size : 60-63 cm.
FAULTS : Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.
- Unsure behaviour.
- Fine bones.
- Irregular set of the incisors provided that the bite remains correct.
- Absence of any other theeth than 2 PM1 (premolars 1); the M3 (molars 3) are not taken into consideration.
Coat
- Distinctly curly coat.
- Faults of colour and markings :
- Absence of white on head.
- Blaze too large and/or muzzle band reaching noticeably beyond the corners of the mouth.
- White collar.
- Large white patch on nape of neck (maximum diameter more than 6 cm).
- White anal patch (maximum size 6 cm).
- White markings on forelegs reaching distinctly beyond half-way of pasterns (“boots”).
- Disturbingly asymmetrical white markings on head and/or chest.
- Black ticks and stripes within the white on the chest.
- “Dirty” white (strong spots of pigmentation).
- Black coat with a touch of brown or red.
ELIMINATING FAULTS : Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.
- Aggressive, anxious or distinctly shy.
- Split nose.
- One or two blue eyes (wall eye).
- Undershot or overshot mouth, wry mouth.
- Entropion, ectropion.
- Kinky tail, ring tail.
- Short coat, double coat (Stockhaar).
- Other than tricoloured coat.
- Other main colour than black.
Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioural abnormalities shall be disqualified;
N.B. : Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
Berner Sennen,
Bouviers Bernois,
Bernese Mountain Dog
Standar
Dogs: 25 to 27-1/2 inches
Bitches: 23 to 26 inches
Though appearing square
