The Bernese Mountain Dog Great Pyrenees Mix, also known as the Great Bernese, is a well-known mixed breed that is loved for its gentle temperament and adorable appearance.
This crossbreed is a mix of two herding dogs, the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Great Pyrenees. As a result, this dog inherits some of the best qualities of both breeds.
If you are considering adding a Bernese Mountain Dog Great Pyrenees Mix to your family, it is important to learn about their personality and care requirements.
In this essential guide, we will provide you with all the information you need to know about this wonderful crossbreed!
Bernese Mountain Dog Great Pyrenees mix – Breed Overview
Bernese Mountain Dogs were originally bred in the Bernese Oberland region of Switzerland. They were used as farm dogs, and their main job was to herd cows.
These dogs are large, strong, and very loyal to their families. They were basically all-purpose farm dogs.
Originally bred in France for guarding sheep, Great Pyrenees dogs are now used for hunting, herding, and companionship. They are gentle giants who are known for being patient and good with children.
Bernese Mountain Dog mixes are a recent cross breed but have rapidly gained popularity due to their remarkable personality.
Breed Attributes
Bernese Mountain Dog Great Pyrenees Mixes are big dogs, with males usually weighing around 115 pounds and females weighing approximately 95 pounds. They have a lifespan of 11-13 years.
They have a thick, double coat that is typically black, brown, or white. The Great Bernese is known for being gentle, loving, and very loyal to their families.
They are great with children and make excellent companion dogs. They are also a relatively active dog, and enjoy going on walks, hikes, and playing fetch.
What’s their Temperament like?
They have a gentle and loving temperament. Because of their affectionate temperament, they make great family pets and are commonly referred to as the ideal dog for families.
These dogs are also known for being very patient, which makes them excellent with children. Bernese Mountain Dog Great Pyrenees Mixes enjoy being around people and love to be the center of attention.
They are very loyal to their families and make great companion dogs.
Even though they are considered relatively active dogs, they still do well in apartments or homes with small yards.
What are their training Needs?
They’re relatively easy to teach, and they learn quickly, especially when there are treats involved! Due to their size, they need lots of physical activity and proper training. This also means lots of daily outdoor activities.
The Great Bernese will definitely love to stroll outside in the cool weather. Ideally, this should occur every day for 30 minutes as part of their daily routine.
They also enjoy playing with children, so you can use this to your advantage when training them. The Great Bernese is also very intelligent and respond well to consistent and positive reinforcement training methods such as clicker training.
Are they Aggressive?
The Great Bernese are not aggressive dogs. Gentle, affectionate, faithful, great companion for kids, ideal family pet.
They also have a tendency to choose one family member and dedicate their entire existence to that individual. Despite not being aggressive, Bernese Mountain Dog Great Pyrenees Mixes can be very protective of their families and may bark at strangers.
What’s their Exercise Needs?
This giant breed needs moderate exercise and does well in flats or houses with little space. 30 – 60 minutes of training every day is the ideal amount for Bernese Mountain Dog Great Pyrenees Mix.
It is important to be very mindful of over-exercising this breed, as this can be harmful to their joints down the track. Supervise your dog during exercise and provide frequent water breaks.
Mental Stimulation
Great Bernese: friendly, playful, intelligent, and need moderate brain exercise to avoid boredom.
Mental stimulation includes things like playing with toys, taking walks, and learning new tricks for fun. They require regular mental stimulation in order to remain calm and healthy.
Despite being friendly with family members, they can become very attached to the family member that provides more mental and physical stimulation for them.
They’re smart dogs who are also known to be motivated by food, so using rewards for good behavior works well.
You can use resources like dog puzzle toys to help keep their minds active when you’re away from home.
Try to avoid repetitive activities like long runs at the same location, as Bernese Mountain Dog Great Pyrenees Mixes can become bored easily.
Remember to keep them occupied because when they are idle. Failing to do so can result in your dog chewing objects and scattering your belongings around the house out of boredom.
How to Groom them?
Bernese Mountain Dog Great Pyrenees Mixes are relatively easy to clean as they are not heavy shedders. They have a thick, double coat that sheds seasonally, so they require weekly brushing to remove loose hair and prevent mats and tangles.
Bernese Mountain Dog Great Pyrenees Mixes enjoy being brushed and groomed, so take your time and make it a bonding experience for the both of you. Be sure to use a dog-specific brush or comb to avoid hurting your dog’s skin.
Bathe your Bernese Mountain Dog Great Pyrenees Mix as needed, usually every few months. Their coat is water-resistant, so they don’t need to be bathed too often. When you do bathe them, use a dog-specific shampoo and conditioner to avoid drying out their skin.
To maintain the health and hygiene of the Great Bernese, trim their nails monthly, and brush their teeth daily to prevent tartar buildup.
Are they Dog Friendly?
Bernese Mountain Dog Great Pyrenees Mixes are quite sociable and enjoy both human and canine company.
They are not aggressive and typically get along with most other dog breeds.
They do have a lot of energy, so they do best with other active breeds that enjoy fun activities.
Because they’re intelligent, easy to train, and affectionate, they make excellent companions for most families.
When paired with other canines in the house, they can become quite attached to them and love to play.
Are they Child Friendly?
If you’re looking for a safe and gentle giant, this Great Pyrenees Mix is a great choice. They are patient and loving dogs that enjoy being around people, especially children.
Bernese Mountain Dog Great Pyrenees Mixes have a natural instinct to be protective of their family, so they make excellent guard dogs.
However, they are not aggressive and will not attack unless they feel their family is in danger.
Another reason why these gentle breeds make such good pet dogs is that they’re fairly easy to train compared to other dog breed types.
And despite their enormous size, they do not have a naturally aggressive disposition. Because of their warm and kind personalities, they make excellent companions for children.
To remain on the safe side and avoid any accidental injuries, these pets should be monitored while they are around children.
Drooling levels
Bernese Mountain Dog Great Pyrenees mixes have a moderate level of drooling. You can expect them to slobber after drinking, during strenuous activity, and when they’re excited or nervous.
They do not require special care when it comes to drooling, but you may want to have a towel or paper towel handy to clean up after them.
So, you should consider getting this breed of Great Pyrenees mix if you’re looking for a family-friendly, low-maintenance, and gentle giant of a dog.
Barking Levels?
Bernese Mountain Dog Great Pyrenees mixes do not bark unless they are excited, nervous, or alert to something. They do not require special care when it comes to barking, but you may want to train them to bark only when necessary.
They can be trained to stop barking on command, and their barking can be minimized with patience and consistency.
If you start having issues with your dog barking at random times, you might need to provide more exercise or mental stimulation so he doesn’t get bored.
Adaptability to Weather
These gentle giants are very adaptable to most weather conditions. They can live in hot or cold climates and do well in both. So, the weather should not be a determining factor when deciding to purchase or adopt one of these dogs.
Whilst there are minimal concerns when it comes to weather, you may want to take them for walks in cooler weather to prevent overheating.
How long do they live?
Bernese Mountain Dog Great Pyrenees mixes have a lifespan of 12-14 years. To ensure their health and longevity are optimized, it is best to take them for regular medical checkups to ensure they are healthy and happy.
While they are a relatively healthy breed, they are susceptible to certain health conditions.
Their most common health concerns include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, cancers, bloat, ear infection, and Von Willebrand’s disease (VWD).
AKC Recognition
The Bernese Mountain dog Great Pyrenees mix isn’t recognized by the American Kennel Club even though both the Bernese Mountain Dog (BMD) and the Great Pyrenean Shepherd (GPS) are recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC).
If you’re interested in registering Bernese Mountain Dog Great Pyrenees Mix with another group, you can try other clubs like the UKC, CKC, etc.
Cost to Purchase
You can expect to pay anywhere from $1,000 to $3,000 for a Bernese Mountain Dog Great Pyrenees mix.
While there are no significant additional costs to be aware of, they are large breeds of dogs and will need plenty of food, so their meals per day may cost more than the average.
Final Thought – Bernese Mountain Dog Great Pyrenees mix
As outlined, the Bernese Mountain dog Great Pyrenees mix is a gentle, loving and intelligent dog suitable for children and adults alike. They are easy to train and very adaptable to changing weather and climates.
They produce a medium level of drool and barking, and they live for 12-14 years. While they are not recognized by the AKC, they can be registered with other organizations, and they typically cost between $1000 and $3000.
If you’re looking for a loyal, loving, and intelligent dog, this gentle giant may be the perfect breed for you and your family!
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