Bernese Mountain Dog
The Bernese Mountain Dog has a history dating back to Roman times, when large mastiff-type dogs accompanied the legions in their marches across the Alps. Some of these huge dogs were left behind to guard the Alpine outposts which the Romans established along the route.
From these guard dogs have descended four distinct breeds of' Swiss mountain dog-the Appenzell, the Entlebuch, the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, and the Bernese. The latter was named for the Swiss Canton of Berne where it was most numerous prior to the turn off the century.
While the mountain dogs are said to have lost some of' their stature because of cross matings with local herding dogs, their loyalty in the service of man has remained unchanged. Over the centuries they developed a remarkable facility to negotiate steep Alpine paths. Because of this, the breeds were used primarily as cart dogs to transport dairy products and weavers' baskets to market. They also served as cattle dogs. With his long, distinctively marked, silky coat, the Bernese is said to be the most beautiful of the four breeds of mountain dog and unrivalled as a family pet. Nevertheless, with the coming of the Machine Age the breed's usefulness seemed to be at an end. Had it not been for the efforts of two Swiss dog enthusiasts the Bernese might have vanished.
To prevent this from happening, in 1892 these dog fanciers searched the country for good specimens and succeeded in establishing a breeding colony. In 1907 a specialty club for the Bernese Mountain Dog was formed in Burydorf, Switzerland and the breed began appearing at dog shows. Today it is extremely popular in its country of origin accounting for large exhibits at most championship events.
During the 1930s the breed was introduced to the United States and some forty years later there was sufficient interest in the Bernese Mountain Dog in Canada to warrant its inclusion on the official list of recognized breeds.
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