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Bernese Mountain Dog Breed Standard
 Bernese Mountain General Appearance
The Bernese Mountain Dog is a striking. tri-colored, large dog. Bernese Mountain Dog is sturdy and balanced. He is intelligent, strong and agile enough to do the draft and droving work for which Bernese Mountain Dog was used in the mountainous regions of his origin. Dogs appear masculine, while bitches are distinctly feminine.
Bernese Mountain Size, Proportion, Substance
Bernese Mountain measured at the withers, Bernese Mountain 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. Bernese Mountain Dog body is full.
Bernese Mountain Head
Bernese Mountain Expression is intelligent, animated and gentle. Bernese Mountain Dog 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. Bernese Mountain Dog 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. Bernese Mountain Dog skull is flat on top and broad, with a slight furrow and a well-defined, but not exaggerated stop. Bernese Mountain Dog muzzle is strong and straight. Bernese Mountain Dog nose is always black. Bernese Mountain Dog lips are clean and, as the Bernese Mountain Dog is a dry-mouthed breed, the flews are only slightly developed. Bernese Mountain Dog teeth meet in a scissors bite. An overshot or undershot bite is a serious fault. Dentition is complete.
Bernese Mountain Neck, Topline, Body
Bernese Mountain neck is strong, muscular and of medium length. The topline is level from the withers to the croup. Bernese Mountain Dog 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. Bernese Mountain Dog loin is strong. Bernese Mountain Dog croup is broad and smoothly rounded to the tail insertion. Bernese Mountain Dog 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.
Bernese Mountain Forequarters
Bernese Mountain shoulders are moderately laid back, flat-lying, well-muscled and never loose. Bernese Mountain Dog legs are straight and strong and Bernese Mountain Dog elbows are well under the shoulder when the dog is standing. Bernese Mountain Dog pasterns slope very slightly. but are never weak. Dewclaws may be removed. Bernese Mountain Dog feet are round and compact with well-arched toes.
Bernese Mountain Hindquarters
Bernese Mountain thighs are broad, strong and muscular. Bernese Mountain Dog stifles are moderately bent and taper smoothly into the hocks. Bernese Mountain Dog hocks are well let down and straight as viewed from the rear. Dewclaws should be removed. Bernese Mountain Dog Feet are compact and turn neither in nor out.
Bernese Mountain Coat
Bernese Mountain 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.
Bernese Mountain 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 Bernese Mountain Dog 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.
Bernese Mountain Gait
Bernese Mountain natural working gait of the Bernese Mountain Dog is a slow trot. However, in keeping with his use in draft and droving work, Bernese Mountain Dog 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.
Bernese Mountain Temperament
Bernese Mountain 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.
Bernese Mountain Disqualifications
Blue eye color.
Any ground color other than black.
Bernese Mountain Approved February 10, 1990
Bernese Mountain Effective March 28, 1990
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