Physical appearance is striking; a dog once seen, never to be forgotten. Its stature, coloring and nobility make it a truly magnificent sight.
It is the character, temperament, personality and overall attitude to life which makes the dog such a wonderful companion.
Bernese have a great sense of humor, a characteristic not commonly attributed to dogs; Bernese love to act the clown and to be the center of attention. Bernese have a true happy-go-lucky nature, peaceable towards people, dogs and other animals, enjoying the company of all.
Bernese adore people, so they are best kept as a house dog rather than confined for long periods of time away from the family. They prefer to lie on the floor (couch, bed) watching the family about their business. Most content when sitting next to you with a paw on your lap, or leaning on you.
They should be confident and aware of their surroundings. They should never be shy or show undue aggression, but can sometimes be stand-offish, to strangers. Once accepted as a friend, a Bernese will never forget you and you can always be assured of a welcome. They are natural watchdogs and will warn you of approaching strangers or unusual noise, their size and deep bark make them a formidable sight. Extreme provocation would be needed before a Bernese would rise to the occasion. They will be more inclined to bark and hold an intruder at bay, than to bite at the first opportunity. This is one of the reasons why a Bernese makes such a good family pet and companion. |
