Bernese Mountain Dog — breed standard (AKC & FCI: size, coat, temperament, type)

Bernese Mountain Dog — breed standard (AKC & FCI: size, coat, temperament, type)

Claims

• *[Paraphrased derived summary — non-Open-Access source.]* A Swiss farm dog (FCI standard 45) in Group 2, covering Pinscher and Schnauzer type, Molossoid breeds and Swiss Mountain and Cattle Dogs, in Section 3 (Swiss Cattle Dogs), with no working trial; once a guard, draught and cattle dog, now also a family dog.
• *[Paraphrased derived summary — non-Open-Access source.]* Size: AKC height 25–27½ in dogs, 23–26 in bitches; FCI 64–70 cm dogs (ideal 66–68) and 58–66 cm bitches (ideal 60–63). The body is slightly longer than tall.
• *[Paraphrased derived summary — non-Open-Access source.]* The coat is thick and moderately long, straight or a little wavy, with a bright natural sheen; it is shown untrimmed, and a very curly or dull coat is unwanted.
• *[Paraphrased derived summary — non-Open-Access source.]* Colour is tricolour: a jet-black base with rich tan marks on the cheeks, above the eyes, the legs and chest, plus white on the blaze, muzzle band, chest (often an inverted cross), feet and tail tip; white legs or a white collar are faults.
• *[Paraphrased derived summary — non-Open-Access source.]* Temperament is self-assured, alert and good-natured, never sharp or shy; the FCI adds that it is vigilant, fearless, devoted to its family and placid with strangers.
• *[Paraphrased derived summary — non-Open-Access source.]* Disqualifications include a blue eye, a split nose, overshot/undershot/wry mouth, entropion/ectropion, a kinky or ring tail, a short or double coat, any coat other than tricolour, and any base colour other than black.