When some dogs are just simply watchers, playmates and farm dogs, Bernese Mountain dogs do them all- and more. That’s correct, don’t be misled by this serene and sweet-demeanored pet. While they can mesmerize you with their long, smooth, white-and-auburn-banded dark coat, they can also guard you, aid you, and be a excellent playmate for you.

Bernese Mountain dogs do these things but did you know the breed nearly stopped existing during the early part of the 20th century? If rescue didn’t come, the breed would’ve been extinct. If that happened, we would never know a great mountain dog that helped in the farm, herded the cattle, and watched over the families of the Alpine villages.

If no rescue came for the breed, we never would’ve known BMD in North America and around the world. We would’ve never enjoyed a cute black-furred mountain dog, a gentle and fun playmate, and an intelligent and brave companion. There may be other great breeds of dog out there but the dog breeding world wouldn’t be complete without these gentle mountain creatures.

The origin of BMD’s breed is not well registered but it is believed to be a cross breed of some mountain dogs in Rome. BMD supposedly came to Switzerland with the Romans and has habited there since. They became reliable mountain dogs in the Alps until the threat of extinction in the 20th century.

Good thing is some breed enthusiasts discovered the good qualities of this breed and decided to save them. They brought the breed to Berne, Switzerland and it is there that this breed flourished and became known as the Bernese Mountain dog. In 1926, BMD or simply Berner arrived in the United States.

Currently, Berner is popular among kids and families across North America. While some of this breed still work in farms and herd cattle back in Switzerland, in the US they are spoiled pets. These breed have innate affinity with children so they make good playmates and safe pets.

In the US, pure bred Berners are hard to find and they cost much. But if you do have time and money to spare, this dog is worth it. Why won’t it be when its physical features look elegant and serene and it has good abilities?

Compared to other breeds, we can say that Bernese Mountain dogs are the only ones who can be safe playmates and intelligent companions while looking so serene and beautiful at the same time. Catching a glimpse of them from a distance, one can’t help but be mesmerized by their gentleness and radiant beauty. To know that they nearly faced extinction, we can only be thankful to those breeders who braved on rescuing them then.