In the Swiss Alps, one of the most picturesque places of the planet, the breed of dogs appeared, which is impossible not to love. Beautiful, faithful, devotees, peace-loving, but not non-infractive Bern Shepherds can really be considered alpine dogs. Another name of the breed is Bernese Zennenhund. The Swiss Canton Bern is considered a small birthplace of shepherd dogs.
History of appearance
The official recognition of the breed was only in 1907, although the actual history began much earlier. Mention of dogs, one in one reminiscent of the Bern Shepherd, are found in ancient historians. Centuries of Zennenhund was used as a faithful and bold guard, as well as a professional shepherd. The power and endurance of animals was entirely dedicated to the owner's service. And these are not loud words! In the Middle Ages, the peasants were often delivered from the caustic robbers, the cattle suffered from the attacks of wild animals: the Swiss mountain dog was indispensable.
Sennenhund was also used to be valuable, and wrote at different times. The legends were made about loyal dogs.
It was even believed that the animal could replace transport: with the help of dogs, some owners transported small loads.
In 1902, a specialized exhibition was held in Bern. There for the first time and the official dog of this breed was presented. Good and generous temper, wonderful appearance, strength, excellent health and animal mind quickly made a universal favorite from it. First, the dog fell in love with Switzerland, then the love of the shepherd dog came to Germany, Austria, and now all Europe has penetrated with warm feelings to the Bern Shepherd.
5 years after the sign exhibition in Switzerland, a club appeared, which united the Zennenhund breeders. In Russia, the breed can call the Berne meadow dog, which is also true. In Moscow, the dog appeared for the first time in the late 1980s, and in 1995 the first Russian club "Bernese Zennenhund" was organized.
Description
Bern Shepherds are tricolor animals whose wool is thick and long. They are distinguished by strong physique, animals are well folded and very movable. Dog size - above average, they are strong, with strong paws and harmonious addition, boast of good health and endurance. This characteristic allows you to not give up nor Newfoundler nor Saintberra.
Bitches and males differ in size: the average height of the dog at the withers - 68 cm, weight - 47 kg. Female grows to 66 cm and a maximum weight of 45 kg. dogs length of the body, back straight, straight, black dog (although in fact it is tricolor) has a strong bone structure and well-developed muscles. Strong limbs with wide pads, long and pendulous tail highbrow massive head with a tight closure of the jaws of teeth with correct bite - it's all about the Bern sheepdog. Her ears with pendulous by bending forward (neither they nor the tail is not docked).
Important moments:
- coat the dog thick and long, dense undercoat, which is very important in the context of the Alpine winter - short-haired version of the breed is not and can not;
- the greatest length of a hair on the tail and chest, very short hair - on the forehead and the ears;
- breed peculiar to only one color, all other options will be uniquely marriage.
Mountain Dog newborns are born deaf and blind, to regulate its own temperature calf they can not. Only at the end of the third week in babies eyes are opened, they heard, and on the fourth they are cut teeth.
Growth spurt occurs during the sixth week, and at this time it is already possible to do (pre-course) evaluation of the exterior.
Character and behavior
According to the intellectual level of the dogs can be compared with the working breeds - German and Belgian Shepherd. Mountain Dog possess enviable autonomy, which is not surprising: "shaggy shepherdess" performed a serious problem. They had to graze their herds in the mountains sometimes even without a host.
Males spirited, lively, cheerful. Grow slowly because large in size of the dog can behave like a huge puppies, for which they are particularly fond of children. Before 2-3 years will not be considered in the animal slowness and thoroughness.
Sometimes they pretend they do not understand any team, in fact, they are very clever, and even fooled, their high intelligence required to demonstrate.
Bitches grow up faster, preset orders are executed with high responsibility. For owners and entourage are affectionate, friendly. To outsiders are wary. Barking for no reason is not inherent in the Bern sheep-dog, but the dog undue reticence is also not affected. Genetically therein lies the need to serve man, because a faithful, strong and intelligent animal even need to look.
It is no accident many adults do not doubt: Mountain Dog cope with the small, but important assignments. For example, a child could bring to a stop, it may ride on a sled or even able to inform the host's bag from a store. And most importantly, it is not a burden for the dog, and the joy to serve. Dog appreciates communication with a person, because you need to spend time resource to it. But these costs are pleasing to both sides - try to find such a friend!
Unlike similar sawmills
In Berne Shepherd has several close relatives, so other Swiss Mountain Dog falls Swiss mountain dog relatives. And on the surface it is easy to see.
But differences still evident:
- Appenzeller sennenhund - not the largest representative of the family, its dimensions are average, and the difference can be smooth-haired dog on the collapsed cone in the tail;
- Great Swiss Mountain Dog - the biggest dog of the world, the growth of male can achieve growth of 72 cm;
- Entlebucher Mountain Dog - the smallest dog in the family, more than 50 cm at the withers, they do not grow.
Bernese Shepherd is unique in the family of dogs whose fur is long and wavy.
How to choose a puppy?
Of course, we should not rush to the first classified seen, however eloquent was not a breeder and how great was not your desire to quickly get just such another. It is useful to gather information on the major clubs and nurseries, their reputation is important. And if you visit the exhibition, there can already parents to notice their future friend. The first time before the meeting with the puppy - an assessment of a generic box and the rooms where the puppies. Strong odor, should alert the general untidy.
It looks like a healthy baby:
- clean clear eyes without discharge (no turbid plenochki they should not be);
- dog fur clean - not dry and brittle;
- wet nose, no discharge;
- from the anus puppy should not be matted fur, there it is, this suggests problems with digestion;
- Puppies should not be sluggish, inactive, the more fool around and indulge in kids, the more likely they are healthy and full of energy.
Pay attention to the following points.
- The backbone. Compare the thickness kids pads: one who they thin, deliberately losing. But do not carp much puppies 1.5-2 months should resemble furry cubs, rather than their parents in miniature. So what clumsiness and some diskoordintsiya - passing.
- Paws. The front and rear straight, parallel to each other. The angles of hind legs slightly flattened. On examination you will see that its hind legs resemble a barrel shape, that's fine. Abnormally if they are concave inward and iksoobrazny.
- Head. Even as a child should be seen that it is a large, muzzle volume. If the muzzle is narrow and elongated, it will remain such, in size, of course, will grow, but it is disproportionate trunk dog will not outgrow. Ears baby should be large and wide.
- Movement. The ease and freedom - the main criteria when choosing a puppy. If the baby seeds, it's not good. The parents of the puppies should be pictures dysplasia, experienced breeders this is followed. Dysplasia itself is not particularly scary, but related arthritis and arthrosis undermine the health of the dog.
- Back. Direct, without all sorts of failures. Should not create the impression puppy humped back. In a period of growth may seem that the back "falls", but this happens because their hind legs in growth ahead of the front.
- Tail. Long, thick at the base, tapering toward the tip. Form tail - saber, in the excited state of the tail rises to the back line. If the puppy's tail is twisted into a ring, a vice breed. We see the puppies ring is difficult, but a tendency to curl is well regarded.
- Color and wool . Perfect symmetry you will not find. Pay attention to good dyed faces. Dickey and the cross on the chest should go without breaks. Fur clean, not dry, not brittle, no dandruff. Toddlers puhoobraznaya soft wool.
By the nature of puppy should be outgoing and inquisitive. Scare him not: some buyers throw the keys in front of the puppy, waiting for action. But most kids just this frightened.
Do not believe the breeders, which provide guarantees and promises. Examination of the characteristics of parents - this is the kind of information on the basis of which the buyer concludes.
Promise and guarantee something against the growing organism - arrogance bordering on fraud.
Height and weight by months
Table - dimensions puppy by month | ||
Age (month) | Height | The weight |
1 | 20-25 cm | 2.5-4.5 kg |
2. | 28-37 cm | 6-10 kg |
3. | 37-44 cm | 11-17 kg |
4-5 | 42-51 cm | 15-26 kg |
6-7 | 50-61 cm | 25-38 kg |
eight | 55-67 cm | 34-45 kg |
9-12 | 58-70 cm | 45 kg |
Content and care
Beauty dog owner just have to follow. Without the efforts of the owner to maintain his incredible genetics dog difficult. If the time and effort for a rather big dog care you do not, it is better to abandon the idea to have a dog of this breed. Molting and hair around the house will definitely be just one is scared, others find it "everyday thing" and a small price to pay for happiness is to find such a friend.
Dog, despite its size and Shaggy, pretty neat. But still you have it regularly comb and brush. Guard hairs need to comb once a week comb with long teeth rare. can not do without puhodera (Furminators) in autumn and spring. Obligatory condition of leaving - the timely removal of undercoat. If the owner does not pay due attention to animal moult, business contact dermatitis or weeping eczema.
Other important aspects of the care and maintenance of the Bern sheep-dog.
- Be careful with a dip. PSA washed and necessary, but without fanaticism. It is not always possible to immediately pick up a dog loyal for the organism. Bathing often a dog that does not drop down undercoat, it is impossible. If you do not prepare the exhibition, try to bathe a pet as much as possible.
- Conspect PSA eyes every day . Remove delicate selection, accumulated in the corners of the age of the selection (moored in warm water sponge). Any redness and swelling of the century - the reason to refer to the veterinarian. But the tea and champs of herbs can not moisten the dog (maybe allergic).
- Ears inspect daily, especially after summer walks, high grass contacts, etc. To keep the teeth and the bite of PSA in health, the pet menu does not include solid bones and moslas (this applies to those who are concerned about the exhibition career of the dog).
One very important point - Bern can not be called a long-liver . Alas, but for various reasons, which are now widely discussed among professional communities, Bernese shepherd dogs live up to 6.5-8 years. If all breeders are in a timely manner to contact the specialists, if any PSA disease will end with self-medication, it is possible to increase the life of the breed's life. Incorrect diagnoses, failure to cause the cause of death, the sale of puppies without documents and pedigrees - all this only aggravates the problem.
Birds are prone to cataract, progressive atrophy and retinal dystrophy, hypoteriosis, etc. Behind the dog you need to follow! All you can do for health PSA do.
Optimally before the establishment of a puppy to build contact with a good veterinarian, start communicating with experienced breeders.
Nutrition
The food, which consists of diet Bern, affects his health, and behavior. Some food elements improve the state of the wool, while others can, on the contrary, aggravate the health of the PSA. Because how to feed the dog and in what mode is a very important question.
8 Bern Power Rules.
- Dry feed should include 18-26% protein, up to 16% fat. It should not be the dominance of chemical preservatives, as this can lead to an allergic reaction. There should be no focus of wheat, soybean, corn. If the dog is allergic - this is an iron rule. Chicken or fish oil in dry food are welcome.
- The basis of the diet of the Bern Shepherd - raw lean meat: chicken, beef, lamb. Marine fish possible. Alternate the meat and offal.
- With pet meat with pleasure there will be vegetables - carrots, broccoli, pumpkin and zucchini. I will like the pet and such a delicacy, like apples, bananas (not often).
- Best sources of dietary fiber are rice, oats and barley.
- Once a week (maximum - two) Let the Bernana raw or boiled eggs, as well as dairy not very fatty foods.
- Ideal formula diet Bern - 40-60% meat, up to 10% by-products, up to 20% of vegetables and fruit, 10% of dairy products and cereals.
- When age diseases dog feeding is adjusted - for example, the number of the incoming feed is reduced with sodium.
- As the feed of additives to be incorporated chondroitin and glucosamine.
No matter how you feed the dog, freely available to him to be a bowl of drinking water (especially in summer).
Berna adults should get about 1800 calories a day, older dogs - 1500. If the dog active and working, his energy intake is 3000 calories. After the meal, do not need to immediately load the active dog walk: an hour or two give it a rest. If you pet a full stomach, and you expose him to physical stress, not eliminate the risk of volvulus. After training is also not in a hurry to feed your pet - half an hour wait.
Education and training
Nanny and guides of - so, too, are called Bern. Their main quality lies in the desire to be of service to his master. They enthusiastically accepted for any task: what is more, if the dog is deprived of meaningful activities for the good of the host, it often falls ill and dies prematurely.
Training and education - not some abstract from everyday process. Any walk, play, home communication you turn into a lesson for the pet. You should begin with 2-3 months when the baby activated hereditary patterns of behavior on life experiences may have formed new ones. It is in this age of mother teach puppies functional behaviors.
Highlights of training and taming:
- the effective promotion - this delicacy, and happiness plenty to play and chat with the owners;
- Bern feature that rewards them very quickly becomes self instructions - for them it is the most important thing is to please and help the owner;
- Avoid physical and mental overload - not part with multiple repetitions, do not bring puppies to fatigue;
- first as "biting behavior, grasping the game" - a reason to quickly teach the dog not to compress the jaws are very strong;
- eslidressirovka organized correctly, already in 4 months your baby will master the main disciplinary skills.
As for the teams, the Bernese Shepherd must seize the base, it is 5 core: "Ugh!", "Next", "sit", "walk", "to me."
Three months - a very important period for Bern, puppy time to socialize. At this age, it is formed by the nervous system, so show him the real world around us, with bustling streets and large crowds of people. But do it gently, gradually increasing the time spent on a crowded street, in the park. Gently pet Meet with other people and other dogs, but first make sure they are friendly.
At this age, the baby begins to understand the most important things: you can go to the toilet on the street, and not tolerate to the tray. Not everyone is eager to communicate, so it's not fun to hurt every oncoming me - and it also absorbs the baby. Finally, he learns to take food only from the hands of the host.
Dogs have previously taken several techniques, each spoke of its convenient ages for training. Today, experts adhere to a single system without additional stages of learning, in a smooth mode, which is maximally based on zoopsychology.
Bern Shepherd - Nice, kind, very intelligent and caring dog. It is quickly tied to her, she falls in love with the whole family. If you are tuned seriously and are not afraid of spending time and strength to upbringing and care for a big shaggy friend, it's time to look closely for sympathets puppies. And if such has already appeared in your home, help your faithful friend to live a happy dog life!
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