To keep a BMD’s coat looking good takes a bit of work which means it's important to set up a grooming routine for them. The earlier a puppy is taught that being brushed is a nice experience, the easier it is to keep on top of things when they are adult dogs. As such, these dogs need grooming at least once a week, but ideally they need to be brushed more often to prevent any knots and tangles forming in their coats. Like other breeds, the BMD sheds more during the Spring and then again in the Autumn when more frequent brushing is necessary to keep on top of things and any loose hair off the furniture.
It's also important to keep an eye on their ears because air cannot circulate as well as it should. Moisture tends to build up in a dog's ear canal, creating the perfect environment for a yeast infection to take hold. This type of infection can be notoriously hard to clear up.
The Bernese Mountain Dog is a large and athletic character which means they need a good two hours’ exercise on a daily basis. They also need to be given lots of mental stimulation because keeping their minds busy will fend off the chance of boredom setting in. It's important to remember they are highly intelligent dogs which in short means they need to be kept busy both mentally and physically to be truly happy, well-rounded dogs.
However, the BMD is a relaxed character and not demanding which means that if they are only taken on a shorter walk from time to time, they would be perfectly okay with things. However, these dogs do not do well when left to their own devices for too long. Puppies only need a little exercise to begin with and it's important not to overdo things because too much exercise puts extra strain on their joints, ligaments and bones which are still developing. This could cause problems further down the line when these dogs are older.
With this said, the breed is prone to obesity which means keeping a careful eye on a dog's waist line and to feed them according to the amount of exercise they are given to ensure they never carry too much weight.
If you get a Bernese Mountain Dog puppy from a breeder, they would give you a feeding schedule and it's important to stick to the same routine, feeding the same type of puppy food to avoid any tummy upsets. You can change a puppy's diet, but this needs to be done very gradually always making sure they don't develop a digestive upset in the process and if they do, it's best to put them back on their original diet and to discuss things with the vet before attempting to change their diet again.
Mature Bernese Mountain Dogs need to be fed a good quality, well-balanced diet and it has to be one that suits the different stages of their lives. However, contrary to what you may think, they don't need to be fed vast volumes of food once they have matured. Over-feeding a dog would lead to obesity and this could shorten their already short life spans considerably.
