The Great Pyrenees Bernese Mountain Dog Mix is a designer dog breed. It is a crossbreed of a purebred Great Pyrenees and a purebred Bernese Mountain dog. The crossbreed is also called a Great Bernese mix. The dog resembles its parents in many ways. First, it is a large dog with a lot of hair. Therefore, taking care of the Great Bernese can be quite a task.
The Great Pyrenees and Bernese Mountain Dog Mix grows to between 24 to 28 inches and can weigh up to 115 pounds. However, the females will be a few inches smaller than the males. The Great Bernese occurs in various color combinations like black, white, brown, and rust. Also, the crossbreed will usually have brown eyes and a black nose.
This article discusses several facts about the Great Pyrenees Bernese Mountain Dog Mix below. You will learn the dog’s history, how to identify it (in pictures), its temperament, and its common health issues. At the end of this guide, you will find excellent tips to care for the Great Bernese and give it a longer lifespan.
What is a Great Pyrenees Bernese Mountain Dog Mix?
The Great Pyrenees Bernese Mountain Dog Mix is a breed from the Great Pyrenees and the Bernese Mountain Dog. Due to its large size, the dog can be extremely energetic. That’s why they need a large yard or daily exercise to keep fit.
Initially, they were used as guard dogs. Therefore, the Great Bernese can be belligerent sometimes. Although it is an intelligent dog, it can be stubborn during training. Thus, train the crossbreed dog from an early age if you want it to be friendly to other pets and strangers.
The great Bernese is an interesting dog to have. However, you should consider a few things before buying or adopting one. For instance, the cost of care, “is the Great Bernese child friendly?” and the type of diseases the crossbreed is prone to.
Below is a summary of the Great Pyrenees and Bernese Mountain Dog Mix.
| Size (height) | 24 to 28 inches |
| Weight | 70 to 115 pounds |
| Lifespan | 8 to 12 years |
| Temperament | Affectionate with family and children, intelligent, calm, friendly, fiercely loyal, and seeks attention |
| Common colors | A combination of black, brown, and white |
| Shedding | Low shedding |
| Suitability | The dog requires a large yard; they are also good guard dogs; good companions |
| Puppy cost | $1000 to $3,000 (Depends on breeder and dog size) |
Great Pyrenees Bernese Mountain Dog Mix info
In this section, I’ve explained all the information you need to know about the Great Bernese:
1. Breed information
Like most designer dogs, the Great Pyrenees Bernese Mountain Dog Mix is a recent breed. The dog has been around since the mid-1900s. Therefore, unlike its parents, the Great Bernese is not recognized by the American Kennel Club.
However, the pups’ parents have a long history. For instance, the Great Pyrenees is thought to have been around since the Bronze Age. They were used for herding and guarding livestock and property. As such, the Great Bernese mix has significant guarding instincts.
The dogs are generally affectionate, calm, and intelligent. It is playful and will not harm children. However, the dog’s guarding instincts can be triggered if it comes across strangers.
Although it is an excellent addition to your family, the Great Bernes dog mix is a huge responsibility. The dog’s long hair requires daily maintenance; the claws need clipping weekly. It also requires good dental hygiene.
In general, the Great Pyrenees Bernese Mountain Dog Mix is a family-friendly dog.
2. Size
The Great Pyrenees and Bernese Mountain Dog Mix grows to between 24 to 28 inches tall and can weigh up to 115 pounds.
However, the females are usually a few inches smaller than the males. The puppies are usually much smaller, but you can estimate their adult height and weight when they reach six or eight weeks old.
Measure the puppy’s height starting from its shoulder, straight down to the tip of its toe. Use a weighing machine to determine the pup’s weight.
Use this formula to calculate the estimated adult size of your Great Pyrenees Bernese Mountain Dog Mix:
| Size or weight at adulthood = (current size or weight at six or eight weeks) x 52 weeks. |
However, the simplest way to know how big the Great Bernese Dog Mix will be, is to look at the dog’s parents. You can ask the breeder to show you the pup’s mother. The crossbreed will most likely be as large and heavier as the mother.
However, the dog’s diet and genetics also play an essential role in its size and weight. As you will learn in the health issues below, Great Pyrenees Bernese Mountain Dog Mix is prone to obesity. Keep reading for tips on how to care for the crossbreed.
3. Temperament and family friendliness
The Great Bernese Mountain Dog Mix has a wide range of positive temperaments. The dog is affectionate with family and children, intelligent, and attention seeking. Therefore, I don’t recommend it if you are away for long hours.
Although it does well with family members, The Great Bernese dog mix can be overly attached to one family member. Usually, the person gives it enough mental and physical stimulation. Despite that attachment, the crossbreed will still protect the whole family.
The Great Bernese likes to play. Keep it occupied with daily exercises such as jogging, walking, and swimming to release its pent-up energy. Otherwise, the dog is suitable for people with a large backyard. Fencing the yard would be an added advantage.
Teach the Great Pyrenees Bernese Mountain Dog Mix essential commands from an early age. Some things to train the Great Bernese mix are sit, drop, catch, and pull. Due to their strength, training them can come in handy in emergency situations.
Here are the traits you will find in the Great Bernese Dog Mix:
- Affectionate
- Calm
- Gentle
- Happy
- Independent
- Intelligent
- Loyal
- Playful
- Stoic
- Stubborn
4. Color and appearance
As explained earlier, color and appearance are the easiest ways to identify the Great Pyrenees and Bernese Mountain Dog Mix. The crossbreed has a color combination of black, brown, white, and rust. But most importantly, the dog’s eyes are brown, and its nose is black.
Secondly, the Great Pyrenees Bernese Mountain Dog Mix has a lot of hair. The coat is thick and acts as a thermoregulator. In other words, the dog prefers cold to moderate weather. Keeping it in a hot environment stresses the dog and increases shedding.
You can manage the shedding by brushing, bathing, and grooming the Great Bernese Mix. Proper care will improve the dog’s appearance by straightening the fur, healing its skin, and keeping it attractive.
5. Lifespan
The Great Pyrenees Bernese Mountain Dog Mix has a lifespan of 8-12 years. However, the dog’s lifespan depends on various factors. For instance, a Great Bernese Mix that’s not fed properly will not live longer. Similarly, a dog with an adverse genetic condition may die early.
Therefore, do due diligence when purchasing or adopting a Great Bernese Mix. I usually ask to see the puppy’s parent’s medical report before taking the dog home. Additionally, I give my designer dogs high-quality dog food.
To keep your dog healthy and happy for long, I’d recommend foods for every stage of the dog’s development. For example, if it’s still young, give it puppy food. As the dog ages, give it freeze-dried meals or homemade dinners.
Ensure that the food eats nutritious food and has lean proteins. Other essential ingredients to look out for in Great Bernese dog food are glucosamine and antioxidants. A glucosamine diet will ease joint pain and discomfort as the dog ages.
On the other hand, antioxidants will keep the Great Bernese Mix fur and skin glossy and healthy. In short, great nutrition and good genes will make your Great Bernese Mix live for over ten years.
6. Health issues
Like most designer dogs, the Great Bernese Mountain Dog Mix is vulnerable to various dog diseases. Some inherit from their parents, but others come with old age.
Here are some health issues associated with the Great Bernese Dog Mix:
- Obesity occurs when the dog eats lots of fat and gets inadequate exercise. Avoid overfeeding the Great Bernese Mix foods such as chicken skin.
- Skin allergies: Great Pyrenees Bernese Mountain Dogs have a thick coat, which can attract parasites like fleas and ticks and cause skin allergies.
- Cataracts: Great Bernese Mix have proteins and water in their eyeballs. As they age, the two compounds form a cloudy mass over the dog’s eye, known as cataracts.
- Joint pain and discomfort: Aging Great Bernese dog mix also develops joint pain and severe discomfort.
General care info
Here are some tips for caring for the Great Pyrenees Bernese Mountain Dog Mix:
- Stimulate the dog mentally and physically through daily training and exercise
- Use the recommended dog shampoos for bathing and grooming the dog once a month
- Clip the dog’s nails twice a week; brush its hair regularly to reduce shedding; also check and clean the dog’s ears with hydrogen peroxide.
- Give it high-quality dog food with the right balance of proteins, fats, and fiber twice a day
- Take the dog to your vet for medical checkups every two or three months, whether it is sick or not
References
Guenter, Bernd. The Bernese Mountain Dog: a Dog of Destiny. Doral Pub., 2004.
Walker, J. H. Great Pyrenees. Barrons, 1999.