Bernese Mountain Dog Health Guide
Everything bernese mountain dog owners need to know about keeping their dog healthy.
Breed Overview
Bernese Mountain Dogs are large working dogs developed in Switzerland for draft work and farm tasks. They are typically affectionate, people-oriented, and eager to please, but their size and fast growth make orthopedic health a major priority. What makes this breed especially unique from a health standpoint is its shorter-than-average lifespan for a large dog and a notable breed burden of inherited disease, especially orthopedic disorders and cancer. Breed health groups and the Berner-Garde Foundation continue to track longevity and inherited disease data to support better breeding and screening decisions.
Common Health Issues
Hip dysplasia
A common inherited joint disorder in large breeds that can cause hind-end stiffness, pain, trouble rising, bunny-hopping gait, and later osteoarthritis. Weight management, exercise modification, physical rehabilitation, pain control, and in some dogs surgery may be part of treatment.
Elbow dysplasia
Berners are also screened for elbow disease because developmental elbow abnormalities can lead to front-leg lameness, reduced activity, and arthritis. Early diagnosis may improve long-term comfort.
Cancer risk
This breed is well known for elevated cancer risk, including histiocytic sarcoma in breed-health discussions. Warning signs can include unexplained weight loss, limping, swelling, low energy, or appetite changes. Any persistent or vague illness in a Berner deserves prompt veterinary attention.
Inherited eye disease
Breed clubs and OFA recommend regular ophthalmology screening. Inherited eye disorders may not be obvious early, so changes such as night blindness, bumping into objects, or cloudy eyes should be checked by a veterinarian.
Von Willebrand disease
An inherited bleeding disorder that can lead to prolonged bleeding after surgery, injury, or nail trims. Dogs may bruise easily or have nosebleeds. Screening is especially useful before breeding and before some procedures.
Degenerative myelopathy variant testing
The Bernese Mountain Dog Club of America includes DM DNA testing in recommended breed screening. While DNA status is not the same as a diagnosis, screening can help inform breeding plans and discussions about neurologic disease risk.
Preventive Care Schedule
Bernese Mountain Dogs need routine core vaccinations, year-round parasite prevention, and annual to twice-yearly exams depending on age and medical history. Because they are a large, heavy breed with important inherited risks, preventive care should also include body-condition monitoring, dental care, and orthopedic surveillance during growth. Breed-club and OFA recommendations for breeding dogs include hip evaluation, elbow evaluation, eye examination by a boarded ophthalmologist, cardiac evaluation by a boarded cardiologist, and DM DNA testing; optional screening may include von Willebrand disease DNA testing or thyroid testing. For pet Berners, ask your veterinarian about joint-focused exams as a puppy, baseline mobility assessment in adulthood, and earlier senior screening because this breed often develops serious disease at a younger age than many owners expect. Call your vet promptly for limping, exercise intolerance, new lumps, unexplained weight loss, pale gums, abnormal bleeding, or behavior changes.
When to Use Telehealth for Your Bernese Mountain Dog
Telehealth can be especially helpful for Bernese owners when you are not sure whether a new problem is urgent, such as mild limping after play, questions about weight gain and joint support, follow-up discussions after an orthopedic diagnosis, reviewing screening results, monitoring skin or coat changes, or deciding whether a new lump needs same-day care. It is also useful for senior Berners with gradual mobility changes, appetite questions, or quality-of-life check-ins. Because this breed has meaningful risk for cancer, bleeding disorders, and orthopedic disease, telehealth is best used for triage and guidance—not to replace in-person care when there is collapse, trouble breathing, severe pain, rapidly worsening lameness, active bleeding, abdominal distension, neurologic changes, or a suddenly ill dog. When in doubt, call your vet.
Bernese Mountain Dog health FAQs
What health problems are Bernese Mountain Dogs most prone to?
Why do Bernese Mountain Dogs have a shorter lifespan than many other breeds?
What health tests should Bernese Mountain Dog breeders do?
At what age should a Berner be checked for joint problems?
When should I see a vet right away for my Bernese Mountain Dog?
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute veterinary medical advice. Reading this content does not establish a veterinarian-client-patient relationship. Every pet is different — always consult a licensed veterinarian before making decisions about your pet's health, diet, or care. If you'd like personalized guidance, you can talk to one of our vets. If your pet is experiencing a medical emergency, contact your local emergency animal hospital immediately.