Dog Breed

Berner Laufhund

Adventure Driven
Primary image of Berner Laufhund dog breed
Full Name
Berner Laufhund
Alternate Names
Small Bernese Hound
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Life Span
12 - 13 years
Weight
18 - 33 pounds
Description

More commonly known as the Small Bernese Hound, this is a swiss hound that was originally bred for hunting. Today they have become home companions, and are are more calm natured, and loving dogs that make great family pets. However, because of their energy and hunting instinct, they do need a strong leader who will regularly exercise and train them.

Origin
Switzerland
Bred For
Hunting
    Family Considerations
    Child Friendly

    Is the Berner Laufhund good with children?

    The Berner Laufhund is about average in how friendly they are with children. They can be friendly and loving with children, but we recommend that they get early socialization, and are not left alone with children for extended periods.
    Stranger Friendly

    Is the Berner Laufhund friendly with strangers?

    The Berner Laufhund is about average in how friendly they are with strangers. They can be timid or protective, but with proper training and socialization can be fine for any household.
    Dog Friendly

    Is the Berner Laufhund friendly with other dogs?

    Yes, the Berner Laufhund is very friendly with other dogs. We still recommend early socialization while the Berner Laufhund is a puppy to introduce them to various new dogs, but in general they are friendly with dogs as soon as they meet them.
    Likes to Cuddle

    Does the Berner Laufhund like to cuddle?

    The Berner Laufhund appreciates affection and that includes kisses and snuggles!
    Playfulness

    Does the Berner Laufhund like to play?

    The Berner Laufhund is always ready for play! It's important to keep in mind, as they need to be stimulated with games and affection throughout the day.
    Service Dog Ability

    Does the Berner Laufhund make a good service dog?

    The Berner Laufhund can be a service dog with the proper training. Berner Laufhunds are not the most common service dog, but they certainly can be if their personality matches- smart, patient, and extremely dedicated to their owner.
    Overall Ease of Breed
    Ease for Novice

    Is the Berner Laufhund good for first-time owners?

    The Berner Laufhund is not the easiest breed for first-time owners, but can certainly still work out if the owner is willing to put the time into training and exercise.
    Training Potential

    How well can the Berner Laufhund be trained?

    The Berner Laufhund can be trained to the highest level and is oftentimes seen in various competitions. The Berner Laufhund is not only intelligent, but it wants to please its owner and is motivated with competition, especially if it feels like it has a job assigned to it.
    Amount of Shedding

    Does the Berner Laufhund shed a lot?

    The Berner Laufhund does shed, but less than average.
    Ease of Grooming

    Is the Berner Laufhund easy to groom?

    The Berner Laufhund requires very little grooming relative to other dog breeds, their coat is very low maintenance.
    Exercise Need

    Does the Berner Laufhund need a lot of exercise?

    The Berner Laufhund has a lot of energy and getting daily exercise is very important, both for their well-being and for their focus, which is important when you train them.
    Personality
    Intelligence

    How smart is the Berner Laufhund?

    The Berner Laufhund is a bit goofy and may not be as intelligent as some other breeds, but that is what people oftentimes love about the Berner Laufhund!
    Amount of Barking

    How much does the Berner Laufhund bark? Does the Berner Laufhund bark too much?

    The Berner Laufhund barks an average amount. It can vary widely between Berner Laufhunds - some may be much more expressive than others.
    Guard Dog Ability

    Is the Berner Laufhund a good guard dog?

    The Berner Laufhund is not typically used as a guard dog, although they can be alert and oftentimes notify you if there is a stranger at the door or otherwise something to be concerned over.
    Tolerates Being Alone

    Is the Berner Laufhund good at staying alone? Is the Berner Laufhund independent?

    The Berner Laufhund is not very independent and does not do great when left behind for longer than a couple of hours. This is one of the most important things to consider when getting a new dog.
    Home and Environment Considerations
    Good for Apartment Living

    Is the Berner Laufhund a good apartment dog?

    The Berner Laufhund is a very bad fit for apartment living and we would not recommend it.
    Size

    How big is the Berner Laufhund?

    The Berner Laufhund is a medium sized dog breed. They can range in size depending on genetics, and males are larger on average than females.
    Tolerates Heat

    How much does the Berner Laufhund tolerate hot weather? When is it too hot for a Berner Laufhund?

    The Berner Laufhund can do very well in hot weather. Owners should still be aware of over-heating as this is one of the most common reasons for dogs going into the emergency room, but overall the Berner Laufhund can do well in hot climates.
    Tolerates Cold

    How much does the Berner Laufhund tolerate cold weather? When is it too cold for a Berner Laufhund?

    The Berner Laufhund can tolerate some cold, but should not be over-exposed to cold weather. In general, they can live in cold weather climates, but may need clothing on particularly cold evenings or in snow.
    Potential to Run Away

    Does the Berner Laufhund try to run away?

    The Berner Laufhund has huge wanderlust, meaning that it's natural for them to want to run away. They are known as escape artists. It's important to test your yard and have a tall fence that cannot be jumped or climbed over. Sometimes the Berner Laufhund is not well suited for being off-leash, even if they are well trained.
    Physical Characteristics
    General Health

    Is the Berner Laufhund a healthy dog? The health of a Berner Laufhund should be measured not just by how many years they live, but also by how many health issues they've had. It is important to know which health conditions your breed is prone to- hip problems, eye problems, bloating, and arthritis are all common dog health problems.

    The Berner Laufhund is very healthy, but it is still important to feed the Berner Laufhund high-quality food and to live a healthy lifestyle.
    Energy Level

    How energetic is the Berner Laufhund?

    The Berner Laufhund has a good amount of energy and it's important to give the Berner Laufhund daily walks and ideally run time as well. A well-exercised dog is easier to train, and will be happier and have less likelihood for destructive habits.
    Amount of Drooling

    How much does the Berner Laufhund drool?

    The Berner Laufhund drools an average amount- typically only after heavy exercise or if you are eating their favorite human food in front of them.
    Prey Drive

    Does the Berner Laufhund have a large prey drive? Does the Berner Laufhund like to chase birds, cats, and other small animals?

    The Berner Laufhund has a very high prey drive and will naturally chase after any small animals it sees. They can co-exist with cats or other animals at the home, but we would not recommend it without supervision.
    Athleticism

    Is the Berner Laufhund atheltic?

    The Berner Laufhund is athletic and has average levels of endurance. They need a lot of exercise, and can be an exercise partner as long as it's nothing too extreme.
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  1. Hound
  2. Scenthound
  3. Berner Laufhund
The Berner Laufhund is a purebred dog that belongs to the Scenthound sub group, which falls under the larger Hound dog breed group.
Hound group: The hound has traditionally been used alongside hunters to track or chase prey. Unlike retrievers who are bred primarily to retrieve and bring back the prey, hounds were typically bred to have excellent vision, scent, or speed to pursue the prey. Because of the Hound's excellent vision, scent, and focus, they are a common police and secret services dog. Hounds are typically categorized into either "scent hounds" or "sight hounds". Both exercise and mental stimulation is important for hounds because of their history. They want to feel they have a "job" and want to go to bed feeling they have done their day's duty.
Scenthound sub-group: The scenthounds were the original hunting dogs. Many go back thousands of years, and their exceptional scent is something that has been passed down through the generations. Typically people think about dogs using their amazing smell for hunting, but it is also used for drug detection, and even finding people lost in the woods. Certain scenthounds have such amazing scent, that they can distinguish an injured person or animal from a non-injured one. Scenthounds can be trained very well, but may need a firm leader. They are used to working a job outside, so are not the ideal apartment dog.

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