The Bernese Zennenhund is a large Swiss dog breed developed in the mountainous regions of the canton of Bern. Originally, these dogs were used as all-purpose helpers on farms: they guarded the territory, helped with livestock and pulled heavy wagons with milk and products. This is why the breed has developed as a hardy, balanced and physically strong dog.
It is a large dog with a powerful body and strong backbone. Adult males usually reach 64-70 cm at the withers, bitches a little less – 58-66 cm. The weight of an adult Bernese Sennenhund is often 40-50 kg. Despite the size, the dog looks harmonious and proportional, without coarseness.
The breed has no official varieties. The Bernese Sennenhund is one of the four popular Swiss mountain breeds.
They are known for their calm, gentle and very human-oriented character. They are family dogs that become strongly attached to their owners and need constant human contact. They are patient, balanced, good with children and other animals, not prone to aggression and usually behave with restraint even in unfamiliar situations.
This breed is not made for loneliness. In the absence of attention, the Bernese Sennenhund can become apathetic or anxious, so it is important for it to be a part of the family’s daily life.
As puppies, zennenhunds are much more active than they are as adults. They are inquisitive, playful, quickly form an emotional bond with humans and lend themselves well to training with a gentle, consistent approach. It is at an early age that it is important to establish good habits, socialization and a relaxed attitude towards grooming procedures, particularly combing and bathing.
The Bernese Sennenhund has a long, thick coat with a dense undercoat. This structure is a legacy of the breed’s mountain origins and provides excellent protection from cold and moisture, but it requires regular and competent grooming.
The coat sheds constantly, and in the off-season – especially intensively. Without systematic combing out, the undercoat quickly builds up, leading to hairballs, overheating and discomfort for the dog. At home, it is difficult for the owner to fully work through the deep layers of the coat, especially given the size of the dog.
Proper care includes regular professional combing, thorough bathing with products suitable for a thick undercoat, and mandatory quality drying. Particular attention should be paid to the areas behind the ears, on the chest, under the arms and between the toes – these are the areas most likely to develop tangles and accumulate moisture.
It is not recommended to cut the Bernese Sennenhund short. Its coat has a protective function, and an incorrect haircut can disrupt thermoregulation and the structure of the coat. At the grooming salon, the emphasis is not on clipping, but on proper brushing, combing and maintaining the natural shape of the coat.
That’s why for this breed, regular professional salon grooming is an essential part of grooming that directly affects the dog’s comfort, skin health, and overall well-being.
- Deep professional combing of the undercoat:
A basic procedure for the sennenhund. In the salon, the groomer works through the coat step by step with special combs and tools for large breeds, removing dead undercoat without damaging the shaft hairs. This reduces shedding, prevents tangles, overheating and discomfort.
- Bathing with professional double coat products:
For the Bernese Sennenhund use shampoos for thick hair with undercoat, which wash well the deep layers, do not dry out the skin and retain the natural shine. If necessary, conditioners or masks are used to facilitate combing out and improve the structure of the coat.
- Thorough drying with proper opening of the coat:
After bathing, the coat is necessarily dried completely with professional hair dryers. Special attention is paid to the undercoat - remaining moisture can cause odor, skin irritation or inflammation. Drying also helps to properly spread the coat and prepare it for the final combing.
- Shaping a neat look without compromising the breed:
Bernese Sennenhunds are not cut short. The salon will only gently trim the hair in the paw area, between the toes, on the tail and along the contour so that the dog looks neat and the hair does not get in the way of movement or collect dirt.
- Paw and pad grooming:
The hair between the toes is definitely cleaned and trimmed to keep dirt and moisture from accumulating. The pads are inspected and moisturized with special products if necessary, which is especially important for a large and heavy breed.
- Ear hygiene:
Due to the thick fur around the ears, ventilation may be insufficient. In the salon, the ears are gently cleaned with professional lotions, without aggressive intervention, with prevention of inflammation.
- Eye hygiene:
The area around the eyes is cleaned of secretions and impurities with special products to keep the muzzle clean and prevent irritation.
- Claw trimming:
The claws are trimmed according to the weight and structure of the Bernese Sennenhund's paws. Excessive claw length affects posture and joint stress, so this procedure is an important part of regular grooming.
- Dental hygiene (as recommended):
Teeth cleaning with special products is performed as needed to help maintain oral health, especially in adult dogs.
No. Short haircuts are not recommended for this breed. The Bernese Sennenhund's coat has a protective function and is involved in thermoregulation. In the salon, only a delicate trimming of the contour, paws and hygienic areas is performed.
Home grooming is important, but it is not a substitute for professional combing. At the salon, the groomer works through the deep layers of the undercoat with special tools, which cannot be done with a regular brush at home.
On average, professional grooming is recommended every 6-8 weeks. During the seasonal shedding period - more often, depending on the condition of the undercoat and the intensity of hair loss.
Not with the right approach. This breed has a calm nature and tolerates the procedures well if grooming is done without rushing, taking into account the temperament and physical characteristics of the dog.
Yes, absolutely, even in the summer. Undried undercoat can cause odor, skin irritation and discomfort. In the salon, the coat is completely dried with professional hair dryers and special boosters with the correct opening of the coat.
In Kiev there are many grooming salons for dogs of different sizes and breeds, but the network of salons V.O.G DOG SALON is represented in many districts of the capital and allows you to conveniently reach almost anywhere in Kiev for professional care for your Bernese Sennenhund - from basic procedures to complex grooming for the needs of a large breed.
Kiev, Pechersk district, M. Mikhnovsky Boulevard (Friendship of Nations), 27
Kiev, Pechersk district, Lesya Ukrainka Boulevard, 14
Kiev, Solomyanka district, V. Lobanovsky Avenue, 6a
Kiev, Desniansky district, Red Kalina (Mayakovsky) Avenue, 68a
Kiev, Shevchenko district, Sholudenka Street, 14
Kiev, Darnytsky district, Knyazhy Zaton Street, 2/30
Kiev, Dnipro district, I. Kotlyarevsky (Work) Boulevard, 7
Kiev, Holosiivskyi district, 4 Seasons Residential Complex, Maksymovycha Street, 3d
Kyiv, Obolonskyi District, V. Ivasiuka Avenue, 6B (building 2)
Kiev, Shevchenkivskyi district, Shchusev Street, 4
European Street, 2a (Eurocity Residential Complex, near Vyshneve town)
Kiev, Darnytskyi district, st. Knyazhiy Zaton, 11