Bernese Mountain Dog Australian Shepherd Mix: Pictures, Temperament & Traits

The Bernese Mountain Dog Australian Shepherd mix is quickly becoming one of the more popular breeds. This dog is highly intelligent, playful, and downright beautiful. It is great for families who are active and have a lot of time to dedicate to their pets.

On the flip side, a Bernese Mountain Dog and Australian Shepherd mix is not ideal for inactive families. This dog is simply too active to be cooped up in the house all day. Not to mention, this dog is big, meaning it needs a lot of space to roam.

To learn more about the Bernese Mountain Dog Australian Shepherd mix, keep reading. This article tells you everything you need to know about owning one of these dogs. Since the name of this dog is a mouthful, we will refer to them as Australian Mountain Dogs from here on out.

Bernese Mountain Dog Australian Shepherd Mix Puppies

Australian Mountain Dogs are considered an expensive breed. They are rarely found at shelters, and they need to be bred by an experienced breeder.

This is especially true since you need to make sure you get a reputable breeder. Bernese Mountain Dogs have several health conditions that require a skilled breeder to prevent the genes from being passed on. Although you will pay more for one of these breeders, you will know that your Australian Mountain Dog is healthy.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Bernese Mountain Dog Australian Shepherd Mix

1. They Are a Mix Between Two Loved Breeds

In case you haven’t figured it out by now, the Australian Mountain Dog is a mix between a Bernese Mountain Dog and an Australian Shepherd. Both dogs are active pups that are large and lovable. By mixing the Bernese Mountain Dog with the Australian Shepherd, you still get a beautiful dog, but it has fewer health risks and energy than either purebred breed.

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2. Berners Are Loved by Celebrities

Australian Mountain Dogs are loved by celebrities. Sarah Michelle Gellar, the lead in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, has long been a fan of these beautiful, intelligent, and fun puppies.

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3. Berners Have Movie-Star Relatives

These dogs have many relatives that have been in movies. Both Bernese Mountain Dogs and Australian Shepherds were favorite dogs to use in silent movies. So, you might as well treat your Australian Mountain Dog as a movie star since it’s in their blood!

Temperament & Intelligence of the Bernese Mountain Dog Australian Shepherd Mix 🧠

Both Bernese Mountain Dogs and Australian Shepherds are loved for their intelligence, loyalty, and loving personalities. Whenever you mix these two dogs together, the great personality traits shine through. As a whole, Australian Mountain Dogs are very loving and loyal.

They get their hard-working nature and intelligence from both parents. Meanwhile, they are slightly more laid back than purebred Australian Shepherds since Bernese Mountain Dogs tend to be a bit lazier. In other words, Australian Mountain Dogs are hardworking, smart, and active, but they aren’t nearly as hyper as Australian Shepherds.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🏡

Australian Mountain Dogs make great additions to any family. These dogs are super loyal and love to be part of a pack. They are large, but they are also gentle, which means your child cannot easily harm the dog, and the dog will be very kind to your child in return.

Of course, you will need to socialize the dog, just as you would any other breed. Especially if you have small children in the household, make sure to train both the dog and the children to ensure that the two respect each other properly.

With good training, you won’t have much to worry about with regards to your dog fitting into your family and household.

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets? 🐶 😽

It can be a bit difficult to introduce an Australian Mountain Dog to other pets. These dogs are not outright aggressive, but they do have herding tendencies. These herding tendencies mean that the dog may try to herd and nip at the heels of other animals, such as cats.

With this in mind, Australian Mountain Dogs aren’t great if you have smaller animals in the household, but they are perfectly fine with other dogs. Even if you have other small animals in the house, you can introduce the Australian Mountain Dog. You just have to train them extensively.

Things to Know When Owning a Bernese Mountain Dog Australian Shepherd Mix:

Owning an Australian Mountain Dog is a lot of work. These dogs are big and hyper, which means you can’t just get them and forget them. They require a lot of food, exercise, and training. There are some health conditions, but these dogs are notably healthier than the Bernese Mountain Dog parent.

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

An Australian Mountain Dog is a big dog. As a result, it needs a lot of food. Feed the dog twice a day according to its size and vet recommendations. Specifically, select a food formulated for big dogs so that the Australian Mountain Dog joints are properly cared for.

Of course, always provide your Australian Mountain Dog with constant access to water. Because of how hyper these dogs are, not to mention their long coat, they need a lot of water.

It’s important to note that this breed does suffer from food allergies. If you notice your dog is having skin reactions, such as flaky skin, your dog might be suffering from allergies. Talk to your vet if you think your dog has food allergies, and change the diet accordingly.

Exercise 🐕

Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and Australian Shepherd are working dogs, which means they can be active for a long period of time. The Bernese is a lot more easygoing than the Australian Shepherd. Consequently, Australian Mountain Dogs tend to be a little bit more laid back than Australian Shepherds, but that isn’t saying much. They still need a ton of exercise.

At the very minimum, provide your Australian Mountain Dog with an hour of exercise every day. This hour of strenuous exercise can include walking or playing outside. In addition to this hour of strenuous exercise, incorporate interactive toys and mental stimulation into the dog’s day.

Training 🦮

Australian Mountain Dogs are easily trained, and they actually thrive with constant training. They are highly intelligent and eager to please. Work on training your dog so that it is well-behaved. More so, training your dog actually helps to expend some of its energy.

Grooming ✂️

Australian Mountain Dogs have pretty extensive grooming requirements. Both parents have a long coat, which means you can expect your Berner to have a long coat as well. You will need to brush your dog’s coat at least once a week to minimize mats and excessive shedding.

You will need to brush your dog’s teeth daily and trim their nails when needed. If you can afford it, the Australian Mountain Dog will definitely appreciate an actual groomer who can specialize in this dog’s necessary grooming routine.

Health and Conditions ❤️

The Australian Mountain Dog is relatively healthy, but it has numerous health conditions. For starters, the Bernese Mountain Dog is susceptible to several illnesses. Not to mention, big dogs as a whole are more susceptible to joint problems. Here’s a look at some of the conditions you might need to face:

Male vs Female

There’s very little difference between male and female Australian Mountain Dogs. Females are sometimes more expensive simply because they can be used for breeding purposes.

Final Thoughts

If you are looking for a fun, intelligent, and loyal dog, the Australian Mountain Dog may be the choice for you. This breed is incredibly hard-working and loves to be a part of a family, but it has extensive exercise, food, and grooming requirements.

If you are not prepared to provide your Australian Mountain Dog with everything they need, don’t get this breed. Never get a dog unless you are committed to caring for the dog for the rest of its life. The good news is that you will find that an Australian Mountain Dog is certainly worth the effort due to their loyalty and loving nature.

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Featured Image Credit: Christopher Mascaro, Shutterstock