Do Bernese Mountain Dogs Have Webbed Feet? The Interesting Answer
By Ashley Bates
Updated on
Our dogs have all sorts of interesting features that can surprise us from breed to breed. Certain dogs with webbed feet have this characteristic to help them navigate through swamps and open waters.
So, what about the Bernese Mountain Dog? Do they have webbed feet like their Golden Retriever and Labrador retriever cousins? No, the Bernese Mountain Dog does not have webbed feet but that doesn’t make their paws any less interesting! You’re going to learn everything we possibly can teach you about your Bernie’s kissable paws.
Bernese Mountain Dogs Do Not Have Webbed Feet
Bernese Mountain Dogs Do Not Have Webbed FeetWhile there are some breeds, such as Newfoundlands, Labrador Retrievers, and Golden Retrievers that have webbed feet, Bernese Mountain Dogs do not have this characteristic because it didn’t serve the purpose of breeding.
Dogs that have webbed feet were built for life in the water. They are excellent swimmers and can navigate well through swampy terrain. Bernese Mountain Dogs were, as the name implies, bred in the mountains of the Swiss Alps.
Dogs with Webbed Feet
Dogs with webbed feet have this feature for a few reasons. Not only do they provide an adequate means of swimming, they also offer a little extra stability for walking on specific terrain.
This feature can even help with digging, which is what a Dachshund is best at, for example. So even though it doesn’t always signal a strong swimmer, it’s still one of the primary uses for this adaptation.
Even though Bernese Mountain Dogs do not have webbed feet, plenty of dogs do. Here is a list of dogs with webbed feet for you:
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Fun Facts About the Bernese Mountain Dog
Fun Facts About the Bernese Mountain DogEven though the Bernese Mountain Dog does not have webbed feet, these dogs were built with purpose. This breed is powerful and muscular, designed for hard work. These sturdy dogs are physically and mentally impressive. Here are a few facts that might surprise you.
1. The Bernese Mountain Dog is one of four Sennenhund
Bernese Mountain Dogs came about from the Swiss Alps. These dogs are approximately 2,000 years old and account for one out of four Swiss Mountain Dog breeds. The other parts of this quartet include the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, Appenzeller Mountain Dog (Sennenhund), and Entlebucher Mountain Dog.
Interestingly, only the Bernese Mountain Dog has long hair. Although, each one of these breeds resembles the other in color and structure.
2. Bernese Mountain Dogs once pulled carts.
Because the Bernese Mountain Dog was created as a helping hand, they can do all sorts of manual labor—including pulling small carts. Back in the day, they used to help farmers by pulling carts of milk and cheese to the market.
In today’s world, there are several competitions Bernese Mountain Dogs can enjoy that require karting. It’s even a good skill to teach a farm dog if you need a helpful paw.
3. Bernese Mountain Dogs were designated to protect livestock.
Originally, Bernese Mountain Dogs were elected to watch out for farm animals on the land. A lot has stayed the same, as this is still a deeply ingrained skill they carry. So if you’re a person with livestock, this can be a very smart breed choice for your living situation.
They can ward off smaller predators, and even wolves, in some situations. They even can develop deep bonds with the herds they’re protecting.
4. Bernese Mountain Dogs are slow to mature and have a very short lifespan.
This is one of the unfortunate facts about the Bernese Mountain Dog. Regrettably, these dogs have a very short lifespan, lasting all 8 years. They are also slower to mature, fully developing once they are roughly 2 to 3 years of age.
Apart from only having your best friend for a moment, the downfall here is the work aspect. Because they are slow to mature, buckling down and learning the ropes takes some time. By the time they do, there’s only a small window that you can count on them for work.
Plus, and more importantly, the companionship part never seems long enough.
5. The Bernese Mountain Dog has classic markings—every time.
A Bernese Mountain Dog’s coat is the one thing that makes them instantly recognizable to most dog lovers. They are always tricolor, touting the pattern of white, brown, and black.
6. Bernese Mountain Dog females can have a big litter of pups.
Litters aren’t always the same size, but larger numbers are a common phenomenon. Many large breed dogs have smaller litters of puppies. But that is not the case for the Bernese Mountain Dog. Surprisingly, these pups can give birth to up to 14 puppies per litter.
7. Bernese Mountain Dogs are year-round shedders.
These dogs have long hair and they shed year-round. They will require daily brushing to cut back on some of that shed and reduce dander and debris in the fur. If you have an allergy sufferer at home, this breed might not be the best choice.
8. Bernese Mountain Dogs don’t drool much.
Even though this dog is a very large breed, you don’t have to deal with the drool. Bernese Mountain Dogs are considered dry-mouthed, meaning they don’t produce as much saliva as others.
Now, this is not to say that they don’t drool at all. On very hot days when they are panting or salivating over the meal on your plate, they certainly can slobber. It’s just not as expected with this breed as it is with some other large and giant dogs.
9. Bernese Mountain Dogs are very affectionate.
If you ask any Bernie lover, they will probably tell you that one of their favorite things about this breed is the level of affection. These dogs are naturally loving, doting, and loyal. They make amazing companions for people of all ages.
Their mild-tempered nature makes them compatible with almost any dog, and they even make friends with the kitty companions at home. Most Bernies are calm enough to watch after chickens instead of trying to eat them. Of course, this is something that requires training and patience.
10. Bernese Mountain Dogs love cold weather!
If you live in an area with some pretty frigid winters, your Bernie won’t mind. These dogs tend to prefer colder temperatures to hot and have coats to withstand it. Naturally, they still need protection from the elements when old man winter rears his head.
But you might find it a challenge to coax your Bernese Mountain Dog to come back inside during snow.
Conclusion
Bernese Mountain Dogs might not make the best swimmers or diggers, but they certainly are protective, affectionate, loving animals that can acclimate to just about any living situation. So, Bernese Mountain Dogs might not have webbed feet like some of their canine cousins. But they make up for what they lack in that department in many other ways.
If you’ve ever loved a Bernie, you know just how special they are. And if you haven’t—you certainly should consider it.
Featured Image Credit: Pexels, Pixabay
