Bernese Mountain Dog health: what owners should know

Cancer is the breed's biggest issue, with histiocytic sarcoma and other tumors seen much more often than in most breeds. Hip and elbow dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, bloat, and some inherited kidney and eye conditions also occur. Responsible breeders score hips and elbows in both parents, DNA test for degenerative myelopathy, have eyes examined, and track how long the dogs in their pedigrees lived. Ask for those ages directly.

At home, keep your dog lean, build fitness gradually and learn what normal looks like for your Berner's coat, appetite, breathing and energy. See your vet promptly for any new lump or swelling, a limp that does not settle within a few days, weight loss, reduced appetite or unusual tiredness in a dog that used to be active. Go straight to an emergency vet for a swollen belly with retching that brings nothing up.