There are many beautiful mix-breeds today, but the Bernese Mountain Dog – Australian Shepherd Mix is one of the top choices for families. Bernese Mountain dogs have excellent protection and working instincts, while Australian Shepherds have strong herding backgrounds. Mix breeds don’t usually have a single set of personality types, and their attributes heavily depend on the dominating genes. When you’re thinking of getting a Bernese Mountain Dog – Australian Shepherd Mix, consider the individual personality of each breed.
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Before we go to why you should get this breed, let’s talk about why you shouldn’t. There is a lot of pro’s and con’s with this breed, and it really boils down with what kind of personality you’re looking for. With that being said, let’s look at this breed through three different aspects: Size, Activity Level, and Maintenance Requirements.
Not sure the Australian Shepherd Bernese Mountain Dog is the perfect pup for you? Check out our dog-breeds post with pictures and facts on 30+ different types of Bernese Mountain Dog mixes.
Smart pet owners do their research. Check out the most comprehensive breed reviews on the top Bernese Mountain Dog mixes, includes info on health, temperament, price, food, exercise grooming and more.
Have your heart set on an Australian Shepherd mix? Check out the top Australian Shepherd mixes in America:
This breed is highly lovable, and it’s not surprising why people choose to get a dog like this than others. The Bernese Mountain Dog Australian Shepherd Mix has a lot of great personality traits and features which you would want.
You might be wondering what kind of personality your puppy might take on. There are many possibilities, and they can either have more features of one breed than the other. Regardless, here’s some background of the essential traits of Australian Shepherds and Bernese Mountain Dog.
First, let’s settle the fact that Australian Shepherds didn’t come from Australia. The breed has a complicated past, and its lineage can’t be identified with certainty. The breed has gone through various name changes, among the popular ones are “Pastor Dog” or “Spanish Shepherd.” Many believe that Australian Shepherds originated from a region in Spain, and they were primarily used for herding. The breed was valued for its ability to protect the herd from predators, having great guarding instincts.
Through many years, Australian Shepherds have been known for the following traits:
Unlike Australian Shepherds, the lineage of Bernese Mountain Dogs is easy to trace. They come from Switzerland and are a valuable asset in driving cows to and from mountain pastures. Bernese mountain dogs are powerful considering how they’re often used to pull milk carts, and they’re also well-known for being great guard dogs.
Here are some of the favorite traits of Bernese Mountain Dogs:
Weight | Male: 30 – 40 kg Female: 26 – 36 kg |
Height | Male: 58 – 64 cm Female: 52 – 60 cm |
Coat Type | Long and silky, double coated |
Coat Color | Combination of white, brown, black, and tan |
Amount of Shedding | Heavy shedding |
Temperament | Affectionate, Intelligent, Faithful, Loyal, and Protective |
The two breeds don’t exactly have the same personality type, but together they make the right combination. You can expect a lovely temperament, and they’re pretty good natured. Both breeds exhibit the same trait of being unable to socialize around strangers, and you can fix during their puppy years. Another important feature you need to know is that they are highly energetic, and you need constant physical activity.
Getting your Bernese Mountain Dog Australian Shepherd Mix as puppies can help you avoid any complications, and here’s why:
It’s equally essential for you to know where the puppies came from so that they can guarantee their fitness. Getting a mix breed, especially from a stranger, beyond its puppy years may be hard to determine its right breed and health condition. If you don’t consider the breeder at all, you’ll be left with a guessing game — another important thing about getting your puppies from a reliable breeder if you have legal documents evidencing your puppies’ health.
Getting your dog as puppies gives you more time to be aware and educated of what kind of health maintenance your puppy needs. You’re there throughout the journey of your puppy, and you can watch over it as it grows to adulthood.
Both Bernese Mountain Dog and Australian Shepherd are very hairy dogs. They have incredibly long hair, and they shed like crazy especially during shedding season. This means that you can expect a lot of shedding, and a lot of contaminated clothes. Managing this isn’t hard, and here’s what you can do:
Grooming big breeds, especially with long hair can be very troublesome. You can opt to send them to a groomer, but make sure that the groomers know what they’re doing. Most importantly, the groomers should at least know how to handle the temperament of your dog.
All dogs require some health maintenance, and as dog owners, we don’t want them getting sick. Most importantly, all dogs have the propensity of developing some genetic health problems as they age. Mix breed dogs are no exception, and often they are more susceptible to some issues than others. It can be attributed to the fact that they are running on more than one gene, in addition to the usual complications their breed usually faces.
Some of the common health problems which Bernese Mountain Dog and Australian Shepherd Mix are often prone to are the following:
Feeding your dog can sometimes feel like rocket science. Not all diet works for the same breed of dog, and many of them have dietary requirements. For a breed like this one, you need to consider getting them fish oil and glucosamine and chondroitin supplements or a diet which promotes these. Since the breed is prone to joint dysplasia, targeting a diet that can reduce this risk is very helpful.
You also need to be mindful about the amount of food you give them. This breed is huge, but that doesn’t mean you should provide them with a lot of food. If there’s one thing you shouldn’t do, its overfeeding them since it might encourage other health problems to manifest, besides joint dysplasia.
If you aren’t sure with where to begin, start your dogs with a raw food diet. A raw diet consists of uncooked meat, vegetables, and bones, and it’s one of the most natural and healthiest ways to feed your dog. Here are some well-known benefits the raw diet can help with:
There are a few ways to promote your dog’s health, from endless love to their nutrition. Give your dog a lot of affection but also make sure that only the top-quality food ends up in their bowls. While you should always opt for the best dry dog food brands as well as Wellness Core Dog Food, Dog For Dog Food, or Nutra Thrive dog food supplement, don’t let the worst dry dog food wind up on your shelves. If you’re looking for the best food brand for your puppy, you might find some ideas in best puppy food brands. Older canines usually require the pet food made specifically for them, so take a look at best senior dry dog food brands.
The genes they inherited from their parents can have a lot of influence on their personality and taste. Don’t hesitate to try best dry dog food for small dogs or best large breed dry dog food, your hairy companion might end up loving it. Of course, it’s always advisable to check with your vet if you should change the diet of your pooch.
Before your dog gets tired, you need to tire yourself out first. Bernese Mountain Dogs and Australian Shepherd Mix are energetic and hyper dogs, especially since they’re both working dogs. Giving them proper exercise inhibits their propensity to be destructive. Getting them to exercise is pretty straightforward:
This type of mix breed is brilliant and very easy to train. However, training can become hard at times since this mix breed combination can also be very stubborn. You need to start the training while they are still puppies, so they know to listen to you. Keep in mind the following tips in training them:
This type of breed is perfect for any active family. A family who enjoys the great outdoors, playing games, and hiking around. You won’t have any problems when it comes to this type of breed and children, because these dogs are very good natured. They have a good temperament despite being active and protect and guard your children as any parent would.
This type of dog is perfect for a family with a lot of children, considering how this mix loves attention. The mix is a perfect companion for children who want a constant playmate in their life.