Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Dogs

How to groom a dog if you have a Bernese mountain dog

Tips for beautifying your Bernese mountain dog

Gabrielle LaFrank
By

Learning how to groom a dog from home can seem challenging at first, but once you break it down into a few different steps, you’ll be able to tackle all your dog’s needs. Bernese mountain dog grooming isn’t too different from what you’d do with any other double-coated pooch, but understanding this breed’s ins and outs will help make their bathing and brushing experience as perfect as it can be.

Recommended Videos

Difficulty

Moderate

Duration

15 minutes

What You Need

  • Shedding rake

  • Pin brush

  • Grooming scissors, nail clippers, or grinder

  • Treat

  • Spray bottle

  • Dog shampoo

  • Styptic powder

Grab your brushes and shampoos — or your notebook if you’re still in the research phase — and get ready for some quality time for your pup. He may need to get used to new brushes and tools, but with you by his side, he’ll learn to love it in no time.

How often do Bernese mountain dogs need to be groomed?

Bernese mountain dogs actually require less grooming than many similar breeds, which is great news for any Berner owner. The Bernese Mountain Dog Club of America (BMDCA) notes that these dogs will be just fine with weekly brushing and regular bathing, though the frequency of baths is really up to you.

Bathing too often can dry out a pup’s skin, but waiting too long can sometimes lead to a buildup of dirt, germs, and oils. This breed’s coat, though, sheds heavily, so they’ll naturally rid themselves of some of this debris (via BMDCA). Staying on top of your brushing routine will help keep their coat clean, too — until bath time!

Other than a slight trim around the ears and paws for a smooth, clean look, your Berner’s coat should never be shaved or trimmed (via BMDCA). Of course, shaving may have to happen if your dog undergoes a medical procedure, but it should not be done unless necessary.

A Bernese mountain dog with their tongue out in the sunshine

Brushing your Bernese mountain dog

Step 1: Pup parents of any shedding breed will find a shedding rake like the FURminator to be a dream come true during shedding season. The rake will help thin your dog’s undercoat, while a pin brush will be ideal for weekly grooming.

Step 2: If you choose to trim your pup’s ears or paws, it’s always a good idea to invest in canine grooming scissors as well.

Related

Step 3: Once you have all your tools prepared, make sure your dog is as ready for grooming as you are. A calm pup makes for the safest surroundings, so you may have to find somewhere secure and secluded when any grooming tools are involved.

Step 4: It’s OK to introduce tools slowly, too, since not all dogs will feel ready to be trimmed on day one.

Step 5: Don’t forget the treats!

Step 6: Some Berner owners find it easier to brush through their dog’s coat when it’s slightly wet, so you may need a spray bottle for this step (via BMDCA).

Step 7: Either way, make sure to brush all the way down to the skin — though not with a ton of pressure — to reach through to your furry friend’s undercoat.

Step 8: Make sure to brush on a regular basis to keep your dog’s coat shiny and your home as fur-free as possible.

Bathing your Bernese mountain dog

Although your Bernese mountain dog has a coat that naturally repels and sheds dirt, he’ll still need a bath occasionally.

Step 1: Unless your dog starts to get a little smelly, you can gauge when he needs a bath by looking at the sheen of his coat: When his fur seems dull, it’s bath time.

Step 2: Any dog-safe shampoo will be fine for your Berner unless he has any kind of skin disorder.

Step 3: If your Berner has a skin disorder, talk to your vet.

Step 4: For most dogs, though, you can visit any pet store or website to browse a large selection of shampoos for your pooch. Oatmeal shampoos are soothing for irritated skin, two-in-one shampoos also provide a conditioner for a healthy coat, and medicated shampoos help fight infections while keeping your pup squeaky clean. The options really are endless!

A Bernese mountain dog lies outdoors in the sunshine

Trimming your dog’s nails

Step 1: Before you get started trimming your fur baby’s nails, you’ll need to have the right tools. A nail clipper for dogs will be great to have if your Berner lets you snip his nails from home since this will save you both time and money by taking one less trip to the groomer’s.

Step 2: If you use trimmers for your Berner’s nails, all you need to do is line up the nail inside the clipper’s blades and squeeze the handle.

Step 3: Using a grinder, on the other hand, will give you more control over the length of the cut, though the vibrations and sound can sometimes make a dog nervous at first.

Step 4: When clipping your dog’s nails, try your best not to cut close to the quick — the sensitive pink tissue that runs inside of every nail.

Step 5: Styptic powder can be used to stop any bleeding before it becomes a problem, so try not to stress too much about nail-trimming time.

Overall, the Bernese mountain dog is fairly easy to groom. They don’t have any special bathing or brushing needs, either, which makes shopping for tools and grooming your pup so easy. Now that you have all the information you need, you can get started creating the perfect grooming routine for your dog.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Gabrielle LaFrank
Gabrielle LaFrank
Contributor
Gabrielle LaFrank has written for sites such as Psych2Go, Elite Daily, and, currently, PawTracks. When she's not writing, you…
The only guide you need for taking your pets on an airplane
There's a lot of preparation that goes into keeping your pet safe and happy during a flight
Small dog going a trip

No matter how much of a jet-setter they are, Fido likely won't earn frequent flier miles, but that doesn't mean you have to leave them at home when you travel by air. Many pets learn to adjust to airplanes and even airports, provided you bring along everything they need. When it comes to taking your dog (or cat) on an airplane, there are two options — one for smaller pets and the other for larger ones.
With the proper preparation, you can bring a small dog or cat into an airplane cabin within a carrier and place them under the seat in front of you for the duration of a flight. Keep in mind this only applies to domestic flights in the continental United States (Hawaii has different rules as do international destinations). Additionally, we're not covering here the guidelines for service animals.
All the major domestic airlines have their own rules for traveling with a small dog or cat, and it's important to understand them before leaving. You must follow these rules precisely, or you and your pet will not be allowed to board the aircraft, even if you’re a ticketed passenger. 

Take a trip to the vet first
Your pet isn't ready to hop aboard until they get approval from the vet. In most cases, this routine checkup won't sound any alarm bells or require further testing. However, you should confirm that your pup will do well on the plane. Elderly animals and those with breathing problems or heart conditions are most at risk and must be evaluated carefully. If your vet recommends against taking them, find a really good sitter or postpone your trip until they can travel safely.
Before you both embark, ensure they are up to date on all vaccines, and bring that documentation to the airport. It’s also a good idea to request a health certificate from your veterinarian, as some airlines require you to present this document upon checking in for a flight.
In addition to providing a once-over, your dog doctor can help you navigate your beastie's travel anxiety. Many dogs find airports overstimulating (frankly, we do, too), so they might benefit from a little assistance staying calm. This could include a , dog CBD treats, or pharmaceuticals. Some vets have no problem with you giving a pet a prescribed sedative before or during a flight, while others may have concerns about the animal’s ability to adjust for changes in cabin air pressure if they are heavily sedated. Once your pet gets accustomed to air travel, chances are they’ll fall asleep on their own after takeoff and sleep for most of the flight. Never give a pet medicine before clearing it with a professional. 
Consult with your veterinarian about whether you should feed your pet and give them access to water before a long flight as well. Typically, not feeding your pet for 6 hours prior to a flight is a good strategy.
Lastly, use your intuition. If your best bud doesn't seem up to a ride in the sky, make other plans, such as driving or leaving them at home with their favorite minder. The morning of your departure, give her your own checkup — if they're coughing and sneezing excessively or have doggie diarrhea, it means they don't feel well enough to go.

Read more
Smooches or stress? There are a few reasons your dog might lick you
Why dogs love to lick their owners
A pit bull terrier licks a woman's face

Licking is such a fundamental part of dogs, and dog ownership, that we frequently take it for granted. Whether you tolerate or hate it, it’s impossible not to notice your pup’s wet tongue when they decide it’s time to give you a bath -- though it’s not always clear what exactly they’re up to. You might get tongue kisses every day from your pooch, but that doesn't mean that this behavior always indicates a good thing.
Specifically, why do dogs lick their owners’ faces? This is a common phenomenon that nearly all pet parents will experience at one time or another, and it’s easy to see why it raises some questions. Face licking — or licking in general — can range from completely random and infrequent to constant and obsessive, so it’s important to pay attention to your furry friend’s specific behaviors when asking why. Here’s what to consider when your dog starts licking your face.

Where does licking come from?
It's thought that humans kiss on the mouth because it was an old method of feeding children. The principle remains the same in pups. Dog moms lick their puppies and the babies lick their littermates and sometimes mamas as well. This is a natural part of play, and it's a good way to discover the world for a fresh beast.

Read more
Ditching the pure breeds? Here’s how to find the right mutt for your family
Here's why a mixed-breed dog might suit you perfectly
A Chihuahua mix looks at the camera

We talk a lot about the official breeds around here, including the recently crowned most-popular dog, the Frenchie. But that ignores a huge subset of the pup-ulation: the mutts. You've probably met (and loved) all kinds of mutt dogs in your life. In fact, they make up a little over half of the dogs in the U.S., so you likely see more of them in your day-to-day life. Whether they're designer or pound pups, you might discover the perfect fit for your family in a mixed breed.

What is a mutt dog?
A mutt is any dog that is not an official pure breed, meaning one that has registered papers with two parents of the same breed. In the U.S., we have the American Kennel Club that determines which dogs fall under official breed guidelines and can ultimately compete or go on to make official baby dogs.

Read more