Learn how to judge the Bernese Mountain Dog with a focus on balance, character, structure, coat, and proper breed essence.
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This article was originally published in Showsight Magazine, August 2013 issue.
One’s first impression of the breed is a large, balanced, strong, tricolored dog with a self-confident character. Traditionally, this breed has been a Swiss farmer’s all-purpose dog, working as a companion, draft dog, and drover. The dog appears square but should actually be slightly longer than tall. Sturdy bones are an essential feature.
One must keep the ideal Bernese Mountain Dog (BMD) in mind. The balance, essence, outline, character, coat, head, and proper carriage are the elements to consider. Remember, any dog can gait soundly or correctly, but if he lacks the essence of the breed, he is not an ideal BMD. No single feature should overpower the impression of the whole dog. A dog measuring 25 inches compared to a dog measuring 27 ½ inches are quite different in size; however, both can be correct as they are within standard and have sturdy bone. The quality of the dog, including substance and balance, takes precedence over height in your evaluation.
When approaching the dog, you should feel a sense of steady character. Shyness or aggression is not tolerated. Aloofness should not be equated with shyness. Many times, puppies will greet you with enthusiasm, or some with a look of concern. Work with the handler to make it a good experience for the puppy even though it will interrupt a routine examination. As a farm dog, the Bernese, though alert, is not an excitable dog.
Inspection of the head will reveal important breed details. Expression is influenced by markings. A moderate stop, medium ear size and placement, slightly oval (not round) eye shape, and dark eye color contribute to expression. A profile will allow you to compare the length of muzzle and skull and backskull, also the depth of muzzle. Feel the head for sufficient stop, and for breadth and depth of topskull. Remember this is a dry mouth breed. Take note of bite and dentition. Allow the owner to show you the bite and dentition.
Continuing the examination will require a judge to do a complete hands-on evaluation of the dog, starting with feeling for a medium neck, good prosternum, depth and breadth of chest, and formation of the shoulders, upper arm, elbows, and transition into the back. Do not depend solely on your eye in judging structure. Confirm that the front legs are well under the body and well behind the prosternum as this is an important element of a correct outline. Going from the skull down the neck, into the topline, to slope of croup, to set of tail and down the tail, feeling for a kink, is invaluable to your judgment. Check for length of tail, reaching at least to the hock. Check for depth of body, rib cage, and strong loin. Be aware of slab-sided dogs lacking in depth of chest or fronts that are too narrow or too broad. The BMD has a full body, meaning that there is only a slight amount of tuck-up. Underline is as important as topline.
Hindquarter evaluation is accomplished by examination of the well-developed upper and lower thighs, stifle, and hock. Hindquarters are strong and powerful. Your judgment should not be fooled by the artistry of grooming in hocks, stifles, or croups. The moderate angulation of the rear should complement the angulation of the front.
The hands-on evaluation includes the coat. The coat is thick and moderately long, and straight or slightly wavy. The BMD is to be shown in a natural coat. Excessive grooming is to be discouraged. Even though we like to see dogs presented well and in good condition, grooming and handling skills do not change a mediocre dog. Trimmed feet and tidy ears should suffice. Dogs that have the heavy coat on the top of the croup are not to be penalized. Please feel for the correct topline and chest development and not just judge from across the ring.
Facial and leg markings may cause optical illusions, such as a darker face giving a sterner look, or a white blaze giving the illusion of a broader head, or white higher on the inside of the foot affecting what one sees in movement. Absence of white on feet or tail does not take away from the quality of the BMD. A dog or bitch with less than perfect markings can produce puppies with perfect markings. Incorrect markings are to be faulted in direct relationship to the deviation from the Standard. Although a great deal of our Standard is devoted to the description of markings, they are only a part of our Standard.
In judging the gait, realize the structure of the dog is the primary influence. Carriage is an element that draws the eye when viewing the side gait and thus is related to structure and balance. One element of good carriage is a firm topline and lack of roll. A well-made working dog should carry the head forward rather than high when in motion. A slow trot is the natural and preferred gait of the BMD. However, with a medium trot, as the dog’s feet converge to the center line of gravity, one can better assess reach and drive. As the dog moves, the tail carriage may be carried high or straight out, but a tail carried over the back or curled is undesirable.
As in any other breed, remember that no dog is perfect. Even though a dog may score well on individual details, the proper balance and breed details are essential. The dog must be considered as a whole rather than by its separate parts in the final evaluation. When viewing a group of dogs from across the ring, remember balance and proportions of what is under the coat. Be kind to our dogs, as this is a gentle breed. Be kind to exhibitors. Many owner-handled dogs may be the best dogs in the ring. Become familiar with the Standard. If you are unsure of the breed, pursue opportunities to observe and discuss the BMD with our mentors who will gladly devote their time and share their knowledge.
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