- Dog breeds
- Large breed
- Working group
- Origin: Switzerland
Bernese Mountain Dogs are large, strong farm dogs with a striking tricolor coat. The AKC breed standard sets heights of 25–27½ in for males and 23–26 in for females, and typical weights are 80–115 lb and 70–95 lb. Most Berners reach adult weight at around 15–18 months, though they keep filling out until about 2–3 years. This page covers a Bernese growth chart by age, a size calculator preset for the breed, and sourced guidance on lifespan, health testing, exercise and feeding.
How big do Bernese Mountain Dogs get?
According to the AKC standard (height) and Purina (weight), adult male Bernese Mountain Dogs weigh 80–115 lb (36.3–52.2 kg) and stand 25–27.5 in (64–70 cm) at the shoulder. Females are a little smaller at 70–95 lb (31.8–43.1 kg) and 23–26 in (58–66 cm). That makes the Bernese Mountain Dog a Large breed on our size scale.| Bernese Mountain Dog | Weight | Height |
|---|
Many healthy pets fall outside the show standard, especially from working or pet lines. Use body condition, not the scale alone, to judge a healthy weight.
Bernese Mountain Dog growth chart: weight by age
| Age | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| 8 weeks | 19 lb8.4 kg | 16 lb7.1 kg |
| 3 months | 32 lb14.6 kg | 27 lb12.4 kg |
| 4 months | 44 lb19.8 kg | 37 lb16.7 kg |
| 6 months | 61 lb27.5 kg | 51 lb23.2 kg |
| 9 months | 78 lb35.2 kg | 66 lb29.8 kg |
| 12 months | 88 lb40 kg | 75 lb33.8 kg |
| Adult (15–18 months) | 98 lb44.2 kg | 82 lb37.4 kg |
When is a Bernese Mountain Dog full grown?
Large breeds like the Bernese Mountain Dog reach their adult weight at about 15–18 months. Most of the growth happens early: by 6 months a typical male is around 61 lb and a female around 51 lb, after which weight gain slows down as the dog fills out.How we calculate this: each figure is the midpoint of the breed’s adult weight range multiplied by the share of adult weight a large-size puppy typically reaches at that age (WALTHAM growth standards, Salt et al., 2017). It is the same model used by our Dog Size Calculator.
Bernese Mountain Dog puppy size calculator
Enter your puppy’s current age and weight to estimate how big your Bernese Mountain Dog will be as an adult. The calculator is preset for the breed.Dog Size Calculator
Predict how big your puppy will get — estimated adult weight from its current age and weight.
Best from ~8 weeks on; very young pups are less predictable.
Weigh on a flat scale, ideally before a meal.
Not sure? Use the size of the parents, or the larger parent for a mixed breed.
Males often finish a little heavier than females.
| Age milestone | Projected weight |
|---|
Dog breed weight chart (lb & kg) by size
| Size | Adult weight | Full-grown | Example breeds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toy | 2–12 lb / 1–5.5 kg | ~8–10 mo | Chihuahua, Maltese, Toy Poodle, Pomeranian, Yorkie |
| Small | 12–25 lb / 5.5–11 kg | ~10–12 mo | Shih Tzu, French Bulldog, Mini Schnauzer, Mini Aussiedoodle |
| Medium | 25–50 lb / 11–23 kg | ~12–14 mo | Beagle, Border Collie, Cocker Spaniel, Std. Aussiedoodle* |
| Large | 50–100 lb / 23–45 kg | ~15–18 mo | Labrador, Golden Retriever, German Shepherd, Boxer |
| Giant | 100 lb+ / 45 kg+ | ~18–24 mo | Great Dane, Mastiff, St Bernard, Newfoundland |
*Standard Aussiedoodles span medium–large (≈40–70 lb / 18–32 kg); Mini Aussiedoodles are small (≈15–35 lb / 7–16 kg).
How it works: puppies of a given size reach a predictable share of their adult weight at each age. The tool divides your puppy's current weight by that share to estimate the adult figure, shown as a range.
Disclaimer: estimates for planning only — not veterinary advice. Growth varies with genetics, sex, nutrition and neuter status, especially for mixed and giant breeds. Keep records and consult your vet.
Sources: Salt et al., PLOS ONE 2017 (WALTHAM growth standards) · AKC — when puppies finish growing
Bernese Mountain Dog temperament and personality
Berners are good-natured, calm and affectionate giants that are especially gentle with children. They are loyal to their family, usually friendly with strangers and other pets, and eager to please, which makes training enjoyable. They mature slowly and can be boisterous as adolescents. Bred for cold Alpine farms, they love snow but struggle in heat. Their heavy coat sheds a lot, and they are happiest living indoors with their people rather than kenneled outside.-
Energy level3/5
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Trainability4/5
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Good with children5/5
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Shedding5/5
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Barking3/5
Ratings are BarnCalc’s own 1–5 scale, based on the breed standard and the sources cited below. Individual dogs vary.
History and origin
The Bernese Mountain Dog comes from the canton of Bern in Switzerland, where farmers used it to pull carts of milk and cheese to market, drive cattle and guard the farm. It is one of four Swiss Sennenhund breeds believed to descend from mastiff-type dogs brought by the Romans. In the late 1800s, as farming changed, enthusiasts such as Professor Albert Heim worked to save the breed. The American Kennel Club recognized it in 1937.Bernese Mountain Dog lifespan and health
Most Bernese Mountain Dogs live 7–10 years. Want to know how old that is in human terms? Try our dog years calculator, or estimate an individual dog’s outlook with the dog life expectancy calculator.Health conditions documented in the breed
- Cancer, especially histiocytic sarcoma
- Hip dysplasia
- Elbow dysplasia
- Degenerative myelopathy
- Bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus)
- Heat sensitivity
Health tests to ask a breeder for
The breed’s parent club recommends these screenings for breeding dogs (ask to see the results for both parents):- Hip evaluation
- Elbow evaluation
- Cardiac exam
- Eye exam by a board-certified ophthalmologist
- Degenerative myelopathy DNA tests (Bernese and common variants)
- AKC DNA profile
This is general information, not veterinary advice. Talk to your vet about your own dog.
Exercise and grooming
| Exercise | About 1 hour a day; avoid heat |
| Grooming | Brush several times a week; daily in heavy sheds |
| Coat | Thick, moderately long, slightly wavy or straight coat |
| Low shedding | No – heavy shedder |
| Apartment living | Not ideal |
How much should a Bernese Mountain Dog eat?
A healthy, neutered adult Bernese Mountain Dog weighing 70–115 lb needs roughly 1,500–2,170 kcal a day. With a typical dry food of about 375 kcal per cup, that is about 4–5.8 cups a day, split into two meals. Active or intact dogs need more, while older or less active dogs need less. Always check the feeding guide on your food’s label.Breeding and pregnancy
Like all dogs, a pregnant Bernese Mountain Dog carries her puppies for about 63 days from ovulation. Most females come into heat about every 6 months.Is a Bernese Mountain Dog right for you?
A great fit for
Families with space and a cool climate who want a gentle, affectionate large dog.Think twice if
Hot climates, small apartments, or owners unprepared for a short lifespan and higher vet costs.Bernese Mountain Dog FAQ
When is a Bernese Mountain Dog full grown?
How big will my Bernese Mountain Dog puppy get?
How much should a 6-month-old Bernese Mountain Dog weigh?
How long do Bernese Mountain Dogs live?
Why do Bernese Mountain Dogs have a short lifespan?
Do Bernese Mountain Dogs shed a lot?
Similar breeds
More dog calculators
- Dog size calculatorHow big will my puppy get?
- Dog years calculatorDog age in human years
- Life expectancyLifespan by breed and size
- Gestation calculatorDue date and whelping window
- Heat cycle calculatorNext heat and fertile days
- Raw dog food calculatorDaily portions by weight
Sources
- AKC official breed standard
- FCI breed standard
- Purina breed profile
- AKC: breed club recommended health tests
- Salt C. et al. (2017), growth standard charts for monitoring bodyweight in dogs of different sizes, PLOS ONE
Main photo: Wojciech Pędzich, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Reviewed by grupo barncalc.com on November 6, 2026. Estimates are for planning only and are not veterinary advice.