Newfoundland and Bernese Mountain Dog: Gentle Giants, Real Needs
Gentle by Nature, Enormous in Practice
Both breeds are known for sweet, patient temperaments and love of family. They suit people with space, a big car, a cool home and a relaxed attitude to fur and mud.
They are a harder fit for small apartments, hot climates without air conditioning, and very house-proud owners. Everything costs more for a giant dog, from food and beds to insurance and vet care.
Heat, Drool and Space
- Heat: heavy coats and big bodies overheat easily. Walk early and late in summer, give shade and water, and skip exercise on hot days.
- Drool: Newfoundlands drool a lot, especially after drinking and eating. Keep towels handy. Berners drool much less.
- Space: a giant dog needs room to lie flat and turn around, and a vehicle it can get into safely.
- Water: most Newfs love to swim, which is good exercise where it is safe.
Growing a Giant Puppy
Feed a complete large or giant-breed puppy food, weigh meals and keep your puppy lean so it grows steadily. Avoid lots of jumping and stairs while it grows, and ask your vet or breeder how much exercise suits its age. Start training early: a 100 lb (45 kg) dog that pulls is no fun.
Coat Care
The Royal Kennel Club lists daily grooming for the Newfoundland and grooming more than once a week for the Bernese. Brush down to the skin, focusing on behind the ears, the "trousers" and the chest. An undercoat rake helps when the coat sheds. Don't shave either breed; the coat helps protect the skin.
Gear for Two Giant, Heavy-Coated Dogs
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An extra-large supportive bed spares big joints, and a cooling mat helps in summer. An undercoat rake handles the coat, a stack of absorbent towels handles the drool, and a car ramp saves lifting a dog this size.
Health: What to Ask the Breeder and Your Vet
In the UK, The Royal Kennel Club lists hip and elbow scoring as good practice for both breeds, plus a DNA test for cystinuria for Newfoundlands, and eye testing as best practice for Newfs. Ask breeders about heart checks in the parents too, and see all the results.
Both breeds tend to have shorter lives than smaller dogs. Regular check-ups, a lean body and gentle exercise help your dog enjoy the years it has. Ask your vet about vaccinations, neutering timing for a giant breed and a parasite plan, and learn the signs of bloat, an emergency in deep-chested dogs; see our Great Dane page.
Worming, flea and tick products and joint supplements: see your vet or a pet supply store with trained staff. Doses depend on weight, and giant dogs need the right product.
Frequently Asked Questions
Big dogs, common questions.
Do Newfoundlands drool a lot?
Yes, especially after eating and drinking. Most owners keep towels around the house.
How long do Bernese Mountain Dogs live?
The Royal Kennel Club gives under 10 years, shorter than many breeds. Good breeding and regular vet care help.
Can these breeds cope with hot weather?
They find heat hard. Keep them cool, walk only at the coolest times of day and skip exercise on hot days.
Are they good with children?
Usually very gentle and patient, but their size can knock small children over. Supervise and teach calm greetings.
Should I shave my Newfoundland or Bernese in summer?
No. The coat helps protect the skin. Brush out loose undercoat and keep your dog cool instead.
Related Reading
- Great Dane: another gentle giant.
- Grooming double-coated dogs: rakes and shedding.
- Hot-weather safety: keeping big dogs cool.
Breed traits are tendencies, not promises. If your giant dog's belly swells, it retches without bringing anything up, or it struggles in the heat, go to a vet straight away.