Bernese Mountain Dogs are not just known for their striking appearance but also their friendly and affectionate nature. Proper grooming is essential to keep them healthy and ensure their beautiful coat stays in top condition. In this guide, we'll explore the correct grooming procedures, frequency, and recommended tools so you can feel confident the next time you groom a Bernese Mountain Dog. 

A Quick Overview of Breed Facts & Characteristics

Bernese Mountain Dogs have thick, long coats that make them instantly recognizable. They are a breed that embodies functionality; they originate from the rugged Swiss Alps, where they serve as reliable farm dogs. Among the alpine herding breeds, the Bernese Mountain Dog is the only one characterized by its long, luxurious hair. Their composed temperament makes a grooming session with them a generally delightful experience.

• Country of Origin: Switzerland
• Height at Shoulder: 23" to 27½"
• Coat Length/Type: Combination/Heavy
• Color: Deep, rich tricolors in black, chestnut, and white.

The End Goal: A Shiny, Light, and Airy Coat

The goal of grooming your Bernese Mountain Dog is to maintain a shiny, light, and airy coat. As your dog moves, the coat should bounce and float gracefully. To achieve this, you need to follow a grooming routine that includes bathing and brushing out their coat regularly.

Never Clip Or Shave Their Coat

The Bernese Mountain Dog is a dog breed with a double coat. This means they have two layers of fur. The first layer is the one closest to the skin, also known as the undercoat. The undercoat is made up of short, fluffy, delicate hairs. This layer is responsible for insulation by trapping air and sheds. 

The second layer is called the topcoat. This layer is made up of tough, coarse guard hairs. These hairs protect your dog from insects and UV rays. The dogs' coat can keep them both warm in the Winter and cool in the Summer. Shaving your dog’s coat does much more harm than good. The only time your dog’s coat should be shaved is for medical reasons.

How Often Should You Groom a Bernese Mountain Dog? 

• Bathe your Bernese Mountain Dog once a week to once every 12 weeks, depending on their activity level and specific needs.
• Trim or grind their nails every four to six weeks to maintain healthy foot structure.
• Clean the ears by swabbing with a mild ear-cleaning solution.
• Use various tools, such as rubber curry, shedding blade, undercoat rake, pumice stone, carding tool, fine stripping knife, or a natural bristled brush to loosen skin dander and remove loose coat.
• Quickly blow-drying the dog with a high-velocity dryer can lift dirt and debris away from the skin and loosen the coat.
• Brush out or remove any matting found in the longer coated areas. If the tangles are loose enough so water can fully penetrate the area, remove them after bathing and drying.

The Best Bernese Mountain Dog Grooming Process

Brushing

Begin by line brushing your Bernese Mountain Dog, working in sections until the dog is entirely tangle-free. When finished, there should be little fur still being removed with a firm slicker brush. Double-check your work with a wide-toothed comb and your hands.

Go over the entire body, feeling for any inconsistencies in the density levels of the coat. If an area seems moist to the touch or fuller than the rest of the coat, rework the area with the appropriate tool.

Mats, tangles, and excessive coat are often trapped in the following areas: behind the ears, around the ruff, the thigh area, the undercarriage, and the tail. Give extra attention to these areas before finishing the groom.

Sanitary Area

If your Bernese Mountain Dog has a sanitation problem under the tail, lightly trim this area with thinning shears. Only remove enough coat to accomplish the goal while keeping it looking natural.

Trimming of the groin area is not recommended unless there is a sanitary problem. If the groin needs to be trimmed, do so very lightly and try to leave the fur long enough so that the harsh coat does not prickle the skin, causing the dog to lick at the irritation.

Feet & Hocks

Trim the pads with a close-cutting action blade ranging from a #15 to a #40. Use a very light touch to clean the pads of long hair. If there is long fur between the toes, back brush the fur so it stands up and away from the foot. With thinning shears, trim off the excess, creating a neat and very natural-looking foot with well-arched toes. Tidy the outside edge of the foot, if needed, with small detailing shears. A #4F blade used in reverse works well for trimming the tops of the feet and the hocks on some dogs.

Detail Finish

• Edge the ears lightly with thinning shears to neaten but look natural.
• Hand-pluck any long, wispy, flyaway hair from around the ears.
• Removal of whiskers on the muzzle is optional based on client preference.
• Finish with a fine mist of coat polish on the body coat for added shine. Application of bows and mild cologne are optional.

Special Note

Learn to feel for differences in coat density levels. Areas that feel heavier or denser than other areas need special attention when bathing, brushing, and drying.

Suggested Tools & Equipment

To groom a Bernese Mountain Dog effectively, you'll need the following tools and equipment:

• Nail Trimmers
• Styptic Powder
• Ear Cleaning Solution
• Cotton Balls
• Clippers
• #40 and #15 Blades for Pads
• #4F for Feet & Hocks (optional)
• Slicker Brush
• Wide-Toothed Comb
• Rubber Curry
• Undercoat Rake
• Dematting Tools
• High-Velocity Dryer
• Small Detailing Shears
• Curved Shears
• Thinning Shears

Wrapping Up

Proper grooming is about keeping your Bernese Mountain Dog looking their best and ensuring their comfort and health. By following these grooming tips and using the right tools, you can keep your furry friend happy and healthy and their coat shining beautifully.

If you want to become a pet groomer, we offer a complete training program involving essential physiology, safety, practical skills, and business knowledge modules. Additionally, you get the added benefits of access to an online community, weekly workshops, course updates for an entire year, and a certificate of completion. 

With the proper education and certification from Groomers University, a world of opportunities opens up for you. You’ll be able to pursue career options like roles in pet grooming salons, veterinary clinics, mobile grooming services, or even the establishment of a personal grooming business.