The Bernese Mountain Dog (BMD) is a large, furry, and friendly breed. Despite their size, BMDs are known to be gentle and playful, making them wonderful companions. However, while BMDs are great companions, the presence of another dog in the house can benefit them. A friendly, sociable companion dog can provide your BMD with additional socialization and companionship. This can help reduce separation anxiety and increase your Bernese Mountain Dog's overall happiness. In this post, I've listed seven dog breeds that get along well with BMDs.
1. Another Bernese Mountain Dog
Of course, two Bernese Mountain Dogs are a perfect match for each other, both physically and temperamentally. BMDs absolutely love meeting other BMDs, and there follows an instinctual kinship. Even more interesting, if you get a BMD puppy to join your adult BMD, your adult resident dog will readily accept the puppy. However, based on the gender of the dogs, this compatibility can be frustrating. As a general rule, a male dog and a female dog are the best combination for compatibility. The worst combination is two dogs of the same gender.
If you have an adult male BMD, for example, the puppy you bring home should be a female. Does this mean that two dogs of the same gender won’t live harmoniously within the home? No, it does not. There are many cases of two dogs of the same sex living harmoniously in the same household. It just means that there will be some instinctual territorial discord that will have to be addressed. This insight is to ensure you make an informed decision.
2. Australian Shepherd
Australian Shepherds are smart, friendly dogs that make great companions for BMDs. Both breeds have a lot in common, except for their sizes. The BMD is remarkably larger than the Aussie. The Aussie is a medium-sized herding breed while the BMD is a large herding breed. That said, Aussies tend to be more active than BMDs.
Both breeds are known to be smart, good-natured, affectionate, and protective. What's more, both breeds make good family pets and can keep each other entertained. Overall, Australian Shepherds and Bernese Mountain Dogs typically get along well together and make good companions. As a fun fact, Aussies also have tricolored coats, like BMDs.
3. German Shepherd
Bernese Mountain Dogs and German Shepherd Dogs are both popular breeds of dogs in the United States. They are both energetic, playful, and fiercely loyal to the people who care for them. However, the BMD is more of a watchdog, as opposed to the GSD, who is a true guard dog. Despite their differences, these two breeds can actually live together in harmony.
Bernese Mountain Dogs are usually very tolerant of other dogs, and their playful nature can help to bring out the best in a nervous German Shepherd. Similarly, GSDs are often loving and gentle dogs who crave companionship, making them compatible with BMDs. Needless to say, conflict can potentially arise between any two dogs, regardless of breed. However, BMDs and GSDs are more likely to become fast friends than rivals, if introduced at a young age.
4. Corgi
Despite their size difference, Bernese Mountain Dogs and Corgis actually get along quite well with each other. BMDs are gentle giants in comparison. And if your BMD is a female, her mothering instincts are likely to kick in as she’ll see the Corgi as a tiny puppy.
What's more, BMDs and Corgis have similar exercise needs. BMDs are active, yet gentle dogs that require an hour of exercise each day. Similarly, Corgis usually need an hour of exercise daily. With this in mind, Bernese Mountain Dogs and Corgis can be the best of friends.
Though they may not be tall, Corgis are not to be underestimated. They are more energetic than most other dog breeds, possibly including the BMD. Corgis can be feisty and independent and aren't the most subservient of dogs. Overall, they have a friendly and outgoing personality and get along well with other dogs.
5. Great Pyrenees
The Great Pyrenees, also called the Pyrenean Mountain Dog, is a beloved livestock guardian breed. Like the Bernese Mountain Dog, the Great Pyrenees is a majestic and gentle giant, known for its great devotion to family. This is a calm, good-natured dog that tends to get on well with other dogs. Given the commonalities between both breeds, a Great Pyrenees will make an excellent match for your Bernese Mountain Dog. Generally, the Great Pyrenees is a trustworthy, affectionate breed that gets along with other breeds, even more so if they were raised along with them from a young age.
If you’d like a Pyrenean Mountain Dog buddy for your Bernese Mountain Dog, then a young puppy is probably the safer option. The two dogs in the above picture are Siggi, a Pyrenean Mountain Dog, and Willow, a Bernese Mountain Dog. They live together in harmony with their owner in Cleveland, Ohio. They have an Instagram account with over 10k followers, as of the time of this article.
6. Golden Retriever
Golden Retrievers are kind, playful dogs that make great companions for Bernese Mountain Dogs, as they share many of the same personality traits. Both breeds are characterized by a gentle and affectionate nature, and they enjoy the company of other dogs. Golden Retrievers are fairly active, and they’ll be more than happy to play with your Bernese Mountain Dog throughout the day. In fact, both breeds are energetic and require at least an hour of activity daily, so they will wear each other out.
When it comes to personality, the Golden Retriever and the Bernese Mountain Dog are a perfect match. So if you’re looking for a fun-loving and kind companion for your BMD, a Golden Retriever is the ideal choice.
The Golden Mountain Dog, an offspring of the Golden Retriever and Bernese Mountain Dog, might also be the ideal choice for your BMD. The Golden Mountain Dog is the latest designer dog breaking the internet.
7. Hovawart
The Hovawart is a medium to large-size working dog with versatile usage. The breed is characterized, in terms of temperament, as watchful, even-tempered, reserved, devoted, active, and familial. According to the American Kennel Club, the Hovawart is good with children and other dogs. The Hovawart and the Bernese Mountain Dog have a lot in common.
Both breeds are extremely affectionate, fun-loving, and loyal, and they were originally bred and used as guardians of livestock. Like the BMD, the Hovawart is fairly energetic and requires at least an hour of exercise daily. As with all breeds, the Hovawart needs early socialization and training to grow into a well-behaved dog.
Overall, the Hovawart is a loving, loyal, and versatile dog breed that can make a great companion for a Bernese Mountain Dog.
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