BERNER HOUND

It seems this breed was already around during the roman period and that its spread was due to the conquering army expansion. In Switzerland, where its origin is place, it was known in the XV century and from there it was exported to other European countries, essentially to Italy and France. In 1882 a common standard was set establishing the small differences amongst the five breed varieties that coexisted then: Thurgau, Berna, Jura, Lucerna and Schwyz. In 1933, and after the Thurgau hound completely disappeared, a new standard was set, common to the remaining four varieties with the only difference in the fur.

PHYSICAL TRAITS of the BERNER HOUND
It is medium sized, with a strong constitution and height of 49 to 59 cm in males and between 47 and 57 cm in females. The head is fine and slender, the muzzle is long without being pointy, the nose is black and large and the stop is undefined. The color of the eyes, which have a sweet expression, varies according to the coat tonality, the shape is slightly oval and the size is medium, the ears are long, thin and folded inwards. The quality of the fur, common in every variety, is short, smooth and dense finer at the head and ears; the color depends on the variety:

- Berner Hound: White, with black spots in the spine “saddle” type, a reddish mark over the eyes, at the face and inside the ears. It can also be spattered.
- Jura Hound: fire colored with a black coat, it can also be black with reddish over the eyes, in the cheeks and limbs.
- Lucerna Hound: it is blue, very spattered with some black and white hairs; it can also have a black “saddle” spot. Every variety has the same reddish marks over the eyes and cheeks.
- Schwyz Hound: White with orange spots or an orange “saddle” spot, it can be spattered instead of spotted, also in orange shades. Reddish spots at the face.

TEMPERAMENT AND ADAPTATION of the BERNER HOUND
It is an impulsive dog, lively, cheerful and sensitive. It is a friend of its master, who it guards with limitless loyalty. It is very sociable with people around it. It is easy to train, although sometimes it tends to be stubborn.

EXERCISE AND CARE required for a BERNER HOUND
This dog does not require special care, only a brushing every other day. The exercise must be regular, providing it time and space so it can run around as needed.

It is a tracker that, although it usually collects rabbits, hairs and foxes, it also dares to face the bore. The fur is dense and enjoys great quality. Its color depends of each of this dog’s variety.