Bernese Mountain Dog Health

Mortality

Health surveys of Bernese Mountain Dog in Denmark, Britain, USA and Canada show that this race is very short compared to similar sized breeds and purebred dogs in general. Bernese Mountain Dogs have a lifespan of seven years in Denmark, the United States and Canada, and eight years of research in the UK. In comparison, most of the other race of similar size have median longevity 10-11 years. The oldest Bernese Mountain 394 to the end of the 2004 survey in the UK died at 15.2 years.

Cancer is the leading cause of death for dogs in general, but Bernese mountain dogs have a much higher rate of fatal cancer than other breeds, in both studies in the United States / Canada and the United Kingdom, nearly half Bernese Mountain Dog is the dead of cancer, compared with about 27% of all dogs. Bernese Mountain Dogs are killed by a multitude of different cancers, including malignant histiocytosis, mast cell tumor, lymphosarcoma, fibrosarcoma and osteosarcoma.

Bernese Mountain Dogs also have unusually high mortality musculoskeletal causes. Arthritis, hip dysplasia, and cruciate ligament rupture was reported as cause of death in 6% of Bernese mountain dogs in the UK study, [10] for comparison, mortality due to musculoskeletal disorders been reported to be less than 2% for purebred dogs in general.

Mobility

The owners of Bernese mountain dogs are nearly three times more likely than owners of other breeds to report musculoskeletal problems in their dogs. The most frequent rupture of cruciate ligament cross musculoskeletal, arthritis (especially in the shoulders and elbows), hip dysplasia and osteochondritis. The age of onset of musculoskeletal problems is abnormally low. For example, the study in the USA / Canada, 11% of dogs living with arthritis at a mean age of 4.3 years. Most Common themes musculoskeletal disease not strike Berners at rates similar to other races.

In short, the future owners of dogs Bernese mountain should be prepared to handle a large dog can have mobility problems at an early age. Options to help disabled dogs may include ramps for access to your home, car or belts and lifting wheelchairs and dogs (eg `Wheel input). Comfortable bed can help relieve joint pain.