Large, sturdy, well-balanced working dog of substantial bone. Square in appearance from withers to ground and withers to tail set. Heavy-coated with distinctive characteristic markings. In comparison with the opposite sex, dogs appear masculine, females are feminine without loss of type.
The Bernese temperament is one of the breed's strongest assets. Consistent, dependable, with a strong desire to please. Self-confident, alert, good natured. Attached and loyal to human family; may be aloof or suspicious with strangers, but never sharp or shy.
Dogs: 24.4-27.6 inches at withers (62-70 cm), best size 26-26.8 inches (66-68 cm)
Females : 22.8-26 inches at withers ( 58-66cm) ; best size 23.6-24.8 inches ( 60-63cm)
The stocky, well-balanced appearance must be maintained.
The adult coat is thick, moderatly long, possibly with a slight wave but never curly. It has a bright natural sheen. In texture it is soft rather than harsh, but is weather resistant, easily kept and resists matting. There is a soft, seasonal undercoat.
Jet-black ground colour. Rich russet markings( dark reddish brown is most favoured) appear on the cheeks, in a spot over each eye, in a patch above each foreleg, and on all four legs between the black of the upper leg and the white of the feet. Clean white markings as follows; On chest extending uninterrupted to under chin, also a slight to middle sized blaze extending into a muzzle band which is not so wide as to obliterate the russet on the cheek ( preferably does not extend past the corners of the mouth). Preferable markings: white feet with white reaching at the highest the pasterns and a white tip of tail. Marking should be symmetrical. Too little white is preferable to too much.
The skull is flat and broad with a slight furrow; defined, but not exaggerated stop. Muzzle is strong and straight, roughly square proportions, tapering only very slightly. Jaw is strong with good teeth meeting in a scissors bite. Dentition should be complete. Eyes are dark brown in colour, almond shaped, and well set appart with tight eyelids. The ears are middle sized, triangular in shape with rounded tip. Set above eye level high on side of head and hanging close to the head. Facial expression is intelligent, animated and gentle.
The neck is strong, muscular, of medium lenght, well set on. Dew-laps are very slightly developed. The body is sturdy. The back is firm and level. Loins are strong and muscular. The croup is broad, well muscled. The chest is broad, with good depth of brisket reaching at least to elbows; ribs are well sprung.
Tail is bushy, hanging straight, with bone reaching to the hock joint or slightly below. Carried low in response, higher when the dog is in motion or alert. An upward arc is permissible, but the tail should never curl over itself or carried over the back.
Shoulders are well muscled, flat lying and well laid back. Forelegs are straight with substancial bone, parallel stance. Elbows are well under shoulders. Pasterns are slightly sloping, but never weak. Feet are proportionate in size, round and compact. Dew claws are preferably removed.
The hindquarters are powerful, with broad, well muscled thighs and substantial bone. Stifles are well angulated. Hocks are well let down, turning neither in nor out. Pasterns are wide and straight, standing parallel. Feet are proportionate in size, round and compact. Dew claws must be removed in the first few days of life.
The natural travelling gait of the breed is a slow trot, but it is capable of speed and agility. Good reach in front. Strong drive from the rear, flexing well at the stifles. The level backline is maintained; there is no wasted action. Front and rear feet of each side travel in lines parallel to direction of motion, converging towards a centre line at increased speeds.
A fault is any deviation from the standard, to be weighed in accordance with the degree of deviation. Major faults: ectropion or entropion, undershot or overshot mouth, tail rolled over back. Minor faults: overly long body or thin body, light or round eyes, level bite, incomplete dentition, too narrow or too snipey muzzle, too massive or too light head; too light russet markings or impure colour, grey coloring in black coat, nonsymmetrical markings, especially facial, white neck patch, curly coat, kink in tail.
Cryptorchid or monorchid males, split nose, white neck ring, blue eye, ground colour other than black.
* Comparison of American, European and Canadian BMD standards
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