How much exercise does a Bernese Mountain Dog need?

Making sure your dog gets the right amount of exercise is important for your dog’s physical, mental and behavioral health. Of course, it also saves your furniture as well as your mental health. So how much exercise does your Bernese Mountain Dog need to keep them healthy? A good starting point is 30 minutes daily.

Obviously, there are a lot of different factors to consider when creating an exercise plan for you and your Berner, such as age, health, temperament, bone structure and their lifestyle. Does your Berner spends the day alone without any physical or mental stimulation? Then they will need more than 30 minutes when you get home. If they have been with you or someone else, they actually like, then they are content with a short walk or other type of playtime.

So you have just brought your first Bernese Mountain Dog puppy home then, I would suggest multiple short bursts of exercise. This keeps them mentally stimulated, so they don’t have to start finding their own activities, but it is easier on their growing bodies.  Berners do not like to be left alone.  If they are and they haven’t had enough stimulation to keep them worn out, then they start looking for their own activities either out of boredom or they are just plain mad about being left behind. Remember there are other things you can do besides taking them for a walk, such as games like hide and seek, or even trick training. 

One thing your Bernese Mountain Dog is not built to enjoy is joining you for your daily run.  Their bone structure tends to make it easy for them to get injured or stiff after running.  Ours are pretty athletic and have always been regularly exercised, but the most they can safely handle is a two-mile slow jog.  Even though they can’t join you they will be sure to reward you for your hard work when you get home.

In summary the benefit to sharing your life with a Bernese Mountain Dog is that they don’t need long hours of physical exercise.  On the other hand, they do need long hours of mental stimulation, which really doesn’t require much except them spending time with your family, no matter the activity.

Until Next Time,

B&B