Are Bernese Mountain Dogs Good Runners?

Berners are great activity partners but do they tolerate long-distance running?

A healthy, young Bernese Mountain Dog does well with running 2-3 mi / 3-5 km. However, long-distance running regularly is not ideal for this breed. Berners should avoid high-impact exercise to prevent injury to their joints, so walking and hiking are more suitable for these dogs.

Be mindful of the individual characteristics of your dog, as well as the traits of the breed in general.

CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING FACTORS

Overall Health Status And Fitness Level

Healthy dogs that exercise regularly tolerate running and any intensive physical activity much better than dogs that aren’t fit and/or healthy.

Most young Bernese Mountain Dogs are highly energetic. Sprinting could be a great activity both for fitness and as an outlet for their energy. Some long-distance running is fine, as long as your pup’s hips and joints are healthy.

However, it is better to avoid long-distance running, as well as other high-impact activities. High-impact exercise is hard on a Bernese Mountain Dog’s joints, especially as the dog gets older.

The Dog’s Age

Running is unsuitable for Berners younger than 1-1.5 years old. Their joints are still growing, which makes them vulnerable to injury. In addition, puppies are not very hardy in hot or cold weather and have limited stamina in general.

Your young Berner will probably jump and run around quite a bit anyway but taking a very young Benner along for long-distance jogging is not good in the long run for most dogs of this breed.

Some running is fine for grown-up Berners, as long as the dog tolerates it. There is no upper limit when it comes to age, it depends on the dog.

Read your pet’s cues to understand if running is still appropriate for your mature Berner. If your dog becomes tired quickly or does not want to move much after running, consider adjusting your dog’s activities.

The lifespan is a Bernese Mountain Dog is relatively short and dogs of this breed often do not enjoy running as they mature.

Joint Health

Bernese Mountain Dogs are strong, muscular dogs, so they make spectacular sprinters. Having a high muscle mass means these dogs are very heavy. The breed is also prone to gaining excess weight.

Being heavy contributes to the vulnerability of these dogs’ joints.

Bernese Mountain Dogs are predisposed to hip dysplasia and joint problems. Their hips and other joints are especially vulnerable in the first year of their lives, due to very rapid growth.

The University of Notre Dame has an excellent article explaining canine hip dysplasia using the example of Bernese Mountain Dogs.

Maintaining a healthy weight and keeping physical activity moderate and low-impact is a good strategy to keep their joints healthy.

HOW TO RUN WITH A BERNESE MOUNTAIN DOG

Here are some tips to keep your Berner safe and comfortable as a runner:

Screen Your Dog For Hip Dysplasia

Discuss the timing of the screening with your dog’s veterinarian. Your pet should be old enough for the problem to become evident for proper diagnosis but still young enough to implement an effective regimen to preserve mobility and minimize pain.

Most dogs have a good quality of life despite hip dysplasia or arthritis but often need some medications for pain control and may require some modification of their activity.

Condition Your Dog

It is important to build up stamina gradually.

Start with a light jogging exercise, and that could be in the form of a fetch game, for example.

Help your dog build up strength and stamina and increase intensity as tolerated.
If your Berner looks energetic and happy afterward, it means the intensity of the exercise was just right. Looking a little tired and going to sleep right after is fine, as long as your pup does not appear unwell. If your dog is pants heavily and is exhausted, that is a sign for you to assume a more graded approach.

If your pet is stiff and refuses to move after running, the dog could have joint pain.

Help Your Dog Maintain A Healthy Weight

Berners are highly prone to excess weight gain, although this problem is typical for house pets in general. Being overweight makes running difficult for them.

These dogs need a healthy high-quality diet and it is important to prevent overfeeding.

Running is great for weight loss but an overweight large dog should always optimize his or her weight before engaging in intense high-impact exercise.

Keep Your Dog Hydrated

Always make sure your pup has access to plenty of water, especially when running or going on adventures.

A dog could become dehydrated very quickly. Animals can forget to drink water, especially when they are into an activity and trying to impress the owner.

Choose Ground or Grassy Trails For Running, Avoid Asphalt

Compared to asphalt running trails, ground trails or grass are more suitable for dogs to run on for a couple of reasons:

Ground and grass absorb shock, they are easier on your dog’s joints (and your joints, too)

On hot or very cold days your dog’s paws will be much happier on grass or ground than on asphalt. Grass and ground trails protect from burns and frostbite.

If you and your dog spend a lot of time running and hiking, consider putting on a protective layer on your pet’s paws:

Many dogs dislike doggy boots, although they protect well from contact with cold and hot surfaces, as well as rough terrain. Have your pet practice wearing booties at home a few times to help him or her get used to the idea.

You could use non-toxic paw wax or paw butter. Those products are an excellent alternative with a similar protective value. Most dogs do not mind wearing paw wax at all but you may have to reapply it throughout the day. Make sure the product is non-toxic because the dog can try to lick it, and clean your pup’s paws when you return home.

Avoid Running On Hot Days

A major factor and a safety concern is Berners’ poor tolerance of warm weather.

On a hot day, you should watch your Berner for any signs of discomfort and try to keep your pet as cool as possible, because these dogs overheat easily.

If you are going for a jog with a Berner, a very warm day is not a good time. Bernese Mountain Dogs do better with running and hiking if the day is cooler than 70 °F/ 21 °C. A shaded trail is best and access to water and rest is a must.

Read Your Berner’s Cues

You know your dog better than anyone. Pay attention to how your dog looks during a jog and after running.

Dogs can mask discomfort and pain for a long time, especially when trying to impress their beloved human family. So, it is important to note any worrisome signs, such as heavy panting and stiffness in the dog’s paws.