Many people have conflicting feelings about large animals living in apartments and small spaces in general. In reality, regular physical activity is more important than a spacious living area.
Bernese Mountain Dogs do well in apartments, as long as the dog gets daily exercise and has a comfortable living arrangement. Be mindful of your dog’s limitations, such as any problems with joints, if getting home involves several flights of stairs. Berners are friendly and well-behaved, so they do well with living near human and pet neighbors.
Consider several aspects of living in an apartment with a dog.
TRAITS THAT MAKE BERNERS GREAT FOR APARTMENT LIVING
Berners Are Owner-Oriented and Responsive to Training
Bernese Mountain dogs are intelligent and adaptable animals. They are highly responsive to training. So, if any behavioral concerns do come up – including barking – they can usually be corrected with focused training.
Your dog is very likely to pick up on the way you behave in your environment. If you are calm when there is any activity outdoors or you pass by a group of people in the hallway, your Berner will probably stay calm as well.
High working intelligence helps Bernese Mountain Dogs master even complex commands, which is essential for apartment living. Their intelligence and sociable disposition help Berners charm and get along with neighbors beautifully.
Berners Are Sociable and Friendly with Neighbors
A Bernese Mountain Dog is likely to charm your community, especially any neighbor children. Bernese Mountain Dogs are known to be amazing with kids, and also well-behaved around cats, if you have any neighbors with felines.
If your apartment is very compact, keep in mind that even a sociable dog needs to have his or her own space away from high-traffic areas in your apartment. Dogs need a safe place where they can always rest and nap.
Mature Bernese Mountain Dogs Are Calm And Have Moderate Energy Levels
Highly active and buoyant as young dogs – up to about 2 – 3 years old – Berners are dignified and calm as older dogs. Many owners even describe their adult Berners as lazy.
The dog still needs his or her daily walks, of course, but a compact space is not an issue, despite the dog’s considerable size.
Bernese Mountain Dogs Are Easy To Potty Train
As we discussed in one of the previous sections, Berners earn high marks for their working intelligence. In practical terms, they are easily trainable when it comes to most behaviors and skills. One aspect that is crucial for apartment living: Bernese Mountain Dogs are easy to potty train.
POTENTIAL CHALLENGES WITH BERNERS IN APARTMENTS
First, it is important to remember how large these dogs grow up to be! Their height can get up to 75 cm (30 inches) with an impressive weight of up to 50 kg (110 pounds). It is just something to be mindful of if you are new to the breed and your living space is really small.
Again, as long as the dog has a comfortable spot in the apartment, a small space is okay, if your Berner gets enough exercise outdoors. A small space can, however, be a little challenging during the first couple of years of your Bernese Mountain Dog’s life.
Berner Puppies are Large, Energetic, and Clumsy
If you are planning to welcome a Bernese Mountain puppy, living in a very small apartment could be a challenge. It is not just that they are very large puppies, Berners are bubbly and clumsy. A young Berner could bump into stuff quite a bit.
That is not breed-specific, of course! Puppies of all breeds are not particularly graceful, Berners are just some of the biggest ones.
Bernese Mountain Dogs Like To Bark
The excellent guard dogs they are, Berners can be very vocal. They do not usually bark incessantly or without a reason, but it is common for a Bernese Mountain Dog to bark at noises. Your dog may be tempted to bark every time someone knocks on the door, for example.
A Berner’s voice reflects his or her formidable size, so even occasional barking could become an issue for close neighbors.
Berners Are Prone To Separation Anxiety
Separation anxiety is not more typical for Bernese Mountain Dogs than other sociable breeds but it is common. Berners are very attached to their families, and being left alone for long hours and not having enough to do may lead to barking, howling, and destructive behaviors.
Depending on the particular behavior, solutions might be different:
- Focused training to address the behavior is usually helpful, as well as finding things to do to keep the dog entertained.
- When it comes to keeping the dog occupied, a dog walker’s visit is great, if it is an option.
- Berners love chew toys and puzzles for smart dogs. They love variety, so it is good to rotate toys – remove them for a few weeks and then give them back, to prevent habituation.
- Unless part of the issue includes barking at passers-by, dogs love to watch the outdoors from your balcony or a window, so that could be a way to keep your pet entertained.
Young Berners Have High Energy Levels
Bernese Mountain Dogs are an active, rambunctious breed when they are young. They do settle down significantly when they reach 2-3 years old but these dogs benefit from a good amount of exercise in general.
A young Berner might have a hard time in a tight space. However, if you are committed to providing your pet with the walks and games he or she needs, being in an apartment for the rest of the day should not be an issue.
Consider Berner’s Typical Health Problems
Arthritis and other problems with elbows, knees, and hips are some of the most common health issues Bernese Mountain Dogs experience.
Even with excellent care, if you have to walk up and down a few flights of stairs regularly, it could be a struggle for your dog, especially as the dog gets older.
You can circumvent the stairs issue by either living on the ground floor or in a building with access to an elevator.
Coat Maintenance, Shedding
An expected problem with dogs with thick double-layer coats is that they shed profusely.
Bernese Mountain dogs do shed a lot indeed. Of course, living in an apartment does not make them shed any more but smaller spaces make dog hair a lot more visible, just because it is so much more concentrated. So, be prepared to do a lot of cleaning regularly.
APARTMENT FEATURES TO CONSIDER
Dog Walking Area
Not all properties that technically allow dogs are particularly dog-friendly. Here, in Seattle, dogs are regarded with reverence, so amenities for canines are becoming essential features for many apartment complexes. Many apartments incorporate a dog walking area of their own.
Bernese Mountain Dogs do need physical exercise. They need more than just a few brief potty breaks outside. A dog-walking area in your apartment complex or nearby is great for the times when you are not able to take your pet to the park or farther away.
Deck Or Patio
A feature that is important for most dogs is either a balcony or a patio.
A balcony is a great option because dogs love to spend their leisure time with a view and fresh air. A patio is lovely and practical: it could help an aging large dog get outside quickly and easily as needed.
Stairs Or Elevator
If your dog is old, has issues with joints or other health concerns, or if you intend to live in the apartment long enough for your pup to mature, it is good to have an elevator or live on the ground floor.
Floor Type
Carpets are not ideal for most pets, because accidents happen and shedding is a part of life. So, carpet might be fine but hardwood or linoleum are preferred.
Related Question:
Are Bernese Mountain Dogs High Maintenance?
Bernese Mountain dogs are relatively high maintenance but not more than most large breeds. They are smart, people-oriented, and energetic, so they need plenty of physical and mental stimulation. At the same time, Berners are easy to train and have few behavioral problems. These dogs shed a lot but do not need any elaborate grooming practices. An important concern is these dogs’ susceptibility to several health issues, which could require a lot of veterinarian care and financial expenses.
