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View 3 More +The Bernese Mountain Dog is a very large breed that is adapted to be strong and powerful. The breed is considered very gentle with its humans and typically with other animals, but you can rely on them to work hard if called upon. Unfortunately, as is typical for breeds of this size, the Bernese only has an expected lifespan of between 8 to 10 years.
As large breed dogs, they are also slow to mature, which means that the Bernese Mountain dog’s first heat cycle may not occur until they are as old as 18 months, although it can also occur as early as 8 months. Like almost all breeds, the Bernese will typically go into heat twice a year, every 6 months, although in this larger breed, estrus may only occur every 8 to 10 months. It does depend on the individual dog. Your dog will usually be in heat, or in season, for around 3 to 4 weeks each cycle.
About the Bernese Mountain Dog
The Bernese Mountain Dog originates from the farmlands of Switzerland. They are well equipped to deal with the rigors of life in the Alps, thanks to their long coat and resilient nature. Having been bred to herd, guard, and accompany, they are very versatile. They are considered calm and placid, making them a good choice of family pet, and they are still used as working dogs thanks to their tenacity and their attentive nature.
The breed is a giant and can grow to 100 pounds (45 kilograms), or even as heavy as 120 pounds (approximately 55 kilograms). It is very strong, lending itself to cart pulling and other strength-based competitions. But, as is typical of large breeds, it doesn’t have a particularly long lifespan. Owners can expect their Bernese to live between 8 to 10 years, although some can live longer, with the record for an individual Bernese Mountain dog exceeding 15 years.
First Heat
Also typical of large breeds is the fact that the Bernese matures slowly. They don’t reach full adult size until about 2 years of age, and whereas smaller breeds might get their first heat at around 6 to 9 months of age, the Bernese Mountain dog will not usually experience her first heat cycle until between 12 and 18 months of age. Occasionally, certain individual females may not go into heat until about 2 years of age.
Signs to Look For
It is important to recognize when a dog is going into heat because this is the only time that a female dog can get pregnant. If you are hoping to breed your Bernese Mountain Dog, this is the time that she will need to mate with the male. If you want to ensure that she doesn’t get pregnant, you should avoid any contact with male dogs during this roughly 3 to 4-week period. If you intend on never having your female dog bred, spaying is recommended, as it can prevent unwanted pregnancies and the onset of many diseases associated with their reproductive tracts that increase in likelihood with each heat cycle.
The estrus cycle has different stages. The first two, which are considered the pre-heat and heat periods, are the ones that can be easily identified because your dog will show physical and behavioral changes.
To identify when your dog is going into heat, look for the following signs:
- During the proestrus stage, or just before your dog goes into heat, your dog will attract the attention of male dogs, but she is unlikely to want to mate at this stage.
- During this time, the vulva will become swollen and there can be a bloody vaginal discharge.
- A lot of female dogs keep their tails closer to their body during this time.
- She will become clingy and may give her family more attention or demand more attention from them.
- Female dogs can become aggressive towards male dogs during the proestrus stage.
Once your female dog goes into the estrus stage or heat, and can therefore become pregnant, the signs change:
- The vulva will still be swollen, but less than during proestrus.
- Discharge may still be evident, but it will be a pink or lighter red color than during proestrus.
- She will be receptive to male dogs, and when she does meet them, she may lift her tail and rear end toward them. This is usually referred to as “flagging.”
- She will be less aggressive toward male dogs and may attempt to court their attention.
- She can become nervous and may want to get out to find male dogs.
- Urination is likely to increase at this time.
Ongoing Cycle
Once your Bernese Mountain Dog has had her first heat, she will settle into a regular cycle, typically with each heat occurring every 6 to 8 months, but again, the size of the breed can have an effect on this timescale with some Bernese Mountain Dogs only going into heat every 8 to 10 months.
Unless your dog suffers from certain medical conditions or is spayed, she will likely continue to go into heat on this cycle throughout her life.
If you need guidance on keeping your dog healthy, we suggest you speak to a vet.
If you need to speak with a vet but can't get to one, head over to PangoVet. It's our online service where you can talk to a vet online and get the advice you need for your dog — all at an affordable price!
Summary
Female dogs go into heat roughly every 6 to 10 months, with the Bernese Mountain Dog typically having their first heat at around 12 to 18 months of age. Once a cycle is established, your dog will likely continue to go into heat throughout her life unless she is spayed or illness prevents it.
Featured Image Credit: david muscroft, Shutterstock
