Visualizing the Bernese mountain dog, the image that likely comes to mind is that of a fluffy yet majestic dog that is renowned to be loyal, affectionate, and a dedicated companion to their pet parents. Apart from its royal appearance, its intelligence is also a matter of great pride for the owners. As a first-timer, if you are curious to know whether Bernese mountain dogs are smart, we have you covered.
The short and simple answer to the abovementioned question would be a resounding yes. Bernese mountain dogs are very smart indeed. However, their intellect levels go beyond the basic understanding of commands and their obedient nature. The smartness of the Bernese is something that is bound to please pet owners. So, let us get on with the details to illustrate how the Bernese Mountain dogs display their smartness, i.e., from their emotional understanding to problem-solving and much more.
Tracing the origins of the Bernese mountain dog
For those who are still unaware, the Bernese mountain dog’s history is rooted in the picturesque Swiss Alps, where they were designated to work alongside farmers for many centuries. They were assigned the responsibility of pulling carts, herding cattle, and guarding properties. As you can understand, each of the aforementioned tasks demands adequate strength and street-smart thinking.
The smartness of the Bernese was evident from that period itself. They never required repetitive commands like other dogs; instead, they were capable of making split-second decisions in tough weather conditions and in rough terrains. Thus, their practical intelligence was hailed and developed. Gradually, they learned to assess and respond to various situations and act without even waiting for directions from their human counterparts.
Obedience and training
If you ask any dog owner how they measure the intelligence of their pets, they would unanimously mention trainability. So, the benchmark of intelligence is how fast the dog grasps commands and the consistency maintained to follow them. In this regard, a study conducted by an expert on canine intelligence ranked the Bernese quite highly. The Bernese do possess an intelligence that is well above average.
However, you should know how to train a Bernese Moutain Dog appropriately, as they aren’t the type of breeds that would rush to obey commands just for the sake of it. They will respond only to gentle motivations and positive reinforcements. Yelling and putting them under a harsh disciplinary routine would make them withdraw, which is often mistaken for their stubbornness. Remember, they would only respond well when they feel emotionally safe and are connected to their trainers. In short, their intelligence peaks when the environment is full of trust, praise, and patience.
Emotional intelligence is the strongest part of the Bernese
You will seldom find any other dog that possesses as much emotional awareness as the Bernese. The unique traits of the Bernese make them incredible partners. They have an inborn quality of deciphering human emotions. So, they can easily sense when people around them are happy, stressed, or sad. Here again, individuals who have had the good fortune of parenting a Bernese would have a common story to share.
How their four-legged loyal companion sits beside them on rough days, and displays excitement to lift the mood of their owners. It is this quality that makes the Bernese Mountain Dogs such an excellent choice. Their calm nature and emotional sensitivity let them comfort people everywhere. Thus, even though you may not find them perfecting everything you teach them at a rapid pace, their emotional IQ levels are something that no one can ignore.
The quality of problem-solving and adaptability
If the time taken to learn commands is the primary aspect in measuring the intelligence of dogs, then the next aspect is how they respond to new environments and challenges. Here, too, Bernese mountain dogs excel as they are naturally curious and observant. Even if they take a few extra minutes to analyze the situation before acting, they generally succeed without much difficulty. For instance, opening a door, navigating in tricky places, in all these cases, they will emerge successful.
Of course, their deep-rooted history as farm dogs has a lot to do with their independent thinking ability. Whether it is learning household routine, remembering commands, or anything else, their smartness and intelligence are clearly evident.
Social intelligence
Again, Bernese mountain dogs are naturally social. They always crave human companionship. As mentioned before, they can conveniently detect the body language of their human parents, and this makes them the best when it comes to social intelligence. For example, they can sense tension or excitement in a room and accordingly display their behavior. This is something that no one can train, and it comes naturally. Owing to the above quality, Bernese mountain dogs are ideal family dogs. They can blend with other pets and children without an issue. They are always ready to adapt, connect, and coexist with others without making a fuss.
The areas where the intelligence of the Bernese mountain dogs excels
To put it in a nutshell, here are the main areas where the intelligence levels of Bernese mountain dogs truly excel:
- Therapy and emotional support: Their natural temperament makes them empathetic to different situations and can thus offer support to their owners in their own ways.
- Search and rescue: Known for their strength and determination, they always remain focused and can excel in operations that demand search and rescue work.
- Obedience: With the right training, they perform rather well, and you can use them in various competitions, and in most likely cases, they would emerge as winners.
- Family roles: They are masters at learning routines, understanding their limitations, and estimating social cues within a household.
So, it can be said that Bernese mountain dogs display their smartness based on the situation they are in.
Comparing Bernese mountain dogs to other breeds
Some dog owners argue that the intelligence of Bernese Mountain dogs is comparable to that of other breeds like Poodles, German Shepherds, and Border Collies. However, that isn’t a fair call. The breeds mentioned above are generally bred for speed, precision, and task efficiency. The Bernese Mountain Dogs were bred for emotional connection and cooperative work. Thus, the Bernese may not secure the top ranks in obedience trials, but they certainly rank among the best when it comes to understanding emotions, maintaining calmness, and offering lifelong companionship.
Tips to nurture the Bernese mountain dog’s intelligence
If you happen to be the chosen one who is a proud owner of a fluffy Bernese mountain dog pup, then here are some tips that should help them enhance their smartness:
- Positive reinforcement: Never use harsh words to them, try to encourage them with rewards.
- Short sessions: Do not overdo the training sessions, as it would most likely make them feel bored. Keep training sessions short and mix them with various games.
- Social exposure: Make them meet new people, pets, and places freely.
- Mental games: Introduce various mental games, like puzzle feeders, hide-and-seek, or scent games.
- Routine: Try to stick to a routine while training them; it will help them learn better and faster.
By implementing the above points, you can expect the Bernese mountain dog to feel emotionally secure and mentally stimulated. Soon, they would turn out to be reliable, intelligent, and emotionally aware companions.