There aren’t many other breeds that combine such majestic physical presence coupled with gentleness like the Bernese Mountain Dog. Yet, research reveals a rather complicated picture. For instance, for the usual questions like: how long do these dogs live? Does the sex of the dog make any difference to their longevity? What are the primary causes leading to their demise? And lastly, how does the breed compare with other dogs? The answers to each of the above questions aren’t as simple as one might expect.
A bunch of studies related to the Bernese Mountain Dog do reveal a consistent pattern. The breed tends to have a shorter lifespan than other breeds of the same size. Then again, data also show why these averages should be regarded as population-level information rather than predictions for an individual dog. So, here is a detailed look at what the numbers actually tell us. Take a closer look at the characteristics of Bernese Mountain Dogs as you read on.
The lifespan is the most intriguing aspect
One study conducted by the Swiss Bernese Mountain Dog Club is regarded as one of the most useful studies related to the breed. Researchers collected information on more than 350 Bernese dogs, of which the majority died by the end of the study. The dogs had been born in 2001 or 2002, and their owners and vets offered all the relevant information on their health and eventual causes of death.
The study reports a median survival of 8.4 years, with the middle 50% of dogs falling between 6.9 and 9.7 years. This suggests a mean survival of 8.25 years. Now, the difference between the mean and median is worth a look.
The mean is calculated by adding the ages together and dividing by the number of dogs. Whereas, the median is the middle value when the dogs are arranged by age at death. When considering lifespan, the median can offer a more concrete picture because a small percentage of unusually old or young dogs can influence the average. For prospective dog owners, the million-dollar question is: does every Bernese Mountain Dog live for 8.4 years? The answer is unfortunately no. While some dogs do live longer, many of them die younger. The figure simply describes what happened within that particular study of the breed.
Male vs. Female difference
Here is a startling fact: the Swiss study mentioned above observed a measurable difference between males and females. Female Bernese mountain dogs had a median survival of 8.78 years as compared with 7.73 years for males. However, it comes with an important detail. A difference between two groups does not automatically lead us to believe why the difference exists. Factors like genetics, health conditions, reproductive status, disease patterns, population characteristics, and other aspects can influence longevity to a great extent.
People involved in the research identified that the relationship between sex and survival was rather complicated. For example, they did not find significant survival differences between intact males and intact females. The neutering status can make a significant difference.
Why do different studies come up with different numbers?
Now, this is where things can get particularly interesting. As mentioned before, the Swiss study reports a median of 8.4 years, but another study as relevant as the above, conducted in the UK, produced an entirely different figure. Here, the numbers changed drastically, and that is about 8 years for Bernese mountain dogs. The breed was labelled as short-lived when compared to other breeds.
The difference in numbers in both these studies is evident, and the reason is that these studies were not examining the same dogs under exactly the same conditions. The Swiss research focused on a specific population of Bernese Mountain Dogs born during two specific years, while the UK-based research collected user responses. Thus, it is clear that geographical location, study design, birth years, sample selection, vet practices, reporting methods, and the way deaths are recorded can all influence the results.
What do researchers say about causes of death?
The Swiss study also examined the causes of death, and this is where the numbers become rather significant. Among the 381 dogs that had died, to be exact, the cause of death was unknown for 89 of them. Health issues such as neoplasia, an abnormal tissue growth, and cancer were the most common reasons for death for the other 222 dogs. Some other health-related aspects found in the study were degenerative joint diseases of 16 dogs, spinal disorders of 13 dogs, and renal injury of 12 dogs.
How Bernese mountain dogs compare with other breeds
Comparison of breeds offers us another useful perspective. In the UK-based study, the overall median age at death of all breeds was 10.3 years, while the Bernese had a median of 8 years. Several breeds in the survey lived considerably longer according to their median figures. For example, the Golden Retrievers were among the breeds identified as having the longest lifespan. However, these figures do not mean every Golden Retriever will outlive every Bernese Mountain Dog. We must realize breed statistics describe populations, and not individual dogs. These figures are useful for identifying broad patterns but cannot tell an owner how long the dog will live. The Bernese Mountain Dogs being renowned as therapy dogs the comparison makes sense.
Why does the “bigger” size matter?
In this regard, size does play a crucial role in the longevity of dogs. Most of us know this already; larger breeds tend to have shorter lifespans than smaller breeds. Moreover, as we know, the Bernese Mountain Dogs are large working dogs, so some of their relatively short lifespan can be related to the broader relationship between body size and longevity.
The Swiss researchers noted that previous studies had reported mean life expectancies to be rather low, at 5.7 and 6.8 years, while in the recent studies that number has gone up considerably. Thus, it indicates improvements in vet care, and changing attitudes toward dogs may have contributed to the increase in their longevity. That indeed is an encouraging detail.
So are the Bernese mountain dogs living longer now?
Of course, the evidence supplied above suggests that longevity has improved compared with earlier. Yet, researchers are careful about concluding comparisons between different datasets. The role of better veterinary diagnostics, improved treatment options, greater awareness of breed-related health problems, and changes in the role of dogs within families are all essential factors that have helped increase their lifespan.
What do these stats mean for individual dogs?
This is where things become more serious. If a study reports a median lifespan of 8.4 years, it does not mean a Bernese Mountain Dog will live up to this age and no further. Prospective owners should understand that a population median isn’t their universal countdown clock for the days they would breathe. The same Swiss study also showed that some dogs lived beyond 11 years while some died much younger. To be precise, the recorded ages at death ranged from less than a year to 13 years among dogs, so as is evident, the range is enormous.
Earlier, the factors that influence longevity have already been mentioned, and several other factors can also influence a dog’s life. Thus, stats are most useful for us to understand the overall patterns and risk for the entire population, but they can be misleading if we treat them as predictions for an individual dog.
Looking beyond the numbers
Data can make us familiar with various aspects that stories from owners cannot. It can reveal the differences between populations. But these numbers also have certain limitations. The Swiss study we have been talking about, for instance, got information from only 389 of the 1290 Bernese dogs born in those years and registered with the club. Thus, the study population represented only about 30% of the population. Similarly, the UK mortality study relied heavily on owner responses and the number of reported deaths. Thus, instead of being concerned with what the data reveals, we should get a hang of how the data was collected too.
Wrapping it up
Clearly, the numbers associated with these Gentle Giants, a.k.a. the Bernese mountain dogs regarding their longevity tell a story that is both encouraging and at times depressing. Undoubtedly, the lifespan of the breed has increased compared to before, and with better facilities and healthcare, the number may eventually go up further. Data also pinpoints the health challenges, and proper care in this regard can help them live longer.
Prospective Bernese owners should not ponder too much on these stats. Individual dogs come with their own genetics, personality, and circumstances, and it can be a surprise to live longer than one expected. Such incidents are common too. We should utilize data to draw a clearer picture of where the breed stands at the present day, and what improvements we can make for its health to help it live longer. The association of dog owners and the Bernese Mountain Dog continues to be inspiring and lovable; with the lifespan increase, the bond only gets better.