Dog Food for Bernese Mountain Dogs
The Bernese Mountain Dog comes from the farms of Switzerland, where it pulled carts, drove cattle, and watched over the family. Berners are calm, gentle, and deeply devoted, and their striking tricolor coat makes them instantly recognizable. They're big dogs, usually 70 to 115 lb, with a thick, silky double coat that sheds heavily. The Berner is also the parent breed of the Bernedoodle.
For a giant puppy that grows fast, the right nutrition in the first year or two matters a great deal.
Why Your Best Friend fits Bernese Mountain Dogs
Built for large-breed growth
Formulated to AAFCO's All Life Stages standard, including growth of large-size dogs. Calcium is held mid-range (about 1.5% on a dry-matter basis, well inside AAFCO's limit for large-breed puppies), and 385 calories per cup makes steady growth easier to manage.
Support for a thick double coat
Omega-3 fatty acids (1.5% min), zinc, vitamin E (400 IU/kg min), and biotin support healthy skin and that glossy tricolor coat.
Gentle on sensitive stomachs
Salmon and fish are the protein, with no chicken, corn, wheat, or soy, plus pre-, pro-, and postbiotics for steady digestion.
Heart health, guaranteed
Guaranteed taurine (0.10% min) and L-Carnitine (300 mg/kg min), in one formula from puppyhood through the senior years.
How much to feed a Bernese Mountain Dog
These are starting points for an average adult with a normal activity level. Keeping a big dog lean is one of the kindest things you can do for its joints, so feel for the ribs regularly and adjust.
| Adult weight | Cups per day | A 28 lb bag lasts about |
|---|---|---|
| 70 lb | 4 | 4 weeks |
| 90 lb | 4¾ | 3½ weeks |
| 110 lb | 5½ | 3 weeks |
Feeding tips for big, deep-chested dogs
Large, deep-chested dogs like Berners can be prone to bloat. Many vets recommend splitting food into two or more meals a day and avoiding hard exercise right before and after eating. Puppies need more food per pound than adults, so split their daily amount into three or four meals, and ask your vet to help you track growth.
Related breeds: Bernedoodles · Old English Sheepdogs · Golden Retrievers · All breeds