The good-natured Bernese Mountain Dog is one of the best family and all-around dogs you can find. These tri-colored sweethearts have a calm disposition with a grand appearance making them one of the most popular dog breeds. 

However, just like any other pooch, the Bernese Mountain Dog comes with his own set of unique health concerns. If you’re thinking of welcoming one of these gentle giants into your life, it’s important to have a firm understanding of the breed’s health history. Below, we’ll share 5 common Bernese Mountain Dog Health Concerns so that you can be a prepared pooch parent.

Hypothyroidism

Bernese Mountain Dogs can be more prone to developing thyroid issues, including hypothyroidism which is the underproduction of the thyroid hormone, thyroxine. Thyroxine helps your dog regulate his metabolic system. This condition can lead to some unpleasant symptoms for your pooch. 

You may notice your dog experiencing lethargy, changes in appetite, hair loss, or irregular heat cycles. If you notice any of these symptoms in your Bernese Mountain Dog, you’ll want to consult a veterinarian as soon as possible. Luckily, this condition can be alleviated with the help of medication, supplements, or hormone therapy. 

Food Allergies or Bloat

Unfortunately, Bernese Mountain Dogs are known for having a whole host of gastrointestinal related issues including food allergies or bloat. These conditions can be notoriously difficult to diagnose and treat, so make sure your furry best friend is up to date on his visits to the vet. 

If you’re noticing signs of stomach upset, repeatedly vomiting, or diarrhea, be sure to set up an appointment with a pet care professional as soon as possible. It may take a couple of trial treatment plans to find the best solution for your dog, so it’s best to start as early as possible. 

Hip Dysplasia

Hip Dysplasia occurs when a dog’s joints do not properly align with the rest of the socket. This condition can be super painful for your pooch and lead to loss of movement, pain during everyday activities, or occasionally, immobility. This condition is worsened with obesity, so be sure to keep your pooch at a healthy weight. 

Thankfully, this condition can be treated with the help of physical therapy, stem cell therapy, medication, or supplements. In some cases, your veterinarian may recommend surgery. 

Learn about banking your pups stem cells during the spay/neuter procedure to treat aliments like hip dysplasia when they age. Here

Cancer

In general, cancer is unfortunately fairly common in older dogs. Bernese Mountain Dogs are most susceptible to Histiocytosis. In Histiocytosis, the dog’s white blood cells reproduce rapidly and damage cell tissue. This hereditary condition is somewhat unique to the breed and can be extremely aggressive. 

Chemotherapy can help prolong an affected dog’s life, however, there is no current cure for this specific cancer subset. The best preventative care is to make sure your puppy is coming from a reputable breeder with a healthy family history. 

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)

Progressive Retinal Atrophy or PRA refers to conditions relating to the retina region of the eye. With this condition, the rod cells in the retina lose function over time, which reduces low light and depth perception. Unfortunately, this can lead to permanent blindness usually in senior dogs.

This condition is largely genetic, so it’s important that you source your Bernese Mountain Dog from a reputable breeder. Your breeder should ideally have extensive knowledge of your potential puppy’s pedigree and family health history which can help minimize the risk of your dog acquiring this condition. 

All in all, Bernese Mountain Dogs are one of the best breeds to welcome into your life. These larger than life sweethearts are bound to make excellent family members that will leave a life-long impact. While managing your dog’s health concerns can be tricky for any owner, these deserving dogs are so worth the extra effort. Enjoy experiencing life with these loyal, loving companions.