The Bernese Mountain Dog Australian Shepherd mix is a great mix of two very beloved dog breeds.
However, as with all breeds, it is important to do your research before committing to a new family member.
Bernese Mountain Dog Australian Shepherd mixes have a lot of wonderful traits, but they also have some characteristics that might be hard for certain people to embrace.
For example, Bernese Mountain Dog Australian Shepherd mixes are very large, and they are known to do a lot of shedding and drooling.
Berner Aussie mixes do best in cooler climates. They need a lot of attention, and they do not do well in tiny apartments.
On the plus side, they are smart, beautiful, and they usually love children. They are loyal, protective, and highly trainable.
In this article, we will explore the pros and cons of the Bernese Mountain Dog Australian Shepherd mix.
We hope this will help you determine if this mix-breed dog will be a great addition to your home.
What is a Bernese Mountain Dog Australian Shepherd Mix?
The Berner Aussie mix is a hybrid of two popular purebred dogs—the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Australian Shepherd.
There is not too much history surrounding this mix. Like most hybrid dogs or designer dogs, this mix appeared on the scene fairly recently.
Some of these dogs are the result of accidental litters, while others are the result of intentional breeding.
All dogs are individuals, so it is hard to predict exactly what your Bernese Mountain Dog Australian Shepherd mix will be like.
However, we can get some idea about Bernese Mountain Dog Australian Shepherd mix behaviors by examining the breeds that make up this blend.
Bernese Mountain Dog (Traits)
The Bernese Mountain Dog has a strong working instinct.
These gentle giants are known for being loving, loyal and protective.
Bernese Mountain Dogs were developed in Switzerland to work on farms and protect livestock.
Berners consider their family their “flock.”
They are very devoted to their people and they make good watch dogs.
They are generally wonderful with children, especially when they receive proper socialization and supervision.
Berners are very large dogs that require ample space. An apartment is not an ideal home for a Bernese Mountain Dog.
If you would like to learn more about the Bernese Mountain Dog temperament, check out this article for additional information.
Australian Shepherd (Traits)
The Australian Shepherd, also known as the Aussie, is a member of the herding group.
Aussies are one of the most intelligent breeds in the dog world.
Despite their name, Australian Shepherds originated in America—not Australia.
They were developed to herd sheep and cattle in the American West. They are often depicted as companions to the first American cowboys.
Indeed, many Aussies are still working on farms and ranches to this day.
Australian Shepherds have a strong herding drive. If you intend to keep one as a pet, you have to figure out ways to channel that drive into other activities such as training, exercise, or canine sports.
If you do not provide enough physical and mental stimulation, your Australian Shepherd will become easily bored.
Bored Aussies are prone to destructive and neurotic behavior.
This is not a breed for the average dog owner. This is a wonderful but very challenging dog breed that needs a ton of one-on-one attention, training, daily exercise and enrichment.
Check out this article for even more information about the Australian Shepherd temperament.
Size and Appearance
The Bernese Mountain Dog and the Australian Shepherd are both stunning, regal, beautiful dogs.
It is easy to see why a Berner/ Aussie hybrid would be desirable for their looks.
Bernese Mountain Dog Australian Shepherd colors are generally a blend of black, tan and white. Other colors are rare.
The Bernese Mountain Dog Australian Shepherd weight can reach 100 lbs., although they are generally under 100 lbs. Still, these are large dogs.
The Bernese Mountain Dog Australian Shepherd height can reach 20-25 inches at the withers.
They have lush, thick coats that need regular brushing and care.
Grooming and Shedding
If you get one of these mixes, you need to be prepared for a lot of dog hair and a lot of shedding.
If dog fur is not your thing, the Bernese Mountain Dog Australian Shepherd mix is probably not the dog for you.
How Much Does a Bernese Mountain Dog Australian Shepherd Mix Shed?
Berner Aussie mixes have thick coats that shed profusely throughout the year, but especially twice a year during “shedding season.”
You can minimize shedding by brushing and combing their fur on a regular basis. You can also take them to the grooming parlor for occasional haircuts—especially sanitary trims.
Do not forget to also clean their ears and teeth on a regular basis. You will also need to get their toenails trimmed on occasion. You can either do this at home or pay a professional to do it for you a few times per year.
Bernese Mountain Dogs are known to drool. Berner mixes do not drool quite as much as purebreds, but there will probably still be some doggie slobber.
Some Berner owners even carry a “drool rag” to wipe the drool off their dog’s mouths and prevent it from getting on their clothes or furniture.
Is the Bernese Mountain Dog Australian Shepherd Mix Hypoallergenic?
Unfortunately, this mix is not hypoallergenic.
If you have severe allergies to dog dander, the Bernesr Aussie mix will not work for you.
If you are looking for a hypoallergenic breed, check out this article for other options.
Sadly, a Bernese Mountain Dog Australian Shepherd mix will not be in your future.
How do you Train a Bernese Mountain Dog Australian Shepherd mix?
These dogs are highly intelligent, so they respond well to positive reinforcement training.
If you have the opportunity, sign your Bernese Mountain Dog Australian Shepherd mix puppy up for a puppy socialization class as soon as possible.
Puppy kindergarten classes are a great way for Berner Aussie mix puppies to learn how to socialize properly with other dogs.
This is a very important skill, especially because these dogs get so large and powerful. It is imperative that they learn to be gentle when they play with other animals.
If you acquire your Berner Aussie mix as an adult, you can still teach it those great skills by signing up for a basic obedience class or working one-on-one with a private dog trainer.
Just make sure you find a trainer that positive, force-free training techniques.
Do not work with a trainer that tries to use pain, punishment, or dominance to control your dog.
Never use painful training tools such as choke chains, pinch collars or shock collars on your dog.
These types of devices will undermine the trusting relationship that you are trying to develop with your new dog.
Positive, science-based training is more effective, humane and enjoyable for you and your canine companion.
If you want to take your training even further, the Bernese Mountain Dog Australian Shepherd mix is an excellent candidate for canine sports.
Agility, nosework, rally obedience, weight pull, freestyle or flyball are fantastic options.
Berner Aussie mixes also excel at search and rescue and therapy work.
Helpful Online Dog Training Resource:
The Online Dog Trainer by Doggy Dan a world-class Dog Trainer from New Zealand is worth taking a look at. This online resource has hundreds of fun informative dog training videos that can help you learn the basics and more.
Staying Healthy: Bernese Mountain Dog Australian Shepherd Mix Health Issues
Before you bring home a new pet, it is important to be prepared for what kind of medical care they might need.
Veterinary care is critical to your dog’s health, but it can be very pricey—especially for a large dog.
On the plus side, mixed-breed dogs tend to be healthier than purebred dogs. They come from a wider gene pool and they are not as susceptible to hereditary diseases.
Still, all dogs can experience health problems and you need to be prepared emotionally and financially to take care of them.
Below are some of the most common conditions for Australian Shepherds and Bernese Mountain Dogs.
Discuss these with your veterinarian so you can know what to expect if one arises:
- Hip Dysplasia
- Elbow Dysplasia
- Bloat
- Eye Issues
- Cancer
You can keep your Aussie Berner mix healthy by taking him to the vet for regular checkups on a yearly basis.
Make sure to keep him up to date on shots for viruses such as rabies, distemper, parvo and kennel cough.
Also make sure to give him monthly prevention for fleas, ticks and heartworms.
Spaying and neutering is highly recommended. Talk with your vet about the best time for this procedure.
Also, make sure you feed your Bernese Mountain Dog Australian Shepherd mix a high-quality dog food. Feed your dog multiple small meals throughout the day to avoid a life-threatening condition called bloat or gastric torsion.
Helpful Dog Health Resource:
Note: Our Health is #1 Priority. It should be no different for your dog. But you need to help him. The Ultimate Guide to Dog Health is the answer. This handy guide will help you recognize the symptoms of the health problems above. Get the knowledge to stay ahead of these terrible issues that can rob your lovely dog from vigor and life. Help your friend make it to 14 yrs+ without pain and suffering.
How Long Do Bernese Mountain Dog Australian Shepherd Mixes Live?
Sadly, the Bernese Mountain Dog Australian Shepherd lifespan is not that long.
Giant breeds simply do not live as long as other dogs.
With good care, the average lifespan is between 8 and 11 years. Perhaps a little bit longer if you are lucky.
Bernese Mountain Dog Australian Shepherd Mix Rescue and Adoption
How can you find a Bernese Mountain Dog Australian Shepherd mix for adoption?
There are a couple of different ways that you can find one of these mixes for adoption.
Your first step should probably be to visit your local shelter or humane society.
Even if they do not have one when you visit, you can fill out an application and leave your name and number on file for the future.
The staff at the animal shelter can also direct you towards rescue groups that specialize in certain breeds or mixes.
For example, you should contact any local Australian Shepherd rescues, Bernese Mountain Dog rescues, or rescue groups that specialize in giant breeds.
You can also search online. For example, you can search for specific breeds or mixes on websites such as Petfinder.com, Adoptapet.com or Getyourpet.com. Facebook is another good way to connect with the dog rescue community.
Checkout our Complete Guide to Breeders:
We wrote the definitive guide on finding, selecting, and dealing with dog breeders. This will give you the smarts and confidence to save you money, time and heartache. Read On…
Finding a Bernese Mountain Dog Australian Shepherd Mix for Sale from an Ethical Breeder
Since this is a mixed-breed dog, you probably will not find too many (if any) Bernese Mountain Dog Australian Shepherd mix breeders.
Adoption is likely going to be the best route for acquiring one of these mixes.
If you do work with a breeder, be very careful to make sure that you are working with a reputable breeder and not a puppy mill or a backyard breeder.
Never purchase Bernese Mountain Dog Australian Shepherd puppies online or from a pet store.
Always visit the breeder in person to assess the living condition of the animals. Ask lots of questions and ask to see medical records and American Kennel Club (AKC) papers for the parents.
How Much Does a Bernese Mountain Dog Australian Shepherd Mix Cost?
If you adopt a Bernese Mountain Dog Australian Shepherd from a shelter or rescue group, the price will be much more affordable than purchasing a purebred puppy from a breeder.
Standard adoption fees are generally between $75 and $300 depending on the rescue group.
Most rescue dogs will come to you already altered, vetted and microchipped. Make sure to get any medical records available from the rescue group so that you can follow up with your own vet for further medical care.
We hope that you have found this article useful in determining whether a Bernese Mountain Dog Australian Shepherd mix is the best choice for you and your family.
If you do end up bringing one home, you are sure to fall in love with its sweet and intelligent nature.
Just make sure you are ready for a lifetime commitment before you take that step.
Allie has worked in the field of animal welfare for over ten years and as a freelance writer the space for many years. She has had many different kinds of dogs (and cats) throughout her life—all adopted. She currently shares her home with a lovable pit bull mix named Huckleberry.