Stop too steep ~ short heavy muzzle
loose
flews

Normal head ~ ear relaxed nothing exaggerated

Variations

The dogs pictured here show head type variations seen in Bernese. Both relaxed ear and raised ear representations are present in the examples. The examples show both desiable features and less desirable features as they are described in the explantion of "Heads" in the AKC Breed Standard. Each of these dog's facial expressions represent the most important feature Bernese Mountain Dog's possess; and that is their fine spirit.

Male heads should appear masculine, female heads, feminine.

Berner head types differ. The bones in the skull affect the shape of the head. Eye placement, ear placement, muzzle length and breadth, form and placement of the underjaw, bite, and the manner in which the bones of the skull interact to form planes contribute to head type.

The skull is flat on top and broad, with a slight furrow and a well defined but no exaggerated stop. The muzzle is strong and straight. The nose is always black. The lips are clean, as the Bernese Mountain Dog is a dry-mouthed breed, the flews are only slightly developed.

Very little stop ~ features too fine ~ muzzle too long for skull

Heads