Shows correct body proportion, correct (balanced) angulation of fore and rear quarters, correct length of tail. Notice the angle of the croup (angle of pelvis). The croup is smoothly rounded to tail insertion.

Note, there appears to be a dip behind the withers; the rump has more hair making it seem high.

Please notice the distance from the withers to the elbow and the elbow to the ground.

The main points are the chest falls below the elbow. Rangy or short legged dogs, or too long or too short backs are not correct.

The distance from withers to elbow and elbow to ground is roughly equal. The BMD Standard does not address an exact measurement. Substance and depth of body are important considerations.

Measured at the withers, dogs are 25 to 27 inches; bitches are 23 to 26 inches. The Bernese Mountain Dog is sturdy and balanced. He is intelligent, strong and agile enough to do the draft and droving work for which he was used in the mountainous regions of his origin. Dogs appear masculine, while bitches are distinctly feminine.

Sturdy bone is of great importance. The body is full.

The neck is strong, muscular and of medium length. The topline is level from the withers to the croup. The chest is deep and capacious with well-sprung, but not barrel-shaped, ribs and brisket reaching at least to the elbows. The back is broad and firm. The loin is strong. The croup is broad and smoothly rounded to the tail insertion. The tail is bushy. It should he carried low when in repose. An upward swirl is permissible when the dog is alert, but the tail may never curl or be carried over the back. The bones in the tail should feel straight and should reach to the hock joint or below. A kink in the tail is a fault.

Though appearing square, Bernese Mountain Dogs are slightly longer in the body than they are tall.

Body length is measured from the point of the shoulder to the buttocks. Body height is measured from the withers to the ground.

BMD Body Proportion