PetzloverBernese Mountain Dog is originated from Switzerland but Blue Paul Terrier is originated from United Kingdom. Bernese Mountain Dog may grow 15 cm / 6 inches higher than Blue Paul Terrier. Bernese Mountain Dog may weigh 30 kg / 67 pounds more than Blue Paul Terrier. Bernese Mountain Dog may live 4 years less than Blue Paul Terrier. Bernese Mountain Dog may have more litter size than Blue Paul Terrier. Bernese Mountain Dog requires Moderate Maintenance. But Blue Paul Terrier requires Low Maintenance
The Bernese Mountain Dog comes from the Swiss Alps and is one of four separate breeds called Sennenhund or “Alpine pasture dog”. The Name Bernese Mountain Dog indicates the area of Switzerland that the dogs come from – the canton of Bern. These groups of dogs accompanied the dairymen and herders and they were farm dogs. They pulled carts, delivered goods from village to village. The Bernese Mountain Dog was part of this group along with: Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, Appenzeller,Entlebucher Mountain Dog and the Bernese Mountain Dog. It is probably true that the Bernese Mountain Dog has been a part of farm life in the Alps for over 2000 years.
In some regions of the Alps, these dogs were called Durrbachhund after a small town named Durrbah and are said to be rooted in the Molosser breeds. Tin 1902 the Swiss Kennel Club recognized the Bernese Mountain Dog as a separate breed and the first breed club was founded in 1907 in the region of Burgdorf. The first standard for the breed was written and separated the 4 dogs into their own breeds. The Molosser is an ancient breed whose versatility and travels made it expressly influential in the developing of Mastiff dogs like St. Bernards, Great Pyranees, Mastiffs and Swiss Mountain Dogs like the Bernese.
However at the end of the 19th century famers and shepherds began to import other breeds of working dogs, while at the same time automated modes of transportation began to replace the farm dogs. Under these circumstances the number of Bernese Mountain Dog began to decline and the breed faced potential extinction. A group of people were gathered together to save the Berner, including Franz Schertenleib and Albert Heim. Still today the Bernese are in short supply and because of the need and desire to increase the numbers, some breeding practices have not been as good as they should have been. However, today’s Berner is a great family dog and he still loves to work. He is good at carting, herding, search and rescue, watch dog, tracking, and competitive obedience.
The Bernese Mountain Dog came to the US after World War I and was imported to Britain in the 1930’s. The AKC accepted the Berner as a new Working-Class breed in 1937. It was not until 1968 that the Bernese Mountain Dog Club of America was formed. In 1981, the AKC accepted the club as a member and in 1990 they (AKC) adopted the standard used today to judge the Bernese Mountain Dog.
Known also as the Scottish Bull Terrier, the Blue Poll or the Blue Poll Bulldog, the Blue Paul Terrier’s origins, as with many unusual dog breeds, are still not known precisely. However they do appear to have been bred with Staffies at some point and appear to have slowly transformed into the Staffie or Pit Bull as we know them today.
There doesn’t seem to be much documentation on the dog’s origins, making many stories of its origins to be looked upon as folklore. It seems as if the dog originated out of Scotland. The name ‘Paul’ is included in the name simply because it is believed that John Paul Jones, who was a sailor, brought the dog to the USA in 1777.
Because this dog has superb fighting skills, it was introduced as part of Staffordshire Bull Terrier breeding in the early 19th century. It is believed that the first dogs came with English immigrants to the United Stated in the middle of the 19th century. At some time, the dog became extinct, but dates of this time can’t be established.
The Bernese Mountain Dog is a large, lovable clown. He has a heavy build with a tri color- mostly black – coat. He should have a white chest and rust coloring on the front of his legs, the sides of his mouth, and above his eyes. His eyes should be dark and blue eyes are a disqualification. His coat is silky, thick and long. He has medium sized triangle shaped ears and a scissors bite. He has round toes and strong, straight legs, He is well suited to cold weather. His skull is broad and flat, his muzzle is straight and strong, his nose must be black, and he does not usually drool.
He is an imposing sight, but he is also as non-aggressive as any breed. He is strong, intelligent, and agile. He should have his dew claws removed. This breed should be self-assured, yet good natured and calm. He is welcoming to strangers and loyal to his people. He needs his people.
The Blue Paul Terrier was a smooth coated, medium sized dog. His coat was mostly dark blue but this sometimes varied to red or brindle. He was a muscled and well built dog, much like our pit bull terriers. He weighed about 20 to 25kg kg, measuring up to 56cm at the withers. He had a broad chest, large head with small cropped ears and a tail that was set low. He is a dog that always stood strongly on his legs. It seems as if he had an aggressive nature as they were used by local dog fighters.
There is not much information on the temperament of the Blue Paul Terrier, but we can assume, that because he was a Terrier, he would have been full of character and self confidence. Most Terriers don’t actively look for a fight, but will certainly get into a fight if provoked. Aggressive by nature and a fighter, the Blue Paul Terrier possibly had some Staffordshire Bull Terrier in him, so his temperament would be that of a fighter.
He may have been able to live peacefully with children and other dogs and cats in the home, but he would no doubt have had to be raised from a puppy in such a household. Stubborn and headstrong, he would require a firm owner who could take charge of him and training would have been imperative for such a dog.
When reading the AKC standard for the Bernese Mountain Dog you will find that the breed is good natured and self-assured. They are not aggressive, shy or anxious. These are gentle, loving dogs. At the same time, they should be socialized to all kinds of animals, people and children when they are puppies. They are happy outside but need to live in the house with their people. They need exercise and play, and because they are so large, they need this outside. But when it comes to cuddling and sleeping they need to be indoors.
They love children though you should be careful with small children because of the Berner’s size and their not being aware of their size at times. They are extremely loyal to their people and want to be with people. They are intelligent, and they want to please their people. At the same time, they are sensitive. They do not respond well to punishment or harshness. They are imposing but they are lovers at heart.
Nobody is quite certain what the Blue Paul Terrier was like. He definitely seemed to be a mix of Pit Bull and Staffie – the same compact, muscular build with a look that speaks of confidence and boldness.
Perhaps if the Blue Paul Terrier wasn’t used for fighting, he might well have made a good pet with training and socialization. Nobody really knows. Maybe he was so aggressive that when dog fighting didn’t work out, and it was discovered that he wasn't really pet-material, nobody bothered when the breed went into extinction. That's the thing with Blue Paul Terriers, nobody is really certain about what they were really like.
Even though it is well known that cancer is the leading cause of dog deaths across the globe, the Bernese Mountain Dog is particularly prone to die of cancer. Half of all Berners compared with 27% of all dogs, die from cancer. The Berner’s life span is also shorter than most dogs his size. IT is also not just one cancer that attacks the Bernese Mountain Dog but rather at least 6 or more including mast cell, osteosarcoma, malignant histiocytosis, fibrosarcoma, and lymphosarcoma.
They can also suffer from PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy), hypoadrenocorticism, cataracts and histiocytic sarcoma. Another issue that plaques the Berner more than other breeds is musculoskeletal issues that cause mortality. This can include issues such as cruciate ligament rupture, arthritis and hip dysplasia. These types of aliments cause death in 6% of the breed while they are usually the cause of mortality in only 2% of all other dogs.
The Blue Paul Terrier Health was generally a healthy dog, but he would no doubt have had the same common dog ailments that most dog breeds have to contend with. All those years ago, when the Blue Paul Terrier was ill, his owner no doubt would have taken him to see the veterinarian for a full screening.
Just like with other dog breeds, he would have been watched for hip dysplasia , ticks and fleas, cataracts and skin infections. It is possible that in those days, owners of the Blue Paul Terrier weren’t aware of how plaque could cause dental problems or gum disease.
As with any large purebred dog, the Bernese Mountain Dog needs high quality food that will provide hi with nutrition and keep him from becoming overweight if fed properly. He is however a very large dog with a very large appetite. Watch his calorie intake. It’s ok to use treats if you fit them into the overall calorie intake for the day. Feed him smaller meals twice a day.
As previously mentioned the breed has quite a few health challenges to deal with, cancer being the number one issue. The small genetic line is one of, if not the main, culprit in this high mortality rate and short life span of the Bernese Mountain Dog. In addition to the conditions mentioned above, they are also susceptible to bloat (stomach inversion). In addition, they face the conditions mentioned previously and should be tested for dysplasia of the hip and elbow, Von Willebrand’s Disease, Cardiac testing and an eye or ophthalmologist exam.
The Bernese Mountain Dog is a gentle giant. They have a calm happy demeanor and they love to work. In fact, they need to work. They love children and will quickly give them cart rides. They compete in carting competitions and herding events sponsored by the AKC. They need exercise but not an extreme amount or intense type. A half-hour a day is enough for them. They love long walks or hiking. They are great companions for backpacking or camping. They are also good at tracking, rally, obedience, and agility.
Because these dogs were used in fighting, it is a breed that no doubt would have required plenty of exercise and mental stimulation to keep him fighting fit. No doubt he would have received a high quality food to build up his strength and stamina. Because he was no doubt a high energy dog, his owners would have had to give him nutritious food and ensured fresh, clean water for him.
The Blue Paul Terrier had a short, smooth coat, so they were no doubt low maintenance dogs who received a brush down every now and then to remove his loose hair.