Bernese Mountain Dog Health Testing Requirements for Stud Dogs

Bernese Mountain Dogs have an average lifespan of just 7-8 years — among the shortest of large breeds — driven largely by devastating cancer rates estimated at over 50%. Health testing and selection for longevity is critically important.

The Bernese Mountain Dog Club of America (BMDCA) maintains active health programs. Understanding what testing is available and what it can and cannot screen for is essential for anyone using or selecting a Berner stud dog.

CHIC Requirements for Bernese Mountain Dogs

• OFA or PennHIP Hip Evaluation
• OFA Elbow Evaluation
• OFA Eye Examination (CAER)
• DNA test for Degenerative Myelopathy (DM/SOD1)
• Von Willebrand Disease Type I DNA test

Hip and Elbow Evaluations

Hip dysplasia prevalence in Bernese Mountain Dogs is high — among the highest of any breed. OFA Good or Excellent hips are the target. OFA Normal elbows are required. Both evaluations should be performed at age 2 or older for final certification.

Degenerative Myelopathy

DM occurs in Berners and can cause devastating late-life paralysis. DNA testing identifies Clear, Carrier, and At-Risk status. At minimum, avoid breeding two Carriers together.

Von Willebrand Disease Type I

vWD Type I is a mild bleeding disorder. DNA testing is available; Carriers are healthy and can be bred to Clear dogs safely.

Cancer — The Defining Burden

More than half of all Berners will die of cancer. The most common cancers include:

• Histiocytic Sarcoma — the most devastating and fast-moving cancer; accounts for roughly 25% of all Berner deaths
• Osteosarcoma — bone cancer
• Lymphoma
• Mast Cell Tumors

There are currently no validated genetic tests that reliably predict individual cancer risk in Berners, though research is ongoing. The BMDCA Health Committee maintains data on cancer in the breed and encourages registration of all health events — including cause of death — in the OFA database.

For breeders: Pedigree analysis for cancer history is as important as any available genetic test. Ask stud dog owners about cancer history in parents, grandparents, and siblings. Longevity records in a pedigree are meaningful signal.

Sub-Aortic Stenosis (SAS)

Cardiac evaluation for SAS is recommended, particularly for working-line dogs.

Berners and the BMDCA Health Survey

The BMDCA conducts periodic health surveys tracking disease prevalence across the breed. Participating in these surveys and choosing stud dogs from breeders who contribute health data helps the breed overall.

Summary

A responsible Bernese Mountain Dog stud dog should have: OFA/PennHIP hips (Good or Excellent target), OFA Normal elbows, current CAER eye exam, DM DNA testing, and vWD Type I DNA testing. Equally important but harder to quantify: pedigree analysis for cancer, particularly Histiocytic Sarcoma history. Longevity in both parents and grandparents is a meaningful selection criterion for this cancer-burdened breed.