The Berner coat is gorgeous: a thick double coat with a longer outer coat and a wooly undercoat. Characteristically tricolored, the majority of the Berner’s body is covered with jet-black hair with rich rust and bright white. There’s usually a white marking on the chest that looks like an inverted cross, a white blaze between the eyes, and white on the tip of the tail.

Beauty has a price, though; in this case, it’s that the Berner is a shedder. They shed moderately all year and heavily in the spring and fall. Brushing several times a week helps reduce the amount of hair around the house and keeps the coat clean and tangle-free. Periodic bathing every three months or so will maintain their neat appearance.

Brush your Berner’s teeth at least two or three times a week to remove tartar buildup and the bacteria that lurk inside it. Daily brushing is even better if you want to prevent gum disease and bad breath.

Trim Nails once a month if your dog doesn’t wear them down naturally to prevent painful tears and other problems. They’re too long if you hear them clicking on the floor. Dog toenails have blood vessels in them, and if you cut too far, you can cause bleeding. Your dog may not cooperate the next time it sees the nail clippers come out. So, if you’re not experienced in trimming dog nails, ask a vet or groomer for pointers.

The ears should be checked weekly for redness or a bad odor, indicating an infection. When you check your dog’s ears, wipe them out with a cotton ball dampened with gentle, pH-balanced ear cleaner to help prevent infections. Don’t insert anything into the ear canal; just clean the outer ear.

Begin accustoming your Berner to being brushed and examined when they’re puppies. Handle their paws frequently—dogs are touchy about their feet—and look inside their mouth. Make grooming a positive experience filled with praise and rewards, and you’ll lay the groundwork for easy veterinary exams and other handling when they’re adults.

As you groom, check for sores, rashes, or signs of infection such as redness, tenderness, or inflammation on the skin, nose, mouth, eyes, and feet. Eyes should be clear, with no redness or discharge. Your careful weekly exam will help you spot potential health problems early.