Bernese Mountain Dogs shed a lot, all year, and then they shed more. That long, silky tricolor coat sits on top of a dense undercoat built for Swiss alpine winters, and it lets go of hair constantly. Black strands show up on light couches, white and rust strands show up on dark ones, and the feathering on the legs and tail tangles if you look away for a week. Here's how to keep the coat healthy and the hair contained.
In this guide
Why Bernese Mountain Dogs shed so much
The Berner is a double-coated working breed. The outer coat is long, slightly wavy, and glossy; underneath is a thick, soft undercoat that traps warm air. Both layers shed. The outer guard hairs cycle out steadily all year, which is why you find long strands on your clothes in any month. The undercoat sheds more dramatically in seasonal "blows," usually in spring and fall, when a dog drops its old undercoat in clumps to make way for the next season's growth.
Berners are big dogs with a lot of coat, and the tricolor pattern means there's no "safe" upholstery color. Black, white, and rust hairs each stand out against something in your home. If you're new to double coats, our complete guide to dog shedding explains the growth cycle in more detail.
Berner shedding is normal and healthy. No routine will make a Berner a low-shedding dog. The realistic goal is to remove loose hair on your schedule and keep the rest from spreading through the house.
A brushing routine that keeps up
Consistency beats intensity. A short session several times a week does more than one marathon on Sunday, and it keeps your dog comfortable with being handled.
Outside a coat blow
Brush two to three times a week. Start with a slicker brush to work through the outer coat, then follow with an undercoat rake to pull loose undercoat before it ends up on the floor. Finish with a wide-toothed comb through the feathering on the legs, chest, ears, and tail. Our roundup of the best brushes for shedding dogs covers which tools suit long, double coats.
During a coat blow
Move to daily brushing for the two or three weeks the undercoat is releasing. Work in sections, line-brushing down to the skin, so you aren't just skimming the top layer.
- The double coat insulates against heat as well as cold and protects the skin from sun.
- Shaving can change how the coat grows back, and it doesn't solve shedding. Short hairs still fall out.
- A sanitary trim or tidying the feet is fine. Read why you should never shave a double coat before booking a full clip.
Mat-prone areas to check
Berners rarely mat across the body, but the feathering is another story. Friction, moisture, and loose undercoat combine into tight knots in a few predictable places:
- Behind the ears. The soft hair here felts quickly, especially if your dog scratches.
- Armpits and elbows. Constant movement rubs hair into tangles.
- The "pants" on the back legs. Long, dense hair that collects debris on walks.
- Collar line and chest. Collars and harnesses compress and twist the coat.
- Tail. Long feathering that drags through everything.
Comb these spots at every session. Small tangles tease apart with a comb and your fingers; tight mats close to the skin are best left to a groomer, since scissors near skin are a common cause of accidental cuts.
Heat and a heavy coat
Berners were bred for cold mountain weather, and a dark, heavy coat absorbs heat. Many Berners slow down noticeably on warm days. Walk early and late, offer shade and water, and watch for heavy panting, drooling, or lagging behind. Our guide to summer heat safety for dogs covers the warning signs to act on.
Brushing helps here too: clearing dead undercoat lets air move through the coat as designed.
Containing the hair at home
Brushing removes hair on your schedule. Between sessions, a Berner keeps shedding, and that's where most of the cleaning burden comes from. Washable throws and a daily vacuum help. Our guide to getting dog hair off furniture has more room-by-room ideas.
A dog onesie is the other option. To be clear about what it does: a Shed Defender onesie doesn't stop your dog from shedding. It contains the hair inside the suit, so it stays off your couch, car seats, and clothes. When you take it off, you brush your dog and shake out the suit, and the hair goes where you choose.
Shed Defender Original Dog Onesie
Made from our Shed-Tex fabric: 79% recycled polyester and 21% spandex with 4-way stretch. It holds its shape where cheaper knockoffs bag out, so hair stays inside the suit instead of escaping at the seams.
Shop the Original Onesie →Use common sense in warm weather. A Berner already runs warm, so keep onesie time to cool, indoor stretches and skip it on hot days or during hard exercise.
Sizing a giant breed
Getting the size right matters more for a big, deep-chested dog. The Original Onesie comes in 9 sizes, including larger sizes for big dogs.
The fit is snug by design. A close fit is what keeps hair inside the suit, and the gentle pressure may help some dogs feel calmer, though every dog responds differently. Measure your dog's chest girth, neck, and back length, then compare against the size chart. If your Berner falls between two sizes, size up. Our dog onesie sizing guide walks through each measurement, and how to put on a dog onesie makes the first try easier on both of you.
Snug is correct. Between sizes, go up. Measure the chest at its deepest point, since that's where large breeds most often need the extra room.
Frequently asked questions
Do Bernese Mountain Dogs shed all year?
Yes. Berners shed moderately year-round and heavily during seasonal coat blows, usually in spring and fall.
How often should I brush my Berner?
Two to three times a week normally, and daily during a coat blow. Always finish with a comb through the feathering to catch tangles early.
Can I shave my Bernese Mountain Dog for summer?
It's not recommended. The double coat helps regulate temperature and protects the skin. Brushing out dead undercoat is the better way to help a Berner stay comfortable.
Will a onesie reduce how much my Berner sheds?
No. Your dog sheds the same amount; the onesie contains the hair so it doesn't land on your furniture and clothes. Brush after taking it off.
Keep the Berner, lose the hair on the couch
Trusted by 500+ vets and worn by 500K+ dogs, the Original Onesie contains loose dog hair so it stays off your home. As seen on Shark Tank.
Shop the Original Onesie →Next steps
- The complete guide to dog shedding
- Best brushes for shedding dogs
- How to measure your dog for a onesie
- How to keep dog hair off furniture
