Bernese Mountain Dog Grooming Guide

The Bernese Mountain Dog's stunning tri-color double coat is one of the breed's most defining features — and one of the most demanding to maintain. Their thick, moderately long outer coat sits over a dense, woolly undercoat that sheds heavily, especially during seasonal coat blows in spring and fall. Despite the volume of coat, the grooming approach is straightforward: thorough de-shedding, proper bathing technique, and minimal trimming to maintain a natural outline. Berners should never be shaved, as their double coat insulates against both heat and cold. The breed is prone to hot spots, particularly behind the ears and on the hindquarters where moisture gets trapped in the dense undercoat. Their large size means grooming takes significant time, and groomers should be prepared for substantial hair volume during de-shedding sessions.

1. Pre-bath prep and de-shedding (25-35 min) This is the most important step for a Bernese. Use an undercoat rake to work through the entire coat, removing loose undercoat in sections. Follow with a slicker brush to catch remaining loose hair. Pay special attention to behind the ears, the rump, chest, and the thick feathering on the back legs. Use a metal comb to check for mats in the armpits, behind the ears, and along the pants. Remove mats with a dematting tool before bathing — water tightens mats.

2. Bathing (20-25 min) Use a de-shedding or deep-cleaning shampoo to penetrate the dense double coat. A bathing system with a nozzle attachment helps work shampoo down to the skin. Lather twice — the first wash removes surface dirt, the second cleans the undercoat. Apply a light conditioner to the feathering and pants to ease post-bath brushing. Rinse extremely thoroughly; trapped shampoo causes hot spots in this breed.

3. Drying (30-40 min) High-velocity dry the entire coat, blowing in the direction of hair growth. This is your second de-shedding opportunity — the force blower removes a significant amount of loose undercoat. Work systematically from the head back to the tail, then do the legs and underbody. The coat must be completely dry to the skin to prevent hot spots. Check the dense areas behind the ears and on the rump.

4. Post-bath brushing and de-shedding (15-20 min) Once fully dry, brush through the entire coat again with a slicker brush and finish with a metal comb. You will remove additional loose coat that the dryer freed. This step is critical — it is what makes the coat lay flat and look polished rather than puffy.

5. Trimming and finishing (15-20 min) Bernese should look natural with minimal trimming. Neaten the feet by trimming excess hair around the paw outline and between the pads. Tidy the hock area with thinning shears. Trim any straggly hairs on the ear edges. Lightly shape the pants if they are unruly, using thinning shears to blend. Check and clean ears, trim nails. A light finishing spray adds shine to the black portions of the coat.

• Undercoat rake — essential for removing dense undercoat during de-shedding
• Slicker brush (large, firm) — general brushing and loose hair removal
• Metal greyhound comb (wide-tooth and fine-tooth) — mat detection and finishing
• High-velocity dryer — coat drying and de-shedding (critical for this breed)
• Dematting tool — safely splitting mats before bathing
• Thinning shears — tidying feet, hocks, and ear edges naturally
• De-shedding shampoo — loosens dead undercoat during the bath
• Bathing system with nozzle — penetrates the thick double coat effectively

Shaving the coat — Never shave a Bernese Mountain Dog. Their double coat insulates against heat and cold, protects from sunburn, and may not grow back correctly. Shaving increases the risk of sunburn and heat stroke rather than preventing it.

Bathing before de-shedding — Water tightens mats and compresses loose undercoat, making it much harder to remove. Always do a thorough dry brush-out and de-shed before the bath.

Incomplete drying — Bernese coats are so dense that they can feel dry on top while still damp near the skin. Trapped moisture causes hot spots, which this breed is already prone to. Dry completely to the skin, especially behind the ears and on the rump.

Skipping between-groom brushing — Recommending weekly brushing is not enough for this breed. Berners need 3-4 brushing sessions per week to prevent matting in the feathering and undercoat compaction.

Spring and fall bring major coat blows where Bernese shed their undercoat in clumps. During these 2-3 week periods, daily brushing is essential and a mid-cycle de-shedding bath helps enormously. Summer grooming focuses on keeping the coat clean and well-brushed to maximize air circulation — never shave for summer. Swimming Berners need to be fully dried after every swim to prevent hot spots. Winter is when their coat is at its fullest and most beautiful; regular brushing prevents ice balls from forming in the leg feathering during cold weather.

• Schedule de-shedding appointments every 4 weeks during spring and fall coat blows
• Use a high-velocity dryer at home between grooms to blast out loose undercoat
• Apply a hot spot preventive spray behind the ears and on the rump during humid months
• Brush the pants and leg feathering from the bottom up to prevent pulling
• Keep a lint roller and shop vacuum handy — Berner hair gets everywhere