The Bernese Mountain Dog, or "Berner," originated over 2,000 years ago as a versatile farm dog in Switzerland's Canton of Bern, descending from Roman mastiffs. Historically, they guarded farms, drove cattle, and pulled dairy carts. Following a decline in the 1800s, the breed was revived in the early 1900s, gaining AKC recognition in 1937

The Bernese Mountain Dog traces its lineage back over 2,000 years to mastiff-type dogs brought to Switzerland by Roman legions, which eventually interbred with local Alpine farm dogs. For centuries, they served as "the poor man’s horse" in the canton of Bern, specifically valued for their ability to pull heavy carts of milk and cheese, herd cattle, and guard homesteads. The breed faced near extinction in the late 19th century as mechanized transport replaced dog carts, but it was saved by Swiss fanciers like Franz Schertenleib and Albert Heim, who standardized the breed in the early 1900s. Today, they have transitioned from rugged draft animals to beloved companions, though they still retain the strength and sturdy build required for their historical mountain labor.