Clinical & Salon Overview
Bernese Mountain Dogs are gentle giants wrapped in one of the most beautiful — and most shedding — coats in the dog world. That thick tricolor double coat is glorious and relentless, and grooming a Berner is a commitment measured in pounds of undercoat. Here's how our Memphis groomers keep these sweet giants comfortable and handsome at All About Pawz.
Berners wear a long, thick double coat
Berners wear a long, thick double coat — silky outer, dense undercoat — in the breed's striking black, rust, and white. They shed moderately year-round and heavily in spring and fall, when the undercoat releases in quantities that surprise even experienced owners. Never shave a Bernese Mountain Dog: the double coat regulates temperature, protects the skin, and the breed is already heat-sensitive — shaving makes overheating worse, not better, while risking sunburn and coat damage. The feathering on the legs, chest, and tail is the tangle zone.
Three to four times a week with a slicker and undercoat rake; daily during blowout season.
Three to four times a week with a slicker and undercoat rake; daily during blowout season. Line-brush the feathering — part the hair and work thin sections to the skin, because Berner mats form underneath the beautiful topcoat. Focus on the friction zones: behind the ears, under the collar, armpits, and the britches. A steel comb verifies your work. Keep sessions calm and treat-rewarded; Berners are sensitive souls who shut down under frustration but bloom with gentle consistency. Most learn to love brushing as bonding time — lean into that.
Every six to eight weeks
Every six to eight weeks — and plan for it, because bathing a 100-pound dog with a dense double coat is an event. Wet thoroughly (the coat resists water impressively), shampoo, and rinse far longer than you expect; trapped soap under all that coat causes itching. Dry completely — this is critical and time-consuming. A damp Berner undercoat takes hours to air-dry and smells like a wet mountain. A professional high-velocity dryer is transformative: it blasts out loose undercoat by the pound while drying. This is a breed where the salon bath earns its price.
No haircuts — just tidying.
No haircuts — just tidying. Trim the hair between the paw pads (Berners grow impressive paw tufts that collect mud and cause slipping on floors), do a sanitary trim, neaten the feet into tidy rounds, and lightly tidy the feathering if it's dragging. The outline stays natural and glorious. In Memphis summers, owners sometimes ask for a shorter cut for heat — decline the clippers and manage heat with shade, water, air conditioning, and exercise in cooler hours. The intact coat actually helps with temperature regulation.
Nails every three to four weeks
Nails every three to four weeks — big, strong nails on a heavy dog; overgrown nails change the gait and stress the joints. Many Berners are stoic about nail trims, which is a gift — keep it that way with calm, quick sessions. Ears: floppy with decent airflow; check weekly and clean with a vet-approved solution. Teeth: brush a few times a week and ask your vet about dental cleanings. Drool: moderate — Berners aren't Newfoundlands, but the jowls produce, so keep a cloth handy and wipe the flews after meals and water. And the heat note bears repeating: Berners overheat easily. Schedule grooming in cooler hours and watch for heavy panting.
| When | What |
|---|---|
| 3–4x per week | Brush with slicker and undercoat rake; comb-check feathering |
| Every 3–4 weeks | Nail trim |
| Every 6–8 weeks | Bath, thorough high-velocity dry, tidy trim |
| Spring & fall | Daily brushing during blowout; book a professional deshed |
| Ongoing | Teeth brushing; weekly ear checks; drool patrol |
Book a professional bath and deshed every six to eight weeks
Book a professional bath and deshed every six to eight weeks — the scale of a Berner bath and the power of a professional dryer make this the highest-value appointment in giant-breed grooming. Blowout season desheds are transformative. Book with a groomer experienced in gentle giants: Berners are sensitive and enormous, a combination that rewards patient, confident handling. And start puppies early — a 30-pound Berner puppy that learns the table happily becomes a 100-pound adult that's a joy to groom.
Serving Pets Across Greater Memphis & Shelby County
Whether you live near Midtown, Germantown, Bartlett, Collierville, or Arlington, All About Pawz offers full salon appointments and concierge pet care.