What to feed a Bernese Mountain Dog
A Bernese Mountain Dog is a giant breed, typically reaching 35-50kg as an adult, with a heavy, joint-bearing build and a shorter lifespan than many smaller breeds. That combination points towards a large or giant-breed formula that controls growth rate as a puppy and supports joints throughout adulthood, rather than a generic all-breed food.
Controlling growth as a puppy
Giant breeds like the Bernese Mountain Dog are at greater risk of developmental joint problems if they grow too quickly as puppies, which is why a large-breed puppy formula — specifically calibrated for slower, steadier growth rather than maximum growth speed — is generally recommended over a standard puppy food for a dog of this size.
Overfeeding a giant-breed puppy, even with an appropriate food, works against this goal, so following the feeding guide for your dog's current weight rather than their eventual adult size, and adjusting gradually as a vet advises, matters more with this breed than with a small dog who reaches adult size quickly.
Joint support through adulthood
The sheer body weight a Bernese Mountain Dog carries through their joints over a lifetime makes joint-supportive nutrition worth building in from a reasonably early stage rather than waiting until stiffness appears. A food with a named glucosamine or joint-support ingredient, alongside keeping weight firmly in a healthy range, are both genuinely useful levers for this breed specifically.
Because the breed is prone to a shorter lifespan than many others their size, keeping them at a lean, healthy weight throughout their life — rather than letting them carry extra condition — is one of the more meaningful things an owner can influence.
Choosing a food
A large or giant-breed formula, whether puppy, adult or senior stage, with a named meat protein and a joint-supportive ingredient is the sensible starting point for this breed. The grid below is filtered to foods and joint-care products suited to a dog of this size and life stage.
If your Bernese Mountain Dog has a known health condition or is on a vet-prescribed diet, that recommendation takes priority over general guidance like this, since your vet has the full picture of your individual dog's needs.
Foods that suit this breed
Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.
Forthglade Soft Bite Grain Free Joints & Bones Treats
Grain-free salmon dog treats with salmon oil, glucosamine and chondroitin
£2.45
Pooch & Mutt Salmon Oil
Scottish salmon oil for dogs, dosed by weight from toy breeds to giants
£13.99
Forthglade Cold Pressed Natural Turkey
Cold-pressed turkey kibble for dogs from 2 months, soft enough to mix with water for young pups
£45.99
Forthglade Cold Pressed Grain Free Salmon
Cold-pressed grain-free dry food for dogs, built on fresh and dried salmon
From£16.99
Forthglade Cold Pressed Grain Free Duck
Cold-pressed grain-free duck food with fruit and botanicals, in two bag sizes
From£16.99
Forthglade Cold Pressed Grain Free Chicken
Cold-pressed grain-free chicken food with fruit and botanicals, in three bag sizes
From£16.99
Forthglade Complete Meal Lightly Baked Turkey
A lightly baked complete dry food, 50% turkey, for adult dogs of any breed
From£12.49
Forthglade Complete Meal Lightly Baked Chicken
A grain-free complete dry food for adult dogs, lightly baked and built on 50% chicken
From£12.49
Forthglade Cold Pressed Small Dog Turkey
Cold-pressed grain-free dry food for small dogs and puppies, built on turkey
£16.99
Forthglade Complete Meal Lightly Baked Lamb
A lightly baked complete dry food, 50% lamb, for adult dogs of any breed
From£12.49
Forthglade Cold Pressed Grain Free Turkey
Grain-free cold-pressed turkey kibble for dogs, gentle on sensitive stomachs
£69.69
Forthglade British Classics Chicken Family Lunch
Complete Forthglade wet dog food with 75% chicken in a 395G tray
£2.45
Common questions
- Do Bernese Mountain Dogs need a special puppy food?
- A large or giant-breed puppy formula is generally recommended, since it's calibrated for the slower, steadier growth rate that helps reduce the risk of developmental joint problems in giant breeds. A standard puppy food isn't wrong, but a size-appropriate one is the better fit.
- When should a Bernese Mountain Dog move to senior food?
- Giant breeds are often considered to reach their senior years somewhat earlier than smaller dogs. Your vet can advise on the right timing based on your individual dog's activity level, weight and any joint stiffness, rather than switching on age alone.
- How much should I feed a Bernese Mountain Dog puppy?
- Follow the feeding guide on your specific puppy food, based on your puppy's current weight rather than their expected adult size, and check in with your vet at routine appointments to make sure growth is on track rather than too fast.
- Are Bernese Mountain Dogs prone to joint problems?
- As a giant breed carrying significant body weight, they're generally considered more prone to joint issues than smaller dogs, which is why controlled puppy growth and joint-supportive nutrition through adulthood are commonly recommended. Ring your vet if you notice any stiffness or reluctance to exercise.
Related
Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.