If you’ve ever lived with a Bernese Mountain Dog in summer, you already know the look.
That slow, dramatic flop onto the coolest patch of floor in the house. The deep sigh that somehow says, “I was built for snow, not this.” The way they stare at you like you personally arranged the weather.
Our dog does it every year. The second summer arrives, he becomes a full-time indoor supervisor of fans, air vents, and tile floors. Walks get shorter, naps get longer, and somehow he still finds enough energy to carry the heaviest stick in the yard like it’s a personal achievement.
Bernese Mountain Dogs are beautiful, gentle giants, but their thick double coats and large size make hot weather much harder on them than many other breeds. Summer care matters a lot with this breed—not just comfort, but real safety.
1. Walk Early in the Morning or After Sunset
Midday walks and Bernese Mountain Dogs do not belong in the same sentence.
Their heavy double coat traps heat quickly, and even a short walk on a hot afternoon can become too much. Early morning or late evening walks are much safer because temperatures are lower and the pavement is cooler.
The American Kennel Club warns that hot pavement can burn paw pads quickly, especially during summer months.
At our house, summer walks basically happen at sunrise or after dinner. By noon, even the dog has filed a formal complaint.
2. Keep Fresh Water Everywhere
Not one bowl.
Everywhere.
Big dogs drink a surprising amount of water, especially in heat, and Berners are no exception. We keep bowls inside, outside, near the patio door, and somehow still find him checking everyone’s glass like he pays bills here.
Refreshing the water often matters too. Warm stale water is apparently unacceptable, and honestly, fair enough.
A large stainless steel dog water bowl stays cooler longer and handles giant-dog hydration much better than smaller bowls.
3. Never Shave Their Double Coat
This surprises a lot of people.
When dogs look hot, the instinct is to think shaving will help—but for Bernese Mountain Dogs, it usually does more harm than good. Their double coat actually helps regulate body temperature and offers protection from sun exposure.
Instead of shaving, regular brushing helps remove loose undercoat and improves airflow.
Think maintenance, not removal.
And yes, you will still find enough fur in the house to build a second dog.
4. Use Cooling Mats in Favorite Nap Spots
Berners are professional nappers in summer.
Cooling mats placed where they already love to sleep—near windows, under desks, beside the couch—can make a huge difference.
The trick is not forcing the “perfect” location. Put the cooling mat where they’ve already chosen, not where you wish they’d sleep.
We learned that lesson after placing one beautifully in the corner, only to find him dramatically stretched across the kitchen tile instead.
A soft cooling dog mat works best when it feels natural, not like suspicious new furniture.
5. Frozen Treats for Slow Summer Afternoons
Summer snacks feel better frozen.
Plain yogurt, banana, pumpkin puree, or dog-safe peanut butter can be frozen into simple treats that help cool them down while keeping them busy.
Lick mats work beautifully for this because they slow everything down.
The first time we froze pumpkin on a lick mat, our dog stared at it like we had invented happiness.
Honestly, not wrong.
6. Keep Grooming Consistent, Not Extreme
Summer brushing matters more than dramatic haircuts.
Loose undercoat traps heat, so regular brushing helps your dog stay more comfortable. A good deshedding routine makes a huge difference without interfering with the natural protection of the coat.
It also saves your vacuum from emotional collapse.
A quality undercoat rake for double-coated dogs helps remove the loose fluff without damaging the top coat.
And yes, you will still be covered in fur anyway.
7. Create a “Cool Zone” Indoors
Every Berner picks one.
Usually it’s tile flooring, under the dining table, or directly in front of the strongest fan in the house.
Instead of fighting it, make that space better. Add fresh water nearby, a cooling mat, shade, and quiet.
Our dog’s chosen summer office is the hallway tile near the AC vent. Nobody walks there anymore. It belongs to him now.
Honestly, fair.
8. Watch for Heat Stress Signs Early
Bernese Mountain Dogs can overheat faster than people expect.
Heavy panting, drooling, bright red gums, weakness, vomiting, or unusual sluggishness can all be warning signs of overheating. If that happens, cooling and veterinary attention matter quickly.
Heatstroke is serious and should never be treated casually.
Summer with giant fluffy dogs means paying attention, even on “not that hot” days.
9. Use Shade Like It’s a Full-Time Job
Backyard time should always include shade.
Trees, covered patios, umbrellas, or pop-up shade tents all help reduce heat exposure during outdoor time. Direct sun and thick fur are a bad combination.
Some dogs still insist on lying directly in sunlight for mysterious reasons.
Mine does this, then acts offended that he’s warm.
I have stopped arguing.
10. Skip Intense Exercise on Hot Days
Not every day needs to be an adventure.
Fetch marathons, long hikes, and intense running sessions can wait for cooler weather. In summer, shorter walks and mental enrichment often work better than physical exhaustion.
Puzzle feeders, sniff games, and gentle backyard time are often much safer.
A sturdy large dog puzzle toy helps replace some of that missing exercise without the overheating risk.
Sometimes brain work is the better workout.
11. Keep Paws Safe from Hot Pavement
This one gets missed often.
If the pavement feels too hot for your hand, it’s too hot for paws. Bernese Mountain Dogs are heavy, which means more direct pressure on already hot surfaces.
Grass routes, shaded sidewalks, and cooler walk times help a lot.
Summer sidewalks can go from “fine” to “absolutely not” surprisingly fast.
12. Let Them Swim—But Safely
Many Berners love water.
A shallow kiddie pool, calm lake, or supervised splash time can help them cool off and enjoy summer more. Just because they’re large doesn’t mean they automatically swim well, though.
Always supervise and use a properly fitted life jacket near deeper water.
A sturdy dog life jacket for large breeds is one of those things you hope you never urgently need—but absolutely should own.
13. Protect Their Nose and Sensitive Skin
Lighter-colored noses and exposed skin areas can be sensitive to strong summer sun.
Some dogs spend enough time outdoors that sun protection becomes part of care, especially around the nose and belly areas.
Pet-safe sun protection matters here—never human sunscreen with unsafe ingredients.
It sounds dramatic until you realize your giant fluffy dog somehow found the one sunny spot in the entire yard again.
14. Adjust Mealtimes During Heat Waves
Some dogs eat less when it’s extremely hot.
Offering meals during cooler parts of the day—early morning or later evening—can help. Smaller portions split into two feedings may feel easier too.
We notice this every summer. Breakfast becomes negotiable, but dinner remains a sacred event.
Some things never change.
15. Accept That Summer Means Slower Days
This one might matter most.
Bernese Mountain Dogs are not built for rushing through heat. Summer often means slower walks, longer naps, cooler floors, and adjusting expectations.
And honestly, maybe that’s not such a bad thing.
Some of my favorite summer memories with our dog aren’t exciting at all. Just sitting outside at sunset, watching him stretch out in the grass like he’s finally forgiven the season.
Sometimes care looks like doing less, not more.
Final Thoughts
Summer with a Bernese Mountain Dog is mostly about paying attention.
Fresh water, cool shade, safe walks, good brushing, and knowing when it’s simply too hot—those things matter more than fancy gear.
They’re such loving, loyal dogs, and they trust us to notice when they’re uncomfortable before it becomes serious.
Because the truth is, they’d probably still follow you into the heat just because you asked.
Which is exactly why it’s our job to make sure they don’t have to.