Bernese Mountain Dogs hail from the Swiss Alps. They’re sort of catch-all farm dogs; they were bred for herding, keeping the herd safe from predators, and helping their keepers transport things. They lived outside, and as you can imagine, life in the Alps can get pretty cold!
As such, Bernese Mountain Dogs thrive in the wintertime. They love being in the cold and they have enough fur to make sure they stay safe and warm, at least for a time before they can get warm. One Bernese Mountain Dog got caught doing just this:
Millie the Bernese Mountain Dog wins at life. Right now, it feels like the whole world is her bed, and it totally is. Snow means this sweet girl can and will nap anywhere!
Related: Bernese Mountain Dog ‘Conquers’ Fear of Cherries in Show of Real Bravery
Millie is in Boston. As a New Englander, I can attest to the fact that this winter has been brutal, and it’s only just begun. If you’re not a Bernese Mountain Dog and don’t have one, it’s a little less fun. For Millie, though, nothing has ever been quite so awesome!
She’s living her best life in the snow. She’s still a puppy, too, only arriving at her forever home back in October. This is her first-ever winter, and she couldn’t be happier. Whether she’s playing in it or watching it fall, she’s ready to be there:
If she could, she’d probably live outside. However, her mom doesn’t like that idea very much: she prefers when Millie comes inside to snuggle!
Can Bernese Mountain Dogs Live Outside?
Bernese Mountain Dogs are largely in-home companions these days, at least in America, but this is a breed that was bred for field work. They were built to be outside, and that’s why they can nap like this!
Bernese Mountain Dogs can and very much still do serve as excellent farm dogs who live outside full time. That doesn’t mean they can just be left out on the farm and forgotten about. If you want them to live outside full-time, a Bernese Mountain Dog would still need:
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A heated place to take shelter in bad storm/on cold nights.
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Regular nutritious meals.
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Routine grooming (brushing, bathing, nail maintenance).
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Vaccinations and vet checkups.
Always remember that an outdoor pet is still a pet. They need just as much care, even if they’re napping in the snow!
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This story was originally published by Parade Pets on Jan 8, 2026, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add Parade Pets as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
