The Bernese Mountain Dog came to Switzerland over 2,000 years ago with the Roman armies and is only one of the four Swiss mountain breeds not used for sheep or cattle herding.

These early specimens were large, mastiff-like animals. Left behind by the invaders, some of these dogs were given shelter by the natives, bred to local types of sheepherding and draft dogs and became a draft dog, working for the Swiss farmers pulling loads of milk and produce over the steep mountain trails to the market place.

The breed almost became extinct by the latter half of the 19th century. After much searching, a few typical specimens were found by Franz Schertenleib of Berne and, through his efforts, the breed came into focus again.

In 1907 a specialty club was formed in Switzerland, and in 1937 the breed was introduced to the USA through the importation of a pair of good specimens.