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A tricolor Bernese Mountain Dog stands in a shallow creek while a brown and white calf splashes beside him. 9 / 30

The Bernese Stood Guard in the Creek While a Calf Played in the Spray

AI imagebernese mountain dogcalfcreek

Water flies in every direction as a brown and white calf prances through a shallow creek, and a tricolor Bernese Mountain Dog stands close by to supervise. The dog's thick black coat, white chest, and rust-colored markings glisten with splashes, and he watches the calf with a calm, steady look. Evening light slants across the muddy bank and wooden fence. We'll call the Bernese Barley and the calf Maple.

Bernese Mountain Dogs come from the Swiss Alps, where they worked as farm dogs, pulling carts and keeping watch over livestock. That heritage is why they tend to be calm, loyal, and good with other animals. Their thick double coats are made for cooler weather, so they can overheat in the heat of summer. Many love water play, but not all are strong swimmers, so it is best to let them wade in gently.

After a creek outing, dry your dog well, check between the toes and in the ears, and brush out any tangles or burrs, since a damp, thick coat can hide skin problems. Be careful with natural water, which can hold bacteria or algae, and talk to your vet if your dog likes to drink from creeks.

Barley stays dry above the knees and wise as ever, while Maple kicks up her heels in the shallows. It is a joyful, muddy kind of afternoon.

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