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A tricolor Bernese Mountain Dog lies on weathered deck boards beside a small white lamb in a backyard. 12 / 20

The Bernese Mountain Dog Made Room on the Deck for a Very Small Lamb

AI imagebernese mountain doglambbackyard deck

A big, black-and-white Bernese Mountain Dog has stretched out along the weathered boards of a deck, his chin flat and his rusty eyebrows soft. A small white lamb lies right beside him with her paws tucked neatly, her gaze steady and her ears pointing out. A wooden fence, leafy shrubs and a few clay pots stand behind them in the afternoon light. The dog looks twenty times her size, and yet he is lying with the careful stillness of a gentle giant.

Bernese Mountain Dogs were bred as farm dogs in Switzerland, where they pulled carts and watched over livestock. They are known for being calm, affectionate and good with families, and many do well around other animals. Their thick coats mean they enjoy cooler weather and can overheat in the sun, so provide shade and water. Regular brushing helps them stay comfortable. A lamb, meanwhile, needs shelter, clean water and good food, and a dog can provide company but not those basics. Always keep an eye on interactions between large dogs and young animals to prevent accidents. If you are thinking of introducing a dog to livestock, ask a trainer or a vet how to go about it, and take it slowly.

The deck is warm and the afternoon is quiet. Two friends of very different size have found that rest is the same for everybody.

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