What should a Bernese Mountain Dog starter kit include first?

Prioritize grooming tools for a thick double coat, a set of four traction socks for hardwood and vet visits, and a head collar sized for large breeds for calmer walks. Then add an XL bed, harness, leash, car and couch covers, and raised feeding gear.

What size head collar does a Bernese Mountain Dog need?

Adult Berners usually need a large or extra-large head collar from major brands—always measure snout length and circumference and follow the brand chart rather than guessing from weight alone.

Shop · The first month

The new Bernese Mountain Dog starter kit

A Bernese is 100 pounds of love, fur, and poor decisions about your couch. Ten picks, organized around the ten scenes of Berner life — buy these before the dog trains you.

The Berner Edit doesn’t use affiliate links right now — links on this page are plain retailer links. If we add affiliate links later, we’ll disclose it here. We only list products we’d buy for our own Bernese.

No. 1 · The Shed

Undercoat rake

Your Berner sheds enough to build a second dog weekly. This keeps the tumbleweeds down.

See the pick

No. 2 · The Slip

Traction socks, four-pack

One hundred pounds on hardwood is a physics problem. Four socks solve it.

See the pick

No. 3 · The Lunge

Head collar, large breed

For the moment a squirrel rewrites your entire walk. Full pick coming soon.

Walking gear guide

No. 4 · The Sprawl

Giant washable bed

Berners don’t curl up. They expand to fill all available space. Buy XL or buy twice.

See the pick

No. 5 · The Pull

Heavy-duty harness

One hundred ten pounds of opinions, now steerable.

See the pick

No. 6 · The Walk

Strong fixed-length leash

Six feet of heavy-duty nylon. Retractable leashes are for dogs you can lift.

See the pick

No. 7 · The Road Trip

Car seat cover

Mud, fur, wet paws, one very happy passenger. Install before the first ride, not after.

See the pick

No. 8 · The Takeover

Washable couch cover

The sofa was theirs before you moved in. This just makes it washable. Full pick coming soon.

Shedding survival kit

No. 9 · The Inhale

Raised feeding station

Berners don’t eat. They inhale. Raised bowls make it slightly more dignified. Full pick coming soon.

Feeding guide

No. 10 · The Tumbleweed

Pet hair remover

For the fur dunes on every dark surface you own. Daily backup to No. 1.

See the pick

Shop next

Shedding survival kit — the full coat-and-cleanup bundle, for when you see the daily fur volume
Berner gear shopping guide — beds, harnesses, car covers, and long-term picks