Bernese mountain dog, breed of sturdy working dog first brought to Switzerland by the invading Roman armies over two millennia ago. It stands from 23 to 27 in. (58-69 cm) high at the shoulder and weighs from 50 to 70 lb (23-32 kg). Its long, silky, slightly wavy coat is jet black with a white blaze up the face, white on the chest, feet, and tip of tail, and russet-brown or tan markings on all four legs and above the eyes. For hundreds of years in its native canton of Bern, the Bernese mountain dog was used as a draft animal by the local merchants to haul cartloads of goods to market. Today it is raised principally for show competition and as a pet. See dog.