---
title: Bernese Mountain Dog Grooming Guide | Fluffs York
description: "A York groomer's guide to Bernese Mountain Dog coat care: the thick double coat, big seasonal sheds, deshedding, feathering, and why you never shave."
---
[%20(250%20x%20100%20px)%20(1).png)](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk)
- [About](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/about)
- Pricing & Packages
- [Full Dog Groom](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/dog-grooming-prices-and-packages-in-york)
- [Hand Stripping](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/hand-stripping-in-york)
- [Puppy Grooming](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/puppy-grooming-in-york)
- [Wash, Dry & Deshed](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/dog-deshedding-prices-in-york)
- [Nail Clipping](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/dog-nail-clipping-cost-in-york)
- [Gallery](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/dog-grooming-gallery)
- [Reviews](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/customer-reviews-fluffs-dog-grooming-york)
- Resources
- [FAQs](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/faqs)
- [Blog](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/dog-grooming-tips-and-tricks)
- [Contact](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/contact-fluffs)
Dog Grooming
# The Bernese Mountain Dog Grooming Guide: Coat Care & What to Expect
A York groomer's guide to Bernese Mountain Dog coat care: the thick double coat, big seasonal sheds, deshedding, feathering, and why you never shave.
[Lucy](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/dog-grooming-tips-and-tricks/author/lucy)
Oct 20, 2026
---
Bernese Mountain Dogs are big, calm, affectionate giants, and their striking tricolour coat is a huge part of their appeal. That gorgeous black, white and tan coat is also a serious grooming commitment. Bred as a Swiss draught dog to work outdoors in the cold, the [Bernese Mountain Dog](https://www.royalkennelclub.com/search/breeds-a-to-z/breeds/working/bernese-mountain-dog/) carries a thick, long double coat that moults heavily and mats if it's left. If you own one of these lovely dogs, or you're thinking about it, here's what the coat needs and what to expect from professional grooming.
## Understanding the Bernese double coat
The Bernese has a thick [double coat](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/dog-grooming-tips-and-tricks/dog-coat-types-explained): a longer, slightly wavy topcoat over a dense, insulating undercoat. It's built for a cold Swiss mountainside, which is exactly why it needs so much upkeep in a centrally heated home.
The topcoat is where you'll see the feathering, on the legs, the tail and the backs of the ears, while the soft undercoat is the layer that comes out in clumps when your dog moults. Getting that dead undercoat out before it packs down against the skin is the heart of Bernese grooming.
## Big seasonal sheds and staying on top of them
Berners shed steadily all year, then have two much heavier moults, usually spring and autumn, when they blow their coat for the season. On a dog this size, that's a lot of fur, and it appears everywhere.
Regular brushing is where the battle is won. Aim for several sessions a week, and daily when your dog is in full moult. At home I'd suggest:
- A **slicker brush** to lift the loose topcoat and work through the feathering.
- An **undercoat rake** or deshedding tool to reach the dense underlayer, section by section.
- A **comb** to check the danger spots for mats: behind the ears, the armpits, the trousers at the back of the legs, and the tail.
> **Groomer's tip:** On a big coat it's tempting to brush only the surface. The mats form underneath, right against the skin, so brush in layers and work all the way down to the skin. A quick daily once-over beats a marathon session your dog won't enjoy.
## Why you should never shave a Bernese Mountain Dog
Please never shave a Bernese. That double coat is a two-way temperature regulator: it keeps the dog warm in winter and insulates against heat in summer, and it shields the skin from sunburn.
Shave it off and you take away that protection. The undercoat and topcoat also regrow at different rates and often come back patchy, coarse or a different texture, sometimes permanently. If your Bernese is struggling with heat and [heavy shedding](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/dog-grooming-tips-and-tricks/how-to-stop-dog-shedding), the answer is deshedding, not clippers.
## The deshedding treatment: what it involves
For a thick, heavy-shedding double coat like this, a professional [deshedding treatment](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/dog-deshedding-prices-in-york) is the real solution. It combines a deep bath with a deshedding shampoo, a high-velocity blow-dry that lifts the dead undercoat right out, and a thorough de-shed with the proper tools. On a Bernese we remove an astonishing amount of loose fur in one session, the kind that would otherwise have ended up all over your home. Timed around the spring and autumn moults, it keeps shedding at home down to a fraction of what it was.
## Grooming a large dog: a few extra considerations
Grooming a giant breed simply takes longer, and comfort matters. A calm, one-to-one setting suits Berners far better than a busy, noisy environment. A full brush-out, bath, dry and de-shed on a coat this size is a proper appointment, so it helps to build the routine early and keep visits regular rather than leaving the coat to matt between grooms.
Don't overlook the feathering and the practical bits either. Comb the leg and tail feathering often, check those drop ears weekly for wax or odour and keep them dry after a bath, and keep an eye on the nails. If you can hear them clicking on the floor, they're ready for a trim.
## Frequently asked questions
**How often should a Bernese Mountain Dog be groomed?** Professionally every 6 to 8 weeks suits most Berners, with a deshedding treatment added around the spring and autumn moults. Brush thoroughly at home several times a week in between.
**Can I shave my Bernese Mountain Dog in summer?** No. Shaving a double coat removes its insulation and sun protection and can cause patchy, altered regrowth. A deshedding groom is the correct, safe way to keep a Bernese cool.
**Why does my Bernese shed so much?** It's normal for the breed. Berners have a thick double coat and moult heavily, especially in spring and autumn. Regular brushing and professional deshedding keep the loose undercoat off your floor.
**Where do Bernese Mountain Dogs mat the most?** Behind the ears, in the armpits, on the trousers at the back of the legs, and in the tail feathering. Comb these areas regularly and keep up with professional grooming to prevent tight mats forming near the skin.
---
*Fluffs is a professional dog grooming salon in Wigginton, York, offering one-to-one grooming for dogs of every breed and coat type across Haxby, Strensall, Huntington, New Earswick and the surrounding villages. Our calm, one-to-one setup is ideal for a big, gentle Berner. [Book your Bernese in.](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/contact-fluffs)*
[Dog Grooming](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/dog-grooming-tips-and-tricks/tag/dog-grooming)
## Similar posts
Fluffs Dog Grooming
Wigginton,
York, YO32 2TW
Tel: [07955270459](tel:07955270459)
### About
- [About](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/about)
- [Contact](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/contact-fluffs)
- [Reviews](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/customer-reviews-fluffs-dog-grooming-york)
### Local Areas
- [Strensall](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/dog-grooming-in-strensall)
- [Huntington](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/dog-grooming-in-huntington)
- [New Earswick](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/dog-grooming-in-new-earswick)
- [Wigginton](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/dog-groomer-in-wigginton)
- [Haxby](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/dog-groomer-in-haxby)
### Popular Breeds
- [Cockapoos](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/cockapoo-grooming-in-york)
- [Labradors](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/labrador-grooming-in-york)
- [Cocker Spaniels](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/spaniel-grooming-in-york)
- [Golden Retrievers](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/golden-retriever-grooming-in-york)
- [Poodles](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/poodle-grooming-in-york)
- [Pomeranian](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/pomeranian-dog-groomer-in-york)
- [Shih Tzu](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/shih-tzu-grooming-in-york)
- [Cavalier King Charles](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/cavalier-king-charles-spaniel-grooming-in-york)
- [Bichon Frise](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/bichon-frise-grooming-in-york)
- [Miniature Schnauzer](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/miniature-schnauzer-grooming-in-york)
- [Cavapoo](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/cavapoo-grooming-in-york)
© 2026 Fluffs York All rights reserved [Privacy Policy](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/privacy-policy)
[Powered by Atlas - a B2B SaaS HubSpot theme](https://www.kalungi.com/atlas-hubspot-theme-for-b2b-saas-software)
```json
{
"@context" : "https://schema.org",
"@type" : "BlogPosting",
"author" : {
"@type" : "Person",
"name" : "Lucy",
"url" : "https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/dog-grooming-tips-and-tricks/author/lucy"
},
"dateModified" : "2026-10-20T11:28:00.789Z",
"datePublished" : "2026-10-20T11:28:00.000Z",
"headline" : "Bernese Mountain Dog Grooming Guide | Fluffs York",
"mainEntityOfPage" : {
"@id" : "https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/dog-grooming-tips-and-tricks/bernese-mountain-dog-grooming-guide",
"@type" : "WebPage"
},
"publisher" : {
"@type" : "Organization",
"logo" : {
"@type" : "ImageObject",
"url" : "https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/hubfs/Untitled%20(400%20x%20400%20px)%20(250%20x%20100%20px).png"
},
"name" : "Fluffs York"
}
}
```
```json
{
"@context" : "https://schema.org",
"@id" : "https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/#organization",
"@type" : "LocalBusiness",
"additionalType" : "https://schema.org/PetGroomingService",
"address" : {
"@type" : "PostalAddress",
"addressCountry" : "GB",
"addressLocality" : "York",
"postalCode" : "YO32 2TW",
"streetAddress" : "Brecks Close"
},
"areaServed" : [ {
"@type" : "City",
"name" : "York",
"sameAs" : "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/York"
}, {
"@type" : "AdministrativeArea",
"name" : "Wigginton"
}, {
"@type" : "AdministrativeArea",
"name" : "Haxby"
}, {
"@type" : "AdministrativeArea",
"name" : "Strensall"
}, {
"@type" : "AdministrativeArea",
"name" : "Huntington"
}, {
"@type" : "AdministrativeArea",
"name" : "New Earswick"
}, {
"@type" : "AdministrativeArea",
"name" : "Rawcliffe"
}, {
"@type" : "AdministrativeArea",
"name" : "Poppleton"
} ],
"description" : "Professional one-to-one dog grooming in York, specializing in hand stripping, puppy grooming, and deshedding.",
"geo" : {
"@type" : "GeoCoordinates",
"latitude" : "54.0156",
"longitude" : "-1.0844"
},
"hasOfferCatalog" : {
"@type" : "OfferCatalog",
"itemListElement" : [ {
"@type" : "Offer",
"itemOffered" : {
"@type" : "Service",
"description" : "Comprehensive styling, bathing, and clipping tailored to your dog's breed and needs.",
"name" : "Full Dog Grooming"
}
}, {
"@type" : "Offer",
"itemOffered" : {
"@type" : "Service",
"description" : "Traditional manual coat removal for wire-haired breeds to maintain natural coat texture and color.",
"name" : "Hand Stripping"
}
}, {
"@type" : "Offer",
"itemOffered" : {
"@type" : "Service",
"description" : "Professional undercoat removal for double-coated breeds to reduce shedding and improve skin health.",
"name" : "Dog Deshedding"
}
}, {
"@type" : "Offer",
"itemOffered" : {
"@type" : "Service",
"description" : "Gentle 'Puppy Introduction' sessions to build confidence with salon sounds and handling.",
"name" : "Puppy Grooming"
}
}, {
"@type" : "Offer",
"itemOffered" : {
"@type" : "Service",
"description" : "Safe and professional nail trimming for canine comfort and paw health.",
"name" : "Nail Clipping"
}
} ],
"name" : "Grooming Services"
},
"image" : "https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/logo.jpg",
"name" : "Fluffs York",
"openingHoursSpecification" : [ {
"@type" : "OpeningHoursSpecification",
"closes" : "17:00",
"dayOfWeek" : [ "Monday", "Tuesday", "Wednesday", "Thursday", "Friday" ],
"opens" : "09:00"
} ],
"priceRange" : "£10-£65",
"sameAs" : [ "https://www.facebook.com/fluffsyork", "https://www.instagram.com/fluffsyork", "https://maps.app.goo.gl/Er5YVKgijS5ZyRiIa" ],
"telephone" : "+447955270459",
"url" : "https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/"
}
```