Oil
Black, rust and white make a bold painting.
Custom Bernese Mountain Dog Portraits
A gentle Swiss farm dog wrapped in a tricolor teddy-bear coat.
Upload a photo of your Berner to see the portrait.
Shown: an example Oil portrait
Upload a photoPortraits of Bernese Mountain Dogs
Bernese Mountain Dogs come from the farmlands around Bern in Switzerland, where they pulled carts, drove cattle and kept watch. They're big, strong, calm and wonderfully affectionate, and they rank No. 20 on the AKC's 2025 list. Berners are famous for leaning their whole weight against the people they love.
Their tricolor coat is one of the most beautiful in dogdom: jet black, with rich rust on the cheeks, eyebrows and legs, and a crisp white blaze and chest marking that owners often call the 'Swiss cross'. A great Berner portrait keeps that symmetry and the warm brown eyes, which means good, even light is essential. Their gentle, wholesome look suits cozy, classic styles. A Berner by a crackling fire is about as heartwarming as art gets.
Coat & color
Tricolor: black, rust and white. The contrast is spectacular in oil and pastel; keep the black areas well lit.Popularity
No. 20 on the AKC’s 2025 most popular breeds list.Top style pick
Oil · Thick oil paint on a flat color.
Photo tips for your Berner
01Balance the three colors
Shoot in shade or on a cloudy day. Bright sun overexposes the white blaze while the black coat goes flat.02Show the chest
Frame down to the chest to include the white marking. It completes the tricolor pattern.03Brush the ruff
A quick brush fluffs the cheeks and chest so the coat reads soft, not tangled.
Styles for a Berner
Chosen for the breed's look and personality, best first.
Bernese Mountain Dog portrait questions
More answers in the FAQ.
Will the black, rust and white markings come out right?
That's what our styles are designed to do: keep your dog's markings in the right places. An evenly lit, front-facing photo that shows the face and chest gives the best result, and you'll see it free before you buy.
Which portrait style suits a Bernese Mountain Dog?
We'd start with Oil: Black, rust and white make a bold painting. Pastel is a close second: A long, soft tricolor coat suits velvety strokes on warm paper. You can try every style with your own photo and pick the one that looks most like your Berner.
What kind of photo of my Berner works best?
A sharp, close photo in soft daylight, taken at your dog's eye level, is the foundation. For a Berner specifically: Balance the three colors. Shoot in shade or on a cloudy day. Bright sun overexposes the white blaze while the black coat goes flat. Show the chest. Frame down to the chest to include the white marking. It completes the tricolor pattern.
How much does a custom Bernese Mountain Dog portrait cost?
Gallery Canvas from $59, Framed Print from $75, Fine Art Print from $35, Digital Portrait $29. US shipping is free on every order, and every print, framed print and canvas includes the hi-res digital file.