The Mini Bernese Mountain Dog's roots can be traced back to ancestors that were first brought to Switzerland more than 2,000 years ago by invading Roman soldiers. Historically, Bernese worked as drovers of livestock, draft dogs, watchdogs, and guard dogs in the farmlands of the canton of Berne. In 1926, the first Bernese Mountain Dog entered the United States and quickly became a staple working dog on American farms.