The Bernese Mountain Dog is one of 4 Sennenhund-type dogs from the Swiss Alps. The term "Sennenhund" comes from German "senne", meaning "alpine pasture" and "hund", meaning dog. "Bernese" refers to the canton of Bern where they originated. The breed originated as a multi-purpose farm dog, droving cattle, guarding livestock, and pulling carts to support Switzerland's huge dairy industry. They also served as gentle, affectionate, and warm companions to the farmers' families at night. Although the use of farming machines in the 19th century made the Bernese Mountain Dog more obsolete, enough fans of the breed existed to prevent its extinction.