Oxford’s Christmas Market is set to be invaded by Swiss Bernese Mountain dogs for a first-of-its-kind event.

The festive gathering and parade of adorable the dogs will take place on Sunday (December 11) between 5pm and 6pm.

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Organisers say the dogs appearance at the event is appropriate given the Christmas market in Broad Street is inspired by the markets of Switzerland, Austria and Germany.

Oxford Mail: The adorable dogs will be available for cuddles with shoppers before being paraded around the market The adorable dogs will be available for cuddles with shoppers before being paraded around the market (Image: Alpen Schatz)

The festive event is sponsored by Alpen Schatz, an Oxford-based Swiss ‘Alpine Treasures’ gift company, whose owner, Mary Dawn DeBriae, has been a fan and owner of Bernese dogs for more than 20 years.

Dozens of Bernese Mountain dogs (and their owners) from all over England will gather at

‘Berner HQ’, in front of the Alpen Schatz stall, in the heart of the Christmas Market on Sunday.

The ancient breed of Swiss mountain dogs was originally bred by the Romans as working farm dogs in the canton of Bern, the capital of Switzerland. For centuries, they worked on farms as the ‘poor man’s horse’, pulling small waggons of fresh milk churns to local dairies to make Swiss cheeses.

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This story was written by Sophie Perry. She joined the team in 2021 as a digital reporter.

You can get in touch with her by emailing: sophie.perry@newsquest.co.uk

Follow her on Twitter @itssophieperry

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