Border Collie vs Bernese Mountain Dog
Size Category
Small
Ideal For
First-time Owners, Active People
Maintenance Level
High
Size Category
Medium
Ideal For
Families, Multi-pet Homes
Maintenance Level
Moderate
Decision Helper
Quick Decision Guide
Border Collie might be better if you:
- Want an easily trainable dog
- Lead an active lifestyle
- Often have visitors or socialize frequently
- Want a smaller dog that's easy to carry
Bernese Mountain Dog might be better if you:
- Want a dog great with children
- Have other pets at home
- Want an easily trainable dog
- Lead an active lifestyle
- Often have visitors or socialize frequently
Find Your Match
Quick Match Quiz
Question 1 of 7
What best describes your lifestyle?
Breed Overview
Border Collie
The Border Collie is a highly intelligent and energetic herding dog known for its exceptional agility and herding capabilities. They have a well-defined physique with a medium build, typically standing between 18 to 22 inches tall and weighing between 30 to 45 pounds. Their coat can be either smooth or rough and comes in various colors, including black and white, red and white, and merle patterns. This breed is renowned for its keen instincts, strong work ethic, and eagerness to please, making them highly trainable and responsive to commands. Border Collies require ample mental and physical stimulation, as they can become bored and destructive if not adequately exercised. Their friendly and affectionate nature makes them great companions, but they can also be reserved around strangers.
Bernese Mountain Dog
The Bernese Mountain Dog is a large, sturdy breed known for its beautiful tri-colored coat, which features a black base with rust and white markings. They are characterized by their gentle and affectionate nature, making them excellent family pets. Their calm demeanor and intelligence make them highly trainable, while their loyal and protective instincts make them natural guardians. Bernese Mountain Dogs are known for their friendly disposition towards children and other animals, and they thrive on companionship, often forming strong bonds with their families. However, they require regular exercise and mental stimulation to prevent boredom and maintain good health.
Key Statistics
Life Expectancy
Height (Male)
Weight (Male)
Breed Characteristics
Good with Children
Good with children
Excellent with children
Good with Other Dogs
Generally friendly with other dogs
Very social with other dogs
Shedding
Moderate shedding level
Heavy shedding level
Grooming Needs
Moderate grooming needs
Moderate grooming needs
Trainability
Highly trainable
Highly trainable
Energy Level
Very energetic breed
Very energetic breed
Barking Tendency
Frequent barking tendency
Moderate barking tendency
Care Requirements
Care Requirements
Border Collie
Exercise Needs
Provide a balanced diet suitable for their age and activity level
Grooming
Groom regularly to manage shedding and maintain coat health
Feeding
Provide a balanced diet suitable for their age and activity level
Health Care
Groom regularly to manage shedding and maintain coat health
Bernese Mountain Dog
Exercise Needs
Regular exercise needed
Grooming
Brush the coat at least 2-3 times a week to prevent matting.
Feeding
Feed a balanced diet suitable for large breeds, divided into two meals per day.
Health Care
Regularly check for signs of skin issues or parasites.
Exercise Needs
Provide a balanced diet suitable for their age and activity level
Exercise Needs
Regular exercise needed
Grooming
Groom regularly to manage shedding and maintain coat health
Grooming
Brush the coat at least 2-3 times a week to prevent matting.
Feeding
Provide a balanced diet suitable for their age and activity level
Feeding
Feed a balanced diet suitable for large breeds, divided into two meals per day.
Health Care
Groom regularly to manage shedding and maintain coat health
Health Care
Regularly check for signs of skin issues or parasites.
Additional Care Notes
Border Collie
Bernese Mountain Dog
- •Regularly check for signs of skin issues or parasites.
Training & Exercise
Training & Exercise Guide
Border Collie
Border Collies require consistent and positive reinforcement-based training. Start with basic commands such as sit, stay, come, and down. Socialization is crucial, exposing them to various environments, people, and other animals. Use short, engaging training sessions to hold their attention, as they are intelligent and quick learners.
Training Challenges
- •High energy levels that require regular exercise and mental stimulation.
- •Tendency to herd children or other pets, which can lead to nipping.
- •Boredom, which can result in destructive behaviors if not adequately challenged.
- •Sensitivity to corrections, requiring a gentle approach to training.
Bernese Mountain Dog
Bernese Mountain Dogs require consistent and positive reinforcement-based training. Begin with basic commands such as sit, stay, come, and down. Socialization is crucial, exposing them to various environments, people, and other animals from a young age. Short, engaging training sessions help maintain their attention and promote learning.
Training Challenges
- •Stubbornness during training sessions
- •Separation anxiety if left alone for long periods
- •Sensitivity to harsh training methods
- •Tendency to be distracted by their surroundings
- •Slow maturity, requiring patience for full training potential
Border Collie
Border Collies require consistent and positive reinforcement-based training. Start with basic commands such as sit, stay, come, and down. Socialization is crucial, exposing them to various environments, people, and other animals. Use short, engaging training sessions to hold their attention, as they are intelligent and quick learners.
Training Challenges
- •High energy levels that require regular exercise and mental stimulation.
- •Tendency to herd children or other pets, which can lead to nipping.
- •Boredom, which can result in destructive behaviors if not adequately challenged.
- •Sensitivity to corrections, requiring a gentle approach to training.
Bernese Mountain Dog
Bernese Mountain Dogs require consistent and positive reinforcement-based training. Begin with basic commands such as sit, stay, come, and down. Socialization is crucial, exposing them to various environments, people, and other animals from a young age. Short, engaging training sessions help maintain their attention and promote learning.
Training Challenges
- •Stubbornness during training sessions
- •Separation anxiety if left alone for long periods
- •Sensitivity to harsh training methods
- •Tendency to be distracted by their surroundings
- •Slow maturity, requiring patience for full training potential
Training Resources
Border Collie Training Guide
Bernese Mountain Dog Training Guide
Find Breeders
Find Border Collie Breeders
Find Bernese Mountain Dog Breeders
Local Search Tips
When looking for a reputable breeder in your area, consider these approaches:
- 1.
Contact local veterinarians for breeder recommendations - They often know reputable breeders who prioritize health testing and proper care.
- 2.
Join breed-specific clubs in your area - These communities can provide valuable connections and insights about responsible breeders.
- 3.
Attend local dog shows to meet breeders - This gives you the opportunity to see their dogs and discuss breeding practices in person.