Is the American Eskimo Dog Better than the Bergamasco Sheepdog as a Pet? Answer…

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American Eskimo Dog Versus Bergamasco Sheepdog: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the American Eskimo Dog and the Bergamasco Sheepdog? Well, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will provide you a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the American Eskimo Dog and the Bergamasco Sheepdog better suits you.

We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the American Eskimo Dog and the Bergamasco Sheepdog.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the American Eskimo Dog and the Bergamasco Sheepdog is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.

Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the American Eskimo Dog and for the Bergamasco Sheepdog. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you more insight into deciding which pet to get between the American Eskimo Dog and the Bergamasco Sheepdog.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the American Eskimo Dog or the Bergamasco Sheepdog

American Eskimo Dog versus Bergamasco Sheepdog: Overview

A very important difference between the American Eskimo Dog and the Bergamasco Sheepdog is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The American Eskimo Dog is a small-sized dog while the Bergamasco Sheepdog is a medium-sized dog.

Furthermore, the American Eskimo Dog belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.

On the other hand, the Bergamasco Sheepdog belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.

American Eskimo Dog versus Bergamasco Sheepdog: Comparison Table

The table below compares the American Eskimo Dog to the Bergamasco Sheepdog based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.

When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets

Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.

However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.

Factor American Eskimo Dog Bergamasco Sheepdog
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 13 to 15 years
Height 15 to 19 inches tall at the shoulder 20 to 24 inches
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 4/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 4/5
Easygoing 2/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 4/5
Intelligence 4/5 5/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 3/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 1/5 4/5
General Health 5/5 5/5
Easy To Train 5/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
Weight Starts at 30 pounds 55 to 85 pounds
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 14.0 years
Average Price $1220 No Data
Price Range $750 – $1500 No Data
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- after the age of 24 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Legg-Calve-Perthes
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 118 167

    *Data from dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the American Eskimo Dog in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Bergamasco Sheepdog. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.

    The Better-Pet score for a American Eskimo Dog is 87 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Bergamasco Sheepdog is 95 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Bergamasco Sheepdog is a better pet than the American Eskimo Dog. So, you should get the Bergamasco Sheepdog!

    Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

    Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the American Eskimo Dog and the Bergamasco Sheepdog so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the American Eskimo Dog and the Bergamasco Sheepdog

    Below is a list of where the American Eskimo Dog and the Bergamasco Sheepdog are most different:

  • American Eskimo Dogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies. However, Bergamasco Sheepdogs do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • The Similarities Between the American Eskimo Dog and the Bergamasco Sheepdog

    The American Eskimo Dog and the Bergamasco Sheepdog are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the American Eskimo Dog and the Bergamasco Sheepdog are most similar:

  • Both the American Eskimo Dog and the Bergamasco Sheepdog do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the American Eskimo Dog and the Bergamasco Sheepdog do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the American Eskimo Dog and the Bergamasco Sheepdog are good for new dog owners.
  • Both the American Eskimo Dog and the Bergamasco Sheepdog are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the American Eskimo Dog and the Bergamasco Sheepdog are highly intelligent.
  • Both the American Eskimo Dog and the Bergamasco Sheepdog are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the American Eskimo Dog and the Bergamasco Sheepdog require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the American Eskimo Dog and the Bergamasco Sheepdog can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the American Eskimo Dog and the Bergamasco Sheepdog are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the American Eskimo Dog and the Bergamasco Sheepdog get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the American Eskimo Dog and the Bergamasco Sheepdog get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the American Eskimo Dog and the Bergamasco Sheepdog are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the American Eskimo Dog and the Bergamasco Sheepdog have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the American Eskimo Dog and the Bergamasco Sheepdog are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of American Eskimo Dog versus Bergamasco Sheepdog

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the American Eskimo Dog and the Bergamasco Sheepdog.

    American Eskimo Dogs weigh Starts at 30 pounds when fully grown. American Eskimo Dogs are 15 to 19 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Bergamasco Sheepdogs weigh 55 to 85 pounds when fully grown. Bergamasco Sheepdogs are 20 to 24 inches when fully grown.

    The Popularity of American Eskimo Dog versus Popularity of Bergamasco Sheepdog

    Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).

    The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the American Eskimo Dog and the Bergamasco Sheepdog over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the American Eskimo Dog is more popular with dog owners than the Bergamasco Sheepdog. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the American Eskimo Dog is 118 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Bergamasco Sheepdog is 167 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of American Eskimo Dog

    Popularity of American Eskimo Dog

    Popularity of Bergamasco Sheepdog

    Popularity of Bergamasco Sheepdog

    Year American Eskimo Dog Popularity Rank Bergamasco Sheepdog Popularity Rank
    2013 110 no data
    2014 120 96.0
    2015 118 174.0
    2016 122 184.0
    2017 118 181.0
    2018 122 187.0
    2019 120 180.0
    2020 119 173.0

    Health Problems of American Eskimo Dog versus Health Problems of Bergamasco Sheepdog

    Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. Therefore, there is nothing like a perfect puppy.

    Both the American Eskimo Dog and the Bergamasco Sheepdog are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.

    The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.

    Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the American Eskimo Dog is prone to more genetic health problems than the Bergamasco Sheepdog.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the American Eskimo Dog than for the Bergamasco Sheepdog.

    8 health tests are recommended for American Eskimo Dog while 2 tests are recommended for the Bergamasco Sheepdog.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in American Eskimo Dogs and in Bergamasco Sheepdogs.

    American Eskimo Dog Health Problems

    American Eskimo Dogs are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing American Eskimo Dog puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a American Eskimo Dog puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your American Eskimo Dog breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen American Eskimo Dogs for:

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- after the age of 24 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Legg-Calve-Perthes
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for American Eskimo Dogs here.

    Bergamasco Sheepdog Health Problems

    Bergamasco Sheepdogs are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Bergamasco Sheepdog puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Bergamasco Sheepdog puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Bergamasco Sheepdog breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Bergamasco Sheepdogs for:

  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Bergamasco Sheepdogs here.

    Which one drools more, the American Eskimo Dog or the Bergamasco Sheepdog

    American Eskimo Dogs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Bergamasco Sheepdogs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Tolerates Being Alone: American Eskimo Dog versus Bergamasco Sheepdog

    American Eskimo Dogs do not like to be left alone.

    Bergamasco Sheepdogs can be left alone only for a short time.

    Can American Eskimo Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Bergamasco Sheepdogs Tolerate Hot Weather?

    American Eskimo Dogs can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Bergamasco Sheepdogs can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the American Eskimo Dog or the Bergamasco Sheepdog?

    American Eskimo Dogs are moderately easy to groom.

    Bergamasco Sheepdogs are very easy to groom.

    Does the American Eskimo Dog Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Bergamasco Sheepdog?

    American Eskimo Dogs have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Bergamasco Sheepdogs have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.

    Wanderlust Potential: American Eskimo Dog vs. Bergamasco Sheepdog

    American Eskimo Dogs have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Bergamasco Sheepdogs have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the American Eskimo Dog or the Bergamasco Sheepdog?

    American Eskimo Dogs are very good for new dog owners.

    Bergamasco Sheepdogs are very good for new dog owners.

    Do American Eskimo Dogs Bark and Howl? What about Bergamasco Sheepdogs?

    American Eskimo Dogs are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Bergamasco Sheepdogs bark and howl, but not very much.

    Is the American Eskimo Dog Better for Apartment Owners than the Bergamasco Sheepdog?

    American Eskimo Dogs adapt very well to apartment living.

    Bergamasco Sheepdogs adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Can American Eskimo Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Bergamasco Sheepdogs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    American Eskimo Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Bergamasco Sheepdogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Are American Eskimo Dogs good family dogs? What about Bergamasco Sheepdogs?

    American Eskimo Dogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Bergamasco Sheepdogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are American Eskimo Dogs and Bergamasco Sheepdogs?

    American Eskimo Dogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Bergamasco Sheepdogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the American Eskimo Dog or the Bergamasco Sheepdog?

    American Eskimo Dogs get along very well with other dogs.

    Bergamasco Sheepdogs get along very well with other dogs.

    Do American Eskimo Dogs shed more than Bergamasco Sheepdogs?

    American Eskimo Dogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Bergamasco Sheepdogs do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Is the American Eskimo Dog Easier to Train than the Bergamasco Sheepdog?

    American Eskimo Dogs are very easy to train.

    Bergamasco Sheepdogs are fairly easy to train.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the American Eskimo Dog

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Bergamasco Sheepdog that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Bergamasco Sheepdog:

  • Bordoodle (81 percent match with Bergamasco Sheepdog). Here is our comparison of the American Eskimo Dog vs Bordoodle.
  • Pyredoodle (79 percent match with Bergamasco Sheepdog). Here is our comparison of the American Eskimo Dog vs Pyredoodle.
  • Saint Berdoodle (79 percent match with Bergamasco Sheepdog). Here is our comparison of the American Eskimo Dog vs Saint Berdoodle.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Bergamasco Sheepdog

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the American Eskimo Dog that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the American Eskimo Dog:

  • English Cocker Spaniel (79 percent match with American Eskimo Dog). Here is our comparison of the Bergamasco Sheepdog vs English Cocker Spaniel.
  • Keeshond (82 percent match with American Eskimo Dog). Here is our comparison of the Bergamasco Sheepdog vs Keeshond.
  • West Highland White Terrier (81 percent match with American Eskimo Dog). Here is our comparison of the Bergamasco Sheepdog vs West Highland White Terrier.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the American Eskimo Dog and how the Bergamasco Sheepdog compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the American Eskimo Dog and of the Bergamasco Sheepdog to other breeds:

    American Eskimo Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    American Eskimo Dog versus Newfoundland     American Eskimo Dog versus German Wirehaired Pointer     American Eskimo Dog versus Brittany     American Eskimo Dog versus American Staffordshire Terrier     American Eskimo Dog versus King Shepherd     American Eskimo Dog versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen     American Eskimo Dog versus Pomapoo     American Eskimo Dog versus Sealyham Terrier     American Eskimo Dog versus Lhasa Apso     American Eskimo Dog versus Yorkshire Terrier     

    Bergamasco Sheepdog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Bergamasco Sheepdog versus Black and Tan Coonhound     Bergamasco Sheepdog versus Karelian Bear Dog     Bergamasco Sheepdog versus Pointer     Bergamasco Sheepdog versus Mountain Cur     Bergamasco Sheepdog versus King Shepherd     Bergamasco Sheepdog versus Sealyham Terrier     Bergamasco Sheepdog versus Treeing Walker Coonhound     Bergamasco Sheepdog versus Dogo Argentino     Bergamasco Sheepdog versus Peek A Poo     Bergamasco Sheepdog versus Yorkshire Terrier     

    Conclusion: American Eskimo Dog versus Bergamasco Sheepdog. Which One is a Better Pet?

    In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the American Eskimo Dog and the Bergamasco Sheepdog better suits you and your family.